6th July 2007

The branch might be known as Greenburn as that is where the loading point is, but the coal comes from Knockshinnoch Colliery, now an opencast site. Knockshinnoch Colliery was the site of a dreadful disaster in 1950, but one that also saw the amazing rescue of 116 miners from underground. An area the size of a football pitch collapsed under the weight of saturated moss and peat after heavy rain, killing 13 miners, but the remarkable rescue effort saved those fortunate 116 men.

It's 12.10, and having arrived with the 6S63 02.32 Healey Mills to Greenburn empty HTA coal hoppers, 66198 is running around, and will wait to form the 6E92 15.00 Greenburn to Drax Power Station return service.