National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Dinorwic and Penrhyn Slate Quarries
Here are the locomotives – the iron horses – that enlivened the workings of the neighbouring quarries e.g. Cackler, Cegin, Ogwen and Winifred.
From the collection of:
Overview
Locomotives Cackler and George B are seen at work in Dinorwic Quarry and in neighbouring Penrhyn Quarry are seen others - Cegin, Ogwen, Glyder, Winifred, Marchlyn and Nesta – and slate wagons are seen ascending and descending inclines without the need for such power. There are shots of Dinorwic's Padarn Railway and of Port Dinorwic [Y Felinheli].
Giants of the quarrying world are seen here to have declined and fallen on hard times. The National Slate Museum now occupies the workshops of the disused Dinorwic Quarry, which closed in 1969, the quarry itself now housing a hydro-electric pumped-storage power station. The Penrhyn Quarry, once employing nearly 3,000 men, is still open, employing about 200 people.
Related
Watch for free
Dinorwic Quarry Dinorwic Quarry
Home movie 1963 7 mins Silent Location: Llanberis
Centuries of formidable labour and engineering could not halt the slate industry's decline as evidenced here by the once mighty Dinorwic.
Watch for free
Mr Bealing's Wales II - slate quarrying, Llanberis Mr Bealing's Wales II - slate quarrying, Llanberis
Home movie 1950 14 mins Silent Location: Llanberis
The road from Southampton to Snowdonia was well trodden by Frank and Nancy Bealing who enjoyed holidaying amongst the mountains and lakes.
Watch for free
Wales Wales
School programme and Educational film 1957 15 mins Location: Llanberis
The effect of geography on the economy of Wales and the effect of tradition and culture on the Welsh people
Watch for free
Electric Mountain Electric Mountain
Promotional 1987 30 mins Location: Llyn Peris
Elidir mountain hosts an engineering miracle: Dinorwig Power Station, built in the disused Dinorwig Slate Quarry.
Watch for free
Eryri - yr unigeddau agos Eryri - yr unigeddau agos
Promotional 1987 25 mins Location: Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa
An introduction to the splendours, both ancient and modern, of Snowdonia: land, sheep, slate, gold, water, power, outdoor pursuits and the artist Kyffin Williams.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.