Heading East from Glyndyfrdwy

This photograph shows the view East of the outer home signal at Glyndyfrdwy (behind the camera). The train (travelling west) has been held at the signal to allow the release of a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) from the storage siding to form the late running community service train from Carrog to Llangollen, returning at 10.00 pm. The river is down to the left of the photograph, and the track follows the river at this point, leaving the A5 road to climb over the adjacent hill.

(John Rutter)

Garth-y-dwr

Between Glyndyfrdwy Station and Deeside Loop, the line follows the river over rich grazing land where cattle, pigs and sheep are kept. The wooded hill to the right is a foot hill of the Berwyn Range, behind which is the A5 trunk road. The lower edge of the wood is alongside the railway in the middle background, and the Berwyn Range rises steeply above the valley beyond. (John Rutter)

Deeside Halt

Deeside Loop is almost at the centre of the present operating line, and is used to pass trains on busy days. The original signal box was demolished when the line was lifted, and the one in the photo was built in 1998 to a traditional design.

The locomotive approaching the box is Stanier Black 5 No 44806, hauling the Mold Camera Club Charter Special on 17/6/00. Inside the box can be seen the track circuit indicators, signal repeaters and token instruments used to keep the trains safe whilst operating on a single track system. (John Rutter)

Leaving Deeside Halt

This photo is taken looking back from the train as it heads towards the tunnel. The fields either side of the line are lush and green and are used to raise cattle, sheep and pigs - there are more sheep in Wales than there are people! The Railway in this area is away from the roads and very peaceful. Working on the line as part of the track gang in this section is a great way to ease the stresses of life.

The river is running at its normal level, but can rise by several feet during heavy rain. The river flow is controlled from Llyn Celyn in the hills above Bala, and to some extent from Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid). Control of the river in this way means that the disastrous floods of the past should no longer occur. (David Hardy)

Glyndyfrdwy Station

Above Left & Right: The signalman's view from Glyndyfrdwy Station operational signal box.

The re-erected Barmouth signalbox can just be seen in the right hand angle of the footbridge. The train entering the station is the Mold Camera Club charter special hauled by Stanier Black 5 no 44806 running tender first. Glyndyfrdwy station was completely demolished when the line was closed and has been rebuilt on the excavated foundations of the original platforms.

The station building was sold off as a private house so another building was sourced to replace it. This is the wooden building seen to the right of both photos. It was originally the British Rail locomotive driver booking-on office from Northwich engine shed, and is thought to be of London and North Western Railway origin; an eminently suitable re-use of a venerable building. It now houses the ticket office, cafe and toilets for the Station.

The original Glyndyfrdwy Station did not have a footbridge. Passengers crossed the line using the road crossing. The present footbridge was recovered from Welshpool Station on the Cambrian Line when the track was moved over to make way for a road by-pass of the town. The original Welshpool Station building has been preserved as a restaurant and craft centre but the tracks are now on the other side of the main road. The repositioned footbridge makes a wonderful viewpoint from which to watch the trains.

(John Rutter)

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