The Hippo truck is one part of an emergency mobile winder set used by Doncaster Mines Rescue, Yorkshire. The Leyland Hippo dates from 1958 and was converted into a mobile generator by Walkers of Wigan.
Mobile-winder units were used to rescue trapped miners if the colliery’s winding engine broke down. The set includes an electric winder on one vehicle and electrical generator on another. In an emergency, the pair could temporarily replace a broken colliery winder.
