Sirhowy Tram Road
Sirhowy Tram Road original seal
The rapid industrialisation of the Head of the Valley area led to a realisation that more efficient and economical methods of transportation were required to take advantage of the new export markets available.
Coal and iron ore had been moved by employing horse and mule power with its obvious disadvantages and the canal systems had been used to some degree but were considered expensive and unreliable.
The obvious solution was a tramroad, the route of which was to run along the valley floor from Tredegar to the docksides at Newport, a distance of 24 miles.
The plan was sanctioned under the 1802 Canals Act with the stipulation that the railway should be built close enough to link with existing canal routes.
The Sirhowy Tram Road was completed in 1805 with the Tredegar Iron Company being responsible for constructing the track from Tredegar to Nine Mile Point, near Cross Keys.
The remainder, to Tredegar Wharf at Pilgwennlly,Newport, was built by the Monmouthshire Canal Company but the planned route involved crossing an area of land at Tredegar Park which was owned by Sir Charles Morgan.
Morgan offered to cover the cost of building the track over his property ( a distance of about one mile ) and in return asked for the right to levy a toll on all traffic passing over his land.
This offer was accepted and over the following years, was to considerably increase the fortune of the already wealthy Morgan family, leading to this short route of track becoming known as the 'Golden Mile'.
The 24 mile journey was an arduous one, with a team of usually six horses pulling a train of up to fifteen trams.
It was also dangerous as many parts of the route included steep inclines with no adequate means of braking the train.
Later, wagons with seating facilities were provided and the line became one of the first rail passenger carrying services in the world.
In 1829, Thomas Ellis, Chief Engineer of the Tredegar Iron Company was authorised to purchase a steam locomotive from the Stephenson company at a cost of £550.
Earlier Stephenson design
The engine was assembled and prepared at the Tredegar Ironworks and on 17th December 1829, the 'Britannia' made its first trip on the Sirhowy Tram Road.
The event caused great excitement with many people turning out at Tredegar to witness the departure.
Samuel Homfray wrote to the Chairman of the Monmouthshire Canal Company :
Bedwellty House, December 15, 1829
"I write to say that it is my intention to make a trial of the locomotive engine to go down to Newport on Thursday next and shall feel obliged by your allowing your men to use their endeavour to keep the road as clear as possible as to meet with no impediments.
I remain, Yours Truly,
Saml. Homfray"
The journey was beset with problems - the track broke on several occasions, the train was de-railed at crossing points and on arrival at Tredegar Park in Newport, an over-hanging tree branch removed the chimney stack!
Despite these problems, the journey was considered a success as the engine had transported some 50 tons of load at an average speed of 6 mph.
As the Monmouthshire Merlin reported on 26th December 1829:
"It is generally believed that the engine will answer the purpose intended and that horses will be put out of request...We understand that the Canal Co. are disposed to encourage the working of steam engines and to alter the tramroads as may be found necessary"
T.I.C. locomotive 'St.David' built 1832? - rebuilt 1848
The drawing from which this is reproduced is signed "Thos.Ellis,Engineer" and states that the engine was built at Tredegar in 1830.
Ellis was the Iron Company's engineer from 1828 to 1854, but other evidence indicates that he built no locomotives before 1832.
(From "Sirhowy Valley and its Railways" by Lee and Barrie - 1940)
Thomas Ellis at the controls of the 'St.David'
Copyright © Sirhowy Valley News Page 2002
