Winding engine
![Small steam winding engine](/Images/godic/202502/21/Steam_winding_engine,_Long_Rake_Spar_Mine_-_geograph.org.uk_-_15860183321.jpg")
![External pithead gear and the winding engine house](/Images/godic/202502/21/Bestwood_Colliery_winding_engine_house_and_headstocks_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6390913321.jpg")
![Winding drum, with depth indicator to the left](/Images/godic/202502/21/Foerdermaschine_013321.JPG")
![Electric winding engine](/Images/godic/202502/21/MW_wiki_13321.JPG")
A winding engine is a stationary engine used to control a cable, for example to power a mining hoist at a pit head. Electric hoist controllers have replaced proper winding engines in modern mining, but use electric motors that are also traditionally referred to as winding engines.