Excavators Beckon in Threlkeld

The weather was a tad hot and sultry, but it was a nice walk to the Threlkeld Mining and Quarrying Museum, which was full of excavators! What interesting things people collect! On the museum site, a trip on a narrow gauge railway and a visit to a mine added to the interest. Later, the deluge came - a real Lakeland deluge which necessitated a cab journey back to Scales. But the day had certainly been memorable and worthwhile. Indeed, every day in life brings new experiences!

In Threlkeld, excavators of all ages and sizes socialise under Blencathra's watchful gaze.

And here's what you will see of my visit to the excavator community. Happy browsing!

• Excavators Beckon
• Walk to Threlkeld
• Walk Features
• Mining & Quarry Museum
• Quarry Train Ride Through Excavator Land
• "Sir Tom" - A Touch of Steam
• The Mine - Life Underground
• Evening


• Please Read Me! Thankyou!

Walk to Threlkeld

The air was close, but it was a nice and sunny walk along the Glenderamackin with Blencathra to the north. Done the walk twice before, but no matter. I mean, the walk was through lush Lakeland pastures and framed by Lakeland mountains. Obviously, I shan't be making a walk of this nature down south, so why not enjoy it while the opportunity is here! Certainly, no need to be afraid of some repetition in life!

Viewed from Scales, Clough Head seemed to have taken on a Mediterranean look.
The weather seemed likewise Mediterranean.




From the banks of the Glenderamackin, one could see that ...




... clouds and haze were already circling around Blencathra's bald pate.




In the valley, the lush green of a late spring indicated that summer was not far away.

Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum

The museum lies in the shadow of Blencathra. There is a detailed display of the various minerals mined in the Lake District and the tools and machines used to extract them. A replica mine gave me a vivid impression of the tough and dangerous life underground in days of yore. A narrow gauge railway took me around the quarry site which has become home to lots and lots of excavators, all seemingly talking to each other. The museum is not the headquarters of the U.K. Vintage Excavator Trust for nothing!

The entrance to the museum is by the train terminus.




Blencathra watches everything.

Seeing the Quarry and the Excavators by Train

A mile long narrow (2 foot) gauge railway took me round the extensive quarry. As mentioned, on the short journey, excavators were to appear everywhere like some exotic art form. All in the shadow of that noble pile they call Blencathra.

The little train is today headed by the 1947 ex-Navy (!) Ruston/Hornsby diesel.
For those who may be interested, the diesel was re-gauged from 2' 6" to 2', and air brakes fitted. The carriages were constructed by the moustached supremo, about whom more later.




This is how to drive the locomotive ...




... round the bend.




We pass a congregation of excavators, including the collection's "special gem" - a Ruston excavator, vintage 1909. It ran on rails - caterpillar tracks had to wait until WWI.




Another bend or so ...




... until we reach the quarry.




Before the return journey, ...




... there's time to de-train and survey the scene,
where vegetation is gradually, but pleasantly, taking over.




On our return there are excavators ...




... and yet more excavators, including the yellow and dark red "Ruston Bucyrus", which I remember as a "Matchbox Toy"®. Tempus irreparabile fugit!




Another bend ...




... or two, before we get back to the "terminus".

Sir Tom - A Touch of Steam

On site there are three operational locomotives, two diesel mechanical and one steam. The steam locomotive was built by Bagnall of Stafford in 1926 and is called "Sir Tom" after Sir Tom Callender of British Insulated Callender Cables. The engine worked at BICC in Kent until 1968 and then lay idle for 30 years. It was saved and restored to its present operational condition by "the local supremo" at Threlkeld - a lot of hard engineering work which he completed by 2006. "The supremo" has plans to construct two more steam engines - essentially new-builds. He also has plans to extend the railway by about two miles to join up with three other old quarries and at the same time crossing the Old Coach Road and of course using the existing track bed. Piles of rails and sleepers are at the ready, waiting for the moment when planning permission is granted. The extension would give visitors a scenically impressive vintage train ride. All good for the tourist industry!

"Sir Tom" in his shed. I was given special access as a reward for asking. Again, "he who asks may sometimes be rewarded!"




Pistons, con-rods, control levers - all nicely oiled.




The engine was built in 1926 by the famous Bagnall company.




Here's how to drive it.




And here is "Sir Tom" with his rescuer and restorer, the "local supremo" (with moustache!).

The Mine - Life Underground

The museum also shows what life was like deep underground in a mine. It was tough. Confined spaces. Dangerous. Unhealthy. Poverty. All in the quest for minerals and metals such as Tungsten and Lead, and for building materials such as Slate.

The mine entrance is near to the "train terminus".




This (already in the mine) is a windlass for materials - and men! No safety mechanisms. Safety had to wait until the 19th century when the lift manufacturer, Waygood Otis, demonstrated how a lift cage could be brought to a halt if its supporting cable broke.




To save time and money, mining passages were made as small as possible - not for claustrophobes!




Miners preferred wooden roof supports to those made from metal.
Unlike metal, wood would give a warning by starting to creak ahead of a potential roof cave-in, when the wood could no longer carry the weight of the material above it.




After the mine visit, the Lakeland deluge in the world outside was quite refreshing. The larger version of this picture actually shows the massive, "thundery" rain drops, but you can imagine them on this smaller sized picture as well. In the event, no more walking today, but a short and quick cab ride back to Scales!

Evening

The evening in Scales was quite relaxing. The rain had finally ceased. An early visit to the "White Horse" was followed by a scenic walk along the quiet and narrow side road above Scales. A last look at the mountains and the landscape.

It's close to the longest day so it's a while before the lights come on.




From the small side road above Scales ...




... there are some last glimpses, between the trees, of Clough Head.




Life was tough in the rural communities of old. Nowadays, electric light has replaced tallow candles, and the scene conjures up relaxation as the night approaches.