Cefn Coed Colliery Museum

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum tells the story of coal mining at the Cefn Coed Colliery, once the deepest anthracite coal mine in the world. Cefn Coed was one of the most dangerous coal mines in Wales and many men lost their lives in dangerous working conditions. The colliery rightfully earning the nickname ‘The Slaughterhouse’. The story of men who worked at Cefn Coed and other pits in the anthracite coal mines is told through words, pictures and artefacts throughout the museum. The underground gallery, brings these harrowing conditions to life by recreating the conditions of a working seam. The museum boasts a preserved 1927 Worsley Mesnes Horizontal Duplex Cylinder Steam Winding engine. Originally powered by steam, this magnificent winder is now run by electricity, but is still as impressive as it was when it first run. As well as the Worsley Mesnes, the museum is also the proud home of the last surviving gas tram from the town which is one of the only restored examples left in the world. The Neath gas tram ran from 1875 until 1920, a victim of modernisation it was abandoned in favour of motor buses and the old tram cars were sold off. You can learn all about its life at the colliery and even sit on its top deck. The Museum is also home to the Neath Historical Model Railway club who are, bringing the age of steam to life by constantly creating new, and evolving current model layouts with precise accuracy. You can receive a guided tour led by one of the dedicated volunteers by arrangement or use one of the hand held audio tours, recorded by a retired miner from the Cefn Coed Colliery.