My interest in Welsh Slate Quarries is mainly connected with modelling. This autumn I went up to Moel Tryfan but the quarry is being worked and the tunnels which Lone Ranger and others accessed a few years ago are blocked.
Moel Tryfan bought new two locomotives from Hunslet. These were typical Hunslet quarry locos with one notable difference, they had very low cabs. The first Tryfan was 6 ft high, but a few years later when they bought Cadfan it was even lower, 5ft or maybe 5ft 3ins. Works photos exist of Tryfan in plain grey (undercoat) and Cadfan finished and lined out.
If the second Cadfan was built lower, the question is why? Did Tryfan not fit and was it cut down either in Leeds before delivery or in Wales after delivery.
So the question is please to those who have accessed the tunnels, would a loco standing 6 ft from the rail top have gone through?
Cadfan