Deepcast mining is kinda a lost art in the UK. Winding houses like these were responsible for getting people into and out of the ground and transporting coal and slag topside.

Originally they were turned manually but over time as technology improved and the loads being hoisted increased new forms of power were adopted.

This specific winding house was powered by an early form of steam engine called a beam engine which also doubled as the power source for the pit's pump house.

Sorry for the poor quality of the photo.