Monument Type(s):

• INCLINED PLANE (19th century - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)
• MINERAL RAILWAY (Early 19th century - 1804 AD to 1806 AD)

Summary

This site represents: a mineral railway of 19th century date. The site is protected by Scheduling.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA5650 - 2004 assessment in connection with the Llanymynech Heritage Area Development Project by CPAT
• ESA6163 - 2001 Archaeological Survey at Llanymynech heritage area, Shropshire, by Archenfield Archaeology Ltd

Description

The first tramway to be constructed at Llanymynech was proposed in December 1804 and completed by June 1806. The tramway was built by Arthur Davies, Robert Cartwright and Richard Jebb, who at this time leased quarries from the Chirk Castle Estate and a Mr West (NLW, Chirk Castle v/6050 and 6061). It carried limestone from the quarry workings on land belonging to the Chirk Castle Estate to what was at that time the only wharf on the canal [PRN 08426]. The drum house still survives at the top of the incline, which carried a double track with a cross-over at the bottom where the lines joined a single track to cross the Welshpool to Oswestry Turnpike road, below which was a small passing bay. The single track continued, possibly following the line of the side road noted above, to the canal wharf where it divided, with a branch running either side of the wharf. Cartographic sources for the early 1860s indicate that by this time the earliest tramway had been abandoned below the incline <1>

Shown on 1838 Tithe map for Llanymynech [<2>] <3>

In 2001 an historical, archaeological and landscape 'tier two' survey of Llanymynech and the surrounding environs was undertaken and included land that had previously been used for limestone quarrying and a large area of mixed woodland. The railways had already gone out of use by 1838, and on the tithe map the land parcel (113) is described as ‘Stables, part of old railway’ and occupied by Messrs Pickering & Co. The landowner was the Earl of Bradford. The horses in these stables were presumably used for drawing the stone-carts on the railway. This track was in use as early as 1809 and was the Old Rail Road in 1820 when a man is recorded as being killed in an accident on it. <4>

<01> Jones N W, 2004, Llanymynech Heritage Area: archaeological survey, p6,37; Fig 8,9 (Archaeological fieldwork report). SSA21394.

<01a> Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust, 2004, Photographs from Llanymynech Heritage Area Assessment, 1603/063 (Photograph). SSA22026.

<02> Anon, 1838, Tithe Survey for Llanymynech (Llwyntidman & Treprenal) Parish (Map). SSA21931.

<03> Jones N W et 2 al, 2003, Montgomery Canal Conservation Management Strategy: landscape archaeology assessment, p.95 (Historic landscape survey report). SSA21367.

<04> Sherlock H and Pikes P J, 2001, Llanymynech heritage area, Shropshire: archaeological survey (Historic landscape survey report). SSA23006.

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.