National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
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Dinorwic and Penrhyn Slate Quarries
Here are the locomotives – the iron horses – that enlivened the workings of the neighbouring quarries e.g. Cackler, Cegin, Ogwen and Winifred.
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Overview
Locomotives Cackler and George B are seen at work in Dinorwic Quarry and in neighbouring Penrhyn Quarry are seen others - Cegin, Ogwen, Glyder, Winifred, Marchlyn and Nesta – and slate wagons are seen ascending and descending inclines without the need for such power. There are shots of Dinorwic's Padarn Railway and of Port Dinorwic [Y Felinheli].
Giants of the quarrying world are seen here to have declined and fallen on hard times. The National Slate Museum now occupies the workshops of the disused Dinorwic Quarry, which closed in 1969, the quarry itself now housing a hydro-electric pumped-storage power station. The Penrhyn Quarry, once employing nearly 3,000 men, is still open, employing about 200 people.
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