Model of the Blaenau Ffestiniog area

Mine exploration, photographs and mining history for mine explorers, industrial archaeologists, researchers and historians

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

Popped in the National Slate Museum http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/slate over the weekend, and had a proper look at the model of Blaenau Ffestiniog. I always knew it was there, but had never really looked at it properly.

It's quite amazing. I've put a YouTube video up:

[youtube]NhLahlDhLMk[/youtube]

Apologies for the poor quality (taken through the glass) and the background noise.

Just about every detail you would expect and many you wouldn't. The major workings are there; Llechwedd, Maen Offeren, Oakeley and Cwmorthin is just on the model. But the detail is amazing. Mills, the inclines of the Rhiwbach tramways, the K Trwnc at Oakeley, the Tuxford at Votty, even the daylight chambers are shown.

Impressed 🙂

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Wanna join the discussion?! Login to your AditNow Community forum account or Register a new forum account

owdsnuffy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

That is sooo impressive! I was there last october with my family, but my 3 year old was tired and didn't want 2 go in, going back this year so will def have a look. My son loves inclines,must be all the thomas the tank engine stories. :thumbsup:

Graigfawr
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

On childhood visits to the National Museum in Cardiff, I used to be captivated by this model. Its 1:1250 if I recall correctly. Absolutely fascinating. I recall there also being a model of Trevor Quarry.

AndyC
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

How odd - I do not remember seeing it. The only model I can remember is of the Vivyan inclines.

Still, I hope to be up to play after Easter. And their is bound to be a rainy day.

Now, if only they had a model of the Dinorwic quarries with all inclines and levels labelled...

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

ChrisJC
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Does it show the collapse at Maenofferen / Votty? 😉

Chris.

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

"ChrisJC" wrote:
Does it show the collapse at Maenofferen / Votty? 😉

Chris.

No :lol: But it does show Cookes, I suppose an offer to rearrange the area with a chisel wouldn't go down very well :lol:

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Graigfawr
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

The model was made around 1930, I think. It would have been based on the last available OS 1:2,500, enlarged 100% to 1:1,250, and updated by personal observation of the model maker who was a NW Wales resident.

james cartwright
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Its a beauty. A real credit to the model maker. Its just a dam shame Hornby never got there act together and made us working quarry with battery powered incline and rail haulage system :lol:

That hole aint gona dig it's self boy[/b]

grahami
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

"james cartwright" wrote:
Its a beauty. A real credit to the model maker. Its just a dam shame Hornby never got there act together and made us working quarry with battery powered incline and rail haulage system :lol:

As soon as I can post a photo I'll show you just what some people have done sadly there don't appear to be any pictures of Chwarel Cwm Bach on the web.

Grahami

The map is the territory - especially in chain scale.

JohnnearCfon
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#10

Is that the model largely based on Dinoirwic with a gauge of 8mm (rather than the usual 9mm). If so, I have seen an article about that it is excellent to say the least! Some photos, you would think it was the real thing!

grahami
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#11

A couple of pics of the model quarry model from a magazine article.

🔗Personal-Album-54-Image-49300[linkphoto]Personal-Album-54-Image-49300[/linkphoto][/link]
🔗Personal-Album-54-Image-49300[linkphoto]Personal-Album-54-Image-49301[/linkphoto][/link]
🔗Personal-Album-54-Image-49300[linkphoto]Personal-Album-54-Image-49302[/linkphoto][/link]
🔗Personal-Album-54-Image-49303[linkphoto]Personal-Album-54-Image-49303[/linkphoto][/link]

Cheers

grahami

The map is the territory - especially in chain scale.

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#12

Very nice. 🙂

JohnnearCfon
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#13

It really is (was?) a nice model. I was told that it no longer existed as the owner wanted to sell it but no one wanted it.

hymac580c
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#14

Had a good look at the model today as well as taking some photos.
There is also a model of Graig Ddu and Manod slate quarry at the museum. It was made sometime in the 1940's and shows the surface details. You then lift the top off then you can see the chambers and underground workings of both quarries.
It is not on display, and is kept at their stores. But if you ask they will show it to you.

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

Graigfawr
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#15

The old Industry galleries (closed in the 1980s) at the National Museum of Wales included a diorama of a typical underground slate mine chamber - face, tripod crane, tramway, tracks, etc. It was about 6' long x 3' high x 3' deep. A bit coarse-scale but pretty effective at showing the layout of a typical chamber and its equipment. It will now be in store at the museum's reserve store at Nantgarw.

grahami
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#16

This is the origin of the model, as described by "Caban" in January 1954:

The model

🔗Personal-Album-54-Image-49869[linkphoto]Personal-Album-54-Image-49869[/linkphoto][/link]

The Story

🔗Personal-Album-54-Image-49869[linkphoto]Personal-Album-54-Image-49870[/linkphoto][/link]

Nice to know it has survived so well.

Grahami

The map is the territory - especially in chain scale.