Deep, Dark and Dangerous.

The roads to Cefn Coed Colliery were dead this morning.We got there about 10.30 just as they were opening. There were lots of volunteers, eager to tell us the history of the mine.Cefn Coed was opened as an anthracite colliery by the Llwynon Colliery Company during the 1920's. the first coal was raised in 1930, with shaft workings powered by a steam engine, fuelled by coal. The best coal came from the deepest seam, called the Peacock, broken into a depth of 800 metres. Cefn Coed, during it's working life at depths of 2,500 feet , was the deepest anthracite mine in Europe. However , at such depths and with frequent mining accidents due to methane gas and roof falls, the pit soon had the unenviable nickname of "The Slaughterhouse".
As soon as we went inside a gentleman called Ray, turned the winding wheel on for us, and he actually allowed me to turn on the engine. It was huge and very impressive. I did take photos but the lighting was poor. We were there about two hours and there were some great layouts that J was very imressed with. The good news as far i was concerned was no money changed hands, except for tea and coffee.The weather was again dull and very cold. Back home now, and enjoying an afternoon of reading the paper.