Scottish shale Scottish shale

Boghead Gas Coal mining in West Lothian

Locations within the "Torbane coalfield", to the south and west of Bathgate, where Boghead Coal (also known as Boghead gas coal, Boghead cannel coal, Torbanite, Torbanehill mineral, and various other names) was once worked.

This gas-coal district belongs to nine or ten different pro­prietors, and is let to several tenants. There are no less than thirty-three pits, and above fifty-one steam-engines at work on it, and five standing idle ; but as many of them raise iron­stone along with the coal, this great amount of power is not all employed in getting the Boghead gas-coal ; nevertheless, considering the number of pits, engines, and large pumps at work, this is the most expensive coal to work that I know; but it can be done to a profit.

THREE STEAM ENGINES, RAILWAY RAILS, AND OTHER COLLIERY PLANT, BOGHEAD, BATHGATE, ON MONDAY, 29TH MARCH.

MR JAMES NEILSON begs to announce that he will Sell Public Roup, at BOGHEAD COLLIERY, near Bathgate, on MONDAY, 29th March, 1869, the following very Excellent and Substantial COLLIERY PLANT belonging to Messrs James Russel & Son, comprising-

  • 1 CAPITAL BEAM ENGINE, with 2 feet Cylinder, 4 feet Stroke, Bell Crank, Pumping and Winding Gear, complete,
  • 2 BOILERS, 25 feet by 5 feet,
  • 1 Very Excellent HORIZONTAL STEAM ENGINE, with 16-inch Cylinder, feet Stroke,
  • 1 BOILER, 30 feet 54 feet,
  • 1 BEAM ENGINE, with 20-inch Cylinder, 4 feet Stroke, with Boiler, Pumping, and Winding Gear, .
  • 60 Fathoms 10 and 11-inch Pump Pipes, with Pump Rods, &e.,
  • 2 Pithead Frames,
  • 2 Flat Wire Ropes,
  • 20 Tons Permanent Railway Rails, with Chairs, Points, and Crossings,
  • And a quantity of other Colliery Plant.

Roup to begin at Two Trees Pit, near Armadale Station, at Two o'clock, which suits the Midday Train from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Rose Hall, Falkirk, 15th March, 1869.

Falkirk Herald, 20th March 1869

.......

EIGHT FIRST-CLASS HIGH PRESSURE STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS, PIT-HEAD FRAMES, PUMP PIPES, AND OTHER EXTENSIVE AND VALUABLE COLLIERY PLANT, AT BOGHEAD, NEAR BATHGATE, FRIDAY, 15th APRIL.

MR JAMES NEILSON has the honour to announce that he has been instructed to Sell by Public Roup, at Boghead Colliery, near Bathgate, Friday the l0th April, 1870, the following First-Class STEAM ENGINES and BOILERS, PUMP PIPES, PITHEAD FRAMES, and other Valuable and Extensive COLLIERY PLANT, belonging to Messrs James Russel & Son, comprising :—

  • 1 BEAM ENGINE, 20-inch Cylinder, 4 feet stroke,
  • 1 BEAM ENGINE, 22-inch Cylinder, 4 feet stroke,
  • 1 HORIZONTAL ENGINE, 18-inch Cylinder, 3 1/2 feet stroke
  • 1 HORIZONTAL ENGINE, 12-inch Cylinder, 3 feet stroke.
  • 1 SIDE LEVER ENGINE, 10-inch Cylinder, 2.i feet stroke
  • OSCILLATING ENGINE, 6 1/4 inch Cylinder, 12 inch stroke,
  • BEAM ENGINE, 18-inch Cylinder, 3 1/4 feet stroke,
  • HORIZONTAL ENGINE, 20-inch Cylinder, 4 feet stroke.
  • The greater part of the above Engines have Eggend Boilers, Pumping and Winding Gear, with Pump Pipes of various sizes, suited to the extensive works and Engines, kc, kc. ALSO, PITHEAD FRAMES AND FITTINGS

Detailed Catalogues may be had Mr Neilson eight days before tbe Sale. Roup begin No. 9 Pit, Hopctoun, at o'clock. The Morning Trains from Edinburgh and Glasgow arrive at Bathgate about 9 a.m. A Special Train will start from Bathgate High Station to No. 9 Pit, Hopetoun at 11.30 a.m., to convey Purchasers to the Sale. Falkirk, 23d March, 1870.

Falkirk Herald, 31st March 1870

.......

FOR SALE. by Public Roup or Private Bargain, Engines &c. at BOGHEAD COLLIERY, Bathgate. - viz a Direct Acting Semi-Condensing Pumping Engine 49" cylinder and 12ft stroke with 5 boilers 30ft x 5ft; also steam crane, 20" winding engine, and an 18" beam engine.

The Scotsman 2nd October 1875