Heads-up!
Devon railtour tomorrow
Details have emerged of two railtours to Paignton tomorrow, 27th February.
One tour features a GWR Hitachi unit, and the second (which is likely to interest more people!) should feature Class 40 40013 along with class 50 50050.
Times and details available in our Railtour Calendar.
One tour features a GWR Hitachi unit, and the second (which is likely to interest more people!) should feature Class 40 40013 along with class 50 50050.
Times and details available in our Railtour Calendar.
50050 leads the ECS for tomorrows trip to Paignton through Shrewsbury. Video copyright Tony Shore.
NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 93
Llangollen Station
Michael L. Roach
In our journey up the line from Barmouth to Ruabon the next station is Llangollen which served perhaps the most important intermediate station on the whole line. Although the population of the town is only just over 3,000 persons now it was as a tourist destination that the town generated so many rail passengers. The first railway to arrive was The Vale of Llangollen Railway which ran from Ruabon to Llangollen a distance of 6 miles, but the present station site was located on the Llangollen and Corwen Railway slightly further west. Ruabon was on the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway opened 1846/8. The Vale of Llangollen tracks started half a mile south of Ruabon Station at Llangollen Line Junction and then ran westwards through a highly industrialised area for 2 miles before reaching the Dee Valley and beautiful countryside, which would then continue for the next 50 miles to Barmouth Junction. Llangollen Station is 6¼ miles from Ruabon. The line opened for goods on 1 December 1861 and for passengers on 2 June 1862. The passenger service was withdrawn on 16 January 1965 and goods on 1 April 1968, and the track was lifted. It is a great shame that a branch passenger service from Ruabon to Llangollen was not retained to make it easier for day trippers to reach the ever-popular town of Llangollen.
Four independent local railways constructed the line from Ruabon as far as Dolgelley but it was the Great Western that operated the trains for the local companies from day one. It took over the companies in 1896 and immediately set about making various improvements, but Llangollen had to wait until 1898. Llangollen station building was originally designed by Samuel Pountney Smith in similar style to that previously met at Carrog and Glyndyfrwdy. This is not obvious now, but there are clues to its origins. The GWR improvements of 1898 included a footbridge for the first time, new signal box and possibly the platform awning at that time. The platforms were extended westwards to accommodate longer trains of 11 or 12 coaches. It was these improvements that made the platform elevation of the station buildings so different to the original that makes it hard to identify it as designed by Samuel Pountney Smith. However, coming down the sloping access road to the station entrance it is possible to identify the doorway/doors with canopy over as similar to Carrog. The countless volunteers who have worked on this heritage line over the last 50 years have done a remarkable job in preserving this authentic GWR station.
Llangollen Station is built on a narrow shelf between the River Dee and the turnpike road to Ruthin held up by a substantial retaining wall. The wall is 160 years old this year and has stood the test of time so far. Immediately east of the railway station is the one and only road bridge across the River Dee in Llangollen and for a couple of miles each side. The bridge is 400 to 500 years old but there has been a bridge across the river at this point for around 750 years. There are good views of the railway station from the road bridge. There are other heritage lines where the railway station has become an integral and important part of the town, but here at Llangollen pedestrians crossing the bridge would find it impossible to ignore the comings and goings of the trains; and I would rate that view from the road bridge one of the best of a heritage railway line station anywhere. I think I must have ended up taking a picture of the station every 10 metres along the road bridge.
I am slightly at a loss to understand why the designer of the station improvements found it necessary or desirable to support the south end of the footbridge on brackets cantilevered from the retaining wall rather than stone pillars behind the retaining wall. It was not as though the platform was narrow – I estimate it is about 15 feet wide (4.5 metres). All the pedestrians alighting at Llangollen would be expected to use the footbridge and the only people passing the footbridge tower to use the board crossing would be railway staff and people in wheelchairs.
In the accompanying photos I will arrive across the river bridge and travel through the station east to west, across the footbridge and up the westbound platform. All the photos were taken in the last week of May 2010 while we were staying close to Llangollen.
Four independent local railways constructed the line from Ruabon as far as Dolgelley but it was the Great Western that operated the trains for the local companies from day one. It took over the companies in 1896 and immediately set about making various improvements, but Llangollen had to wait until 1898. Llangollen station building was originally designed by Samuel Pountney Smith in similar style to that previously met at Carrog and Glyndyfrwdy. This is not obvious now, but there are clues to its origins. The GWR improvements of 1898 included a footbridge for the first time, new signal box and possibly the platform awning at that time. The platforms were extended westwards to accommodate longer trains of 11 or 12 coaches. It was these improvements that made the platform elevation of the station buildings so different to the original that makes it hard to identify it as designed by Samuel Pountney Smith. However, coming down the sloping access road to the station entrance it is possible to identify the doorway/doors with canopy over as similar to Carrog. The countless volunteers who have worked on this heritage line over the last 50 years have done a remarkable job in preserving this authentic GWR station.
Llangollen Station is built on a narrow shelf between the River Dee and the turnpike road to Ruthin held up by a substantial retaining wall. The wall is 160 years old this year and has stood the test of time so far. Immediately east of the railway station is the one and only road bridge across the River Dee in Llangollen and for a couple of miles each side. The bridge is 400 to 500 years old but there has been a bridge across the river at this point for around 750 years. There are good views of the railway station from the road bridge. There are other heritage lines where the railway station has become an integral and important part of the town, but here at Llangollen pedestrians crossing the bridge would find it impossible to ignore the comings and goings of the trains; and I would rate that view from the road bridge one of the best of a heritage railway line station anywhere. I think I must have ended up taking a picture of the station every 10 metres along the road bridge.
I am slightly at a loss to understand why the designer of the station improvements found it necessary or desirable to support the south end of the footbridge on brackets cantilevered from the retaining wall rather than stone pillars behind the retaining wall. It was not as though the platform was narrow – I estimate it is about 15 feet wide (4.5 metres). All the pedestrians alighting at Llangollen would be expected to use the footbridge and the only people passing the footbridge tower to use the board crossing would be railway staff and people in wheelchairs.
In the accompanying photos I will arrive across the river bridge and travel through the station east to west, across the footbridge and up the westbound platform. All the photos were taken in the last week of May 2010 while we were staying close to Llangollen.
Here I am looking due west up the River Dee showing that it has a good width that I am sure is needed in times of flood. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Llangollen Bridge provides a wonderful view of Llangollen railway station. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The main station buildings, on the far platform, viewed from the road bridge across the River Dee, also including the footbridge and signal box. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
I have walked down the approach road to the station entrance where Samuel Pountney Smith's influence can be seen in the design of the double doors and canopy. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Looking south along the GWR footbridge. The sign is on the mill building on the far side of the River Dee. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Looking east from the footbridge it can be seen just how close the station is to the 4-arch road bridge across the River Dee. The bridge leads to the main street of the town. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Looking west from the footbridge along the platforms it can be seen that there are more platform buildings further west. I have often wondered if the houses on the right were built before the railway arrived and suspect they were. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The main station buildings on platform 1 seen from platform 2. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Looking east it is clear that the platforms are built on a continuous reverse curve and are quite long. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
At the west end of the platforms it can be seen that both platforms are signalled for departures and have a pedestrian access to Green Lane. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
On Platform 1 was a copy of this GWR advertising sign dating back nearly 100 years now, comparing the Cornwall peninsula with Italy. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always Mike, a good read and some nice pictures of a very special place.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
More 59's @ 40
Roger Geach
Interesting to see the class 59s are now 40 years in service. Not a class much associated with Cornwall in the early years, though they became more regular to Devon later on with occasional visits to Cornwall.
A early poor picture of mine taken from a print shows 59004 on the Merehead - Purfeet stone service. A grabbed shot out of a passing EMU just outside Stratford in the days when you could take such pictures. The Merehead - Purfleet was a regular 59 turn in their early days. 21.02.1986, copyright Roger Geach.
59102 at the Laira open day. 15.09.1991, copyright Roger Geach.
A trip over to Tavistock Junction after the Laira open day. 59102, 59005 and 60024, after having been on display, worked the Tavy tanks back to Fawley (or at least to Westbury) on Sunday 15.09.1991. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks indeed Roger - superpower on the tanks!
Westbury Workhorses
Michael Forward
59002 'Yeoman Enterprise' at Westbury on 9 December 1986. Copyright Michael Forward.
At the other end of the scale, we now see another long-serving diesel hard at work at Westbury, this time on 21 May 1982. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks for continuing the Class 59 theme Michael, nice photos.
Newquay in the '80s
Clive Smith
The first appearance of a 175 at Newquay this week and the recent track and platform improvements at the end of last year have brought the north Cornwall terminus to our attention.
Here is the station in its glory days, when it was a wonderful place on summer Saturdays in the 1970s and 1980s, with three platforms, two sidings, signal box, semaphores, staff, and queues preventing access to the platforms until trains were cleaned and prepared with seat reservation and window labels.
Here is the station in its glory days, when it was a wonderful place on summer Saturdays in the 1970s and 1980s, with three platforms, two sidings, signal box, semaphores, staff, and queues preventing access to the platforms until trains were cleaned and prepared with seat reservation and window labels.
Passing the signal box and three semaphores 50046 arrives at the north Cornwall resort on the 29th August 1981 with the 08.30 from Par . This would form the 10.35 Newquay - Paddington. Copyright Clive Smith.
After having travelled overnight from the North West and Midlands with probably little sleep, the bleary eyed holidaymakers are disgorged from the 1V40 21.39 from Manchester Piccadilly into the wet and rain of platform 1 at 06.38. Welcome to Newquay ! This is 45150 on the 2nd July 1983. Copyright Clive Smith.
45122 had just arrived on the 1V73 08.38 Manchester - Newquay on the 13th July 1985 and is seen running around the stock where it would then form the 2C86 18.00 Newquay - Plymouth. Note the holidaymakers with just one wheel-less suitcase being carried in the days before they took the kitchen sink on holiday as they do now. Copyright Clive Smith.
Laira 3-car DMU set P463, presumably 51305 + 59472 + 51320, at Newquay platform 1 on the 3rd August 1985 with a train from Par. Platform 1 was the first of the platforms to be closed and was already truncated in length when this photo was taken. The imposing gasometer is long gone now. The train at platform 2 is the 2C86 18.00 to Plymouth with 45068. Copyright Clive Smith.
The picture is of 45145 on the 28th September 1985 with the last ever peak at Newquay ready to leave with 2C86 18.00 to Plymouth after arriving with the 1V73 09.11 Manchester to Newquay. There are many other photos of this event in the Society's galleries. Hopefully we will see LSL's 45118 here in the not-too-distant future which will end me bragging about having the last ever peak to Newquay. Copyright Clive Smith.
45106 stands at Newquay platform 3 with the 08.55 Newquay - Manchester Piccadilly on the 19th May 1984. In the background the structure of the new CoOp Leos store takes shape which is now Asda. This was the first summer Saturday of the season which was always an event at the station seeing it transformed from a sleepy branch line station to a big league station with proper trains, shunting movements and sidings. Copyright Clive Smith.
Better days at Newquay, Clive - I think the whole town feels quite down on its luck at present. Hopefully the future brings it better fortunes.
St. Davids Sulzers
Paul Barlow
A few from 2000, class 47's Exeter. All these locos still survive as of 2026:
- 47827 is now 57302.
- 47810 in service for Locomotive services Ltd, Crewe.
- 47813 Operated by Rail operations Group.
- 47635 is preserved at the Epping to Ongar railway.
47827 arrives at Exeter St. Davids with 1M31, the Virgin Crosscountry 1555 Plymouth-Manchester. To the right is 1V50, the 0840 Glasgow-Penzance with 47810 at its head. 20.04.2000, copyright Paul Barlow.
47810 at the head of 1V50, and 47830 on a Great Western Paddington - Penzance service. The rear coach of 1M31 is visible between the two trains. 20.04.2000, copyright Paul Barlow.
47635 waits to depart Exeter with the 1E43 1509 Plymouth-Low Fell vans, to the right is 47813 working a Great Western 1300 Penzance - Paddington relief train. 20.04.2000, copyright Paul Barlow.
Another view of 47635 waiting to depart Exeter with the 1E43 1509 Plymouth-Low Fell vans. 20.04.2000, copyright Paul Barlow.
An interesting assortment Paul, many thanks as always.
New arrivals for GBRf
Steve Widdowson & Tony Shore
57305 hauls newly built 99006 & 99005 through Worcester Parkway, running as 0Q33, the 1410 Portbury Auto Terminal - Leicester LIP. 25.02.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
99005 on the rear of the convoy. 25.02.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Further east, the train is seen passing through Birmingham on the Camp Hill line (please click the play button to view video). 25.02.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks Steve and Tony, some impressive looking machines from the continent.
Up high & down low at Ponts Mill
Jon Hird
66116 passes over the recently-refurbished Ponts Mill viaduct with the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay. 25.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66116 continues on its journey to Fowey, passing the remains of the former Ponts Mill dryer site. 25.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Down low on the valley floor, the recent rain has carved its own channels into the aggregrate laid down to form a pathway over the old rail siding which ran up the valley floor. In places, the former rails have been revealed, almost a foot below the new level of the valley floor. 25.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Looking along the alignment of the revealed rail towards a loading wharf. 25.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
On top of the loading wharf, discarded bridge rail and bullhead rail has been used to prevent a fall. 25.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.