Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway
| Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Wales |
| Dates of operation | 1897 – 1899 |
| Successor line | abandoned |
| Track gauge | 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) |
| Length | 7 ¾ miles (12.47 km) |
| Headquarters | Llanfihangel |
The Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway was a 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) gauge narrow gauge railway in Cardiganshire/Sir Ceredigion in Mid Wales. It ran from Llanfihangel (later renamed Llandre) station on the Cambrian Railways via the village of Talybont and the valley of the Afon Leri into the foothills of Plynlimon Fawr. It was built to serve the lead mines at Bwlch Glas and stone quarries around Hafan and opened in 1897, closing just three years later. The line was a little over seven miles long and despite running a short-lived passenger service, it served no communities of more than 100 people.
Contents
History
In 1870 the Plynlimon Mining Co. Ltd. leased property from the local landowner, Sir Lewis Pryse of Gogerddan. Two entrepreneurs, Captain John Davis of Talybont and Thomas Molyneux of Earlestown joined forces to exploit the minerals on this land. In 1892 Molyneux proposed building a tramway from the mines to the coast near Llanfihangel. However the Cambrian Railways would not permit the tramway to cross its line between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth. Construction on this early form of the tramway commenced in 1893, but the Cambrian's objections brought the work to a halt. In 1894 Molyneux agreed a new route through Talybont to an exchange siding with the Cambrian at Llanfihangel station.
Construction of this lower section commenced on 11 January 1896. A new company was formed to take over the construction and operation of the tramway from Molyneux, who concentrated his efforts on mining. By late 1896 the civil engineering of the line was largely complete. Track materials were delivered in January 1897, with the first rails being laid at Talybont on January 11th. Tracklaying progressed quickly and in May the first locomotive Victoria arrived on site.
The first test run of Victoria was a limited success. On June 5 another attempt was made with the locomotive propelling two trollies and pulling a third. Just before Glanfred level crossing a piece of timber was spotted lying across the rails. One of the men on the train, Richard Roberts went forward to clear the line but fell underneath the train and was killed.
In August of 1897 the second locomotive Talybont arrived along with the line's first passenger carriage. On August 19th. a trial train was run as far as the bottom of the Hafan incline, although the track between Llanfihangel and Talybont was not laid to a high enough quality to permit passenger services to begin immediately.
From late 1897 freight service began on the line. The formal opening to passengers took place on 28 March 1898, although trains only ran on Mondays, connecting with the Cambrian Railway's Market Day Special to Aberystwyth. The majority of passenger trains in the line's short history stopped at Talybont as there were few houses to be served further east of that village.
The passenger service only ran until the summer of 1899 and the entire railway company went into voluntary liquidation on December 19, 1899, the last train having run sometime before that date. The track remained in place until 1914 when it was finally lifted.
Route
The main line (which was marked by steep gradients) terminated at the foot of the Hafan Incline, while a mineral extension led from the top of the incline to a granite sett quarry.
The Plynlimon and Hafan was one of the most obscure common carrier railways in Britain. It shared its unusual gauge with only three other public railways in Britain : the nearby Corris Railway and Talyllyn Railway and the later Campbeltown and Machrihanish Light Railway in Scotland.
Locomotives
The tramway owned three steam locomotives.
"Victoria" was the only locomotive built by Messrs John Slee & Co of Warrington. It was a highly unusual design with a vertical boiler, four cylinders and tram-like bodywork. The small boiler was unable to supply enough steam to power all four cylinders, but even after disconnecting two of them, the locomotive did not run well and is not known to have ever run in revenue-earning service. Its intended duties on the main line were taken over by "Talybont".
"Talybont" 2-4-0T was a conventional design built by W.G. Bagnall, originally for a customer in Brazil who cancalled the order. It worked the main line from Llanfihangel via Talybont to the foot of the Hafan incline.
"Hafan", another Bagnall but this time an 0-4-0ST ran on the quarry section above the Hafan incline.
Both the Bagnalls were returned to the makers after the line closed, while "Victoria" was probably scrapped. "Talybont" was regauged and sold on to the Vale of Rheidol Railway and became their No.3 "Rheidol", while "Hafan" went on to work on reservoir contracts.
Passenger Carriage
The tramway had only one passenger carriage, a rather ornate vehicle with end balconies and clerestory roof. Legend has it that after the tramway closed it was used as a shed on a farm or garden, but if this was the case it probably disappeared many years ago. Although the original does not survive a replica has been built and is running on the Launceston Steam Railway.
See also
External links
References
- The Plynlimon & Hafan Tramway - E.A. Wade
- The Plynlimon & Hafan Tramway - Lewis Cozens
- Boyd, J.I.C. (1965). Narrow Gauge Railways in Mid Wales. The Oakwood Press.
