Croesor Tramway & Valley Scenes

17th December 2006

These images were taken from the early 1970's onwards and show the remains of the earthworks and structures of this 1863/4 horse worked line. It started at Porthmadog running through an urban setting but soon climbs via a series of inclines into a very desolate valley before one last incline that takes it up into the almost moonscape setting of the long abandoned Rhosydd Quarry situated just over 1,400ft. above sea level. The only structures which are still in use today are the Generating station building at the foot of the Blaen-y-cwm incline and the converted drum house at the head of the upper parc incline. This now serves as a rather large summer house with a fantastic view down the valley towards Porthmadog. Perhaps with the coming of the new Welsh Highland Railway over the Croesor tramway's former crossing of the standard gauge line we might see an interesting first working in 2009. It would not be impossible for that to be a "hired in" horse pulling two Croesor wagons from the WHR(P) collection which would show how it all began for this line all those years ago.

An RAF Valletta trainer approaching the Moelwyns on a training flight 4203x2870 Aircraft1.jpg	Climbing up to pass between Moelwyn Bach & Mawr 4203x2870 Aircraft2.jpg	The Valetta skimming through the Bwlch Stwlan gap! 4203x2870 Aircraft3.jpg	Passing over Llyn Stwlyn Resr. and diving towards Tan-y-Grisiau Reservoir 4203x2870 Aircraft4.jpg
Where the tramway crosses the A4085 4203x2870 Croesor1.jpg	Upper Parc incline 4203x2870 Croesor1.jpg	Some of the last signs of habitation at the higher end of the valley 4203x2870 Croesor1.jpg	The tramway embankment near the crossing with the A4085 4203x2870 Croesor2.jpg
Parc Quarry 4203x2870 Croesor2.jpg	The view from the crossing with the A4085 4203x2870 Croesor3.jpg	The converted drum house 4203x2870 Croesor3.jpg	The Afon Croesor is on the left and the stream on the right runs down from Parc Quarry 4203x2870 Croesor4.jpg
View from the old drum house 4203x2870 Croesor4.jpg	Quiet summer's evening 4203x2870 Croesor5.jpg	The short link before it turns into the blocked tunnel 4203x2870 FronBoeth1.jpg	The tramway tunnel is blocked by a roof collapse 4203x2870 FronBoeth2.jpg
Looking down on Fron Boeth towards Porthmadog 4203x2870 FronBoeth3.jpg	John Hopkins excellent image repair to this pic. He has made the holes in the slide completely disappear 597x800 Image1.jpg	Pant-mawr incline from the tramway 3571x2666 Image1.jpg	Lower Parc Incline 4203x2870 Image1.jpg
4203x2870 Image10.jpg	If you view the pic on page 28 of Illust. Hist. of the WHR you will see this upside down trackside 4203x2870 Image10.jpg	4203x2870 Image10.jpg	Junction at the foot of the Rhosydd & Croesor quarry inclines 4203x2870 Image11.jpg