Bath & Portland Stone Ltd., Monks Park Mine, Corsham, Wiltshire.

3rd March 2004

This Bath Stone Mine located on the outskirts of Corsham (OS Grid Ref. ST878682) still quarries Bathstone from part of the once massive network of mines in the Corsham area of Wiltshire. A narrow gauge system of 2'5½" gauge is used both underground and on the surface to carry the huge stone blocks up the slope shaft. The surface system has been somewhat truncated in recent years but plenty of traces can still be found, as can the remains of many wooden framed wagons. A couple of Ruston 4wDM's used to shunt the surface, whilst a Greenwood and Batley 4wBE loco is still used underground. A footpath passes through a corner of the site.

A general view looking back towards the main gate. On the left is a more modern steel-framed stone wagon and on the right is the winding house for the slope shaft.	The top of the slope shaft going underground with massive Bathstone blocks stacked behind.	The stone wagon waiting to be unloaded by the forklift. Where the wagon stands used to be a turntable accessing the former surface system.	A look down the slope shaft, the steps on the left form the access for workers.
Another view of the wagon standing on the site of the turntable.	Side view of the wagon. Wheels and axleboxes appear to be from the earlier 19th century wooden wagons.	General top of slope shaft view.	The winding house.
A view showing the chain and wire-rope Hawser used to connect the wagon to the haulage cable.	Another general view of the surface.	The stock yard formerly served by the surface system. Some rails remain and can just be seen in the mud behind the lefthand end of the wagon.	End view of the wagon, note the lack of any buffer-beam and the slats designed to stop stone blocks slipping off the bed whilst being wound to the surface.
A final overall view of the yard.