Machine Room Astley Colliery

[KEASLA]

Machine Room Astley Colliery by KEASLA, on Flickr


Machine Room Astley Colliery by KEASLA, on Flickr

 

[Helen B]

Nice pictures. Imagine what it was like when that winding engine was working at full speed in mid-wind. Did you also take detail pictures to show more of what we are looking at? Unless you know, would you guess that these are the cylinders of a single, huge steam engine rather than individual machines? Would it have been possible to take the picture the other way round - thus showing the business end - the fancy bi-cylindro-conical winding drum - front and centre instead of way in the distance, and also seeing one or both of the huge cross-heads if possible? As an aside, I've never heard such a building referred to as a machine room - we would have called it a winding house, a winding engine house or simply an engine house.