Splitting Slate on the Ffestiniog Railway

Over the Easter weekend, there were Llechwedd representatives present on Blaenau Ffestiniog station showing off  their skill at the traditional art of slate splitting.

Next time you look up at your Llechwedd made slate roof (if you're lucky enough to have one) remember that every individual slate, has been born from just chisel and hammer. I'm sure after watching the following video you will appreciate each roofing slate as more than just a rock but as a piece of art. Despite the difficulty of the process in 1862 the founder of Llechwedd John Greaves won a medal for a slate 10ft long 1ft wide and a minuscule 1/16 of an inch thick!

Take a look at the video below!

Llechwedd Slate celebrates Welsh Highland Railway opening and Ffestiniog Railway's 175th anniversary

On Wednesday  the 20th April 2011, it was the official opening of the merged Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railway. It was also the 175th anniversary of the Ffestiniog Railway. In those days the Railway was not burdened with ardent railway enthusiasts and thousands of tourists, but groaning with a heavy load of fresh slate excavated from mines like Llechwedd. The slate would storm down the mountainside propelled by gravity. Then once unloaded the empty wagons would be hauled back up to Blaenau Ffestiniog by horses.

Considering this history it seems only fitting that the industry that gave birth to the railway stands by it on its special day. Llechwedd Slate Caverns provided the slate that was created to celebrate this anniversary. Pete Waterman was the man who had the honour of unveiling this slate.