NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 77
Carrog
Michael L. Roach
In Part 74 I took you on an extended visit to Corwen in Denbighshire on the Ruabon to Barmouth line. Heading north east from Corwen the next original station served the pleasant village of Carrog. The village is on the north side of the valley and the River Dee while the railway station and the A5 trunk road are both on the south side of the valley. The B5437 road connects the village to its railway station and the A5 by means of an ancient bridge over the river. The 5-arch bridge was built in 1660 and has survived several flooding incidents. Before the arrival of the railway the village was called Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy, quite a mouthful. The B5437 passes over the railway at the west end of the platforms of Carrog Station on its way up to the A5 road. To the west the line continues in cutting for some distance while to the east the railway approaches the station on a long low embankment. The station has and had two platforms; three sidings; a station building; a signal box; and a lot of character. It is one of my favourite stations on a heritage railway.
Just over half a mile to the east of Carrog Station the railway is right alongside the River Dee and high on the top of the cutting slope above the railway is Owain Glyndwr's Moat Mount. It was here on this mound that in 1400 Owain called his followers to begin the insurrection against the English. The mound lies just 50 metres off the A5 road. Finally a reminder of why we are here in this part of Wales – it is because I made my only trip along the line on Saturday 4 July 1964 from Ruabon to Barmouth and return six months before closure. Carrog had closed to goods on 4 May 1964 and to passengers suddenly on Saturday 12 December 1964 due to flooding of the line after torrential rain. Buses replaced trains until the official closure date on Monday 18 January 1965. Carrog Station reopened to passengers on 2 May 1996 so will be celebrating 30 years next year.
Just over half a mile to the east of Carrog Station the railway is right alongside the River Dee and high on the top of the cutting slope above the railway is Owain Glyndwr's Moat Mount. It was here on this mound that in 1400 Owain called his followers to begin the insurrection against the English. The mound lies just 50 metres off the A5 road. Finally a reminder of why we are here in this part of Wales – it is because I made my only trip along the line on Saturday 4 July 1964 from Ruabon to Barmouth and return six months before closure. Carrog had closed to goods on 4 May 1964 and to passengers suddenly on Saturday 12 December 1964 due to flooding of the line after torrential rain. Buses replaced trains until the official closure date on Monday 18 January 1965. Carrog Station reopened to passengers on 2 May 1996 so will be celebrating 30 years next year.
The station masters house at Carrog is an architectural gem seen on 22.05.2010. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The public entrance to the booking office with its delightful canopy over the double door. The design is repeated on the platform side. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
A view west from the platform towards Corwen showing the road bridge from which many photos have been taken over the past 160 years. The down platform starting signal was a standard GWR type with wooden post and arm. The advanced starting signal was similar and track-circuited. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The exit for passengers alighting at Carrog Station. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
A view east towards Llangollen from the up platform. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Black 5 no. 44806 has arrived with a train which would terminate here in 2010. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
A good selection of books was available both inside and outside the sales coach. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
44806 runs round its train to prepare for returning to Llangollen. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Pure Great Westernry in every detail, even down to the bush on the right which appears in photos taken in the 1950s. Carrog Station is visible from the A5 which is just the other side of the houses shown. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Pembrokeshire Dangler!
Jon Hird
Thursday saw a sprinking of snow over parts of Cornwall, in the wake of a weather event known as a 'Pembrokeshire Dangler'. 43098 leads the 0745 Penzance - Exeter St. Davids through a very chilly Burngullow. On the high points of Cornwall the snow had stuck fast, but most of the rail line only received a light dusting. 20.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
GWR’s 150263 crosses the Goss Moor during a snow shower with the 1120 Newquay - Par. 20.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Re: GWR 'Plastic Bricks'
Philip Roberts
Further to Michael's article, I noticed along the old Yealmpton branch line at Steer point and the foreshore of the River Yealm estuary there are lots of the GWR Plastic bricks lying about, so I would assume they came from the adjacent Steer Point brickworks. Photo attached.
A GWR Plastic Brick at Steer Point. Copyright Philip Roberts.
Many thanks Philip - well spotted!
Out and about - Thursday
Clive Smith
Well parts of Cornwall may have been gloomy with a dusting of snow but east Devon was blessed with sunshine again. I stuck to my home county rather than getting soggy and cold in foreign fields.
43186 brings up the rear of the 2E06 07.45 Penzance - Exeter St Davids at Newton Abbot with 43098 on the front. 20.11.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Despite the glorious sunshine I got done by a small passing cloud as the 2C20 11.28 Exeter St Davids - Penzance passes through Dawlish Warren. 20.11.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
The days are short and the light is low at this time of the year but we still have the clay trains. 66093 passes through Ivybridge with the 6M53 11.46 Parkandillack - Cliffe Vale JIA clays. 20.11.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive - a stark difference in weather between here and 'North of the river'!
Hayle DMU
Michael Forward
Just beyond Hayle Viaduct, on 13 June 1986, we see the 10.50 departure to Penzance - the 08.55 from Plymouth. I did not record the DMU numbers. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks Michael, a classic scene. The DMU looks quite well loved with the red buffer beam and silver buffers, perhaps somebody can ID it.
A response quick-as-a-flash from Karl Hewlett:
The mystery DMU in Michael Forward's image is class 118 set 463 which was DBS 51305 and DMS 51320, its centre coach not shown in the formation here was TC 59472. The set was new together but it did gain a few different TC's during its life including: 59476, 59480, 59482, 59538 and 59543. This set is minus its L for Laira next to the number and also the destination blind, it was soon off to Bristol Bath Road for a summer sojern there before returning back to Laira but without 56472 and was later paired with 59482.
The main difference from the class 118 to the class 117 is by their curved top on the formers route indicator, the only other suburban DMU that had this was the class 127 Bed-Pan units.
Many happy memories of these groaning and growling out of Penmere including the telecom set P460 which for some reason was quieter, possibly had some more mechanical work than the others on repaint.
The mystery DMU in Michael Forward's image is class 118 set 463 which was DBS 51305 and DMS 51320, its centre coach not shown in the formation here was TC 59472. The set was new together but it did gain a few different TC's during its life including: 59476, 59480, 59482, 59538 and 59543. This set is minus its L for Laira next to the number and also the destination blind, it was soon off to Bristol Bath Road for a summer sojern there before returning back to Laira but without 56472 and was later paired with 59482.
The main difference from the class 118 to the class 117 is by their curved top on the formers route indicator, the only other suburban DMU that had this was the class 127 Bed-Pan units.
Many happy memories of these groaning and growling out of Penmere including the telecom set P460 which for some reason was quieter, possibly had some more mechanical work than the others on repaint.
Many thanks Karl - top detective work.
Didcot in the sun
Roger Geach
66004 stabled in the sun at Didcot, makes a nice shot in green - has this one ever been to Cornwall in its green livery? 10.11.2025, copyright Roger Geach.
66192 departs from the yard with the Mondays only Didcot - Southampton Liner, 4O21. 10.11.2025, copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger. Re: 66004, I vaugely recall it visiting Cornwall with an engineering train some years ago but I've not seen a photograph - perhaps somebody has one?
1970's selection box - Part 3
Roger Winnen
D1072 Western Glory on the 12.40 to Paddington. 13.11.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1072 Western Glory on the 12.40 to Paddington. 13.11.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1051 Western Ambassador on the 12.40 Penzance to Paddington. 14.11.1975, copyright Roger Winnen
Interior view of Penzance Station showing the crossover between Platforms 3 and 5. 14.11.1975, copyright Roger Winnen
A busy night at Par
Jon Hird
57602 calls at Par with the up 'Night Riviera' sleeper. In the Liner Siding, a Tamper goes through its checks before heading off into the night. 19.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
37057 arrives on the up line and prepares to reverse for a trip to Parkandillack. The locomotive wears a matching livery to the tamper which is still waiting to get on its way. 19.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The crew set up the driving cab of DBSO 9714 before departing for Parkandillack. 19.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
57306 and 57305 pass through with the Rail Head Treatment Train. 19.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Now into the early hours of Thursday, 37057 arrives back from Parkandillack and comes to a halt. The crew took their rest break here, the train later departed for Fowey Docks and Exeter Riverside. 20.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Re: Class 47 at Hemerdon
Karl Hewlett
Regarding the unidentified BR Green class 47 taken by Micheal Roach at Hemerdon 28/07/70, his response to the 'Par to Park Royal Freightliner Service' article. I blew up his image and I believe it is D1680 as this loco was fitted with a Clayton steam heat boiler (as the square roof vent in image), plus was a loco listed as carrying green with a full yellow panel.
A class 47 at Hemerdon with a Freightliner service. Unidentified by the photographer, Karl believes this could be D1680. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks, Karl. D1680, later 47094 - scrapped December 1994. A pity it's no longer with us.