First Incline

There are three inclines on the track, the first departing the rail-yard, the second above the Deeside Slab Quarry and third at the underground workings. These are the only sections where track was double, all else was single. (The photo on the right is April 1965). Sleepers were generally 54"x6"x2"On the inclines full wagons were lowered using a friction braking system and at the same time raised empty wagons on the return trip. The bottom left photo was April 1961 when the underpass was still open, but after closure and with heavier road traffic the underpass was filled. There was about a 1:4 gradient on this incline.

Most of the rail laid between 1924 and 1940 was 4lb/ft flat bottomed rail on transverse sleepers in 18ft lengths (2.125" high and 2.5" across the foot), rail tie-bars were 14" long). Ladder rail was used on the section between the Nant-y-Pandy slate works and Deeside Slab Quarry, The sleepers were 12ft long with a 4x6" cross section. Tie bar spacing was irregular but generally 4ft (42-55" measured near reservoir) 4-5" spikes were used about 2ft apart.

25" gauge 5lb/ft bridge rail used on several waste dumps, with tipper trucks (this also came in 18ft lengths and was 1.5" high and 2.75" across the foot)

After 1940 5lb/ft rail was used (21ft lengths) including the Moel Fferna quarry

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This photograph is by Metman and was uploaded March 7^th 2017. © Metman please do not copy or distribute without prior express permission.

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