Penrhyn is a large slate quarry near Bethesda, which is still producing slate but is probably better known as a tourist attraction (think zip lines).
Some of the quarry equipment was originally powered by water, including water-balance lifts to haul slate out of the underground workings, an air compressor for pneumatic tools, and machinery in the slate processing works.
Starting with the slate works, called Felin Fawr, this had two water wheels, worked by a river running under the site.
The oldest one (WW1, c. 1846) is thought to have driven sawing and dressing machines, with a second (WW2, c. 1907) powering bellows in the foundry and a machine shop.
Both wheels are still there, mostly underground in deep pits.
However Felin Fawr has now been redeveloped as an industrial estate so the above ground remains are surrounded by active businesses and awkward to access.
This is the fenced off older wheel - its house has mostly gone and the pit has been covered in tarpaulin.
The newer wheel still has its house but is surrounded by cameras and located inside the compound of a car dealership.
The water for these wheels came down pipes from a dam further up the stream (bottom left on the map above).
This means there’s no way of getting to the wheels through the head races, which only leaves the tail races as possible access points.
So into the downstream end of the culvert we go.
Three tunnels here, with a smaller one partially out of site on the left.
Going right first, hoping to find the tail race from the older wheel which should join from this side.
This was the only possibility, but it didn’t go anywhere and looks more like access stairs.
Now at the other end looking upstream.
Looking back down, the other culvert on the right was similarly featureless.
So no sign of the tail race from the older wheel, assuming it did connect to these culverts.
This only leaves the third tunnel.
A right branch is soon blocked…
…but straight on leads to the newer wheel, sitting in a pile of rubbish and water.
It’s an iron suspension wheel, like a big bicycle wheel.
Phone pics only from now on.
View from the other end.
Pipes delivering water up to the iron buckets.
The rim gear on the big wheel turns a little gear on an axle extending down a short tunnel.
No machinery at the end, just a colony of bats snoozing on the ceiling.
Back out.
continued
Some of the quarry equipment was originally powered by water, including water-balance lifts to haul slate out of the underground workings, an air compressor for pneumatic tools, and machinery in the slate processing works.
Starting with the slate works, called Felin Fawr, this had two water wheels, worked by a river running under the site.
The oldest one (WW1, c. 1846) is thought to have driven sawing and dressing machines, with a second (WW2, c. 1907) powering bellows in the foundry and a machine shop.
Both wheels are still there, mostly underground in deep pits.
However Felin Fawr has now been redeveloped as an industrial estate so the above ground remains are surrounded by active businesses and awkward to access.
This is the fenced off older wheel - its house has mostly gone and the pit has been covered in tarpaulin.
The newer wheel still has its house but is surrounded by cameras and located inside the compound of a car dealership.
The water for these wheels came down pipes from a dam further up the stream (bottom left on the map above).
This means there’s no way of getting to the wheels through the head races, which only leaves the tail races as possible access points.
So into the downstream end of the culvert we go.
Three tunnels here, with a smaller one partially out of site on the left.
Going right first, hoping to find the tail race from the older wheel which should join from this side.
This was the only possibility, but it didn’t go anywhere and looks more like access stairs.
Now at the other end looking upstream.
Looking back down, the other culvert on the right was similarly featureless.
So no sign of the tail race from the older wheel, assuming it did connect to these culverts.
This only leaves the third tunnel.
A right branch is soon blocked…
…but straight on leads to the newer wheel, sitting in a pile of rubbish and water.
It’s an iron suspension wheel, like a big bicycle wheel.
Phone pics only from now on.
View from the other end.
Pipes delivering water up to the iron buckets.
The rim gear on the big wheel turns a little gear on an axle extending down a short tunnel.
No machinery at the end, just a colony of bats snoozing on the ceiling.
Back out.
continued
