Monument Type(s):

• MINERAL RAILWAY (Mid 19th century to Late 19th century - 1863 AD to 1899 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

A series of dendritic tramway networks developed between the Llanymynech quarry faces and the main tramway inclines after the railway opened in 1863. These networks would have developed as quarrying progressed and would also have linked to spoil tips around the quarries. The tramway system during the later 19th century is well-illustrated by the Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 mapping. The first edition, surveyed in 1874, shows two tramway systems leading from the quarries to the canal. The western tramway system has a series of lines within the quarry workings leading to a brake house at the top of a single-track incline with a short passing loop. The eastern tramway system has what must be an incline, although without a brake house, leading south from the quarry face, with a siding joining from nearby limekilns. A series of lines lead south-west from the eastern workings and limekilns to join the incline above the mid-point. As in 1863, both systems join near the road crossing, with a weighing station beyond. To the south the tramway continues as a double track which diverges to service both canal wharves, as well as joining the mainline railway, which opened in 1863. The second edition, revised in 1900, shows that by this time the tramway system serving the western quarry workings had been abandoned, while the eastern system had been much altered to include a double-track incline with brake house, with a new series of feeder tramways along the quarry face. At the southern end, the construction of the conventional lime kilns and their replacement by the Hoffman-type kiln had led to significant changes with a system of tramways and mainline railway sidings serving the later kiln [see PRN 08410]. ->

-> An earthwork lying between the two main areas of quarrying consists of a linear hollow, probably representing the line of a tramway. A surviving section lies to south of footpath, which at the east end probably follows its course. Just to the north of it lies a limestone rubble embankment, 4m wide by 9.6m long with a stone revetment up to 1.9m high. It is situated on the southern side of the lower quarry edge, and just south-east of the tunnel. Its function is uncertain, though it may possibly be associated with tramways. The vegetation should be cleared from this feature <1>

In 2001 an historical, archaeological and landscape 'tier two' survey of Llanymynech and the surrounding environs and included land that had previously been used for limestone quarrying and a large area of mixed woodland. The development of the site was assessed from the pre-industrial landscape, to the development of the fields, kilns, tramways, canals, railways, plantations other industrial and economic infrastructures. <2>

<01> Jones N W, 2004, Llanymynech Heritage Area: archaeological survey, p6,29,31-2,37; Fig 9 (Archaeological fieldwork report). SSA21394.

<01a> Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust, 2004, Photographs from Llanymynech Heritage Area Assessment, 1603/032-035,047-048 (Photograph). SSA22026.

<02> 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.