The tram first started taking passengers in 1902

Engineers will battle with the cold and wet weather - as well as 100 year-old steelwork and concrete - to complete a refurbishment project.

They are excavating the tramway to reinforce the track system and stem major corrosion before the tourist attraction resumes its service in March.

"The tramway needs a major refurbishment but we want to maintain the original ethos of it but using more modern materials," said Tim Manson, head of tourism at the Great Orme.

"It has lasted amazingly well - it's fantastic Victorian engineering."

The tramway is undergoing a �4m overhaul, thanks to part funding from the Heritage Lottery fund and Objective One.

Someone had an interesting idea that we should cut it into pieces and sell it down the town as souvenirs to sell to people David Davies, Thyssen

The tramway began taking passengers in 1902, but had a record year in 2002 with 150,000 people enjoying the mile-long ascent.

David Davies, foreman with contractors Thyssen, said the work, due to be completed in March 2004, is tough.

He said: "It is pretty difficult, digging somewhere which hasn't been dug for 100 years.

"I'm falling asleep in the chair at night now.

Achievement

"It's telling on the old heart and lungs.

"Someone had an interesting idea that we should cut it into pieces and sell it down the town as souvenirs to sell to people."

At the top, the Great Orme tramway is 679 feet above sea level and the tram climbs at a rate of one in four.

Mr Davies said the job undertaken at the turn of the century was a major engineering achievement.

He said he would not embark on such a project - even with current technology.