Ironbridge - Blists Hill Mine Railway

In a nutshell

Gauge:         2'

Length:       212m

Opened:     2010

Location:    

 

Blists Hill Victorian Town

Legges Way

Madeley

Telford,
Shropshire
TF7 5DU

Web:            http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/our-attractions/blists-hill-victorian-town/

Telephone:  01952 433424
Email:         http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/ 

 

Date of visit:     12 September 2014

 

Key Facts

• The locomotive appears to be a 4w W417 Wingrove & Rogers battery electric, which was refurnished by Alan Keef in 2008
• The train comprised eight four wheel coaches and the locomotive with the name of  "Sir Peter Gadsden" who was chairman of the museum trust until 2006. 
• The last carriage includes a driver's compartment which is used to control the train on the outward leg.
• The track winds serpent-like around along the hillside and then enters an artificial tunnel before stopping in a darkened area where there is a projected AV show depicting a conversation in silhouette between a young boy, who has just started working in the mine, and his father.
• Trains leave approximately every half an hour and the trip lasts for about 15 minutes
• There is an additional charge of £2.00 per head to travel on the Mine Tramway

Route

My Impressions

Whilst awaiting the arrival of the next train, there was an opportunity to read the information boards about the history of clay mining in the valley, and also an opportunity to watch the train arrive on to the platform.

We were given a short talk about the mining process before we then boarded the train which wound its way along the circuitous track carved into the hillside.

 The train then negotiated the entrance to an artificial tunnel ....

 ...... which became progressively darker until the train stopped in almost complete darkness. We were then entertained by a short AV presentation which depicted an imagined conversation between an experienced clay miner and his son. The presentation focused on the dangers associated with clay mining - principally suffocation through a build-up of carbon dioxide and roof falls associated with the careless use of explosives.

The train then reversed (or strictly speaking went forward) out of the mine and back along the track .....

... to the station .......

...... where we disembarked.

 On the platform is a restored example of one of the tub wagons which were used to transport clay from the mines along the valley. These were propelled by hand and by horses.

Personally, I would have been interested in being given more detail about the mining and processing aspects of the venture, but this level of detail would probably not have appealed to the majority of the passengers on the train - several of whom were very complimentary to the staff about the quality of the trip.

The Mine Railway forms part of the Blists Hill Victorian Town exhibit in Ironbridge and so there is plenty to see and do. Many of the shops in the replica streets are manned by staff in period costume who are happy to explain the technicalities and history of the trades they represent.

It is possible to exchange today's currency into Victorian pennies which can then be used to purchase items in the shops - including fresh bread, rolls and shortcake baked in the town's bakery.

There are working steam engines, including this working replica of Trevithick's 1804 Pen-y-Darren locomotive which was not in steam during our visit.

Around the town are various stationary engines, such as this one in the yard of the stone mason.

 The entrance fee is quite substantial, but it is possible to buy a year-long passport to most of the exhibits in the gorge which makes a considerable saving in entrance fees overall and provides an opportunity for return visits - it would be difficult to see all the exhibits in the gorge in one day.

There are food outlets in the Victorian Town which offer both snacks and cooked food at reasonable prices and there are plenty of places to have picnics if you prefer.

Overall, this trip would make an interesting day out for the whole family - there is plenty to see and do and all the staff we met were very helpful and well informed - only too happy to demonstrate and discuss the exhibits they were manning.

Video

[In preparation] 

Llechwedd Slate Caverns

In a nutshell

Gauge:         1' 11½"

Length:       800m (Tramway) 500' descent plus half mile walk (Deep Mine)

Opened:      1846 (Original quarry) 1972 (Miners' Tramway) 1979 (Deep Mine)

Location: 

Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Gwynedd LL41 3NB

View Larger Map

 Tel.:   01766 830306
Web:   http://www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk/index.php

Email. bookings@llechwedd.co.uk

 

Date of visit: 20 February 2013

 

Key Facts

• The Llechwedd slate quarry was opened in 1846 by John Greaves. He later became the treasurer and eventually chairman of the Festiniog Railway.
• At its peak, the quarry had 513 employees and produced 23,788 tons of finished slate per year (1884)
• In 1890 the quarry machinery was converted to electrical power with the quarry's own hydro-electric generating station.
• In its heyday, slate was mined by hollowing out large galleries. A team of four men was responsible for extracting and finishing the slate from each gallery. Some galleries were up to 250' from floor to ceiling.
• Blocks of slate were transported from the galleries to the finishing sheds along horse-drawn tramways.
• Slate is still being extracted on the site by open-cast quarrying from the surface.
• The caverns now include two separate visitor attractions - the Miners' Tramway which uses a battery powered locomotive to haul visitors through a tunnel with two stops in galleries for illustrated talks - and the Deep Mine which involves descent via an incline with a guided walk through a series of galleries, some of which are now flooded.

 

My Impressions

I coincided this visit with a trip on the Ffestiniog Railway and only had time on this occasion to travel on the Miners' Tramway. I will return at some time in the future to complete the visit by touring the Deep Mine.

As this was only a flying visit, I did not have time to sample the delights of the cafe though I did spend a while exploring the shop, which provides a selection of slate-related memorabilia and some literature relating to slate quarrying and the local community. At this time of the year, tours depart at half hourly intervals and so, after a short wait, our train reversed into the station and we boarded the coach for our trip into the mine.

I took my seat in the last carriage which gave me a view through the other coaches as the train wound its way through the twisting tunnels.

After passing a few floodlit galleries and side tunnels we stopped at the entrance to a gallery where we alighted and our guide explained the Victorian working practices for extracting slate.

We hopped aboard the train once more and wound our way through to another two galleries where we were entertained with an audio visual presentation of working practices and a further live talk, explaining some of the health and safety issues associated with life in the mines.

Meanwhile, our train had turned round via a reversing triangle and we resumed our seats for the return ride. We were then given a demonstration of slate-splitting in the finishing shed.................

............ before my fellow-passengers made their way to the Deep Mine. I will have to save this part of the tour for my next visit as we needed to travel back to Cheshire for an appointment.

The slate caverns are certainly impressive and if you have not already seen them, they are well worth a visit. The opportunity to see first-hand this reconstruction of an important part of North Wales' industrial heritage is both enlightening and salutary. The last time I visited the Caverns was 26 years ago when I accompanied a school party on a visit. It was reassuring to see that this tour was very much as it was then. It would seem that the winning formula from the early days of this visitor attraction has been retained. I am looking forward to my next visit when I will be able to relive my experiences in the Deep Mine.

Video

[In preparation]