February 27, 2020

red lake china clay workings – extraction

Steve Grigg and Frank Collinson

This post on the Red Lake China Clay Works, provides information and pictures on the extraction point of the clay and associated infrastructure at the end of the tramway. This post complements other post on this website, relating to the Red Lake clay operations. Due reference is made to the excellent EA Wade publications (1982 and 2004), without which much of the knowledge of this fascinating part of industrial archaeology on the moor would be lost.

Redlake Extraction 1 — This overlay plan uses the drawing in the EA Wade publications & OS map to aid exploration.

Redlake Extraction 2 — This is the final cutting on the tramway before the clay workings. The depth of peat cut here is quite incredible and testament to the guys who dug it. The 8 miles 17 chains took only a year or so to build. Richard Hansford-Worth surveyed the route in 1909 and the full line was opened in 1911.

Redlake Extraction 3 — The last straight of the tramway, the workings coming into view.

Redlake Extraction 4 — Siding on the left.

Redlake Extraction 5 — Looking back down the line from where the locomotive shed would have been located. SX64689 66744

Redlake Extraction 6 — Coal House at end of Engine and Boiler House. SX64623 66829

Redlake Extraction 7 — Back of coal house. It is doubtful that the Shovel is 100 years old !

Redlake Extraction 8 — Engine and Boiler House

Redlake Extraction 9 — Winding Engine overlooking the flooded pit

Redlake Extraction 10 — End of Engine and Boiler house. SX64627 66843

Redlake Extraction 11 — Engine and Boiler house overlooking the flooded pit

Redlake Extraction 12 — Winding Engine with the flooded pit and sky tip. SX64594 66838

Redlake Extraction 13 — What looks like a steam inlet at the winding Engine.

Redlake Extraction 14 — Picture from Wade publications. I have added the labels of the buildings from the plan.

Redlake Extraction 15 — This photograph is taken from the most likely location where the c 1920s photograph was taken with the addition of the pit on the right. The barracks can just be seen. This photograph was taken from half way up the spoil tip (aka sky tip).

Redlake Extraction 16 — Location of Peat House. SX64570 66825

Redlake Extraction 17 — View from the Peat House looking looking North.

Redlake Extraction 18 — Drying Room and store. SX64593 66796

Redlake Extraction 19 — Possible steam inlet into the drying room to enable the drying of clothes.

Dining room foundations. SX64597 66798

Redlake Extraction 21 — Smiths shop foundations. SX64603 66781

Redlake Extraction 22 — Carpenters shop foundations. SX64590 66786

Redlake Extraction 23 — Chimney from the Office block. SX64591 66777

Redlake Extraction 24 — Hostel / Barracks. SX64634 66717

Redlake Extraction 25 — Steps into the hostel / barracks.

Redlake Extraction 26 — The hostel / barracks in the snow. c1920’s

Redlake Extraction 27 — Another view of the barracks looking south

Redlake Extraction 28 — Outlet at hostel / barracks. Is this from washing facilities?

Redlake Extraction 29 — The reservoirs providing water to the monitors used in clay extraction. The reservoir on the left was fed by the boundary leat, the one on the right was fed by water returned from Greenhill micas by the return leat. SX64713 66884

Redlake Extraction 30 — Higher elevation view of the reservoirs

Redlake Extraction 31 — The boundary leat as seen from on top of the sky tip. The dark line two-thirds the way up the photograph and towards the right. This collected water from the run off from Green Hill.

Redlake Extraction 32 — Fabulous view from the top, with Heap of Sinners in the sunshine on left. The Avon reservoir just visible.

Redlake Extraction 33 — View of the sky tip from below

Redlake Extraction 34 — Wagons on the double tracked incline from the extraction pit to the top of the sky tip. The wagons can be seen at the “normal” ground level.

Redlake Extraction 35 — This picture was taken in 1920, looking down the double tracked incline. The engine called “DARTMOOR” can be seen mid picture (left). Portable track can be seen alongside the pit.

Redlake Extraction 36 — The flooded clay pit, looking down from the same point as the 1920’s picture.

Redlake Extraction 37 — Operating a monitor for clay extraction. Water being supplied by the two reservoirs

Redlake Extraction 38 — 360 deg view from the top of the sky tip. Best viewed in a new tab.

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