LLANBERIS LAKE RAILWAY
| This railway 2ft gauge,was opened in May 1971 following the track bed of the defunct Padarn rlwy built in the 1800's to carry slate from the Dinorwic Quarry at Llanberis, to Port Dinorwic on the Menai Straits. The original track was 4ft gauge with wagons each carrying four 2ft gauge slate wagons which were de-trained at the port complex. The present Lake railway follows the Llyn Padarn shore line for a distance of two miles, carrying passengers on new rolling stock hauled by some of the original quarry steam locomotives. |
| An early morning view overlooking Llyn Peris showing the long closed Dinorwic Quarry,a massive undertaking. On the right of the picture can be seen one of the many inclines for carrying slate to the bottom level from galleries on the upper reaches of the quarry, each gallery being served by narrow gauge loco's. The site now houses the underground Dinorwig pump storage power station, Llyn Peris forming the lower reservoir. |
| Whilst not narrow gauge but included for interest,0-4-0 4ft gauge "Fire Queen" built by Alfred Horlock & Co,Kent in 1848 operated on the Padarn rlwy, this "Rocket" like loco is now housed at the railway museum at Penryn Castle in splendid condition. |
Padarn
Railway "Fire Queen", a more detailed side view. |
"Fire
Queen", cylinder and nameplate close up. |
| Hunslet 0-4-0ST "Thomas Bach" formerly "Wild Aster",built 1904 ,leaving Gilfach-Ddu station for Pen-Llyn, this locomotive ex Dinorwic Quarry is typical of those to be found on the galleries of the quarry, but in much less sober colour! |
No
2 "Thomas Bach" taking on water at Gilfach-Ddu showing
a little more cab detail |
| Hunslet 0-4-0ST "Dolbadarn" ex Dinorwic Quarry ,built 1922, shown outside the engine shed incorporated into the former quarry workshop now a Slate Museum at Llanberis, well worth a visit. |
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