grahami
  • grahami
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15 years ago
"blondin" wrote:

.....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?



Early part of 1900's ? If it has Llechwedd's blondin in it, it has to be post 1930! Seriously, if that's the case, I'd like a view of that shot in particular. PM me ?

I have a photographic copy of a similar Catalogue, but it is definately early 1900's. It has Penrhyn and many of the viaduct rebuildings that blondins were used on, dam building and the like.

Cheers

Grahami
The map is the territory - especially in chain scale.
ragl
  • ragl
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15 years ago
As promised, I have uploaded some more photos of a visit that I made to Pen-yr-orsedd nearly a year ago, apologies for the delay in posting them!!

Access to the top of the quarry - Eureka Level - appeared okay at the time, all I can say to any future visitors is be careful in the winch cabins as the wooden floors are getting fairly rotten and unsafe.

As Simonrl suggests, a full day here for photography of the remains would be very rewarding. I suffered a wet, dull evening - as can be seen in my pics - so a return is definitely planned, shame that it will be nearly a year since the last visit. Pick a nice day chaps!

Cheers

Alan
AndyC
  • AndyC
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15 years ago
From Nantlle, there are two routes - there is the track McAlpine bulldosed through the Nantlle Tramway entry enclines (off the start of the track to Dorothea).

There is also a nice set of quartrymen's steps. To access these, There is a bridleway or footpath off the main street, that skirts slong the easter edge of the spoil heaps. A couple of hundred yards along that, you will see a little iron gate on your left. Through this you get to the steps.
Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.
grahami
  • grahami
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15 years ago
"ragl" wrote:

As promised, I have uploaded some more photos of a visit that I made to Pen-yr-orsedd nearly a year ago, apologies for the delay in posting them!! ...

As Simonrl suggests, a full day here for photography of the remains would be very rewarding. I suffered a wet, dull evening - as can be seen in my pics - so a return is definitely planned, shame that it will be nearly a year since the last visit. Pick a nice day chaps!



Some really great and evocative shots! They make an interesting contrast (before and after - not quite) with the ones I took what seems so long ago now. I appear to have only posted a selection from mine - I'll upload some more when I get a chance.

Cheers

Grahami
The map is the territory - especially in chain scale.
ragl
  • ragl
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15 years ago
Thanks Graham, the present day situation does evoke a little of the operating days of the Blondins as shown in your photos. It is still a great place to explore and ponder on the past.

I suppose that we are lucky in respect of the survival of so much interesting, unique machinery in one place in this day & age. However, I am concerned about the future survival of the artifacts at Pen-yr-orsedd, it won't last forever.

cheers

Alan
grahami
  • grahami
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15 years ago
I've posted some more 1979 shots of the compressors to the archive album. I'll add some more blondins etc. when I can work out which I've already posted....

Cheers

Grahami
The map is the territory - especially in chain scale.
blondin
15 years ago
Quite right Grahami.Must be at a guess 1940ish catalogue,but unfortunately there is no date on it.Shows the Llechwedd blondin with its unusual tipping arrangement (like some of the Solomon Flory cableways in America)working in 2 photos,so as it had a relatively short life Llechwedd fans could no doubt get an approximate date.Its called `Henderson Arial Cableways In Quarries`,and is 12 pages long,and has pictures from as far away as Mexico:Henderson products have travelled all over,and still do.They now make massive kilns and winches,and moved from Aberdeen to Arbroath recently.It also shows radial cableways (with a moving tail tower to sweep a quarter circle).
Would I have to contact Hendersons to upload it?I have it saved to a disc,just in case.If you wanted to see it how could I easiest get it to you (without of course causing trouble regarding copyright!)
AndyC
  • AndyC
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15 years ago
I have been meaning to ask this for simply ages.

There is a room adjacent to the workshops with these racks in:

🔗Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-43314[linkphoto]Penyrorsedd-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-43314[/linkphoto][/link]

I am sure plenty here know what they were for. Can you enlighten me?
Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.
JohnnearCfon
15 years ago
I think they were used to keep "steel stock" on (if that is the correct term). In other words, all the various sections of bar that the quarry needed to keep in stock.
snap
  • snap
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15 years ago
There's actually quite a lot to be found there, and not just the Blondin remains. I visited on a Sunday and had no issue, so I think as long as you're discreet you'll be ok.
james cartwright
15 years ago
"AndyC" wrote:

I have been meaning to ask this for simply ages.

There is a room adjacent to the workshops with these racks in
I am sure plenty here know what they were for. Can you enlighten me?

I would stab a guess at saying the raks could have been used to store timber. All the machines in the mill opersit point to wood to working to.
That hole aint gona dig it's self boy[/b]
JohnnearCfon
15 years ago
"james cartwright" wrote:

"AndyC" wrote:

I have been meaning to ask this for simply ages.

There is a room adjacent to the workshops with these racks in
I am sure plenty here know what they were for. Can you enlighten me?

I would stab a guess at saying the raks could have been used to store timber. All the machines in the mill opersit point to wood to working to.



I am pretty certain, when I visited the site in mid 80s it was steel that was on those racks. The stores opposite were still full of spares. bolts, rivets and patterns at the time. There was even an upper floor!
james cartwright
15 years ago
Thanks for makeing that one clear for me John. i asumed it was for wood because of the saw bench set up didnt look like thay cut slate.but now i recall a grineding wheel. :oops:
That hole aint gona dig it's self boy[/b]

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