NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 113
Ruabon Station
Michael L. Roach
And so we arrive at Ruabon in our words and photos journey from Barmouth to Ruabon on Saturday 4 July 2026 – 62 years after the real trip took place on Saturday 4 July 1964. I was travelling on the 12.45pm local train from Pwllheli, joining the train at Barmouth. The train ran every day Monday to Saturday and was not a Saturday holiday train, but left Barmouth at a different time on Saturdays Only, 2.18 instead of 2.35pm and went to Wrexham SO rather than Birkenhead, Monday to Fridays. The train arrived late from Pwllheli but was in no hurry to leave and eventually departed 24L but still arrived 1E at Ruabon so easy was the schedule.; indeed the train was already on time at Cynwyd (38½ miles) see Table 83 attached. The load was 3C hauled by BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 no. 75026 of 6C Croes Newydd Shed. When the line closed it was transferred to 8K Bank Hall Shed, but for the first two years after construction at Swindon it was based at Laira Shed, Plymouth. Five members of the class went new to Laira 75025-29, and two of that batch remain in preservation 75027 and 75029.
Ruabon opened on 4 November 1846 as a temporary terminus of the line from Chester, it became a through station two years later on 12 October 1848. The line and station were constructed by the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway, with the Barmouth line diverging from the main line at Llangollen Line Junction 54 chains south of Ruabon Station. The Shrewsbury and Chester was taken over by the GWR in 1854, and it brought to the GWR its first narrow gauge engines. The station is still open but downgraded to an unstaffed halt. In 2024-25 the station dealt with 117,000 passengers which sounds good for a population of just 4,450. It is convenient for reaching Wrexham (5 miles) in just 6 minutes and Chester (17 miles) in just 25 minutes.
Ruabon opened on 4 November 1846 as a temporary terminus of the line from Chester, it became a through station two years later on 12 October 1848. The line and station were constructed by the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway, with the Barmouth line diverging from the main line at Llangollen Line Junction 54 chains south of Ruabon Station. The Shrewsbury and Chester was taken over by the GWR in 1854, and it brought to the GWR its first narrow gauge engines. The station is still open but downgraded to an unstaffed halt. In 2024-25 the station dealt with 117,000 passengers which sounds good for a population of just 4,450. It is convenient for reaching Wrexham (5 miles) in just 6 minutes and Chester (17 miles) in just 25 minutes.
Table 83 from the Summer 1964 LMR timetable, showing my train from Barmouth.
My train stands at the branch platform at Ruabon on the outward journey waiting to depart at 11.00am on Saturday 4 July 1964. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
A closer view of BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 no. 75006 of Croes Newydd Shed, 6C at the time. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
I have just alighted from the train on the left which is heading north to Wrexham General. The train on the right had arrived several minutes earlier from Wrexham General. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
75021 leaves Ruabon at 5.21pm with the 4.55pm From Wrexham General, some 11L The train was due to arrive Pwllheli at 8.43pm. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Mainline 'Gronk'
Andrew Triggs
The longrock 'pilot' 08836 was used to haul the empty sleeper stock back to Long Rock on Friday 3rd July.
This is a relatively unusual occurance nowadays, with the movement instead normally being done by the 57 propelling back.
This is a relatively unusual occurance nowadays, with the movement instead normally being done by the 57 propelling back.
08836 running into Platform 1 at Penzance from Longrock Depot. 03.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
08836 running into Platform 1 at Penzance from Longrock Depot. 03.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
08836 running into Platform 1 at Penzance from Longrock Depot. 03.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Running 48 early at 08.33 08836 draws 5C50 09.21 Penzance-Longrock T&RSMD away from Platform 1. 03.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Running 48 early at 08.33 08836 draws 5C50 09.21 Penzance-Longrock T&RSMD away from Platform 1. 03.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Many thanks Andrew - there can't be many places left nowadays where an 08 ventures out onto the mainline.
Evening Test Train
David Tozer
With the light fading a rare chance to photograph the 2031 3Q07 Exeter Riverside to Salisbury and return. The Class 37 37175 arrived at Pinhoe at 2044 and had to wait until 2114 to gain access to the single line, due to late running of services. This Network Rail working generally operates once every three months. 02.07.2026, copyright David Tozer.
37175 awaits departure from Pinhoe. 02.07.2026, copyright David Tozer.
Nice shots, many thanks Dave.
Steam on the move
Colin Pidgeon
20132+20118 with 61306 Mayflower on 5Z61 Bishop's Lydeard to Southall Loco Services passing Swindon at 14.35. 03.07.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin. I believe the 20's had delivered 'Sir Nigel Gresley' to the WSR, presumably to work upcoming Taunton - Kingswear railtours. Sir Nigel is also running on the WSR this weekend, if anybody is at a loose end.
Dawlish holiday pics
Roger Salter
1Z27 0640 Waterloo-Kingswear at Cockwood. 20.06.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
MAYFLOWER heads the Charter. 20.06.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
1Z22 0608 Hastings-Paignton, DEMU’s Hastings units 201001 & 201013. 20.06.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
1Z23 1530 Paignton-Hastings at Eastdon. 20.06.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
Return of Mayflower at Eastdon. 20.06.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
1Z28 1635 Kingswear-Waterloo. 20.06.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
Many thanks Roger - nice snaps.
Tremodrett 175
Jon Hird
175003 passes Tremodrett, Roche, working the 1428 Newquay - Par. The ex-TFW livery matching the DPD colours on the lorrys in the sorting facility in the background. 03.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
July 1976
Part 4
Roger Winnen
A Western departs Hayle. 03.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Peak arrives at Hayle. 03.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1010 Western Campaigner crosses Hayle Viaduct. 03.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Peak approaches Hayle. 03.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.