News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 11th Year

Issue

Issue No.

4

Date Released

Dec 1957

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. PIER DRILL
• 2. MODEL MAN
• 3. OUT FOR A SPIN
• 4. SEA CHANGE

Story

Story No. within this Issue

3 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: introduces the gyro loco powered by high-speed heavy flywheels under the bonnet
NCB Commentary - At Seaton Delaval a new type of locomotive makes its bow.
This is the gyro loco. It runs by using the power stored up in a pair of heavy flywheels which spin at high speed under the bonnet.
Here’s the principle which drives the engine. Just like in a kid’s toy which keeps on running once you’ve given it an initial push, it’s the flywheel which keeps things going.
On the job the loco is doing at the moment, two charging stations are needed. As she approaches the charging station, the arms on the side of the loco swing out to make electrical contact.
Inside 2 1/2 minutes an electric motor boosts the speed of the gyro until the flywheel is turning at 3,000 revolutions a minute. The energy-storing flywheel is sealed inside this casing.
The charging rate adjusts itself automatically. Now fully charged, the gyro loco can set off to pick up a load of coal trucks.
These are empties which it will haul the mile between Seaton Delaval and Hartley Main colliery.
There’s hardly any noise, and remember it’s only stored energy which is keeping the train on the move and she’ll run anything from 7 to 30 minutes between charges, depending on the load.
Arriving at Harley, it’s time for a fresh boost. A quick recharge, and the loco backs up to a set of full trucks for the return journey.
Eventually, it’s hoped to develop this type of locomotive in compact enough form for underground work.
A salute from youth to age. On the way back along the track, here’s possibly the oldest steam locomotive still in the service of the mining industry.
No. 3, as she’s called, was built at Stephenson’s works in 1866, which makes her 91 years old.
64 year old driver George Patterson claims that she’s in as good a trim as ever.
Old No. 3 has still got loads of work left in her. Let’s hope that the new gyro loco’s working future will be able to match the record of nearly a century on the rails.

Researcher Comments

Commentary recorded 4th November 1957.

Keywords

Vehicles; Industry and manufacture; Mining

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.12 No.138 April 1958, p168.
The National Archives COAL 32   /12 Scripts for Mining Review, 1956-1960

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Sponsor

National Coal Board