Locomotive Type Steam Boiler, Blaen Rhondda

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a locomotive-type steam boiler used to power a stationary steam engine for haulage at a colliery level, on a mountain at the head of the Rhondda Valley. The level was associated with Blaenrhondda Colliery, which included a shaft and several other buildings and structures. The levels were connected to the colliery by tramroad, between about the 1880s and the 1920s. On this boiler the steam outlet pipes exit from the top of the dome and there are no fixings for the water tanks or cab which would be normal on a locomotive, suggesting it was not used in a locomotive. The boiler is complete with its firetubes. The remains include the boiler, levels in the cliffside, and the tramroad formation constructed from coal spoil, running from the former bridge position over the adjacent stream to the end of the cliff.

The monument is of national importance as a rare and well preserved example of an in situ steam engine boiler, and in particular, one of locomotive type installed for stationary use. It has potential to enhance our knowledge of the early 19th century coal mining industry. The structures may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail. A colliery may be part of a larger cluster of industrial monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.