I've been looking at both some published photos, some of my own and some others in Simon's album, on the basis of which here is a thought. There seem to be two basic types of inclines with travellers as follows:-
1. Inclines like those in the Vivian quarry. These have travellers which take the wagons on top, and tracks that terminate just under the upper floor level. Referred to by Carrington in 'Slates to Velinheli' as 'Tank Inclines'. See Page 15, Fig 8.
2. Inclines like the preserved one in Gilfach Ddu which have rails which rise above the upper floor level and travellers which are like the ones preserved at the side of the Museum. (I've always assumed these two travellers are from the preserved incline.) Carrington refers to this type as 'Lift' type see Page 14 Fig 7. The example shown by Carrington clearly has the load (the slate wagon) inside the traveller i.e. the traveller is a 'cage' as in lift.
If the above is reasonable then we have two means of identification:-
1. If the load goes inside the traveller then its a lift.
2. If the inclines rails terminate above the upper floor level then its a lift.
(NOTE Could be electrically powered or a balance type with a drum, just depends on location, does not affect above definitions.)
Looking at Simon's photo I think it passes both tests. Certainly the rails go above the upper floor level. The travellers are damaged but look similar to those stored at the side of the Museum:-
[photo]Personal-Album-3945-Image-57207[/photo]
Anyone care to comment, I'm happy to be shot at if you think I've got it wrong.
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