Aeron Express

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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 to the Birkenhead quay.

The ferry was re-created by the then-owner of Aberystwyh Cliff Railway in 1988 and ran until 1993. During this period, the ferry ran from the Easter bank holiday weekend until the end of September when it was dismantled and stored for the winter. It had 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.

Although the ferry remains disused, the substantial reinforced conrete footings can still be seen adjacent to the honey ice-cream parlour on the Liverpool quay, and directly opposite on the Birkenhead quay. 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.