Washington 'F' Pit Industrial Museum

Useful Information

Location:	Washington. 8 km southeast of Newcastle Map Ref: (Sheet 88) NZ302574, (54°54'38" N, 1°1'40" W)
Open:
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Light:	Incandescent
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Address:	Washington 'F' Pit Industrial Museum, Albany Way, District 2, Washington, NE37 1BJ, Tel: +44-191-553-2323. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1777	pit opened.
????	owned by Washington Coal Co. Ltd..
1927	owned by Matthew Henry Kellett.
1947	owned by the National Coal Board (N.C.B.).
21-JUN-1968	pit closed.
1974	last coal mine at Washington closed.

Geology

There were several coal seams below Washington which were mined. The four mined seems were about one metre thick and at depths between 146 m and 206 m.

Main Coal seam: 1 m thick, 146 m below surface.
Maudlin seam: between 1.40 m and 1.80 m thick, 165 m below surface.
Low Main seam: 1.06 m thick, 185 m below surface.
Hutton seam: 0.93 m thick, 206 m below surface.

Description

The main sight of the Washington ‘F’ Pit is a Victorian steam engine, engine house and headgear. These are the last remains of 250 years long coal mining history. The winding engine once took pitmen to the coal face and brought coal to the surface. The steam engine is not working with steam anymore, but it is well-preserved and can be seen working, driven by an electric motor.