Colliery stockyard railways were once a common feature for the movement of materials around the yards, and in and out of the mine. By 1995 there were just two colliery stockyards using narrow gauge locos for this purpose. The stockyard for Berwick Drift Colliery was situated a short distance from where the coal actually comes to the surface.
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In one corner of the yard stands a small brick built loco cum charging shed. Usually one of the small battery locos was on charge here, while the other was working in the yard. The battery units were not swapped over, but charged while in place on the loco. A special feaure of the trackwork was the recessed point levers. This was vital in the busy yard where road vehicles were also constantly in use.
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No.1, a 4wBE Clayton loco (CE5924 1972), is pictured in front of the entrance to the drift at changeover time. No2, Clayton B3060 pictured in the background, is about to be driven back into the shed for charging.
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