Penmaenmawr Granite Quarry 16.04.08 De Winton Loco and Engine Shed (photo)

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JohnnearCfon
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Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

I can't help thinking that whoever removed the loco from it's shed a few years back (supposedly to protect it from the predicted roof fall) actually did the loco no favours. It is now totally exposed to all the elements. At least if still within the building (even with the now fallen roof) it would not have deteriorated quite as badly as it now has.

Photograph:

🔗Penmaenmawr-Granite-Quarry-User-Album-Image-021[linkphoto]Penmaenmawr-Granite-Quarry-User-Album-Image-021[/linkphoto][/link]

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ICLOK
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Newbie

17 years ago

Note the back wheel.... this had been detached and had been before reoval from shed hence its position.

Really sad I know.... But it makes the place/walk mega special...

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

JohnnearCfon
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17 years ago

"ICLOK" wrote:
Note the back wheel.... this had been detached and had been before reoval from shed hence its position.

Really sad I know.... But it makes the place/walk mega special...

Oh I agree with you there, but it would survive longer if still in shed (I think). It would still have been accessible though.

ICLOK
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17 years ago

Terrific though to think that such a thing survives less than a mile off the A55

:thumbsup:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

merddinemrys
50.2% (Neutral)
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17 years ago

I'm surprised that nobody has taken it away for restoration. It would be a shame if it was ever removed.

hymac580c
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Newbie

17 years ago

What we need is a voulenteer to give what is left of the engine a coat of red oxide or similar. It would help to slow down the rusting process.
I have never been to the Penmaenmawr quarry, so possibly by the time I get there to see the engine it will have disapeared into a pile of rust.

Bellach dim ond swn y gwynt yn chwibian, lle bu gynt yr engan ar cynion yn tincian.

ICLOK
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Newbie

17 years ago

I agree .... it should just stay where it is....I'm up for painting it to make it last .... experience tells me that the frames are good, top frames are shot, boiler shot but still a nice relic..... not worth restoring tho ,so why don't we go and cover it in red lead.... whose for a 1 day working party????

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

merddinemrys
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17 years ago

I've always wanted to go and have a look around so I guess I would come along!

ICLOK
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17 years ago

Its the top plates and the joint of the boiler to the frames where the rot is worse.....

Summer job tho! :thumbsup:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

hymac580c
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Newbie

17 years ago

#10

If you would be going up there on a Sunday I would not mind coming along as I have only seen the place from the A55.
And having seen
http://www.penmorfa.com/penmaenmawr/
I think it's worth having a good look around.

Bellach dim ond swn y gwynt yn chwibian, lle bu gynt yr engan ar cynion yn tincian.

jagman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

#11

Better job would be too spray it with clear waxoil.
Would change its appearance apreciably and would last a pretty long time

hymac580c
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17 years ago

#12

Dam good idea. Would go on well on a warm June Sunday, and wouldn't take long to get it done with a few aerosol cans. Would spay well into all the cavities and cracks. As long as no one sits on it for a couple of hrs afterwards.

Bellach dim ond swn y gwynt yn chwibian, lle bu gynt yr engan ar cynion yn tincian.

ICLOK
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Newbie

17 years ago

#13

Waxoil.... Brill idea.... and it would look alot better for it..... it would be a massive shame if this just rots to nowt... its a fantastic piece of Industrial Archeology in totally original context.... Its actually bigger than you think.... you would need a few cans guys and you would need to do inside of boiler barrel, tube plate and under the top frame too.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

hymac580c
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Newbie

17 years ago

#14

I think the engine is better where it is rather than being in a muesuem. It make a trip to the quarry more interesting. If it was in a mueseum it would not be of much interest in the condition it is now. But I think it would be a great advantage to try and preserve it. How long has it been out where it is now?
It just came to my mind how exiting it would be to ride down that long steep incline on a plastic sledge. Just my imagination getting carried away.
😉

Bellach dim ond swn y gwynt yn chwibian, lle bu gynt yr engan ar cynion yn tincian.

ICLOK
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Newbie

17 years ago

#15

Apparently out of use by 1943, loco was built 1878 for the Penmaenmawr & Welsh Granite Co. Ltd. and was named PENMAEN so it really is at home there (it was the 1st of 8 ) .... Museum not an option, I feel same as you. Apparently it was proposed before to rescue it but was not possible even by air due to proximity of cliffs and thermals on coast!!!

Re sledge I get daft ideas all time, I was kind wondering what sort of speeds you could hit down the A incline at Dinorwig on a Plaggy Bag in the Snow.....

😮 😮

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

JohnnearCfon
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Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

#16

Rescue has been proposed several times since the late 60s. The first being by the group that subsequently were given permission to remove the major parts but were declined permission to remove the complete loco. These parts (many many years later) were used by Alan Keef on his locomotive "Taffy". The original plan was to lower it (or maybe raise it?) down (up) the old inclines to a more accessible place for removal. As I said, this was declined.

I believe there have been 2 further approaches to the company. The most recent being by the Penrhyn Railway Trust who were hoping to get RAF Valley involved. This was decided as being impractical due, as has been said, to thermals.

ICLOK
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Newbie

17 years ago

#17

I just been reading the whole story on the Narrow gauge sites and the RAF would not do it because of the thermals and the A55 below, so they asked a US Helio company who said yes no problem but the RAF had sown the seeds of doubt with the Quarry owners (Hanson at the time) who then said .... Nil Poin.... Not a chance!!!

Even if they had got it down it would have just rusted in the back of some museum..... totally unseen and ignored.

It just need a little TLC and leaving alone....

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

hymac580c
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Newbie

17 years ago

#18

Indeed that is a good point Iclok. Even if the Penrhyn crowd would have got it down, what would they do with it?
If something like the remains of this loco was put into a mueseum I do not think many people would take an interest in a wagon frame with a round thing on top. But where it is preserved it is an item of interest where people will have a walk up the mountain to have a look and take a photo.

Bellach dim ond swn y gwynt yn chwibian, lle bu gynt yr engan ar cynion yn tincian.

JohnnearCfon
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Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

#19

"hymac580c" wrote:
Indeed that is a good point Iclok. Even if the Penrhyn crowd would have got it down, what would they do with it?
If something like the remains of this loco was put into a mueseum I do not think many people would take an interest in a wagon frame with a round thing on top. But where it is preserved it is an item of interest where people will have a walk up the mountain to have a look and take a photo.

Especially as it was 3 foot gauge not 1' 10 3/4" gauge! Would they have tried to regauge it?

ICLOK
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Newbie

17 years ago

#20

I have a real problem with the "everything should be saved and restored" clan.... For once a real piece of in situ relevent Industrial Archeaology...... Its totally in context and perfect as it is.... These people get my back-up as they aquire all this stuff without any real plan for no real reason other than its there! Its about time that something as nice as this was just left as is and a half decent plate erected saying "This monument dedicated to the workers of Penmaenmawr quarry" The whole level where the loco is is excellent and just needs leaving as is.... a true monument. No interference, No landscaping, No Footpaths....... make the journey to see it worth the effort, maybe a sign saying if you visit and fall off the cliff and die or get injured... tuff as you here by choice!

Sorry am ranting!! Seen too much destroyed!!!!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!