Allt Ddu - Page 9

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[Pic 30] Allt Ddu Quarry - Two routes (Sept 2013)

On the final approach to the mills at Dinorwig and the two routes finally come into view together. Note the walling holding up the horse Tramway route - this was much deeper prior to the Village Branch embankment being built in front of it. Also of note is the distant former track (climbing uphill just beyond the couple) that once led to Buarth-y-Bryniau farm, a site now buried under Dinorwig waste for the last 120 years or more.

[Pic 31] Allt Ddu Quarry - The mills (Sept 2013)

Finally the Dinorwig mills level comes into view and the Horse Tramway route widens on approach. The Village Branch, meanwhile, is climbing gently up to the same level out of view to the right.

[Pic 32] Allt Ddu Quarry - Last stretch (Sept 2013)

The final stretch of the Village Branch embankment as it meets the giant waste tips at mills level. Note the typical Dinorwig style walling on the right has had some repair work done to make it safe.

[Pic 33] Allt Ddu Quarry - Mills Gate (Sept 2013)

Turning the camera around (from Pic 32) shows the Village Branch's gated entrance to mills level. The sheer size of the one remaining mill here (roofless and gutted inside) is plain to see from this angle. The Village Branch proper ended just beyond the gate in a loop but was connected with the rest of the quarry's system. This is also as far as the branch loco would go, quarry loco's taking over from here on in. Regarding locos on the branch, between 1903 and 1959 steam power ruled in the form of Hunslet 0-4-0's, with 'Maid Marion' being the first (up to 1931) followed by 'Lady Madcap' (1931 - 1952) and finally 'Velinheli' (1952 - 1959) - the latter being replaced by diesel power up to closure.