Wrysgan - Page 5

Return to Main Menu

Wrysgan Page 1

[Pic 13] Wrysgan Quarry - Pretty big chunks of rock (1986)

As mentioned previously much severe rockfall has taken place underground ... some huge chunks of rock have completely cut off parts of the underground workings leaving a few chambers very unstable ... as witnessed by the rockfalls above.

[Pic 14] Wrysgan Quarry - Scary ledge (Sept 1987)

I called this pic "Scary ledge" because that's exactly what this amazing attempt at running a tramway past a almost sheer rock face is - scary! Note how the well stacked pile of stone is retained by old rails. And was it ever completed yet alone used?

[Pic 15] Wrysgan Quarry - the long incline (1986)

I originally took this pic purely because the sun had momentarily broken through thick grey cloud on a very damp day (average Ffestiniog weather!) but i include it here because it shows the incredible length of the exit incline - running from almost 1 in 2 at the summit then shallowing out as it approaches the (once) site of the Ffestiniog railway connection way down in the valley below - a location that vanished with the construction of the Tan-y-Griseau reservoir. If there's ever one incline i would love to have seen working it's without doubt this one.

Notes: Peek tonnages often reached the 3,000 ton mark during the latter half of the 19th century, but also output fell inbetween these peaks, often dramatically. Also, the original pack horse route up to the site can still be traced in parts, especially lower down the workings nearer Cwmorthin.

Return to Main Menu

Page Top

Wrysgan Page 1