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George Overton

George Overton

Tram roads engineer

Expertise

Bridges, Rail, Construction, Design

Location

Wales
My highlights

Building the tram road on which the first working railway steam locomotive ran

Building the second oldest surviving iron railway bridge in the world

Conducted the first-ever survey for the Stockton and Darlington Railway

Why you might have heard of George Overton

George Overton pioneered tram roads during the early 19th century.

His expertise in civil engineering helped shape transport infrastructure in south Wales during the Industrial Revolution.

His work also laid the foundation for the eventual development of modern railways.

Overton is best known for building the Merthyr tram road on which Richard Trevithick ran the world’s first working railway steam locomotive in 1804.

He also conducted the first-ever survey for the Stockton and Darlington Railway, proposing a horse-drawn tram road.

His 1820 survey was used for the railway’s Act of Parliament, but shortly after, he was replaced by George Stephenson on the project.

The year 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of his birth on 16 January. It's also the bicentenary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

More about Overton

Career

The Merthyr tram road was commissioned by the owners of Dowlais, Penydarren and Plymouth Ironworks. Overton's 16km-long road was completed in 1802.

Overton also constructed the Llwydcoed Tramroad in 1802 for the Aberdare Canal Company.

His tram bridge in Robertstown is the second oldest surviving iron railway bridge in the world.

In 1803, Overton became a partner in the Hirwaun Ironworks and built the Hirwaun to Abernant tramroad between 1806 and 1808.

In 1815, he engineered the Brinore Tramroad near his home in Llandetty.

The 13km-long road ran from Talybont-on-Usk to Trefil. It links the Tredegar iron works and Trefil limestone quarries to the Monmouth and Brecon canal at Talybont.

He had an interest in the canal wharf, which is still known as Overton’s Wharf at the interchange between the canal and tramroad.

His expertise was sought beyond Wales. He offered his expertise for the development of a transportation route for mine owners in County Durham.

In 1825 he published A Description of the Faults or Dykes of the Mineral Basin of South Wales.

In it, he described himself as a practical man who had made and used tramroads “during the greater part of the last thirty years.” And who had “surveyed and constructed road[s] of some hundred miles’ extent in different parts of the kingdom”.

His final project was Rumney Railway, a plateway from the Rhymney Ironworks to the Monmouthshire Canal tram road, which opened shortly after his death.

Key projects

The Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) was the first passenger railway to use steam trains to transport passengers. The company operated across north east England from 1825 to 1863.

Stockton and Darlington Railway

The Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) was the first passenger railway to use steam trains to transport passengers. The company operated across north east England from 1825 to 1863.

Personal life

There is very little information about George Overton’s early life and education and indeed, some contradictions.

His descendants believe he was born at Bringewood Forge, Herefordshire, on 16 January 1775. However, for most of his life, he lived in South Wales.

In 1805, Overton married Mary, and they had six children.

In 1815, the family moved to Llandetty, near Talybont-on-Usk.

Overton passed away on 2 February 1827 and is buried at Llandetty Church.

Images

Please note there is no known portrait of George Overton.

The image used for this profile depicts the Penydarren tram road. Image credit: Estate of Terence Cuneo /Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales.

The banner image is of the Robertstown Llwydcoed Tramroad Bridge, the world's second oldest iron railway bridge. Image credit: Stephen K Jones.