Cei Mawr
| Cei Mawr | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Bleasdale | |
| Previous Station | Minffordd |
| Previous Location | Leadmine Curve |
| Status | Location |
| Next Location | Cutting Naddu |
| Next Station | Tan y Bwlch |
| Latitude | 52:56:43.67N |
| Longitude | 04:02:24.93W |
| Grid Reference | SH638404 |
NGR:SH638404 Lat / Long :52.94386 / -4.02788
Cei Mawr (Big Quay or Wall, a name applied from the earliest documentation), which is just after Rhiw Goch on the up journey, is one of the most impressive structures along the line. It is a tall, curved, dry-stone, embankment that stands some 62 feet above the level of the stream below. Since construction, numerous repairs have been required and the present structure is significantly wider than the original as a result of the addition of strengthening buttresses along its whole length.
Amongst the first was between 1887 and 1890 when nearly £1000 was spent on strengthening work including the building of buttresses on both the north-east side and the south-eastern end. In earlier days sidings existed at both ends, to the north for Bwlch-y-Plwm lead mine and at the south for Catherine and Jane Lead Mining Company Ltd.
The latter ran off FR property for a short distance through the gate just visible in the photograph below. It was removed when the mine closed in 1876 but replaced for the handling of materials during the 1880s refurbishment of the embankment. Ref Boyd
More recently work was undertaken in 1989 and major repairs to the culvert at the base were completed in 1992..[video 1]
In early 2008, with the aid of outside agencies, a major felling operation took place which has restored the views around the Cei Mawr area that had been obliterated by conifer growth.
This was a great improvement. The FR aided the removal of felled trees from the area.
These were later shipped to Minffordd yard, seen here en route on the mineral line. This particular load, being of fairly large diameter, is destined to be milled by the owners - the National Trust.
[edit] References
