The list below represents the locomotive worked industrial narrow gauge railways still operating in Wales.
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British Steel PLC, Shotton Works, Deeside
(2ft 6ins Gauge) 3 separate lines. One serving the stockyard, and one for the transportation of steel coils inside the mills. Plus one further very short line inside the mill worked by a battery loco. Update: The system serving the stockyard is reported to have closed in 2001.
Update 2009: The IRS bulletin confirms in March 2009 that the Cold Strip Mill is being demolished. The 2 Hunslet locos, and the battery loco are reported to have left the site.
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Welsh Water PLC, Solva Sewage Works, Solva Harbour
(600mm gauge) Railway through a small tunnel in regular use. Single battery loco on site.
Update: In 2004, the loco was in use 4 days per week, very early in the morning. Update: In 2016 the loco was confirmed still working but less frequently.
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Maenofferen Slate Quarry, Blaenau Ffestiniog
(2ft gauge) Short length of railway still in use with a battery loco within the slate mill. Update: This railway is reported to have closed in 1998.
Update 2005: The disused locos are reported to have been moved out of the old mill building for security reasons.
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Clogau Gold Mine, Bontddu, Dolgellau
(2ft Gauge) 2 separate adits although linked underground. At the Tyn-y-Cornel Level behind the farmhouse, in 1997 a battery loco was working to the surface. By 2005 all rail had been removed above ground and site cleared. The other adit, Llechfraith Level next to the river, by 2005 was looking very overgrown and had seen no activity for a long time.
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Welsh Gold, Gwynfynydd Gold Mine, Coed-y-Brenin Forest
(1ft 11.5ins Gauge) Battery locos used underground, and work to surface.
Update 2005: Site disused. All underground mining equipment dumped on surface, and most track ripped up.
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Wincilate LTD, Aberllefenni Slate Quarries, Aberllefenni
(2ft 3ins gauge) Single battery loco underground, and works to the surface.
Update 2005: The adit is reported not to have been used since 2003, and by 2005 the entrance to the mine had been filled in.
© Steve Thomason 2020
| Industrial Narrow Gauge Railways
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