Monument Type(s):

• MINERAL RAILWAY (Early 19th century to Mid 19th century - 1807 AD to 1863 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
• ESA6242 - 2007 WB across the Cambrian Railway branch line, Llanymynech Limeworks, by SCCAS
• ESA6318 - 2008 WB at Llanymynech Limeworks heritage area by SCCAS

Description

In 1807 Thomas Yates proposed a second tramway at Llanymynech to run from land belonging to Lord Bradford to the canal, and this is shown on a plan of that date (NLW Chirk Castle 6046). Although this was not constructed as proposed, it is probable that something was in place by 1810 when Yates started paying rent to the Bradford Estate, presumably on much the same route. One of the inclines was shown on an early version of the Ordnance Survey map in 1837 and an extended network shows on a map of 1863. This was to become the main transport route which, with later modifications, remained in operation until the closure of the quarry in 1914. The course of the curve can still be traced in fields to the west of the Heritage Area ->

-> The main tramway ran from the road bridge at the base of the inclines to north of the stables, and this line is now largely followed by a footpath. Cartographic sources for the early 1860s indicate that by this time the earliest tramway had been abandoned below the incline, a new connecting track having been constructed to join the two tramways immediately west of the road, with a double line running beneath the road to a complicated cross-over, to the south of which the western line ran in a curve before heading to the western canal wharf. The connecting link is shown on maps until 1874, but was abandoned sometime before 1900. The northern half of the curving western tramway survives as an earthwork in the field to the west of the Heritage Area. Two branches of the tramway ran in cuttings, east and west of the stables, down to the canal wharves. These cuttings require clearance of vegetation, and may contain buried remains which should only be disturbed under archaeological supervision->

-> To the north, a dendritic tramway network extended north east from the then top of the eastern incline (certainly by 1874, possibly by 1863), serving the east end of the quarry and the limekilns there. ->

-> A survey noted earthwork remains of the alternative tramway alignment and the canal wharf cuttings (which were described as somewhat overgrown). Buried remains of all these tramway features are expected to survive. Tramway constructed on a stone-revetted embankment c2.3m high and 3m wide at the top, leading to a stone structure, possibly originally a limekiln, between the two canal wharves. The vegetation on this embankment should be cleared and the revetment wall reconsolidated <1>

The 1838 Tithe Map [<2>] appears to show tramways sections north of the road, including the link section from the 1806 incline, together with the new incline. However, south of the road the tramway is not clearly marked, although the two fields through which it would pass are marked Railway Field. The 1806 tramway down to the wharf is still marked as the Railway <3>

In January 2007 a culvert was laid across the line of the Cambrian Railway branch line where the line of the tramway crosses to access the canal wharves. The ground here was entirely modern infill, and no archaeological features or deposits were disturbed. <4>

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. In 1838 Pickerings line ran down from the quarry to north-west into land parcel 97 (described as part of inclined plane and railway) on the tithe (PRN 08403). From here it continued through land parcels 116 (part of railway) and 111 (ditto). The line terminated at the company’s wharf (108) on the canal (PRN 08426). ->

-> The other company operating a railway in Llanymynech in 1838 was that of Messrs Baugh and Co. Their route ran down from the north, (93 – inclined plane and railway, PRN 08407) to cross Pickerings line at the road from Oswestry. From here it continued through land parcels 115 and 110 (both ‘part of the Railway’), through 105a (‘part of railway passing through field 105’) to a wharf to the west of Pickerings’, marked 107 on the tithe (PRN 08427). The landowner for both companies was the Earl of Bradford. <5>

Further to the work carried out in 2006-2007 (see <4>), a series of watching briefs were carried out during works to improve interpretation at the site. Monitoring was carried out during the installation of a drain and exposure of the in situ tram rails to assist with interpretation, at SJ 2671 2146. A section of 19m length of track was revealed at a point where the tracks converged at the bottom of the inclined plane (PRN 08407). <6>

<01> Jones N W, 2004, Llanymynech Heritage Area: archaeological survey, p6,26-45; Fig 7,8,9 (Archaeological fieldwork report). SSA21394.

<01A> Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust, 2004, Photographs from Llanymynech Heritage Area Assessment, 1603/059-060,129-130,136-138 (Photograph). SSA22026.

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

<03> Gathercole E Clare, 1999/ 2002, Comments by SMR compiler in SMR database, 20/08/2004 (SMR comment). SSA20725.

<04> Hannaford Hugh R, 2008, Archaeological Investigations for the Llanymynech Limeworks Heritage Project 2006-7, p22 (Archaeological fieldwork report). SSA23072.

<05> Sherlock H and Pikes P J, 2001, Llanymynech heritage area, Shropshire: archaeological survey (Historic landscape survey report). SSA23006.

<06> Hannaford Hugh R & Hanna T, 2008, Archaeological monitoring of work at the Llanymynech Limeworks Heritage Area, Shropshire (Watching brief report). SSA23346.

Sources

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