Griff Collieries - Photographs

The Griff collieries included eight different pits south of Nuneaton, plus various pipeyards, brickworks and tileyards set up to make use of surplus excavated material. The Griff collieries were originally served by an arm of the Coventry Canal which was excavated in 1787. In 1848 a mineral branch was constructed from the LNWR Nuneaton to Coventry Line near Chilvers Colton Station. In the 1930's the Griff collieries produced 450,000 tons per year and had a fleet of 1,400 railway wagons. Major customers were Charringtons in London and Wilson, Carter & Pearson in Birmingham. They also supplied Birmingham and Coventry electricity power stations although this was sent mostly in canal barges. In 1945 over 1,300 were employed at Shafts Nos. 1, 2 and 4 and Clara pit. No 4 shaft was the last pit to close in 1960.

Robert Ferris

Locomotives seen at Griff Colliery

Ref: misc_gc026 F Jones View of 0-6-0T Hudswell Clarke No 1102 is seen with a spark arrester fitted to the chimney 1953

Ref: misc_gc027 MJ Lee View of 0-6-0ST Hunslet No 498 'Goog Luck' complete with original pattern smokebox door at Clara pit in 1956

Ref: misc_gc029 MJ Lee View showing the very flimsy nature of the cab sheet on 'Britannia' in this photograph taken on 30th March 1956

Ref: misc_gc030 MJ Lee View of 0-6-0ST Hunslet No 222 'Britannia' at Griff Sidings, on the ex LNWR branch on 19th September 1955

Ref: misc_gc024 MJ Lee View of 0-4-0ST Barclay No 1167 'Success' at Griff No 4 pit on 9th June 1952 prior to rebuilding

Ref: misc_gc031 Anon Rear view of 0-4-0ST Barclay No 1167 'Success' showing the cab extension and the Perspex back plate

Ref: misc_gc023 MJ Lee Front view of newly overhauled 0-4-0ST Barclay No 1167 'Success' at No 4 pit on 16th April 1954

Ref: misc_gc025 R West Drawing of the side elevation of Hunslet No 498 from dimensions taken from the locomotive in February 1964

Maps and schematics of Griff Colliery

Ref: old_painting_of_colliery Anon An artist's impression of the Griff tramroad wharf on the cut from the Coventry Canal to the Arbury Canal

Ref: map_of_bermuda_colliery Anon Map of Bermuda Colliery showing Griff Branch and Griff New Colliery Branch to Clara Pit and the locomotive shed

Ref: map_of_griff_collieries Anon Map showing the two branches which served the different pits which constituted Griff Collieries

Ref: layout_map_griff_no4_pit Anon Map showing Griff Colliery No 4 Pit and Haunchwood Brick and Tile No 3 Brickyard together with the sidings

Ref: misc_cc011 Anon Map showing the branch line and sidings as well as the layout of the buildings at Griff Colliery's Clara Pit

Ref: canal_tramway_map_griff Anon Griff Colliery was served by the Arbury Canal and via the Coventry Communication Canal and Sir Newdigate's cut