An illustrated panel celebrating the work of civil engineer George Overton was unveiled on Monday on the towpath side of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Overton, a pioneer of early railway engineering, made his name in Wales, where his expertise helped shape key transport routes during the Industrial Revolution. He lived with his family in Llandetty, near Talybont-on-Usk.

Overton pioneered tramroads in the early 19th century and is best known for constructing the Merthyr tramroad in 1802 - the route on which Richard Trevithick ran the world’s first steam locomotive two years later.

He also worked on the early plans for the Stockton and Darlington Railway, carrying out its first survey and proposing a horse-drawn tramroad. Although the line ultimately evolved differently, Overton’s engineering legacy remains visible today.

He died in 1827 and is buried at Llandetty Church.

The joint initiative - the installation of the new panel - was led by the Institution of Civil Engineers Wales Cymru and the Canal and River Trust, and took place on the 250th anniversary of Overton’s birth.

The panel also forms part of RAILWAY 200, a nationwide programme marking 200 years of the modern railway, from the Stockton & Darlington Railway of 1825 to 2025, aimed at inspiring a new generation to pursue careers in rail.

ICE Wales Cymru Director, Keith Jones, said: “George Overton was a remarkable pioneer whose work made an impact in South Wales. His contribution to civil engineering as an ironmaster and tramroad engineer is of national and global significance.

“Today’s unveiling is a fitting tribute to his lifetime contribution. We hope that the celebration of his work and other pioneers will inspire a new generation of young talent to choose a career in rail and to pioneer new innovations in transport infrastructure.”

The panel will be available for public viewing in due course