In F&BR days the gauges of the quarries, the F&BR and the Ffestiniog Railway were sufficiently close to allow trucks to pass between the three, with the F&BR being near enough to FR standards to enable FR locos and wagons to use F&BR metals to reach Tan-y-Manod if needed, which they were until F&BR locos arrived some time after the line opened, and occasionally thereafter. Loaded wagons would descend the inclines from Manod and Craig Ddu slate quarries to Tany-y-Manod then be hauled northwards to the FR, who forwarded them to customers or to ships at .