NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 52
An Hour in Barmouth 4 July 1964
Michael L. Roach
In Part 50 of this series, I described the outward leg of a day trip from Gloucester to Barmouth on the Cambrian Coast on Saturday 4 July 1964. While I was at Barmouth there was plenty of activity. The engine that hauled my train down from Ruabon – BR Standard Class 4MT 4-6-0 no. 75006 – came off the train at Barmouth and travelled back across Barmouth Bridge to turn on the triangle at Barmouth Junction, which was close to the south end of the bridge. I watched 75023 depart with four coaches on the 1.25pm SO to Birkenhead Woodside.
At 2.15pm Ivatt 2-6-0 46520 of Machynlleth Shed arrived with two coaches on the 1.41pm shuttle from Dolgellau, which a few years earlier would have produced a GWR 0-4-2 tank of the 1400 or 5800-classes.
75026 arrived with six coaches on the 12.45pm from Pwllheli which may have terminated here Mondays to Fridays but SO carried on to Wrexham General, although it did leave three of the six coaches behind; possibly to form the 2.20pm to Dovey Junction.
All the railway lines on the Western Region in North Wales north of Aberystwyth and Craven Arms were transferred to the London Midland Region on 1 January 1963. I have scanned the middle page (of three) in Table 85 of the LMR Summer 1964 timetable which covers the Machynlleth to Pwllheli Cambrian Coast line so that readers can see how the trains from and to Ruabon connected with the coast line trains.
I arrived at Barmouth (due 1.22pm) on the 11.00am SO from Ruabon and left Barmouth on the 2.18pm to Wrexham General. That trip will be described later. In the summer of 1964, all three lines which approached Barmouth Junction were 100 percent steam-operated but that would start to change the following year with the introduction of dmus and the last few steam-hauled trains went over to diesel in March 1967. This is a much revised version of an article which first appeared in Steam World magazine.
At 2.15pm Ivatt 2-6-0 46520 of Machynlleth Shed arrived with two coaches on the 1.41pm shuttle from Dolgellau, which a few years earlier would have produced a GWR 0-4-2 tank of the 1400 or 5800-classes.
75026 arrived with six coaches on the 12.45pm from Pwllheli which may have terminated here Mondays to Fridays but SO carried on to Wrexham General, although it did leave three of the six coaches behind; possibly to form the 2.20pm to Dovey Junction.
All the railway lines on the Western Region in North Wales north of Aberystwyth and Craven Arms were transferred to the London Midland Region on 1 January 1963. I have scanned the middle page (of three) in Table 85 of the LMR Summer 1964 timetable which covers the Machynlleth to Pwllheli Cambrian Coast line so that readers can see how the trains from and to Ruabon connected with the coast line trains.
I arrived at Barmouth (due 1.22pm) on the 11.00am SO from Ruabon and left Barmouth on the 2.18pm to Wrexham General. That trip will be described later. In the summer of 1964, all three lines which approached Barmouth Junction were 100 percent steam-operated but that would start to change the following year with the introduction of dmus and the last few steam-hauled trains went over to diesel in March 1967. This is a much revised version of an article which first appeared in Steam World magazine.
75023 stands in Barmouth Station with the 1.25pm to Birkenhead Woodside on 4 July 1964. There were then several sidings on both sides of the line. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
75023 departs over the level crossing past the signal box which can now be found at Glyndyfrdwy Station. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
75006 (which brought in my train) runs across Barmouth Bridge to turn on the triangle at the other end. The bridge is in a magnificent setting surrounded by mountains including Cadair Idris in the distance. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
46520 runs into Barmouth Station with the shuttle from Dolgellau. The level crossing carries the main access from the town centre to the beach. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The 12.45pm from Pwllheli to Wrexham General runs into Barmouth 16L behind 75026, while the Dolgellau shuttle is still at the other platform – note it was composed of high capacity suburban coaches with no corridor connections needed to carry the number of schoolchildren twice a day. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Part of Machynlleth to Pwllheli passenger timetable Summer 1964. No Copyright
Part of Machynlleth to Pwllheli passenger timetable Summer 1964. No Copyright
Map of British Railways showing lines in North Wales in 1956. No Copyright
A trip to Looe
Rich Baldwin-Lee
Brief visit to Looe from St Austell today (02.07). With a fresh Cornwall & Devon Railcard to use, and nice weather to enhance both the trip and the visit itself, I was heading east on the first Off Peak train. Being only five carriages might have made it potentially crowded, but as it was only running as far as Exeter, it had plenty of space. A brief break to photograph a westbound 'Castle' set at the most eastern outpost of semaphore signalling in Cornwall was followed by a quick dash across the road to get the normal 2 car 150 set down to the coast. This was one of the services that didn't stop at any of the intervening stops and reversed at Coombe Jn itself, rather than in the platform. Noticeable was the clearing of a fair number of mature trees between Coombe Jn and St Keyne. As the line between Coombe Jn and Moorswater has recently been cut back, one wonders how much more clearing will be done.
After a pleasant day in West Looe, an afternoon return was made from a fairly empty Looe, presumably, more people would return later, as the train was extremely well patronised on the way down, and very full, with many passengers towing suitcases on arrival in Liskeard for ongoing travel eastbound.
The uphill journey was made more interesting by the young guard who answered my questions regarding operational rules that working the line involves, only interrupting it to operate the ground frame at Coombe Junction. A ride back in a Castle set on the main line was a genuine treat to end my Railcard's initial day out.
After a pleasant day in West Looe, an afternoon return was made from a fairly empty Looe, presumably, more people would return later, as the train was extremely well patronised on the way down, and very full, with many passengers towing suitcases on arrival in Liskeard for ongoing travel eastbound.
The uphill journey was made more interesting by the young guard who answered my questions regarding operational rules that working the line involves, only interrupting it to operate the ground frame at Coombe Junction. A ride back in a Castle set on the main line was a genuine treat to end my Railcard's initial day out.
800024 calls at Liskeard. 02.07.2025, copyright Rich Baldwin-Lee.
A GWR 'Castle' heads west past the Semaphores of Liskeard. 02.07.2025, copyright Rich Baldwin-Lee.
Another 'Castle' arrives heading to Penzance. 02.07.2025, copyright Rich Baldwin-Lee.
43097 alongside Liskeard Signal Box. 02.07.2025, copyright Rich Baldwin-Lee.
Arrival at Looe with 150261. 02.07.2025, copyright Rich Baldwin-Lee.
43189 calls at St. Austell in the afternoon sunshine. 02.07.2025, copyright Rich Baldwin-Lee.
Many thanks, Rich. Enjoy the HST's whilst you still can!
The Royal Train in Cornwall
Roger Winnen
With this weeks news of the plans to axe the Royal Train in 2027, Roger takes a look back at a previous visit of the train to West Cornwall.
47500 Great Western on the Royal Train approaching the former Marazion Marsh Station. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
Penzance Station decorated for the Queens arrival. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
The commemorative plaque at Penzance Station. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
08644 Hauls the Royal Train to Long Rock Sidings. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
A historic coach in the Royal Train. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
Royal Saloon 45000 built in 1920 with quite a chequered history. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Policeman stands guard for The Royal Train at Long Rock sidings. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
47500 at Ponsandane. This 47 caught fire at Salford Lancashire in January 2013. It never ran again and was stripped of its components at West Coast Railways Carnforth. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
Royal Train running as ECS to Camborne or Redruth. The Queen joines after a visit to the Camborne School of mines. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Royal Train passes St Erth. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Queen is is seen passing through Hayle after having lunch with The Lord Lieutenant. 28.11.1980, copyright Roger Winnen.
Goonbarrow Shunter
Jason Snow
RSS Class 08 08752 pictured at Goonbarrow on a lovely sunny morning whilst receiving some maintenance. 03.07.2025, copyright Jason Snow.
Many thanks indeed Jason - great to see this loco which we can't normally get a glimpse of.
Re: Horses to Wadebridge
David Mitchell
Yesterdays item reminded me of something that I read in the August 1964 issue of Modern Railways a few years ago when doing some research; if I may quote:-
"On June 11 Hymek No D7099 had a tough assignment with the 10.05 Wadebridge-Kensington special, which ran up the Southern main line carrying the Household Cavalry from the Royal Cornwall Show; the train was made up to 20 vehicles, including four-wheelers, taring 316 tons, which D7099 tackled unassisted up the 1 in 37 from Exeter St Davids to Exeter Central after a stop at the former station".
This was an impressive performance; by way of comparison Bulleid Pacifics were limited to 200 tons on the notorious climb. It is not clear whether the Hymek worked the train from Wadebridge but one had been cleared to Wadebridge (via Bodmin) the previous month. It is assumed that this train also ran via Bodmin so the run round at General station might have been interesting and there would have been another run round in Exeter. Hymeks reached Bude from Halwill Jn but I don't think that one has ever been reported over the North Cornwall line...unless of course anyone knows better!
"On June 11 Hymek No D7099 had a tough assignment with the 10.05 Wadebridge-Kensington special, which ran up the Southern main line carrying the Household Cavalry from the Royal Cornwall Show; the train was made up to 20 vehicles, including four-wheelers, taring 316 tons, which D7099 tackled unassisted up the 1 in 37 from Exeter St Davids to Exeter Central after a stop at the former station".
This was an impressive performance; by way of comparison Bulleid Pacifics were limited to 200 tons on the notorious climb. It is not clear whether the Hymek worked the train from Wadebridge but one had been cleared to Wadebridge (via Bodmin) the previous month. It is assumed that this train also ran via Bodmin so the run round at General station might have been interesting and there would have been another run round in Exeter. Hymeks reached Bude from Halwill Jn but I don't think that one has ever been reported over the North Cornwall line...unless of course anyone knows better!
Many thanks, David. I bet that Hymek made quite a racket climbing away from EXD!