Aeron Express
Encyclopedia
The Aeron Express was the name used for a hand powered cable ferry
that was built to ferry people across the harbour in the West Wales
coastal town of Aberaeron
. The ferry was first built in 1880 to ferry labourers from the Liverpool
quay on Quay Parade, to the Birkenhead
quay on Lon Yr Hafen , in the absence of a bridge across the river Aeron.
) in 1987, predominantly as a tourist attraction, and ran until 1994.
During this period, the ferry ran from the Easter
bank holiday weekend until the end of September (the traditionally busy times of year for Aberaeron).
At the end of the tourist season, the ferry, including all the supporting structures, were dismantled and stored for the winter in the village of Llanon.
The ferry utilised a single supporting steel cable that bore the weight of the carriage, with a looped drive cable that was driven by 2 hand-powered wheels, one at either side of the harbour. At peak times, a man was placed at either side of the harbour to wind the carriage, but was manned by 1 person during quieter parts of the summer tourist season.
The modern day version could carry 4 grown men with ease, with the only restrictions being the strength of the winder.
During the summer season, tourists often believed that the ferry was powered by a hidden electric motor, or that it went to destinations other than the other side of the harbour.
When the main cable was tensioned, it prevented access to the inner harbour for boats with high masts, and had to be lowered on occasion to allow yachts to enter & leave the inner harbour (Pwll Cam as it's known locally)
On either quay, there was a Hexagon shaped wooden hut that sold tickets and merchandise for the ferry.
program in 1993, when an interview was carried out by TV personality Sian Lloyd
.
This footage was used again in an HTV program 'Stories from the street' in approximately 2003, when the previous footage taken in 1993 was used again.
It has been rumoured of late (2007 / 2008) that the steel supporting structures, the ferry and the remaining winching gear have been bought by a local businessman with the intention of resurrecting the Aeron Express as a tourist attraction. This remains unconfirmed however.
At the 2007 Aberaeron Carnival, the 1990s carriage body was used as a float attraction, it has not been seen in public since.
Cable ferry
A cable ferry is guided and in many cases propelled across a river or other larger body of water by cables connected to both shores. They are also called chain ferries, floating bridges, or punts....
that was built to ferry people across the harbour in the West Wales
West Wales
West Wales is the western area of Wales.Some definitions of West Wales include only Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, an area which historically comprised the Welsh principality of Deheubarth., an area called "South West Wales" in the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics....
coastal town of Aberaeron
Aberaeron
Aberaeron |Aeron]] being a Welsh god of war) is a seaside resort town in Ceredigion, Wales. Situated between Aberystwyth and Cardigan, it is home to the headquarters of Ceredigion County Council. The population was 1520 in 2001.-History and design:...
. The ferry was first built in 1880 to ferry labourers from the Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
quay on Quay Parade, to the Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
quay on Lon Yr Hafen , in the absence of a bridge across the river Aeron.
20th Century reproduction
The ferry was re-created by the then-owner of Aberystwyh Cliff Railway Clr Bob Griffin (ex Mayor of AberystwythAberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
) in 1987, predominantly as a tourist attraction, and ran until 1994.
During this period, the ferry ran from the Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
bank holiday weekend until the end of September (the traditionally busy times of year for Aberaeron).
At the end of the tourist season, the ferry, including all the supporting structures, were dismantled and stored for the winter in the village of Llanon.
The ferry utilised a single supporting steel cable that bore the weight of the carriage, with a looped drive cable that was driven by 2 hand-powered wheels, one at either side of the harbour. At peak times, a man was placed at either side of the harbour to wind the carriage, but was manned by 1 person during quieter parts of the summer tourist season.
The modern day version could carry 4 grown men with ease, with the only restrictions being the strength of the winder.
During the summer season, tourists often believed that the ferry was powered by a hidden electric motor, or that it went to destinations other than the other side of the harbour.
When the main cable was tensioned, it prevented access to the inner harbour for boats with high masts, and had to be lowered on occasion to allow yachts to enter & leave the inner harbour (Pwll Cam as it's known locally)
On either quay, there was a Hexagon shaped wooden hut that sold tickets and merchandise for the ferry.
TV appearances
The ferry was featured in an HTVHTV
HTV, now legally known as ITV Wales & West, is the ITV contractor for Wales and the West of England, which operated from studios in Cardiff and Bristol. The company provided commercial television for the dual-region 'Wales and West' franchise, which it won from TWW in 1968...
program in 1993, when an interview was carried out by TV personality Sian Lloyd
Siân Lloyd
Siân Lloyd is a Welsh television presenter, best known as a ITV Weather presenter.-Biography:Lloyd was born in Maesteg, Bridgend, Wales, the daughter of two teachers. She attended Ystalyfera Bilingual School and performed at the Eisteddfod where she won the Crown...
.
This footage was used again in an HTV program 'Stories from the street' in approximately 2003, when the previous footage taken in 1993 was used again.
Current status
Although the ferry remains disused, the substantial reinforced conrete footings can still be seen adjacent to the Holgates honey ice-cream parlour on the Liverpool quay, and directly opposite on the Birkenhead quay.It has been rumoured of late (2007 / 2008) that the steel supporting structures, the ferry and the remaining winching gear have been bought by a local businessman with the intention of resurrecting the Aeron Express as a tourist attraction. This remains unconfirmed however.
At the 2007 Aberaeron Carnival, the 1990s carriage body was used as a float attraction, it has not been seen in public since.