Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). Track of the railway in Cwmgwenffrwd leading to the incline up Cefn Morfydd. April 1963. Photo taken from approx NGR SS 800968 (1)
The photographer is standing on the line of the railway of c1839 looking north. The railway continues to ascend Cefn Morfydd by means of an incline in a deep cutting which can be seen breaking the horizon. The engine at its summit was built at Neath Abbey Ironworks in 1840. The colliery waste tip immediately to the side of the railway in the foreground was from Bryngwyneithin level, also opened in about 1839.
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). Track of the railway in Cwmgwenffrwd leading to the incline up Cefn Morfydd. April 1963. Photo taken from approx NGR SS 800968 (1)
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). Bridge abutment in Tonmawr. April 1963. NGR SS 8039 9633 (2)
Eastern abutment of a bridge in the village of Tonmawr which carried the railway over what was originally a farm access track, now a tarmac-surfaced road. The corresponding western abutment does not survive.
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). Bridge abutment in Tonmawr. April 1963. NGR SS 8039 9633 (2)
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). Bridge over River Pelena and incline up Mynydd Fforchdwm. April 1963. NGR SS 8156 9692 (3)
Railway bridge built in 1839/41 to access coal levels on Fforchdwm and Tonmawr Uchaf which were reached by means of the incline which ascends at the side of the (later) white house. The engineer/architect was probably William Kirkhouse of Aberdulais. It was out of use by 1852 and demolished in July 1979. The railway in the foreground is the Whitworth branch of the Port Talbot Railway which led to Garth Tonmawr Colliery (closed 1964).
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). Bridge over River Pelena and incline up Mynydd Fforchdwm. April 1963. NGR SS 8156 9692 (3)
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). View from the railway looking north-west into the Neath Valley. 1965. Photo taken from NGR SS 7875 9853 (4)
The photographer is standing at the head of, and looking straight down, the uppermost of a sequence of four self-acting inclines which led down to the Neath Canal at Aberdulais. The line of this incline is marked by the clumps of trees to the right of the white cottages.
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). View from the railway looking north-west into the Neath Valley. 1965. Photo taken from NGR SS 7875 9853 (4)
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). Cutting on the summit of Cefn Morfydd looking north-west. 1965. NGR SS 789982 (centre of cutting) (5)
The name ‘Parsons’ Folly’ was was originally applied by local inhabitants to this cutting through the rocky ridge on the summit of Cefn Morfydd in that it was a prominent landscape feature. It later came to be applied to the whole railway. ‘Parsons’ was Robert Parsons who, with his partner Charles Strange, built the railway and opened the collieries that it served.
Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons’ Folly). Cutting on the summit of Cefn Morfydd looking north-west. 1965. NGR SS 789982 (centre of cutting) (5)
Tappendens’ Tramroad at Glynneath beside the B4242 road, opposite the Dinas Rock public house. September 1961. NGR SN 8845 0670.
Tappendens’ Tramroad was built in 1803-05 as part of a project to connect ironworks at Aberdare to the Neath Canal. It fell out of use after 1814 following the opening of the Aberdare Canal and the bankruptcy of the Tappendens. At this point the formation was also used by Dr Bevan’s Tramroad and the narrow-gauge tramroad from Pontneddfechan.
Tappendens’ Tramroad at Glynneath beside the B4242 road, opposite the Dinas Rock public house. September 1961. NGR SN 8845 0670.
Tappendens’ Tramroad beside the B4242 road between Glynneath and Pontwalby. September 1961. NGR SN 888067.
The embankment which was originally built for Tappendens’ Tramroad was also used by Dr Bevan’s Tramroad and the narrow-gauge tramroad from Pontneddfechan. It can still be seen (2022) but has been reduced in height and planted with trees.
Tappendens’ Tramroad beside the B4242 road between Glynneath and Pontwalby. September 1961. NGR SN 888067.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Bridge over Tennant Canal adjacent to the Mines Royal Copper Works, south-west face. April 1963. NGR SS 7325 9719.
The Tennant Canal was completed in 1824. This bridge was constructed to ensure the continuing supply of coal to the Mines Royal Copper Company from collieries at Skewen and Bryncoch.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Bridge over Tennant Canal adjacent to the Mines Royal Copper Works, south-west face. April 1963. NGR SS 7325 9719.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Bridge over Tennant Canal adjacent to the Mines Royal Copper Works, south-west face. April 1963. NGR SS 7325 9719.
The ruins of the Mines Royal copperworks (finally closed in 1881) are visible in the background. The bridge can still be seen (2022) but the site of the copper works has been redeveloped as an industrial estate.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Bridge over Tennant Canal adjacent to the Mines Royal Copper Works, south-west face. April 1963. NGR SS 7325 9719.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. View looking north. April 1963. Photo taken from NGR SS 7303 9839 approx.
Probably built at some date after 1806 to carry coal from the Dyffryn estate to the Mines Royal copper works and an adjoining wharf. Later converted to an edge railway and remained in use until 1928.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. View looking north. April 1963. Photo taken from NGR SS 7303 9839 approx.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. Branch from main line to Fire Engine Pit. April 1963. Photo taken from NGR SS 7309 9851 looking north-east
The tramroad branch was built at some date after 1830 and had been abandoned by 1876.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. Branch from main line to Fire Engine Pit. April 1963. Photo taken from NGR SS 7309 9851 looking north-east
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. View looking north. April 1963. Photo taken from NGR SS 736992 approx.
Probably built at some date after 1806 to carry coal from the Dyffryn estate to the Mines Royal copperworks and an adjoining wharf. Later converted to an edge railway and remained in use until 1928.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. View looking north. April 1963. Photo taken from NGR SS 736992 approx.
Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. View looking south. April 1963. Photo taken from NGR SS 736992 approx.
Probably built at some date after 1806 to carry coal from the Dyffryn estate to the Mines Royal copper works and an adjoining wharf. Later converted to an edge railway and remained in use until 1928.
Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. View looking south. April 1963. Photo taken from NGR SS 736992 approx.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. Bridge at the junction of Tyllwyd and Farmers Road, Bryncoch (now demolished). April 1963. NGR SN 7382 0005.
Note the use of old dram wheels for the ends of the strengthening rods
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. Bridge at the junction of Tyllwyd and Farmers Road, Bryncoch (now demolished). April 1963. NGR SN 7382 0005.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. Bridge at the junction of Tyllwyd and Farmers Road, Bryncoch (now demolished). April 1963. NGR SN 7382 0005.
The bridge carried the Neath Abbey Coal Company tramroad to the company’s Maen colliery which was a short distance north. The colliery was later redeveloped as Dyffryn Main colliery which remained in production until 1928.
Mines Royal Copper Works. Skewen Dram Road. Bridge at the junction of Tyllwyd and Farmers Road, Bryncoch (now demolished). April 1963. NGR SN 7382 0005.
Dr Bevan’s Tramroad at Dinas Rock limestone quarry. 1965. Photo taken from NGR SN 9108 0793 looking east (1)
Dr Bevan’s (or Dinas) Tramroad carried limestone from Dinas Rock quarry to the Neath Canal at Glynneath. It was built by Dr Richard Bevan of Neath in 1806 and remained in use into the 20th century.
Dr Bevan’s Tramroad at Dinas Rock limestone quarry. 1965. Photo taken from NGR SN 9108 0793 looking east (1)
Dr Bevan’s Tramroad. View looking west between Dinas Rock and Pontwalby. 1965 (2)
The exact position from which this photograph was taken is uncertain, but it appears to be a short distance west of Dinas Rock itself.
Dr Bevan’s Tramroad. View looking west between Dinas Rock and Pontwalby. 1965 (2)
Dr Bevan’s Tramroad. View looking east between Dinas Rock and Pontwalby. 1965 (3)
The exact position from which this photograph was taken is uncertain but it appears to be a short distance west of Dinas Rock itself.
Dr Bevan’s Tramroad. View looking east between Dinas Rock and Pontwalby. 1965 (3)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing north. 1965 (1)
A narrow-gauge tramroad constructed at some date in the early 19th century to transport the produce of several silica levels alongside the Afon Nedd Fechan down to the Neath Canal at Glynneath. The most distant of these levels was at Cwm Gored (NGR SN 8991 0875). The tramroad remained in use into the 20th century.
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing north. 1965 (1)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing south. 1965 (2)
The character of this tramroad is well expressed in this and the several related images.
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing south. 1965 (2)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing north. 1965 (3)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing north. 1965 (3)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing south. Photo taken from NGR 9000 0810. 1965 (4)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing south. Photo taken from NGR 9000 0810. 1965 (4)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. Row of sleeper blocks adjacent to old mill. NGR SN 9000 0810.1965 (5)
Row of sleeper blocks showing the narrow gauge of this tramroad (2ft 6in).
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. Row of sleeper blocks adjacent to old mill. NGR SN 9000 0810.1965 (5)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View at rock facing south. 1965 (6)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View at rock facing south. 1965 (6)
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing south, approaching the Angel Inn. Photo taken from NGR SN 9007 0770. 1965.
The Angel Inn in Pontneddfechan can be seen faintly behind the dramatically overhanging rock cliff.
Pontneddfechan silica tramroad. View facing south, approaching the Angel Inn. Photo taken from NGR SN 9007 0770. 1965.
Resolven. J W Lyon’s colliery tramroad, now a lane behind Commercial Road. Photo taken from NGR SN 8285 0294, facing north-west, April 1963.
James Wittit Lyon (c1791-1861), a London banker with local connections, formed the Resolven Coal Company which opened a colliery in Cwm Clydach, a tributary of the River Neath, in 1839. It was connected to the Neath Canal at Resolven by a tramroad about 1,600 yards in length.
Resolven. J W Lyon’s colliery tramroad, now a lane behind Commercial Road. Photo taken from NGR SN 8285 0294, facing north-west, April 1963.
Resolven. J W Lyon’s colliery tramroad. Stone blocks on bridge over later railway. NGR SN 8309 0274. April 1963.
The surface of the bridge has since received a concrete surface and the blocks are no longer visible.
Resolven. J W Lyon’s colliery tramroad. Stone blocks on bridge over later railway. NGR SN 8309 0274. April 1963.
Resolven. J W Lyon’s colliery tramroad. View south-east from bridge over later railway. Photo taken from NGR SN 8310 0269. April 1963
The line of the tramroad survives (2022) but it has been tarmac-surfaced and is now known as Perth-y-Dion.
Resolven. J W Lyon’s colliery tramroad. View south-east from bridge over later railway. Photo taken from NGR SN 8310 0269. April 1963
Resolven. J W Lyon’s colliery tramroad. View north-west towards Neath Canal. Photo taken from NGR SN 8315 0268. April 1963.
The line of the tramroad survives (2022) but it has been tarmac-surfaced and is now known as Perth-y-Dion. The stone blocks are no longer visible.
Resolven. J W Lyon’s colliery tramroad. View north-west towards Neath Canal. Photo taken from NGR SN 8315 0268. April 1963.
