Well thanks for the intro guys!!! :lol: .... The theory is that coal was taken from Portland Pits and Mexbro Pits to the sidings at the top of the Butterley incline at Jacksdale from where it was transhipped to the standard gauge wagons (shunted by the coffee pot engines) which were then lowered down the incline to Portland Wharf for transhipment to barges, however the line continued past the wharf onto Codnor Park Ironworks and the Western section of the Butterley Co Raliway. There was a winding engine house (known as the Drumhouse) which worked the incline which runs down the side of what is known as Flagstaff lane passing under it at the bottom. The lines to the Mexborough and Portland Pits were Plateways (see detail below). I have started a map of the routes which will be finished in due course, here is the unfinished map. (Butterley Rly West of Jacksdale is fully mapped and I will post later).
As for dates of line closure this is sketchy as based on the pit closure dates and maps I believe the route was definately out of use and lifted East of Portland Wharf by 1898 as it does not appear on the 1:2500 maps of that year.
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The locos were 0-4-0Ts built by the Butterley Co themselves and I believe there were 3 known as Florence Ethel & Tiny! They had wooden underframes and inside cylinders plus big domes hence "coffee pot". Build and scrapping dates are unknown.
The Tramway/Waggonway/Plateway is recorded as being stone blocks (setts/padstones) carrying 3ft long Fish Bellied Edge Rails of a design I believe to be similar to those used on the Pinxton and Mansfield Railway, it was generally horse drawn. We know the construction as sections of rail and setts have survived (I have a rail).
The coal itself was more than likely carried in containers which were carried on a wagon frame (on the tramway and the railway) that could literally be lifted by Crane straight onto barges... an early form of containerisation! :thumbup: We know this method was certainly in use on the Little Eaton and Denby and probably on the Codnor Park Wharfs of the Cromford Canal.
My understanding is that Mexborough Upper was known as that and the lower one was known as Bog and Wink Pit as against Mexborough lower, what is known is that the coal was lowered down from Top to the Bog and Wink Sidings by use of a "Jig" or self acting incline and weighed at the bottom on a weighbridge.
The coffee pot engines are recorded as being used at Butterley Works which would make the track gauge 4'8.5" (std gauge).
I recently found out that the line is probably that know as the Portland Railway enacted in 1825 by Parliament (same year as the Cromford & High Peak)
Hope that helps. :thumbsup:
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!