I am amazed this is still in situ! A bit easier to photograph without the wooden frame around it. As a unique survivor, it should be fully photographed/recorded. Compare with my shot of nearly 30 years ago!

Photograph:

🔗Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-42283[linkphoto]Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-42283[/linkphoto][/link]

My shot:
🔗Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-051[linkphoto]Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-051[/linkphoto][/link]

Grahami

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I am amazed this is still in situ! A bit easier to photograph without the wooden frame around it. As a unique survivor, it should be fully photographed/recorded. Compare with my shot of nearly 30 years ago!

Photograph:

🔗Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-42283[linkphoto]Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-42283[/linkphoto][/link] Thanks for posting that pic its lovely to see i was so pleased to discover this compressor yesterday i just wish it could be saved and relocated to somewhere like the slate museum llanberis.i shall do my best to take some more photos to record it.

My shot:
🔗Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-051[linkphoto]Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-051[/linkphoto][/link]

Grahami

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Where abouts is that?

I am guessing the mill that is on the same level as the Blondin winder controls - the one with a big crack in the wall. As there has never been access when I visited.

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It's in the building just below the last remaining blondin tower, in a separate room to the winding equipment.

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Where abouts is that?

I am guessing the mill that is on the same level as the Blondin winder controls - the one with a big crack in the wall. As there has never been access when I visited.

Yes its is on the same level as the blondins located in a small building just up from the large mill on the edge of a rough track that leads up to y fron

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The compressor was at the back of Cable "B" - see the plan below:

🔗Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-004[linkphoto]Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-004[/linkphoto][/link]

And another catalogue illustration of the original arrangement:
🔗Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-42315[linkphoto]Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-42315[/linkphoto][/link]
Grahami

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Hi,

I am astonished I have not seen it. I can remember the sub station just behind it, clearly.

Anyway, this is good news as it is something I have not explored yet.

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I visited Penyrorsedd just about a year ago & I too was surprised to find the compressor in almost one piece; one of the connecting rods had been removed, but was leaning up against the frame.
I will upload a couple of photos of the compressor to the user album.

I did post a report here:

http://www.mine-explorer.co.uk/view_picture.asp?id=22889 

In reality, there are a whole stack of artifacts that need saving at Penyrorsedd, but how to save the last Blondin tower? It seems that a lot of the Blondin equipment has been left for potential preservation, however, it is all deteriorating fast. The best proposition would be to perhaps preserve the Cable "B" cabin & tower, which would include the compressor.

I will upload some of the photos that I took when I next get the opportunity.
Cheers

Alan

Actually, I was wondering:

were the Blondin Towers toppled purposely (to 'make them safe')?

If so when?

There is a short film at the Slate Museum of someone bungee jumping from one of them - and there were at least three Blondin's then.

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Hi Andy,

I have no doubt that the Blondin Towers were deliberately toppled, more than likely for safety/cost reasons. Thankfully, one of them still stands - just. Go to the following link on Dave Sallery's excellent web site for a description of a site visit to Pn-yr-orsedd to inspect the Blondins; a fascinating and entertaining picture of what is now, a world long gone - much lamented by myself & others I might add.

http://www.penmorfa.com/Slate/penyrorsedd-blondins.htm 

Cheers

Alan

Hi Allan,

actually I try to visit Penyorsedd at least once a year. But this was only after 2004. I had not been there since about 1989 previously.

I am ancient enough to remember when the war memorial was near the workshops (now at the chapel in the village - what do you mean you have not looked at it yet).

It was in 2004 I saw that the Blodin's had been toppled. I guessed it was 'in the interest of safety'). And have since would have liked this confirmed and would like to know when it wat, circumstances etc?

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Is this site private or access tolerated... would love to visit... 🙂

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Is this site private or access tolerated... would love to visit... 🙂

I dont know i ve always visited after working hous.I wouldnt have thought the managment would be aposed to the idea but i suppose high vis hard hat and insurance would be compulsery

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Am I right in thinking that the remaining Blondin tower has got a preservation order on it?

I too have only visited out of hours / weekends. There are always plenty of locals dog walking etc.

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Long agon after our visits in 1979 Rodney Weaver adn I proposed quite seriously to Wil Roberts at Gloddfa Ganol that machinery etc. at PenyrOrsedd should be traferred and set up as a working display at Gloddfa Ganol. Sadly very little was actually done, other than the removal of the mill compressor. With hindsight, it is probably just as well. I find I've already transcribed the original survey report along with some of our suggestions -my detailed descriptions of the "transplant" and diagram of where to put things at Gloddfa is not included. So I'll upload it - unless I've already done it somewhere else!

Grahami

This is it:
http://www.aditnow.co.uk/documents/Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine/PenyrOrdsedd-Blondins.pdf 

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Graham, many thanks for uploading yours & Rodney Weavers report, a lot of hard work applied there, a pity that it didn't come to fruition in some way, but of course, Gloddfa Ganol was doomed anyway.

As for the status quo up on Eureka Level, it may well be worth investigating what the plans are for the very substantial and important remains.

Cheers

Alan

Iknow its a corny username,but....
anyone interested in Pen Yr Orsedd and its blondin equipment,should try to seek out Peredur Hughes at the Slate Museum.He used to be an engineer there.
There is one set of complete blondin equipment at the museum,tower and all,though it is a bit out the way.Down the side by the rope works area,and the winding gear is in the shed in the forcourt (photos in Pen Yr Orsedd album).
Aparantly,thogh dont quote me on it there is a public right of way through the quarry for locals,though this may have changed.Have got a Henderson catalogue for cableways from the early part of the 1900s,showing Penrhyn, the one at Llechwedd,and Aberdeen,Leicestershire etc.Copyrighted though,so uploading it might be a problem?Also an amusing story onDave Sallerys site regarding a crane inspector and the cableways at Pen yr Orsedd.Some glimpses of a chain incle at Nantlle on `men against death`on Slatesite.

How old is the catalogue? Is it original or has someone provided you with a copy? That will affect the copyright issue.

Have added some photos of the last blondin tower standing, cable b.

🔗Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-42374[linkphoto]Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-42374[/linkphoto][/link]

Intend going back for a full day at some point to photograph, James and I only had a short time before we lost the light on Monday.

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