Gas in Cwmorthin?! · AditNow Community

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Xan_Asmodi
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

Hi all,

Was back in the old beast in mid-June, myself and some friends were setting up for a shot near to the top of back vein incline when we smelt gas. It smelt very hydrocarbon in nature, but we weren't sticking around to find out! I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this? It was quite worrying and we immediately evacuated the area.

For clarity, at the top of Old Vein incline head right instead of down. There's a building with water cascading down from the ceiling.

I'll cross post this to a few sites to gain as wide coverage as possible.

Xan/Dave

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rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Can't see any possibility of gas from a natural source in Cwmorthin! That area also ventilates quite well.

MOST likely thing was old oil smell from the machine bases. (Prehaps something has moved releasing a smell.)

Other possibility is rubbish / gas canisters / rotting food left by chavs!

I am sure that experienced people will have a look & report, no need for panic measures!

Xan_Asmodi
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

I agree, no need for panic. Just wanted to raise the issue with, as you say, more experienced people.

walsh
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

I've smelt a oily/diesel smell in the same place once or twice too, although I went back a week or so later and the smell had gone.

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Not sure if fuel-powered winders were used for either of the main underground inclines, but that could be one source.

Possibly something related to a generator at the time of the 80s workings though?

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration

12 years ago

"Vanoord" wrote:
Not sure if fuel-powered winders were used for either of the main underground inclines, but that could be one source.

Possibly something related to a generator at the time of the 80s workings though?

The old vein incline was - iirc - steam powered, then (unsuccessfully) air powered, then paraffin.

@Xan - there has always been a whiff of diesel just around the corner from the OVI head. Strongest around the shallow puddle where a timbered level once continued and where you scramble up into the smoke flue route.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

staffordshirechina
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

I have been going in there since the early 70's and there has always been whiffs of old oily stuff around the machine areas.
Sometimes stronger than other times depending on the ventilation of the day.
A number of mines that have had long term machinery installations have this characteristic smell.

Blober
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Could be all those rotting timbers?
I was in there Saturday and didn't notice anything, in fact the air seemed fresher than usual.

FILTH - Think this is a playground? Think again...

jaiyls
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Ah, Old oily incline head smell? smells like home to me.
know what I mean?

Have you got any blocks boy?

Pinzgauer
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

#10

I agree with staffordshirechina. I too was mooching around Cwmorthin in the early 70's and the Robin Jones era. The various machine bases and their surrounding areas stunk of lube oil and old diesel. It's been there for decades and will be for moons to come no doubt. There was a ancient galv. drum of paraffin in one chamber for years - until some numpties removed the bung and tipped said drum over. Paraffin is liquid gold these days! 😠

Who threw the overalls in Mrs Murphy''s Chowder ??