WHR

Cyrnant area page

V2.4 updated 9/9/00  

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Cyrnant locations

Cyrnant covers the section between Tan-yr-allt landslip and Waunfawr. There are no public locations though the railway can be viewed from the Waunfawr-Bontnewydd public bridleway on the opposite side of the valley.

The railway is initially on a shelf high above the river in the area of the landslip referred to on the Tan-yr-allt page. However, the railway climbs with slack gradients towards Waunfawr and the valley bottom rises more steeply so that eventually, nearer Waunfawr, the railway is on the Gwyrfai floodplain and some lengths have suffered riverbank erosion.

 

Gwyrfai Valley

 

This easterly view (28/4/00) shows the early stages of Jones rehabilitation of the trackbed at Ch. 4460 with LC17 visible. The Afon Gwyrfai is to the north (RHS). At this stage, neither trackbed drainage nor consolidation had reached this location and the trackbed was little better than a plant road with some slate rock waste tipped in the softer spots. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This easterly view (15/7/00) shows the completed tracklaying at Ch 4460. Much of the formation is wide like this giving plenty of clearance compared to the FR! Slate fines on the uphill side cover a French drain - a slotted pipe. There is little evidence of any similar drainage regime in the original construction of the line. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

 

This westerly view (1/7/00) shows the head of steel on 1/7/00 at Ch. 4683, just 1 km from Waunfawr. A little further west than the view above and the river has dropped out of view. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This westerly view (28/4/00) shows the trackbed west of Cyrnant near Ch. 5000 with the Afon Gwyrfai on the north side (RHS). Heavy rain reveals the early state of trackbed rejuvenation. Bales of straw are used to prevent trackbed mud overflowing onto the delicate climax woodland water meadow below. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This easterly view (1/7/00) shows the rails laid towards Waunfawr from the same viewpoint as above. The sleepers were well ahead of the rails at Ch. 4902. In this area, unusually, wooden topped fencing has been stipulated rather than stock-proof mesh fencing. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This easterly view (15/7/00) shows the track at Ch. 4900 as in the previous view. Additional rails have been laid in the 2 foot ready to closed the 300 metre gap to Waunfawr. In the distance the red stop board marks the limit of loco working. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

Cyrnant Ballast dump

Land along the south side of the railway has been hired from the owner of Cyrnant and a large ballast stockpile established for the Tan-yr-allt to Waunfawr tracklaying due in May-July.

 

This westerly view from the trackbed (28/4/00) shows the large ballast pile being established at Cyrnant. This was an official approved visit following Phase 2 Induction. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This westerly view (15/7/00) at the Ch 5320 shows the head of steel on that day. The 300 metre gap to track laid from Waunfawr was closed within the week. The next length of rails is already laid out but bolts, clips and fishplates are missing. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This westerly view (24/7/00) shows Upnor Castle loading ballast wagons at the Cyrnant ballast pile. Lining was taking place between this location and the landslip. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This easterly view (24/7/00) shows Upnor Castle with DZ and the two ballast wagons being loaded at the ballast pile. The photo was kindly taken by a WHLR employee. A substantial amount of ballast remains in the pile in September for Phase 3 ballasting. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

River erosion

 

This easterly view (28/4/00) shows the trackbed restored over the erosion scar caused by the Afon Gwyrfai over 60 years since closure. A dumper takes quarry waste west along the trackbed to restore the drainage system. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This identical easterly view (1/7/00) shows the ballast bed ready to receive track. The track was due to extend west from Waunfawr through this point in mid-July. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

This easterly view (15/7/00) of the same area shows wooden sleepered track laid. This area has now been lined with additional ballast for tamping following a visit by Upnor Castle and the Seacows! Fencing is appearing. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is Copyright B.W.Hughes. Image processing technology used iPhoto+4. Slide scanned at 200 dpi.

 

 

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Page Version 2.4 Dated 9/9/00