Just a quick message to say thanks for giving me the chance to see these awsome photos of the mine, I was just up there today - it seems like there has been a small cave in only feet from the enterance to the mine which appears not to impede progress if visiting again.

I have been reading a few books on the mine end after looking at plans and comparing them to your photo is it safe to assume that all levels lower than the main adit are now submerged?

I was also lookimg today at an old access portal to an escape ladder and accompanying shaft which can be seen in the forecourt of the now closed thornthwaite garage, it looks like an old concrete fireplace. I know the guy who owns the place, wonder where the engine shaft shown on the map surfaces. Theres a shaft rising in the trees just beyond the garage but it looks more like a trial than an engine shaft.

Any info would be greatly appreciated! (and any more photos!).

Regards,

Matt.

The Thornthwaite engine shaft is under the garage forecourt! Hopefully well capped. The small shaft in the trees is choked about 15ft down, it should connect with the adit level (the outflow from this is in the field on the other side of the old A66).
The escape shaft was apparently descended many years ago by a caving group, but was later sealed with concrete & wire.
All of the levels below the adit at Rachel Wood are flooded.

wow, i was told this evening that my friend actually rented the site and it is now being sold for housing. I hope there is some good surveying planned for their sake! 😢

Sadly i guess the escape portal will be lost.

Thanks for the reply, Im always keen to learn more about these mines.

an old access portal to an escape ladder and accompanying shaft which can be seen in the forecourt of the now closed thornthwaite garage, it looks like an old concrete fireplace. I know the guy who owns the place, wonder where the engine shaft shown on the map surfaces?

Was talking to a bloke tonight who who worked for Egertons (they used to be operating from the garage at Thornthwaite). Apparently there is still some kind of tunnel or shaft (it wasn't clear) accesible from inside the garage building. He was going on about access being next to an old stove/fireplace inside the garage. Interesting but also maybe bullsh*t :thumbdown: .

Still, i'm now in touch with the current owner to see if I can get inside and take some photos, keep watching . . .

Yep, as you say ... interesting. But even if still open, any shaft would surely be flooded ? If I remember correctly, the elevation of the place is quite low..... almost at the level of Bassenthwaite Lake ??
Let us know how you get on 😉

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Not quite flooded!

There's a shallow adit which runs into the engine shaft. Could be very interesting.