Background Information:
Mine Machines, Driving The first coal mines followed the line of the coal seam. The coal face was the height of the seam, and miners would take out as little extra stone as possible to make usable roadways. A roadway is the name given to a tunnel used for traveling, or transporting coal. The use of ponies, and later machines, made it necessary to drive bigger travelling roads, although these were kept as small as possible to keep costs down. Roadways driven through stone were often very hard work to drive. A ripper, using a hydraulicpowered pick, and shot-firers using explosives would open up roadways large enough for tubs, locomotives and the passage of machinery.
A modern travelling roadway. Š IMH Group
In the late 1900s, machines such as the Dosco Roadheader or the Dosco Dintheader were used to drive arched or rectangular roadways. A special platform fitted on the machines allowed mineworkers to fit roof girders or roof bolts.
A Dosco dintheader. Š Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO, 2013
A Dosco roadheader. Š Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO, 2013
Find out more about driving machines and techniques, on site at the Museum in the Coal Interface Gallery and on the underground tour.