Description and History of Site:-
The National Coal Mining Museum since 1995. Probably the oldest colliery shaft still in use. A large site offering a range of facilities, exhibitions and underground trips.

The twin-cylinder steam winding engine of 1876 by Davy Bros. of Sheffield is still in situ, with cylinders of 16.5 inches diameter and 36 inch stroke. Steam pressure 80 psi. It was bought from a woollen mill and was used regularly until 1974, and occasionally until 1981.

The wooden headframes over the 444 foot shaft are an unusual survival. Due to the risk of damage or destruction by fire, they were not permitted to be built after 1911. Sunk around 1790 into the Flockton seams. Originally leased to the owners of the nearby Flockton colliery, by the 1850s
was worked as part of Denby Grange colliery. From 1943 to 1946 run by Lockwood & Elliott, the owners of Shuttle Eye colliery, then nationalised. Merged with Denby Grange to form Caphouse-Denby Grange in 1980, but with its available coal nearing exhaustion, scheduled for closure in October 1985.

Reopened in 1988 as the Yorkshire Mining Museum and in 1995 became the National Coal Mining Museum for England.

Further Reading and References:-
A Brief Guide to the Industrial Heritage of West Yorkshire W J Thompson Ed AIA 1989
https://www.nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/coal-mining-in-the-british-isles/yorkshire-coalfield/barnsley/caphouse/
http://www.ncm.org.uk/

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Key Words :- museum

Address :- New Road, Overton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4RH
Grid Ref :- SE 25270 16420
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.643685 , Long -1.619232
Local Authority :- Wakefield Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II*
Historic England List No - 1135482,
Site Condition :- Site conserved and open to the public
Record Date :- 5 May 2015

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