IRON
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COAL
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COAL
One haulage plain known as “Face Branch” was reported to be in an exceedingly bad state of repair and its condition had been rendered considerably worse, despite heavy repairs, by the workings of the Little Vein seam below from the South Tunnel pit.
In April 1911 GKN approved the deepening of both pits to the Little Vein seam, to comply with the conditions of the Bute Lease for the extended area dated September 1909.
Colliery Layout
The colliery complex was connected to the Brecon & Merthyr Railway at Junction House on the Fochriw side and to the Joint Great Western and Rhymney Railway on the Cwm Bargoed side.
During the life of the colliery, substantive layout changes took place as can be observed from Figs 1, 2 & 3. It is assumed that Fig 3 depicts the top pit layout “as was” on the day of closure, whereas both Figs 1 & 2 are of the same arrangement circ 1896, however, it should be noted that the headgear of both shafts are much less substantial in construction and that the engine house for the No 2 south (downcast) shaft is located to the east of the shaft and not to the west as per the final arrangement.
Figs 1 & 2 show the No1 pit engine house as a quarry stone building with a barrel corrugated type roof, whereas the final arrangement was that of a much larger quarry stone building with a pitched slate roof.
Fig 3 depicts No2 pit with a pitched slate roofed engine house and this building was constructed of red bricks with yellow/beige bricks outlining the windows, doors etc.
The colliery complex was connected to the Brecon & Merthyr Railway at Junction House on the Fochriw side and to the Joint Great Western and Rhymney Railway on the Cwm Bargoed side.
During the life of the colliery, substantive layout changes took place as can be observed from Figs 1, 2 & 3. It is assumed that Fig 3 depicts the top pit layout “as was” on the day of closure, whereas both Figs 1 & 2 are of the same arrangement circ 1896, however, it should be noted that the headgear of both shafts are much less substantial in construction and that the engine house for the No 2 south (downcast) shaft is located to the east of the shaft and not to the west as per the final arrangement.
Figs 1 & 2 show the No1 pit engine house as a quarry stone building with a barrel corrugated type roof, whereas the final arrangement was that of a much larger quarry stone building with a pitched slate roof.
Fig 3 depicts No2 pit with a pitched slate roofed engine house and this building was constructed of red bricks with yellow/beige bricks outlining the windows, doors etc.
The future of Fochriw Colliery seemed to be secured, and this is supported by the following article in the 27 January 1923 issue of the Merthyr Express
“Fochriw Development: Employment for a Thousand Men in Two Years Within the last few weeks, a new winder has been installed at the No.1 Pit, a head gear has been re-inforced and various other improvements are in progress with a view to new facilities for increase in output. Trial drifts have been driven at four points on the face of the mountain between Fochriw and Pontlottyn, and have proved satisfactory. House coal veins, paticularly the Brithdir seams, have been found intact and are of excellent quality. Slants will be driven into the mountain and a bridge will be erected over the railway line