2006/08/19.01 The Tar Tunnel at Coalport - 1. The original idea behind this tunnel was to connect the lower levels of the coal mines further up the valley with the River Severn to save on the costs of transport. However, during construction the tunnellers found a natural source of bitumen and it was more profitable to extract this instead. 1000 yards in lengh, some 10% of this is now open to the public. 19th August, 2006

2006/08/19.02 The Tar Tunnel at Coalport - 2. Even today, natural bitumen can be found ousing down the walls and there are warning notices not to get it on your clothes! 19th August, 2006

2006/08/20.01 The Hay Incline, Coalport - 1. The coal was brought from the mines in tubs floated on the upper level of the Shropshire Canal to the top of this incline. Here, the the tubs were loaded onto special waggons to be lowered down the incline to the lower level of the canal for onward transportation to the River Severn. 19th August, 2006

2006/08/20.02 Looking up the Hay Inclined Plane between Coalport and Blists Hill. This incline connected the upper and lower levels of the Shropshire Canal. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.03 The top of the Hay Incline near Blists Hill. This is where the coal laden tubs were loaded onto the waggons on which they would be transported down the incline to the lower level. At the same time, an empty tub would be brought back up. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.04 Looking down the Hay Inclined Plane as seen in the previous pictures. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.05 Narrow gauge plateway track and pointwork with 'L' shaped plates from the days when the flanges were on the rails, not the wheels. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.06 Another view of the plateway track seen in the previous picture. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.07 Narrow gauge track behind the pit head steam engine at Blists Hill. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.08 Narrow gauge 'L' shaped plateway track by the upper level of the Shropshire Canal at Blists Hill. Only a shortish section of the canal has water in it. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.09 An abandoned mine working and narrow gauge track at Blists Hill. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.10 An old mine adit with a section of narrow gauge 'L' shaped plateway track. Blists Hill, 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.11 A close up of the plateway track seen in the previous picture. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.12 Built in 1990, this is a working replica of Richard Trevithick's 1802 Penydarren Tramway locomotive. Note the flangeless wheels running on 'L' shaped plateway tracks. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/20.13 Another view of the Penydarren replica. It is on display, and occasionally steamed, at the Blists Hill open air Victorian town museum near Coalport. 20th August, 2006

2006/08/21.01 There was nothing to indicate who the builders of this 0-6-0 industrial saddle tank were, when it was built, or where it worked. Does anybody know? 21st August, 2006.

2006/08/21.02 This, and the following picture, depict a couple of Sentinel vertical boilered 0-4-0s tucked away in an odd corner of the Museum of Iron at Coalbrookdale. There is nothing to say what they are, when they were built, where they worked, etc. Can anybody provide any further information about their history? 21st August, 2006

2006/08/21.03 A Sentinel undressed! 21st August, 2006

2006/08/21.04 The Great Western branch line from Madeley Junction, between Wolverhampton and Wellington, and Buildwas Junction was retained to serve Ironbridge Power station when the rest of the lines in that area were closed. This viaduct is near the Museum of Iron at Coalbrookdale. 21st August, 2006

2006/08/21.05 Another view of the viaduct at Coalbrookdale seen in the previous view. Is this line still in operation, can anybody tell me? Yes, it is. The line is still open as far as Ironbridge Power Station. 21st August, 2006

2006/08/21.06 Another example of 'L' shaped plateway track on display at the Museum of Iron at Coalbrookdale. The grooves worn by the passage of countless waggon wheels can be clearly seen. The chairs holding the track to gauge are interesting - the one on the left is wider than than that on the right. Was this for a wooden or metal key, or part of a simple point? If anybody know the answer, I would be pleased to know. 21st August, 2006