The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Abersychan Limestone Railway

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 07226g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Abersychan
Unitary authority : Torfaen
NGR : SO2819904626
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Tramway / POST MEDIEVAL Trackway
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
Former route of the Abersychan Limestone Railway. Constructed c. 1830 to carry limestone westwards from Cwm Lascarn quarry to the British Ironworks. Of special historic interest given its unique status in South
Wales as it was constructed of wrought-iron fish-belly rails as opposed to the usual plate rails or
cast-iron bars.

Description :
Previously identified as a trackway, this is the former route of the Abersychan Limestone Railway. Constructed c. 1830 to carry limestone westwards from Cwm Lascarn quarry to the British Ironworks. Of special historic interest given its unique status in South
Wales as it was constructed of wrought-iron fish-belly rails as opposed to the usual plate rails or
cast-iron bars. Thought to be abandoned by 1876, its route can be followed along Lodge Road,
Foundry Road, Union Street, Broad Street and Station Street to Ffrwd Road and along a footpath through Lascarn Woods. Approximately 55% of the tramroad still survives in varying condition (see condition description for full details). Surviving features include stone blocks and revetment (Roberts and Jones 2006).

Trackway, presumably in use as a tramway for horse drawn vehicles in 19thC. Meets course of FE road, S through Lasgarn Woods.

Sources :
Roberts, R. Jones, C. , 2006 , Southeast Wales Industrial Ironworks Landscape Year 2: transport networks ( © GGAT)
/Desc Text/CADW/2007/Ancient monuments and archaeological areas act
01/Desc Text/Cadw/New Entry to the schedule of monuments/2007/Copy in further information file.

Events :
E001985 : Field visit AbersychanLimestone Railway (year : 2005)
E000956 : Southeast Wales Industrial Ironworks- Transport Networks (year : 2006)
E004581 : Forest Enterprise Welsh Heritage Assets Project:Rhondda/St Gwynno (year : 1999)
E008475 : Former British Ironworks, Talywain, Aberyschan, Torfaen (year : 2022)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02515g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 09407g

Compiled date :


March 29, 2025, 12:27 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).