The commentary doubles as a synopsis, and is reproduced below:

James Kent has been a winding man for more than thirty years. His job is a responsible one: lowering and raising men and materials in the 576-foot shaft at Carl Pit in Ashington, Northumberland. This winding engine at Carl is almost a hundred years old and still winding strong.

And in another hundred years' time, it's on the cards that the Kents will still be engineers. For with them it's like father, like daughter. Daughter Helen, aged 17, is studying for her Ordinary National Diploma in Engineering at Ashington's go-ahead Technical College. The two-year course includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, electrical and mechanical science. As well as learning about engines and lathework, a solid grounding in draughtsmanship - or is it draughtswomanship? - is essential.

As wheels would seem to run in the Kent family (although Helen's mother wanted her to be a nurse), when she qualifies, Helen will be able to hold her own in what is traditionally taken to be a man's world.