Big Pit stands on the eastern rim of the South Wales Coalfield, where there are still coal outcrops on the hillsides. Iron Ore and limestone were also found here so it was natural for an ironworks to be founded at Blaenavon. The Ironworks were established in 1789 and the remains are now open for visitors. Blaenavon has been declared a World Heritage Site. For many years both coal and iron was transported to the coast by road and canal, but in 1852 the railway from Newport came to Blaenavon and production started to soar. The first coal was worked in levels or drifts dug into the hillsides, following the outcropping coal seams. One of these was the Mine Slope, which dates from around 1840 and was later incorporated into Big Pit when that was sunk to its present depth in 1880. Another drift mine, Dodd's Slope, was rediscovered in 1989 and its entrance now forms part of Big Pit's surface attractions. This capture shows the wagons that took the wood down the pit to shore up the coal face to ensure the safety of the Miners. I will post further photos over the next few days and provide you with a little more information as we go along. I hope you enjoy the information and capture, thank you for your comments and for viewing. Susan