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Description

This major colliery was opened by the National Coal Board in 1965. Sinking commenced in 1953. It was located on the west side of the Millerhill Marshalling Yard, opened 1961/1962, and served by sidings which formed a long loop on the west side of the yard, passing under coal bunkers towards the south end of the loop.

At its height this was a very productive mine. There were:
8 trains daily to Cockenzie Power Station (opened 1968)
2 trains daily to Longannet Power Station (opened 1970)

The 'peak year' was 1969.

The mine was closed in 1989, but not demolished. It became increasingly difficult to sell coal to the SSEB.

What happened next was both unusual and very impressive. In June of 1992, and using redundancy and other money, the mine was leased by the miners who formed a co-op. This allowed it to be reopened and be worked for two years by this remarkable group of men.

In 1994 the mine was taken over by Waverley Mining Finance (named for the former Waverley Route?).

The mine was closed in April 1997 by water from older flooded workings.

The number 2 winding tower was demolished in November 1997 followed by the number 1 tower in February 1998.

Since closure the site has been cleared. Buildings were removed and tips levelled.

The area is now crossed by the Millerhill Deviation (Network Rail) which replaced the alignment of the original route of the Waverley Route, which could not be re-instated due to the course of the Edinburgh Bypass, allowing the Borders Railway (Network Rail) to open, bringing a railway back to Galashiels.

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