Railways, Slate Quarries and Tramways of Blaenau Ffestiniog

This book surveys the network of railways and tramways built to extract the slate and transport it onwards where it 'roofed the world' In effect slate created Blaneau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog, and turned them both into important towns.

The authors say that "the intention of this book is to provide an introduction to the history of the slate industry, with particular reference to  its transportation, and also to act as a brief guide to the history of the local slate quarries". They have succeeded very well in their intention; to my mind the fact that they have covered all aspects of the slate quarrying undertaken in the Blaenau area gives a very good picture overall of the industry from its start to decline, and what is left today. Highly recommended.

192 pages, 100s of B&W and colour photographs, diagrams, and very useful maps. Hardbound.