The Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway

This website contains some pictures taken on a recent (8 April 2000) visit to the incline at the top of the tramway.

The Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway was built in the 1890s to transport minerals from the mines and quarries in the Leri and Cyneiniog valleys. The history of the tramway is documented by Wade (1997)

This is a view from the top of the Hafan incline. There are no remains of the winding drum left to see. The winding house was probably destroyed as part of the quarrying operation carried out by during the construction of Nant-y-Moch Reservoir. It is probably fanciful to suppose that the fragments of wire rope that protrude from waste tips at the site were part of the cable used to haul the incline, it is more likely that these are of a later date and associated with the construction of the dam. The remains of the Hafan mine can be seen in the midground of the photograph to the left of the incline.

This shows the Hafan Mine wheelpit. The masonry is well preserved although none of the timber structure remains. The wheel, which dated from 1853 (Bick 1988) was used to pump water from the mine.

To the right as viewed from the foot of the incline two masonry lined adits are clearly visible. Bick (1988) suggests that these are the work of William Waller and date from about 1702.

Useful references

Bick D. E. 1988 The Old Metal Mines of Wales Part 3 Cardiganshire - North of Goginan. Pub. The Pound House, Newent Glos. GL18 1PS ISBN 0 9502040 4 8

Wade E. A. 1997The Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway. Pub. Twelveheads Press, Chy Mengleth, Twelveheads, Truro, Cornwall TR4 8SN ISBN 090629438 - X