The narrow gauge tramway system at Maenofferen consisted of a 2ft gauge line which has been modified constantly since it was originally laid in 1862 and now only survives in intermittent sections across the whole of the Maenofferen Slate Quarry complex (NPRN 400427) and the associated Rhiwbach Tramway (NPRN 65647).

The original rail system visible on the 1862 plan was installed to service the transfer of slate out of the Maenofferen Upper Mill (NPRN ****), running through the Short Tip Tramway Tunnel (NPRN ****) under the lower section of Rhiwbach Tramway Incline Number 3 (NPRN 65653). Processed slate for shipment was transferred on to the Rhiwbach Tramway (NPRN 65647) using a series of switchback inclines. Waste material was carried along the Tip Tramway (NPRN ****) to the designated tipping area. The plan does not indicate of there were any rails laid to bring slate into the Maenofferen Upper Mill (NPRN ****).

The 1902 plan of the Maenofferen Upper has a fundamentally different railway layout. The quarried slate was brought either up via the main incline, or alternatively up via the Back Vein incline, in either case passing over the weighbridge (NPRN 415910) at the exit of the Mill Floor Tunnel. Here the tramway divided into two branches. One branch went into the eastern end of the Dressing Mills and an extension ran out of the western end of the Dressing Mills to the Stacking Yard and a Tip Run.

The other branch ran to the Maenofferen Upper Mill, with sidings leading to associated ancillary buildings. A series of turntables and tramways linked this branch to the Tip Tramway. A branch ran from the northern end of the Stack Yard to the Maenofferen Upper Mill. A final short branch ran from the Northern end of the original open cast mine into the line leading to the Upper Maenofferen Mill.
The 1939 Plan shows minor modifications to the basic structure which had developed from the 1862 and 1902 plans. A branch, serviced by a turntable, ran from the pre-existing branch between the Mill Floor Tunnel and the Dressing Mills over a new bridge to become part of the tip tramway, and the preceding link through the short tip tunnel completely removed. Two additional branches were constructed running from the Stack Yard and the Rhiwbach Incline respectively to the area of open cast mining known as David Jones quarry. A photograph of 1952 shows the tramway crossing a trestle bridge into this quarry.

Sections of tramway track still survive within the Mill Floor Tunnel and in the floors of the Smithy, Saw Mill and New Engine Shed. Other sections primarily survive in the area bounded by the Workshop Range, Water Balance Incline, Booster Station / Turbine House and the area bounded by the East mouth of the Mill Floor Tunnel and the Winding House Complex.

References: Plans referred to are held by J. W. Greaves and Sons Ltd, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Spencer Gavin Smith, RCAHMW, August 2011