119 NOT OUT

Series

Series Name: Mining Review 8th Year

Issue

Issue No.

Date Released

Jan 1955

Stories in this Issue:

Story

Story No. within this Issue

3 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: an old steam engine at work at Warden Law colliery.
NCB Commentary - Still in the county of Durham, across the high moorland country inland from Sunderland’s busy port, 62-year-old Alfred Swinhoe makes his way to work.
Alfred is in charge of one of the oldest winding engines in the country. Warden Law is the place and this 300 h.p. steam beam engine has been there for 119 years. She still works as well as on the day on which she was installed.
Being in charge of a machine like this is more of a vocation than a job. Alfred Swinhoe has never missed a working hour since 1930 except for seven weeks when he was off with a broken ankle. The engine pulls loaded coal trucks up a gradient from Elemore and Eppleton pits to the 9-mile line heading into Sunderland. To-day, 119 not out, the Warden Law engine is still hauling 5,000 tons a day.
Yes, all that you seen here dates back to 1836 except for the shaft and some new bearings.
Perhaps soon the time will come when the Warden Law Engine will have to be replaced by a more modern installation. When that day does come no-one will miss her more than Alfred Swinhoe.

Researcher Comments

Commentary recorded 6 December 1954.

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