Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
15287
Building Number
Grade
II
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
09/02/1995
Date of Amendment
09/02/1995
Name of Property
Haulage Engine and Pitman's Cabin
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Torfaen
Community
Blaenavon
Town
Locality
Big Pit Mining Museum
Easting
323855
Northing
208769
Street Side
Location
Situated to the rear of the electrical workshops.
Description
Broad Class
Domestic
Period
History
The engine house provided haulage power for a drift mine in the hillside above the present car park. The operator was responsible for maintaining the shaft and its equipment. Big Pit was operated in connection with Blaenavon Ironworks, then by the National Coal Board from 1947 to 1980. Underground workings date from the early C19 but the shaft on this site was sunk in 1860. The present surface structures date from between c1900 and the 1970's. This piecemeal development was typical of mines in South Wales and it is now the most complete remaining, having been reopened as a museum in 1983.
Exterior
Rectangular one storey building in red and yellow brick, with extension to its north-east elevation. The north-west elevation of the engine house has a flight of steps leading to a doorway with small window to one side. The south-west has one large blocked opening. Brackets support the verges under the pitched roof. The Pitman's Cabin has a stable door on its north-west elevation. The north-east elevation has a brick base built against it, with four pipes protruding vertically. It has a catslide roof.
Interior
No equipment survives in the engine house which is now used for storage. The pitman's cabin has a wooden bench and tools.
Reason for designation
Included for group value with other listed items at this exceptionally complete colliery site.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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