The Rhiwbach Tramway was built in 1863 to provide an alternative outlet for slates from Rhiwbach, Cwt-y-Bugail and Blaen-y-Cwm quarries, which had previously been carried overland via Cwm Machno to Trefriw on the River Conway. The three quarries were at a lower level than the tramway, and loaded waggons were drawn up inclines by ropes powered by stationary steam engines. The tramway, built to the normal quarry gauge of 600mm (1ft 11 1/2in), ran from the head of the Rhiwbach incline for 2.8km to the summit of another incline, down which the waggons were lowered by gravity to join the Maenofferen railway system.
The tramway ceased to operate with the closure of Cwt-y-Bugail Quarry in the 1960s and has since been dismantled. NPRNs 65611, 65612, 65613, and 65714 refer to components of the tramway.

W J Crompton, RCAHMW, 15 December 2011.