Author: Gordon Rattenbury and Michael Lewis
Publisher: Railway and Canal Historical Society
ISBN: 09014661520
Price: £25-£45 S/H depending on condition
Publication: 2004
Number of pages: 88
Format: Softcover
How Obtained: Purchased
The tramroads around Merthyr are world famous as the location of the first rail-based steam locomotive journey in 1804. But there is so much more to the system and its locomotives than Richard Trevithick’s single epoch-making trip.
Describing the network and the engines employed is Merthyr Tydfil Tramroads and their Locomotives by Gordon Rattenbury and M.J.T. Lewis. It was published in 2004 by the Railway and Canal Historical Society to mark the 200th anniversary of Trevithick’s locomotive. Though out of print for some time, second hand copies still appear for sale, but are less readily available than other volumes in our Retro Review series.
The story of Merthyr Tydfil tramroads in two halves
This really is a book of two halves! The first part on the history of the tramroads was written by the late Gordon Rattenbury in 1987, but left unpublished. Dr M.J.T. Lewis wrote the original article of Part 2 over a decade earlier in 1975 and published by the Industrial Railway Society. It was extensively updated for this publication. Each section orders its content by individual ironworks, primarily Dowlais, Penydarren and Plymouth with the addition of locomotives from Cyfarthfa.
The Merthyr Tydfil tramroad system developed out of necessity in a spirit of both co-operation and conflict. Sometimes these forces were in play simultaneously! The main fault line lay between Richard Crawshay and his Cyfarthfa Ironworks and the other three ironmasters. Crawshay was a promoter of the Glamorganshire Canal and his high handed approach alienated his competitors. They responded by building a 9 mile tramroad from Merthyr down to Abercynon along with associated branchlines to their own ironworks.
What we know is covered well….but much remains obscured
The message from Section Two is how little is known about Trevithick’s 1804 locomotive! The facts are ambiguous, with the popularly understood design of the engine in serious doubt. A startling consideration for such a consequential machine. Also surprising was the gap of over 20 years between Trevithick and the next appearance of tramroad steam traction in 1829 with a Robert Stephenson designed locomotive. Of significance is the invention and imagination shown in the designs of machines used, including a hybrid friction/rack and pinion engine from Neath Abbey Ironworks.
Both Rattenbury and Lewis cover their respective subjects in meticulous detail. In one respect the book is of historical interest in its own right. Rattenbury’s section features photographs taken in the 1960s and 1970s and show locations which have themselves disappeared. Consequently, each photograph is both a record of where the tramroads were located and of Merthyr at that time and subsequently lost.
In keeping with other books from these authors (see for example our review of Steam on the Sirhowy Tramroad by Michael Lewis) the text is comprehensively referenced throughout allowing researchers or the merely curious to follow up sources. Finally, mention must be made of the late Michael Blackmore’s wonderful painting of Dowlais locomotive Perseverance which adorns the front cover!
In Summary
The tramroads and locomotives of Merthyr are of profound historical importance and this book presents a comprehensive overview of the authors’ personal research. While recent developments have updated parts of our knowledge of the subject the basic understanding remains unchanged.
The Good
- A superb overview of research, much of it personal, about a historically significant transport system
- Well referenced text allowing opportunity to follow up research
- Great photographic illustrations, especially in the first section which show locations around Merthyr long disappeared
The Not So Good
- The research presented is mostly twenty years old with some dating back to the mid 1980s. However, the basics are still valid
- No colour illustrations which would have enhanced the plates of artists illustrations in the book.
Outline Contents:
The History — by Gordon Rattenbury
- The Ironworks and the Canal
- Dowlais Railroad
- Penydarren Ironworks Tramroads
- Dowlais Iron Company’s Limestone Tramroads
- Gurnos Tramroad
- Merthyr Tramroad Company (The Penydarren Tramroad)
The Locomotives — by M. J. T. Lewis
- Introduction
- The Tramroads
- Penydarren Company Locomotives
- Cyfarthfa Ironworks Locomotives
- Dowlais Iron Company Locomotives
- A Trip behind ‘Perseverance’
About the Authors
Gordon Rattenbury was an acknowledged expert on the railways of South and mid Wales. A past Vice-President of the Railway and Canal Historical Society he published many books and articles including The Hay and Kington Railways and the Tramroads of the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal.
Dr Michael Lewis, an eminent industrial archaeologist, is acknowledged as one of the leading authorities on early railways. One of his previous works, How Ffestiniog got its Railway, was the first book to be published by the Railway and Canal Historical Society in 1965. (from the RCHS website)
Related reviews
A Description of the Faults or Dykes of the Mineral Basin of South Wales by George Overton
Early Limestone Railways by John Van Laun
Life of Richard Trevithick with an Account of His Inventions by Francis Trevithick
Steam on the Sirhowy Tramroad and its Neighbours by Michael Lewis