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Handaxwood No.1 Pit

Risland Knowes, Leven Seat, S of Fauldhouse, Midlothian (West Lothian).

Mine (Ironstone), 19th Century.

Operated by William Dixon Co. & closed in 1873. Shaft site now buried below derelict ground near track, along E side of associated bing. Workings contiguous with those of pits 2, 3 & 4. Level tunnel leads N from No.1 Pit to mine mouth [Site 7811].

"The Wilsontown, Morningside, and Coltness Railway was opened in 1845 to link the mineral fields of West Lothian with the Ironworks of Lanarkshire. At Fauldhouse, various sidings served Wm. Dixon's coal and iron pits in the Greenburn area. At some time around 1860 an inclined tramway was constructed between Greenburn and the Dixon's ironstone pits high up on the hillside. The Caledonian Railway's Midcalder and Cleland's line opened in 1868, and was carried on a high viaduct above the Greenburn pits and the sidings that served them. The Caledonian also built a standard gauge branch from their new main line to serve the Muldron pits, which opened in about 1870 This branch line passed over the route of the inclined tramway on a low bridge so presumably remained in operation. By 1895, when the second edition OS map was surveyed, No.1, 2, 3. & 4 pits were closed, rails lifted, and route marked as an "old tramway"." [Scottish Shale]

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: Workings shown as 'old waste workings' (i.e. probably collapsed) on No.5 abandonment plan. Curdley Ironstone seam 4-8 inch-thick.

Annotated on geol. survey map as "12 fms to Cur." [22 m to Curdly Ironstone]. 'Old shafts' marked on OS map.

Given 8 fig. NGR derived from OS georef. tool (using geol. survey map).