Welsh stations, National and Heritage Lines 1980-2022


David Bosher

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<h4><a href='/locations/C/Caersws'>Caersws</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/N/Newtown_and_Machynlleth_Railway'>Newtown and Machynlleth Railway</a></small></p><p>Caersws station on the Cambrian Railway main line, seen here in July 1980. 1/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Barmouth'>Barmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>Two Class 103 Park Royal DMUs at Barmouth, on the Cambrian Coast Line, in July 1980. 2/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/A/Aberystwyth'>Aberystwyth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/V/Vale_of_Rheidol_Railway'>Vale of Rheidol Railway</a></small></p><p>A scene on the Vale of Rheidol Railway in the old Carmarthen Line platforms at Aberystwyth in July 1980. At this time the line was still operated by British Rail so perhaps the long held legend that regular steam finished on the BR network in 1968 should be revised. The line is now privately-owned. This terminus has since been replaced by a new one further behind where I was standing here (hard to believe its FORTY YEARS AGO) and which I visited in 2017, only my third visit to the VoR since 1980 and 1986. The standard gauge terminus is on the right. 3/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Betws-y-Coed'>Betws-y-Coed</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/B/Bettws-y-Coed_Branch_London_and_North_Western_Railway'>Bettws-y-Coed Branch (London and North Western Railway)</a></small></p><p>Betws-y-Coed station on the Conway Valley Line (as it was then known; Conway has since been revised to the Welsh spelling Conwy), looking north towards Llandudno Junction in July 1980. 4/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandanwg'>Llandanwg</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>Two passengers waiting for the train to Pwllheli as a MetCam 101 diesel unit arrives at Llandanwg on the Cambrian Coast Line in July 1980 with apologies for the slightly grainy image, taken from my original print. As a teenager on a family holiday in north Wales in August 1965, we stayed in a caravan at Llandanwg and there was still a large running-in board here proclaiming 'Llandanwg Halt', but the term 'halt' was abolished by BR during the 1970s when even the tiniest of halts, such as this one, overnight became stations. On a revisit here many years later in 2016, the standard BR sign seen here had also been replaced by a smaller but somewhat smarter sign - but still minus the word 'halt'. The platform had been resurfaced too. See image <a href='/img/17/936/index.html'>17936</a>. 5/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llangollen'>Llangollen</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Llangollen_and_Corwen_Railway'>Llangollen and Corwen Railway</a></small></p><p>Llangollen station, now the HQ of the Llangollen Railway, the only standard gauge heritage railway in North Wales, seen here in the throes of restoration work in July 1980. The station on the one-time Ruabon to Barmouth line had closed 16 years earlier. 6/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/D/Dolgoch'>Dolgoch</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>A scene on the Talyllyn Railway with a Tywyn Wharf to Nant Gwernol train arriving at Dolgoch station, in July 1980. 7/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/N/Nant_Gwernol'>Nant Gwernol</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>A scene at Nant Gwernol terminus with a Talyllyn Railway train just arrived from Tywyn Wharf, in July 1980. 8/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Machynlleth'>Machynlleth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>Slightly grainy slide of a Swindon Class 120 DMU, waiting to depart from Machynlleth in July 1980. Aberystwyth can just be made out on the destination blind and a reasonable crowd of passengers are boarding. 9/75</p><p>/07/1980<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llangollen'>Llangollen</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Llangollen_and_Corwen_Railway'>Llangollen and Corwen Railway</a></small></p><p>Ex-GWR 5101 class No. 5199 waiting to depart from Llangollen station for Dwyrain Corwen East with a UK Railtours' chartered train, on 21st March 2015. This 2-6-2T was built at Swindon works in 1934, one of a class introduced in 1929 designed by C.B. Collett (1871-1952). It worked on lines in the Birmingham area until 1961 when it was transferred to Gloucester but only lasted two years there before being withdrawn from service in 1963. Rescued from Barry in 1985, restoration began at Toddington and was continued at Llangollen after the locomotive was transferred here in 1988. It was not until 1st February 2003 that the locomotive could be steamed again, a full forty years after its withdrawal. 10/75</p><p>21/03/2015<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llangollen'>Llangollen</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Llangollen_and_Corwen_Railway'>Llangollen and Corwen Railway</a></small></p><p>The picturesque setting of Llangollen station, so close to the river Dee if it was any nearer it would be in it, on 21st March 2015. The station originally opened on 2nd June 1862 and closed on 18th January 1965 when BR, in all their worldly wisdom, axed the entire Ruabon to Barmouth route, meaning passengers from cities like Liverpool and Manchester to the Cambrian Coast Line north of Barmouth then had to take a much longer route via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth. The Llangollen Railway Preservation Society took over the derelict station in 1975 and the line reopened as a heritage railway west from Llangollen in stages from 1981. 11/75</p><p>21/03/2015<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/N/Newtown'>Newtown</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/O/Oswestry_and_Newtown_Railway'>Oswestry and Newtown Railway</a></small></p><p>Newtown station on the former Cambrian Railways main line in central Wales, seen from 158818 calling with a service from Birmingham International on 21st May 2016. This reversed at Shrewsbury before going forward to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli and dividing at Machynlleth. 12/75</p><p>21/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/F/Fairbourne_FBSR'>Fairbourne (FBSR)</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Fairbourne_and_Barmouth_Steam_Railway'>Fairbourne and Barmouth Steam Railway</a></small></p><p>A view of the Fairbourne Railway in north Wales, seen from train to Pwllheli on the Cambrian Coast Line about to arrive at Fairbourne station, on 21st May 2016. My one and only ride on the Fairbourne Railway was on a boyhood family holiday in 1965. Alas, on this 2016 holiday, having visited the Talyllyn, Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, there sadly just wasn't the time to revisit the Fairbourne. Maybe next time, if we ever get back to normal. 13/75</p><p>21/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/P/Porthmadog'>Porthmadog</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>158825 from Pwllheli to Birmingham International, reversing at Shrewsbury, arriving at Porthmadog station, on 21st May 2016 14/75</p><p>21/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/P/Porthmadog'>Porthmadog</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>The final down Cambrian Coast Line train of the day, from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, arriving at Porthmadog station on the evening of 21st May 2016. 15/75</p><p>21/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/P/Pwllheli'>Pwllheli</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>158821 waiting to depart from the Cambrian Coast Line terminus at Pwllheli with the last train of the day to Machynlleth, on the evening of 21st May 2016. 16/75</p><p>21/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/P/Porthmadog_Harbour_FR'>Porthmadog Harbour [FR]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Festiniog_Railway'>Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>'Fairlie' locomotive 'Earl Meirionnydd', dating from 1979, waiting to depart from Porthmadog Harbour station with a Ffestiniog Railway train to Blaenau Ffestiniog on 22nd May 2016. The first double-bogied articulated steam locomotives, known as 'Fairlies' after their designer, Robert Francis Fairlie (1831-1885) were introduced to the Ffestiniog Railway in 1869. Constructed with swivelling power bogies, they enable longer trains to be hauled without increasing manpower costs and have long boilers with tall chimneys at both ends, giving them a very striking appearance. The FR is still building 'Fairlies' today and some can now be seen working as far afield as Australia and USA. This photo was taken while I was waiting to have my first ever ride on the Welsh Highland Railway to Caernarfon; I travelled on the FR to Blaenau Ffestiniog the following day. 17/75</p><p>22/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/P/Porthmadog_Harbour_WHR'>Porthmadog Harbour [WHR]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Festiniog_Railway'>Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>Ex-South African Railways NGG16 2-6-2+2-6-2T Garratt no.87, built 1937 by the engineering firm Cockerill and restored at the Ffestiniog Railway's Boston Lodge works, shunting at Porthmadog Harbour station before being attached to a Welsh Highland Railway train to Caernarfon, on 22nd May 2016. 18/75</p><p>22/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Beddgelert'>Beddgelert</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/W/Welsh_Highland_Light_Railway'>Welsh Highland Light Railway</a></small></p><p>Ex-South African Railways NSGG Class 16 2-6-2+2-6-2 No.138 passing the water tank as it arrives at Beddgelert station with a Welsh Highland Railway train from Caernarfon to Porthmadog Harbour on 22nd May 2016. 138 was built by Beyer Peacock in 1958 and returned to the UK after withdrawal from service for restoration at the Ffestiniog Railway's Boston Lodge works. Originally in green livery, it was temporarily withdrawn in 2007 for full overhaul and boiler inspection and returned to service in its new crimson livery in 2010. (In common with the Ffestiniog Railway, WHR trains cross on the right at stations with passing loops.) 19/75</p><p>22/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Caernarfon'>Caernarfon</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/N/Nantlle_Railway'>Nantlle Railway</a></small></p><p>Ex-South African Railways NSGG Class 16 2-6-2+2-6-2 No.87, 79 years old at the date of this photo, running round at the northern terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway at Caernarfon on 22nd May 2016. This is on a new site on the trackbed of the former LNWR Afon Wen to Bangor line south of the original standard gauge station and, since this visit, reconstruction of the station began and a spacious new entrance building is now fully open. The famous 13th Century Castle can be seen in the left background. 20/75</p><p>22/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Minffordd_FR'>Minffordd [FR]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Festiniog_Railway'>Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>Ffestiniog Railway train from Porthmadog Harbour to Blaenau Ffestiniog calling at Minffordd, looking back towards Porthmadog, on 23rd May 2016. This station is an interchange with the standard gauge Cambrian Coast Line that passes underneath just to the north. 21/75</p><p>23/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandudno'>Llandudno</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/S/St_Georges_Railway_and_Harbour'>St George's Railway and Harbour</a></small></p><p>150262 just arrived at Llandudno station with a Conwy Valley Line service from Blaenau Ffestiniog on 23rd May 2016. 22/75</p><p>23/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Betws-y-Coed'>Betws-y-Coed</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/B/Bettws-y-Coed_Branch_London_and_North_Western_Railway'>Bettws-y-Coed Branch (London and North Western Railway)</a></small></p><p>Betws-y-Coed station on the Conwy Valley Line in north Wales, seen from 150262 working from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog, looking back northwards on 23rd May 2016. 23/75</p><p>23/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/D/Dolwyddelan'>Dolwyddelan</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/B/Blaenau_Festiniog_Branch_London_and_North_Western_Railway'>Blaenau Festiniog Branch (London and North Western Railway)</a></small></p><p>Dolwyddelen station on the Conwy Valley Line in North Wales, seen from 150262 on a Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog service, on 23rd May 2016. This station was once an island platform but only one side is now in use. 24/75</p><p>23/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Blaenau_Ffestiniog'>Blaenau Ffestiniog</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/B/Bala_and_Festiniog_Railway'>Bala and Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>150262, with a Conwy Valley Line service to Llandudno, waiting to depart from Blaenau Ffestiniog station on 23rd May 2016. This station stands on the site of the old GWR Blaenau Ffestiniog Central station that closed in 1960 and which I remember seeing, derelict, as a boy in 1965. On the left is the world-famous Ffestiniog Railway. 25/75</p><p>23/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Barmouth'>Barmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>158 824 from Pwllheli to Machynlleth at Barmouth station on the evening of 23rd May 2016. 26/75</p><p>23/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Barmouth'>Barmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>Exterior of Barmouth station, Cambrian Coast Line, opened in 1867, on 23rd May 2016 27/75</p><p>23/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/T/Tywyn_Wharf'>Tywyn Wharf</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>Exterior of Tywyn (formerly Towyn) Wharf station, Talyllyn Railway, the world's first ever heritage line, on 24th May 2016. The heritage railway movement in the UK today is all down to the wisdom and foresight of one man, Tom Rolt (1910-1974) who conceived the idea of reviving the Talyllyn Railway from its almost derelict state in the 1950s. Better known as the author, L.T.C. Rolt, the story of his rescuing the Talyllyn Railway is told in his book 'Railway Adventure'. He also helped to restore canals back from their near derelict state too, thanks to the publication of his book 'Narrow Boat' in 1944. 28/75</p><p>24/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/T/Tywyn_Wharf'>Tywyn Wharf</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>Having run round its train, 0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' is now ready to depart from Tywyn Wharf station with a Talyllyn Railway train to Nant Gwernol, on 24th May 2016. No.7 was rebuilt at the railway's Pendre Works in 1991 from an 0-4-0WT locomotive and named after the founder of the Talyllyn Railway Society. Without him we may never have had all the heritage lines the UK now enjoys. 29/75</p><p>24/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/D/Dolgoch'>Dolgoch</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>Talyllyn Railway train from Tywyn Wharf to Nant Gwernol, behind 0-4-2T locomotive No.7 'Tom Rolt', dating from 1991, arriving at Dolgoch on the gloriously warm and sunny morning of 24th May 2016. Although not apparent from this photo, this is the busiest station on the line, where many people alight to visit the nearby Dolgoch Falls. 30/75</p><p>24/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/N/Nant_Gwernol'>Nant Gwernol</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>Talyllyn Railway locomotive No.6 'Douglas' (1918), running round at Nant Gwernol on 24th May 2016. 31/75</p><p>24/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/N/Nant_Gwernol'>Nant Gwernol</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>Talyllyn 0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' (1991) about to run round at Nant Gwernol on 24th May 2016. This station lacks facilities so trains only pause here long enough for the locomotive to run round before returning to Abergynolwyn for a longer wait at what was, until 1976, the upper terminus of the line with requisite facilities. Nant Gwernol sits at the bottom of the former Bryn Eglwys incline and has no road access but there are several footpaths that have been opened up on and off the incline and back to Abergynolwyn. 32/75</p><p>24/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/A/Abergynolwyn'>Abergynolwyn</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' at Abergynolwyn, with a train from Nant Gwernol to Tywyn Wharf, on 24th May 2016. As Nant Gwernol station lacks any facilities, return trains stop here for a considerable time for passengers to partake of refreshments and visit the gift shop. Abergynolwyn was the original upper terminus for passengers until 1976 when the line was extended. 33/75</p><p>24/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/D/Dolgoch'>Dolgoch</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' (1991) calling at Dolgoch, with a Talyllyn Railway train from Nant Gwernol to Tywyn Wharf, on 24th May 2016. 34/75</p><p>24/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/D/Dolgoch_'>Dolgoch </a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Talyllyn_Railway'>Talyllyn Railway</a></small></p><p>After a brief lull, Dolgoch station bursts back into life as an afternoon train to Nant Gwernol arrives behind No.6 'Douglas' on 24th May 2016. This locomotive is smaller than others in the Talyllyn fleet and was constructed in 1918 by Andrew Barclay's for the Air Service Construction Corps. From 1921 to 1945 it ran on the RAF Railway at Calshot Spit (delightful name) at Southampton. In 1949, following a period of disuse, it was purchased by Abelson & Co. (Engineering) Ltd. which presented it to the Talyllyn Railway in 1953 and given the name 'Douglas'. It was overhauled in the early 1990s and fitted with a new boiler returning to service in 1995, since when it has been performing splendidly. 35/75</p><p>24/05/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/A/Aberystwyth'>Aberystwyth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>158818 just arrived at Aberystwyth from Birmingham International, reversing at Shrewsbury, on 17th April 2017. 36/75</p><p>17/04/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Borth'>Borth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/A/Aberystwyth_and_Welch_Coast_Railway'>Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway</a></small></p><p>158834, from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury, calling at first stop Borth on the evening of 17th April 2017. 37/75</p><p>17/04/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandeilo'>Llandeilo</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Llanelly_Railway_and_Dock_Company'>Llanelly Railway and Dock Company</a></small></p><p>UK Railtours excursion from London Paddington to Llandrindod Wells arriving at the semi-derelict Llandeilo station on the Heart of Wales Line (as the Central Wales line is now known) on 2nd September 2017. There was a wait here of several minutes for a Llanelli train to pass and clear the single line ahead. Somebody needs to go round with a bottle of Weedol, in fact probably several bottles. 38/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandeilo'>Llandeilo</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Llanelly_Railway_and_Dock_Company'>Llanelly Railway and Dock Company</a></small></p><p>150 257 from Shrewsbury to Llanelli standing at at Llandeilo station on the Heart of Wales Line, with UK Railtours' excursion from London Paddington to Llandrindod Wells on the left, on 2nd September 2017. 39/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandovery'>Llandovery</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/V/Vale_of_Towy_Railway'>Vale of Towy Railway</a></small></p><p>UK Railtours' excursion from London Paddington to Llandrindod Wells passing Llandovery station on the Heart of Wales Line, on 2nd September 2017.<br>See <a target=query href=/queries/closed.html>query 2046</a> 40/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandovery'>Llandovery</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/V/Vale_of_Towy_Railway'>Vale of Towy Railway</a></small></p><p>UK Railtours' excursion from London Paddington to Llandrindod Wells, behind 68 016, passing Llandovery station on the Heart of Wales Line, on 2nd September 2017. 41/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandovery'>Llandovery</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/V/Vale_of_Towy_Railway'>Vale of Towy Railway</a></small></p><p>Llandovery station, seen from UK Railtours' excursion from London Paddington to Llandrindod Wells, passing on 2nd September 2017. 42/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llanwrtyd_Wells'>Llanwrtyd Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Extension_Railway'>Central Wales Extension Railway</a></small></p><p>UK Railtours excursion from London Paddington to Llandrindod Wells, behind 68016, passing Llanwrtyd Wells station on the Heart of Wales Line, on 2nd September 2017. 43/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llanwrtyd_Wells'>Llanwrtyd Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Extension_Railway'>Central Wales Extension Railway</a></small></p><p>Llanwrtyd Wells station, seen from a UK Railtours excursion from London Paddington to Llandrindod Wells, behind 68016, passing on 2nd September 2017. 44/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Builth_Road'>Builth Road</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Extension_Railway'>Central Wales Extension Railway</a></small></p><p>UK Railtours' excursion from London Paddington to Llandrindod Wells passing the surviving high level station at Builth Road, looking back south as the train heads north, on 2nd September 2017. 45/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>UK Railtours' excursion from London Paddington arriving at its destination at Llandrindod Wells station, where a two hours leg stretch took place, on 2nd September 2017. The train was moved out of the station onto a siding to allow for the passage of a Swansea to Shrewsbury train that crossed another travelling in the opposite direction. 46/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod'>Llandrindod</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>View from Llandrindod Wells station footbridge, looking north, with UK Railtours' excursion from London Paddington just arrived on 2nd September 2017. 47/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>Llandrindod Wells station, looking north towards Shrewsbury, on 2nd September 2017. The northern junction for the Heart of Wales Line is actually at Craven Arms where it meets the Welsh Marches Line. 48/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>Llandrindod Wells signal box on 2nd September 2017. This used to stand slightly north of the station but after its de-commissioning, it was moved to the southbound platform of Llandrindod Wells station and, though no longer operational, now acts as a small museum to the history of the station on the Heart of Wales Line. (Note the modern station sign saying only Llandrindod, the station name having changed in 1980.) 49/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>Exterior of Llandrindod Wells station, Heart of Wales Line, on 2nd September 2017. This station opened in 1865 with the extension of the line from Knighton and was the temporary terminus until the line was further extended to Llandovery in 1868. The current timetable sees only four trains a day in each direction between Shrewsbury, and Swansea with trains to the latter reversing at Llanelli, as they have had to do since the closure (under the hapless Beeching cuts) of the direct line from Pontardulais to Swansea Victoria in 1964. 50/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>153323 single diesel unit, with a Heart of Wales Line service to Shrewsbury, calling at Llandrindod Wells station on 2nd September 2017. 51/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>153353 single diesel unit, with a Heart of Wales Line service from Shrewsbury to Swansea (reversing at Llanelli), arriving at Llandrindod Wells station on 2nd September 2017. 52/75</p><p>02/07/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>153 353 with a Heart of Wales Line service from Shrewsbury to Swansea (reversing at Llanelli) about to depart from Llandrindod Wells station, on 2nd September 2017. 53/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>153323 to Shrewsbury, and 153353 to Swansea, crossing in the loop at Llandrindod Wells station, on the single-track Heart of Wales Line, on 2nd September 2017. 54/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llandrindod_Wells'>Llandrindod Wells</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Central_Wales_Railway'>Central Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>68024 bringing UK Railtours' excursion back into Llandrindod Wells station, for the journey home to London Paddington, on 2nd September 2017. The return was via Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, Walsall, the Sutton Park freight only line, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Oxford, Didcot Parkway and Reading. 55/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Knighton'>Knighton</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Knighton_Railway'>Knighton Railway</a></small></p><p>Knighton station, looking north on the Heart of Wales Line, seen from UK Railtours' return excursion from Llandrindod Wells to London Paddington, on 2nd September 2017. Curiously, this station is just across the Welsh border in England even though Knighton itself is in Wales. An even more curious example, now lost forever, was at the former Hay-on-Wye station on the Brecon to Hereford line that closed at the end of 1962 and where the border ran through the centre of the station, thus one platform was in Wales but cross the footbridge and you were in England! 56/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Knighton'>Knighton</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Knighton_Railway'>Knighton Railway</a></small></p><p>Knighton station, Heart of Wales Line (here in England!) looking south from UK Railtours' return excursion from Llandrindod Wells to London Paddington, passing on 2nd September 2017. 57/75</p><p>02/09/2017<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Bronwydd_Arms'>Bronwydd Arms</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Carmarthen_and_Cardigan_Railway'>Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway</a></small></p><p>Bronwydd Arms station, HQ of the heritage Gwili Railway in south-west Wales, looking north, seen from arriving coach from Ferryside on level crossing on 9th June 2018. 58/75</p><p>09/06/2018<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Llwyfan_Cerrig'>Llwyfan Cerrig</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Carmarthen_and_Cardigan_Railway'>Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway</a></small></p><p>Gwili Railway train heading north to Danycoed at Llwyfan Cerrig, looking back south, on 9th June 2018. The station building here came from the former Felin Fach station on the Lampeter to Aberaeron branch, which was an offshoot of the line that the Gwili Railway now partially utilises. That line opened on 12th May 1851 and was closed to passengers one week short of its 100th anniversary on 7th May 1951 with freight finishing in 1963. 59/75</p><p>08/06/2018<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Bronwydd_Arms'>Bronwydd Arms</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Carmarthen_and_Cardigan_Railway'>Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway</a></small></p><p>The Gwili Railway runs over a section at the southern end of the former Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line that closed in 1964. Here is Class 117 51347 waiting to depart over the line's southern extension, sadly not all the way to Carmarthen as the destination blind would have us believe, but just to the outskirts of the town at the new southern terminus at Abergwili Junction, that opened on 1st July 2017. This d.m.u. was withdrawn from BR service in 1993 and in 1994 found its way to the Mangapps Railway Museum in Essex before going to the Colne Valley Railway at Castle Hedingham in 1995. It then moved on to the Nene Valley Railway in 1997 before finally moving to the Gwili Railway in 2009 where hopefully it has now found a permanent home. Seen here on 9th June 2018. 60/75</p><p>09/06/2018<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Bronwydd_Arms'>Bronwydd Arms</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Carmarthen_and_Cardigan_Railway'>Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway</a></small></p><p>Class 117 DMU 51347 departing from Bronwydd Arms with a Gwili Railway service to Abergwili Junction on 9th June 2018. This will travel over the line's southern extension that opened on 1st July 2017. 61/75</p><p>09/06/2018<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/A/Abergele_and_Pensarn'>Abergele and Pensarn</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Chester_and_Holyhead_Railway'>Chester and Holyhead Railway</a></small></p><p>Abergele & Pensarn, on the North Wales Coast Line, seen from UK Railtours' excursion from Euston to Llandudno Junction for the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, behind 68034, passing on 6th April 2016. 62/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Blaenau_Ffestiniog_FR'>Blaenau Ffestiniog [FR]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Festiniog_Railway'>Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>'Linda' attached to 'Blanche' about to run-round at Blaenau Ffestiniog before hauling a train chartered by UK Railtours through to Caernarfon via the Ffestiniog (originally spelt with only one F) and Welsh Highland Railways, on 6th April 2019. 'Linda' dates from 1893 and was originally a 0-4-0ST locomotive built for the Penrhyn Quarry Railway. It was purchased by the Festiniog in 1963 and rebuilt as a 2-4-0STT in 1972. In 2003 it received a new boiler and four years later was temporarily withdrawn from service for a major overhaul taking 10 years before it returned to steam in December 2017. 63/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/D/Dduallt'>Dduallt</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Festiniog_Railway'>Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>Now back on the original 1836 alignment of the Ffestiniog Railway, 'Linda' and 'Blanche', are passing Dduallt station on 6th April 2019. Ahead is the bridge that carries the spiral the train just negotiated and is now about to pass underneath. This is a UK Railtours' charter train from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Caernarvon via both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, double-headed as far as Porthmadog. 64/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/T/Tan-y-Bwlch'>Tan-y-Bwlch</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Festiniog_Railway'>Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>UK Railtours' charter from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Caernarfon, during a brief stop at Tan-y-Bwlch on 6th April 2019. The original Ffestiniog Railway had a policy of trains at loop stations using the right hand track and this continues today, with the Welsh Highland Railway also using this practice. I first visited here as a boy on a family holiday in north Wales in August 1965 when it was the temporary terminus for trains from Portmadoc (as it was then called). The line from Penrhyn reopened to Tan-y-Bwlch in 1958 and this remained the terminus until the extension to Dduallt in 1968. Blaenau Ffestiniog was finally reached in 1982, fulfilling the dream to reopen the line in full which had started in 1954 with the reinstatement of just the short section across The Cob from Portmadoc Harbour to Boston Lodge. 65/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/P/Penrhyn'>Penrhyn</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Festiniog_Railway'>Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>UK Railtours' chartered train from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Caernarfon via both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, passing Penrhyn station, on 6th April 2019. 66/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/P/Porthmadog_Harbour_FR'>Porthmadog Harbour [FR]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/F/Festiniog_Railway'>Festiniog Railway</a></small></p><p>'Fairlie' 0-4-4-0T 'David Lloyd George' waiting to depart from Porthmadog Harbour station with a Ffestiniog Railway service to Blaenau Ffestiniog on 6th April 2019. This was built at the FR's Boston Lodge works in 1992 and is the most powerful steam locomotive in the FR fleet. Following an extensive overhaul, it returned to service in May 2014 fitted with new power bogies and converted to coal firing. 67/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Bangor'>Bangor</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Chester_and_Holyhead_Railway'>Chester and Holyhead Railway</a></small></p><p>Bangor on the North Wales Coast Line, opened 1st May 1848 for the Chester & Holyhead Railway, looking east on 6th April 2019. This was the junction for the line via Caernarfon to Afon Wen where it connected with the Cambrian Coast Line. The line south of Caernarfon to Afon Wen was closed in 1964 but passenger services between Bangor and Caernarfon continued until 1970. Some cynics said that this only stayed open after 1964 to cope with crowds for the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969. After that, local people who'd used the line perhaps felt they didn't matter. 68/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Bangor'>Bangor</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Chester_and_Holyhead_Railway'>Chester and Holyhead Railway</a></small></p><p>The now trackless north side of the island platform at Bangor, Chester direction, on the North Wales Coast Line, looking east, on 6th April 2019. 69/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Bangor'>Bangor</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Chester_and_Holyhead_Railway'>Chester and Holyhead Railway</a></small></p><p>Platform for trains to Holyhead at Bangor on 6th April 2019. This is the surviving side of a former island platform, in fact both islands now only have one face in use. The old steam shed can be partly seen behind the platform canopy, still standing nearly sixty years after closure. 70/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/B/Bangor'>Bangor</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Chester_and_Holyhead_Railway'>Chester and Holyhead Railway</a></small></p><p>150282, from Holyhead to Cardiff Central, calling at Bangor on 6th April 2019. This two coach unit left with standing room only and was barely into its long journey. 71/75</p><p>06/04/2019<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cardiff_Central'>Cardiff Central</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/S/South_Wales_Railway'>South Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>The splendid and stylish ticket hall at Cardiff Central, as rebuilt in the early 1930s to the design of Percy Emerson Culverhouse (1871-1953), the GWR's Chief Architect at that time, on the afternoon of Tuesday, 22nd November 2022. The Art Deco lamps, however, are replicas of the originals, installed in 1999. 72/75</p><p>22/11/2022<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cardiff_Central'>Cardiff Central</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/S/South_Wales_Railway'>South Wales Railway</a></small></p><p>Exterior of the Art Deco Portland Stone Cardiff Central, at dusk on Tuesday, 22nd November 2022. This station was opened by the South Wales Railway as Cardiff on 18th June 1850, renamed Cardiff General in 1924 and further renamed Cardiff Central in 1973. It was rebuilt in its present style between 1931 and 1934 to the design of Percy Emerson Culverhouse (1871-1953), the GWR's Chief Architect at that time. 73/75</p><p>22/11/2022<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/D/Danycoed_Halt'>Danycoed Halt</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Carmarthen_and_Cardigan_Railway'>Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway</a></small></p><p>Gwili Railway train just arrived at the current northern terminus of the line at Danycoed, on 9th June 2018. The Gwili Railway has plans to extend north of Danycoed to Llanpumpsaint but, of course, that has been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. 74/75</p><p>09/06/2018<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/D/Danycoed_Halt'>Danycoed Halt</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/C/Carmarthen_and_Cardigan_Railway'>Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway</a></small></p><p>Commemorative stone at Danycoed, on the Gwili Railway, on 9th June 2018. 75/75</p><p>09/06/2018<br><small><a href='/contributors/David_Bosher'>David Bosher</a></small></p>
>