The tramway was worked by horses and gravity for much of its existence, but a diesel locomotive was used to haul wagons on the top section between 1953 and its closure in 1961.

This section was finally closed in 1976 after a new quarry road was built connecting the upper levels of Llechwedd with the mills at Maenofferen.

The quarries connected to the tramway had no practical road access as they lay at a high altitude in a remote moorland.

The tramway ran a quarter of a mile south to pass the Maenofferen mills and the foot of the last incline.

3 incline climbed a further 300 feet (91 m) to reach the plateau above Blaenau Ffestiniog, passing the main pit of the David and Jones Quarry.

3 incline, the tramway ran on an approximately level course east towards Cwt y Bugail Quarry.

It skirted the edge of Llyn Bowydd, a reservoir constructed to supply water to power the equipment in the quarries below.

A further branch ran south from Blaen y Cwm, via a switchback, to Manod and Bwlch y Slaters quarries.