The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

The following information has been provided under the terms and conditions of access as detailed on GGAT’s website www.ggat.org.uk.  Copyright is reserved on all data supplied by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust. All output resulting from the use of the data must acknowledge the source as follows:-
Derived from information held by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust copyright.

The data below is intended to be used for information and research only and is not for use as part of a commercial project.  If you wish to use information derived from material held by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust for publication in printed or multimedia form or to compile resources for commercial use, prior permission must be obtained in writing. For further information or to arrange a visit to the Trust please send an enquiry form http://www.ggat.org.uk/her/english/enquiry_form.html to her@ggat.org.uk.

Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway (Parsons' Folly)

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 02878.0w
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Tonna
Unitary authority : Neath Port Talbot
NGR : SS7865098550
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Railway
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
This section of the railway is an outstanding example of the peak of civil engineering reached by horse-operated tramroads. Built between 1839 and 1841 to carry coal from mines in the Gwenffrwd, Pelenna and Cregan valleys, 7 1/2 miles to the Neath Canal

Description :
This section of the railway is an outstanding example of the peak of civil engineering reached by horse-operated tramroads. Built between 1839 and 1841 to carry coal from mines in the Gwenffrwd, Pelenna and Cregan valleys, 7 1/2 miles to the Neath Canal at Aberdulais. It fell out of use in 1852. At the NW end is the massive stone embankment, on the summit level are two embankments and two rock cuttings, stone sleeper blocks survive in many places, to the SE are remains of the railway's only steam operated inclined place. The scheduled area also includes 3 low dams cut by the railway which controlled water for the Melincryddan Copperworks (est. 1695).

Sources :
Network Archaeology , 2004 , Baglan Bay Gas Pipeline, archaeological watching brief, Network Archaeology unpublished report no.303
Reynolds P. , 1984 , Coal mining in the Upper Afan, Part 3: The Collieries below Cymmer. , Afan Uchaf : VII : 1-29
04/MM Mention/Hughes S & Reynolds P/1988/Indust Arch of the Swansea Region p41
05/MM Mention/Hudson K/1984/Indust Arch from the Air p102
01/PM List/Cadw/1993/SAM Lists
02/MM Desc Text/Green H/1977/Parsons'Folly in Neath Ant Soc Trans pp78-88
03/MM Desc Text/Hughes S/1990/Arch of an Early Railway System pp129-30,318,339
11/Desc Text/Cadw/ Full Management Report/2006/Copy in further information file

Events :
E002947 : Baglan Bay gas pipeline. DBA (year : 1999)
E005403 : Baglan Bay Gas Pipeline (year : 2000)

Related records
02878w

Compiled date : 03-02-1995


March 29, 2025, 10:47 am - HTML file produced from GGAT HER Charitable Trust Ltd. Heathfield House, Heathfield, Swansea SA1 Tel. 01792 655208; Fax 01792 474469 website: www.ggat.org.uk  email: her@ggat.org.uk Registered Charity no. 505609
Data supplied by in partnership with Local Authorities, Cadw and the partners of ENDEX © GGAT HER Charitable Trust, 2025 (and in part © Crown, 2025).