A Hucknall History

Transport Back to the Future

Huthwaite to Pinxton Railroad

Sandersons finely detailed 1835 Mansfield map provided clearest evidence locating Mellors largest Huthwaite colliery. Coal output from that drift mine was locally believed keeping up Dirty Hucknall description, following prior carting to Mansfield markets. Cleaner use of a partly shown southward Railway still left presumption it formed a branch line feeding the Mansfield & Pinxton Railroad.

Cromford canal archivist Mr Hugh Potter questioned if logged permits showing shipment of Hucknall origin coals could possibly have come from the forenamed Huthwaite from as early as 1831. Being able to confirm how they would indeed be sent from an afterwards called Old Hucknall colliery, then gratefully received back some of his own discoveries totally refuting past local beliefs.

Mr Potter offered similarly mapped year. Exposing this single tracked Tram Road fully extended about three miles to directly feed into Pinxton Wharf, left some confusion behind supposed 1835. Predating Mellors largest colliery has since found other 1806 coverage is based on a revised 1st Ed. 1805 OS.

This rail road technically ran full course to Pinxton all through Derbyshire. Earliest mapping shows where it started sending coals from bell pit shafts sunk just inside that adjacent county. Crossing Hucknall Lane sought gentler uphill route running aside Blackwell Brook. Water course defining ancient Nottinghamshire boundary trickles behind right hand hedge of lowest pastures. Panoramic view over far end Blackwell Road also spans a formerly known Hucknall Brecks recognising where the Mellors family were acknowledged mining and farming on Hucknall borders.

Despite distinct lack of periodic documented evidence, there was a loose reference finding an agreement for the construction of a ‘carriage road…for carrying coals from Blackwell Colliery and Hucknall under Huthwaite’ in 1768 (NA DDE 40/1). It seems to have inspired a few enthusiastic interpretations. Clearly incorrect are assumptions dating opening of Mellors larger Old Hucknall Colliery.

Significance behind year 1768 can actually claim opening that nearby mapped Blackwell Colliery. Because it predates historically acknowledged A & B Winnings, there's no record determining if that held family interest. Alternatively spelt Mellers surname does cover generations successfully mining around Hucknall Brecks, and mentions initial designed use of a steam powered water pump.

Keeping to the topic of a Huthwaite tramway begins with John Mellors. Pigot's 1828 Mansfield gazetteer simply listed him a Hucknall addressed Coal Merchant. He's credited laying the mapped Rail Road from Huthwaite c1829. It just seemed beyond coincidence furthermore learning that first Blackwell Colliery actually closed 1829/1830. There had to be something linking timely expense of laying a railroad.

Curving tracks westerly around those mapped now redundant works then made little sense. However, it likely followed their earlier agreed carriage road heading southward to feed the nearest Berrister Wharf. When sharing traditional coal transportation by pack horse or carts, they'd favour least taxing inclines in balancing steepness against shortest manageable route. Theory thus proposed is adverse effect of that pit closure on wharf sales realised urgency to independently reach more profitably distant wharf sales.

Big investment in this Huthwaite to Pinxton Wharf railroad shows advancement utilising a static steam engine to haul tubs on a rope or cable system. White's 1832 commercial directory was first describing Hucknall-under-Huthwaite, when it then boasted an extensive colliery owned by John Mellors. Shorter common reference to Hucknall is what often caused confusion between likewise named pits elsewhere.

Exhaustive subject research by Hugh Potter presented a list of Cromford Canal permits exposing Hucknall origin cargo. Being able to confirm how coals would indeed come from Huthwaite, realised this latest enlightening evidence really had to update local understandings.

Transcribing current discovered toll records identifies over 150 journeys between 1831 - 1849. Tonnage can only relate average barge capacity of all coal cargo making irregular but consistent 6 mile canal trips destined for Nottingham. Alternative destinations appear throughout later years naming Newark, Trent, Leicester and Derby. This information cannot dismiss chance more directly loading some coals onto the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway to supplement town supplies. But the Huthwaite pit was very clearly meant to feed larger town markets.

Midland Railway took interest over all 1847 railed transportation. There's just a hint some kind of Huthwaite track modifications had been made. Although this lines stationary engine beat the older horse drawn Mansfield & Pinxton Railway into the newer age of steam power, it never claimed any comparable importance to justify passenger services. However, hope wasn't immediately lost after the pits 1866 closure left disused tracks. White's 1864 gazetteer mentioned how Mellors family mining interests spanning over a century never managed to exceed 52 yards working depths. His exploratory shafts down to 308 yards had though counted seven beds of coal. William Muschamp took up interest seeking to reach five previously elusive seams. Shortly after his company buyout, they instead decided to sink new shafts off Common Road. That recognised start of the New Hucknall Colliery Company, thereafter referencing Mellors redundant mine as the Old Hucknall Colliery. Potential track use was then discarded, making it totally obsolete.

Mr P. Stevenson wrote a 1966 article following route from Pinxton towards Huthwaite. Laying the 1960s M1 with A38 junction had obliterated any trace before reaching Berrister farm. That former landsale wharf contained clues suggesting where the stationary winding engine was sited near steepest gradient. An adjacent pile of stone sleeper blocks presented only tangible evidence to a bygone age.   A 2003 report for Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd made An Archaeological Evaluation at Amber Park, South Normanton. Excavating strategically sited trenches added one to evaluate any railroad presence. Nothing of significance was left.