The Maenclochog Railway

The Maenclochog Railway ran from Clynderwyn on the Great Western Railway via Maenclochog to Rosebush in the Preseli Mountains some 8 1/2 miles away. It was the creation of Edward Cropper a retired magistrate from Kent who purchased Rosebush slate quarry in 1869. To develope his quarry business and transport the slates it was decided to create a standard gauge railway originally called the Narberth Road and Maenclochog Railway.

In 1871 aggrement was reached with the Great Western Railway for the construction of a third set of railway lines for about a mile west of their Narberth Road station (soon to be renamed as Clynderwyn) and for the use of facilities there by the new company. This gave the G. W. R. a stranglehold on the railway from the start.

In April 1873 construction began over the very difficult terrain leading up into the mountains and the line had to be built with sharp curves and steep gradients which made operations difficult.

In January 1876 the line was opened to freight traffic and September saw the first passenger trains. Throughout 1876 and 1877 business increased and by the 1880s the company could cover its operating costs. The greatest financial difficulty, however, came from the high rent charged by the G. W. R. for the use of their line and facilities at Clynderwyn and all the profits had to be used to cover these expenses.

Although the railway had been built to service the quarry at Rosebush passenger traffic was important to the company and an attempt was made to develope Rosebush as a spar resort for tourists. A hotel, ornamental lakes and gardens were constructed but the tourists failed to arrive in sufficient numbers to make the scheme a success.

The year 1882 saw the line closed in December after passenger numbers and slate traffic fell away and a loss was made. However in 1884 the line reopened as better terms had been negotiated with the G. W. R. but the lack of business again forced it to close in 1888 and in 1889 the line was put up for sale.

In May 1894 the line was bought by the North Pembrokeshire and Fishguard Railway and the Maenclochog Railway ceased to exist.

Operations
The Maenclochog Railway operated a total of 3 locomotives all of which were 0-6-0 saddle tank engines named Precelly, Ringing Rock and Margaret. Precelly was aquired in 1875, Ringing Rock arrived in 1876 and the final locomotive, the Margaret, (named after Edward Cropper's wife) was purchased in 1878. Rolling stock consisted of 3 passenger carriges, 2 brake vans and 36 wagons.