Part of the Rhiwbach Tramway that led down to the Maenofferen railway system. The Rhiwbach tramway was built in 1863 to provide an alternative outlet for slates from Rhiwbach, Cwt-y-Bugail and Blaen-y-Cwm quarries. The tramway ran to the former main line of Ffestiniog Railway Diffwys Station in Blaenau Ffestiniog. There are three counter-balance/gravity inclines on the route of the Tramway, numbered from 1 (lower) to 3 (higher). The winding house is associated with Incline 3 that lowered slates down to the Maenofferen slate quarry level. It is built of dressed stone and retains cross beams but no roof or mechanism.
