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MINING COAL - METHODS - Underground Railways

Coal was moved from the workings to the surface
by underground railways. When mining started here in 1898,
small spark free compressed air powered locomotives or "dinkys"
were used to haul trains of one ton coal cars to surface.
Steam locomotives could not be used underground because
of the danger of their fires starting an explosion.
Electric locomotives were seldom used in the early mines
and only in areas that were completely free of explosive
gases.

As time passed and technology advanced the railways were
replaced by electric powered loaders and conveyor belts.

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