Barmouth Junction and Arthog Tramway
The Barmouth Junction and Arthog Tramway operated a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge tramway service in Arthog between 1899 and 1903.[1]
| Barmouth Junction and Arthog Tramway | |
|---|---|
| Operation | |
| Locale | Arthog |
| Open | August 1899 |
| Close | August 1903 |
| Status | Closed |
| Infrastructure | |
| Track gauge | 3 ft (914 mm) |
| Propulsion system(s) | Horse |
| Statistics | |
| Route length | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
History
The tramway was built by Solomon Andrews in 1899 as part of his scheme to develop Arthog as a holiday resort. It used the routes of previous tramways which had been constructed from the 1860s as part of quarrying operations.
Construction of the tramway began in 1899[2] with a route from the Arthog side to Vegla Island. It was used to carry materials for building roads and houses
The tram road opened to the public in June 1903[3] with services operating daily[4] Initially a success Solomon Andrews started work on another tramroad which was to run from the entrance of Barmouth Bridge over the sands along the embankment which runs along the railway to the waterfalls above Tyddyn Sheffri.[5]
The tramway connected Mawddach Crescent to Barmouth Junction railway station and other lines were built to local quarries to provide building material for the terraces of houses built as part of the holiday resort project.
Closure
The project failed and after one or two seasons and the tramway was closed, never to re-open. The single passenger car was transferred to the Pwllheli and Llanbedrog Tramway.
References
- The Golden Age of Tramways. Published by Taylor and Francis.
- "The Development of Barmouth Junction". Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser. Wales. 29 August 1903. Retrieved 21 October 2016 – via Welsh Newspapers Online.
- "The Barmouth Junction Tram Road". The Cardigan Bay Visitor. Wales. 29 August 1903. Retrieved 21 October 2016 – via Welsh Newspapers Online.
- "A New Tram Road". The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard. Wales. 5 June 1903. Retrieved 21 October 2016 – via Welsh Newspapers Online.
- "Extension of Tram Road". Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times. Wales. 8 October 1903. Retrieved 21 October 2016 – via Welsh Newspapers Online.