A NEW exhibition exploring the history of a colliery railway was opened by a Government minister.
MP Rosie Winterton officially opened the Coals to Calder Grove display at the National Coal Mining Museum.
The free exhibition is based on the story of the Caphouse mineral railway which was used to move coal from collieries to customers throughout Yorkshire and beyond.
Curatorial Director Rosemary Preece said: “The exhibition gives a fascinating insight into the way a small colliery railway came into existence and how it ran.
“A lot of the research is based on work by local historians and this, which includes the newly printed book about the line and its people, gives a real flavour of working life on the line.”
The special exhibition examines the need for the railway, how it was constructed and operated and what remains of it 60 years on.
Rosie Winterton, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, said: “I hope many Yorkshire people especially will take this opportunity to learn about a key part of our regional heritage first hand.”
Four free lectures about the subject will take place, on November 17, December 17 and January 12 before the exhibition closes on January 13 next year.
For more information contact the National Coal Mining Museum at New Road, Wakefield on 01924 848806.
