While researching the coal traffic around Leeds, I bought this undated picture on eBay described as "Micklefield, Peckfield Colliery". That location is on the Garforth Field midway between Leeds and Selby. Alas, this is not it and I cannot place the actual location. A useful clue is what looks like an ex-NER J21 in the yard so we're probably talking about an ex-NER location somewhere else. The OS 25" map for Peckfield is shown below and compared with the photograph:
Click on the image for an enlargement
The OS 25" map for 1905-8 shows no double track junction, the colliery parallel to the running lines, and a signal box (shaded yellow) to the north.
The photograph shows none of that, a particular feature being the screens & loading building with 8-9 roads (compared with Peckfield's 7).
I have checked other collieries in this district so am stumped. It would be nice to know the actual location and if anyone can help, please get in touch via the Contact link!
Click on the image for an enlargement
Well, shiver me timbers, if Frank Routledge hasn't already come up with a solution (thank you Frank) that it's a colliery on the LNER line at Altofts Junction, less than a mile north of Normanton. It's actually one of two collieries next to each other, here is part of the 25" OS map:
This extract from 1932-33 shows the area in the photograph and a precise match with it. It looks like the photographer had climbed up a signal pretty well in front of a signal box so this was no casual snap, possibly to record repairs to the track. The curving LNER line leads to all points north - Leeds, York and Selby. The other line is the ex-MR route to Leeds. Both companies can be seen with connections to these collieries with as mentioned above, what looks like an ex-NER J21 on the NER/LNER side, possibly from Neville Hill.
Click on the image for an enlargement
