NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 70
Barmouth to Ruabon 4 July 1964
Michael L. Roach
I have already described my day trip from Gloucester to Barmouth in Part 50 published here on 25 June 2025; and the hour I actually spent in Barmouth in Part 52 on 4 July 2025. In this part, I journey back up the line from Barmouth on the Cambrian Coast to Ruabon on the opposite (east) side of Wales. The first image shows the gradient profile from which it can be seen that upon leaving Dolgellau, trains faced a 10-mile climb up to the summit of the whole line at Garneddwen Halt and loop at gradients of 1 in 91, steepening to 50/58. It was down this bank on the outward journey that the driver of my train took extreme liberties leaving the passing loops under aggressive acceleration at far more than the 15mph speed restriction in place for exchanging tokens and passing over the crossover. However, I was wrong in saying that it was five chains from the signal box to the crossover - that was from the previous signal box – in fact they were adjacent.
The return trip was on the 2.18pm from Barmouth which hung around in Barmouth Station until 2.42pm for reasons which I could not discover at the time. It hardly mattered as the train had such a leisurely schedule and light load of three coaches, that 36 miles later it departed Cynwyd Station at 4.11pm on-time, and after waiting five minutes at Bala Junction to pass the 1.35pm Chester to Barmouth train of four coaches hauled by classmate 75009. Another train was passed at Llangollen and that was the 4.00pm from Wrexham to Bala hauled by 46509 with four coaches. My train reached Ruabon one minute early.
For more than three miles the line was right alongside Bala Lake and from the point where the lake flowed out to form a river the line then followed the wonderful valley of the River Dee for 23 miles to Sun Bank Halt. Eighty years ago, near the Halt, there was a serious rail accident which could have been a major disaster if it had involved a passenger train. The train involved was the 3.35am Chester to Barmouth mail and newspaper train hauled by Churchward Mogul no. 6315. In total darkness the engine fell into a void caused by a wash-out just a few days after the end of WW2. Details can be read in the next to last image attached.
The 3.35am from Chester was an interesting train. The working timetable describes it as a mail and freight train, but it also carried newspapers and possibly parcels and perishables. In the early stages of its journey after Ruabon the train stopped only at Llangollen and Corwen then Llandrillo after which it stopped at most of the staffed stations. In October 1946 the train terminated at Barmouth Station at 7.32am having taken 4 hours from Chester. There was also a passenger and mail train from Whitchurch to Aberystwyth, with Pwllheli received its mail via Caernarvon and Afon Wen. There does not appear to be a specific mail train from Machynlleth to Portmadoc, so presumably the mail and newspapers travelled by normal passenger trains.
The return trip was on the 2.18pm from Barmouth which hung around in Barmouth Station until 2.42pm for reasons which I could not discover at the time. It hardly mattered as the train had such a leisurely schedule and light load of three coaches, that 36 miles later it departed Cynwyd Station at 4.11pm on-time, and after waiting five minutes at Bala Junction to pass the 1.35pm Chester to Barmouth train of four coaches hauled by classmate 75009. Another train was passed at Llangollen and that was the 4.00pm from Wrexham to Bala hauled by 46509 with four coaches. My train reached Ruabon one minute early.
For more than three miles the line was right alongside Bala Lake and from the point where the lake flowed out to form a river the line then followed the wonderful valley of the River Dee for 23 miles to Sun Bank Halt. Eighty years ago, near the Halt, there was a serious rail accident which could have been a major disaster if it had involved a passenger train. The train involved was the 3.35am Chester to Barmouth mail and newspaper train hauled by Churchward Mogul no. 6315. In total darkness the engine fell into a void caused by a wash-out just a few days after the end of WW2. Details can be read in the next to last image attached.
The 3.35am from Chester was an interesting train. The working timetable describes it as a mail and freight train, but it also carried newspapers and possibly parcels and perishables. In the early stages of its journey after Ruabon the train stopped only at Llangollen and Corwen then Llandrillo after which it stopped at most of the staffed stations. In October 1946 the train terminated at Barmouth Station at 7.32am having taken 4 hours from Chester. There was also a passenger and mail train from Whitchurch to Aberystwyth, with Pwllheli received its mail via Caernarvon and Afon Wen. There does not appear to be a specific mail train from Machynlleth to Portmadoc, so presumably the mail and newspapers travelled by normal passenger trains.
Map of the area before nationalisation in 1948.
A simplified gradient profile of the route showing the 10-mile climb from Dolgellau to Garneddwen. No
4MT 4-6-0 no. 75026 waits at Bala Junction to cross a train in the other direction, unusually signalled on the right of the island platform. The line to Bala, half a mile away, went off to the right at the far end of the station. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
75009 enters Bala Junction with 4C on the 1.35pm Chester to Barmouth train. Note the GWR cast iron sign in Welsh and English. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
75026 stands at Glyndyfrdwy. This signal box was demolished and its Llangollen Railway replacement is located much closer to the level crossing behind the photographer. The box opened at 4.15am to signal the 3.35am from Chester. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Another view of 75026 at Glyndyfrdwy. 75026 had a double chimney. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The Ruabon to Barmouth timetable for Summer 1964.
The Barmouth to Ruabon timetable for Summer 1964.
Details of the Sun Bank accident as reported in the GWR Magazine.
Many thanks as always Mike, another interesting read.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Gloucester RHTT Circuit
Alan Peters
The 2025 RHTT got underway on the 1st October with the Gloucester circuit working out of Swindon transfer sidings using Colas class 67's, pictured at Droitwich Spa 67023 'Stella' leads 3S31 to Barnt Green on 02/10/25 where the train reversed to Swindon. Copyright Alan Peters.
Running some 3 hours late, the Gloucester RHTT reverses at Cheltenham Spa on 02/10/25 due to engineering work at Gloucester, pictured is Colas 67027 in GBRf blue livery. Copyright Alan Peters.
Back at Swindon Transfer Sidings, the Gloucester RHTT set being serviced alongside Freightliner 66549 on 02/10/25. Copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks Alan. Lovely photos - the enthusiasts of Gloucestershire are spoiled having a daytime RHTT to photograph!
47805 and 47810 work:
The Cornish Riviera Statesman
Clive Smith, Julian Stephens, Jon Hird, Tony Shore, Mark Lynam, Andrew Triggs, Dennis Clarke, Roger Winnen & Neil Phillips
Tuesday 14th October saw the first visit to Cornwall of the year by the Locomotive Services Group 'Statesman' set. The coaches have received an overhaul and the train has spent some time out of service. Locomotives 47805 and 47810 worked the train which ran from Dorridge - Penzance and back.
47805 & 47810 cross St Pinnock Viaduct with the 1Z31 05.34 Dorridge - Penzance 'Statesman', the only visit to Cornwall of the pullman train this year. 14.10.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
47805 and 47810 approach Holmbush foot crossing. 14.10.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
47805 and 47810 power up as they approach Fal Viaduct with the 0534 Dorridge - Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
'The Statesman' pulls into St. Erth nearing the end of the outward leg of its journey. 14.10.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
The luxury carriages of 'The Statesman' amongst the semaphores of St. Erth. 14.10.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
A burst of power as the train heads past Marazion Marsh. 14.10.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
47805 leading 47810 passing Ponsandane in dull conditions working 1Z31 05.34 Dorridge-Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The veteran diesel locomotives arrive at Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Beneath the station roof at Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
47805 beneath the roof at Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
'The Statesman' sits alongside a GWR service beneath the roof at Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
Passengers alight from 'The Statesman' at Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Passengers alight from 'The Statesman' at Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
A GWR 'Castle Class' HST awaits departure from Penzance as the Class 47's propel their train to Slopers Siding to run round. 14.10.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
The train reverses out of Penzance past the signal box in order to run round in Slopers Siding. 14.10.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
47810 and 47805 run round the stock at Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The return 1Z32 having propelled in from Slopers, awaiting departure from Platform 2 at Penzance. 14.10.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The train back in the platform awaiting departure to Dorridge. 14.10.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
47810 (D1924) now leading 47805 (D1935) passing Marazion working the return 1Z32 15.41 Penzance-Dorridge. 14.10.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Beneath a cloudless sky, the low October sun glints off the well-polished bodyside of the luxury train as 47810 leads 47805 past Trenowth with the return working. 14.10.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Two photos of today's (Tuesday) LSL 'Cornish Riviera Statesman' special as it headed home through Lostwithiel (not Par for a change!) behind D1924 & D1935 (47810 & 47805). The angle of the sun made photography awkward so I used the new footbridge to block it. Green locos and chocolate & cream coaches, what's not to like?! Class 47s D1924 (47810) and D1935 (47805) pass Lostwithiel with the returning 'Statesman' special, (1Z32) 15.41 Penzance - Dorridge. 14.10.2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
Class 47s D1924 (47810) and D1935 (47805) pass Lostwithiel with the returning 'Statesman' special, (1Z32) 15.41 Penzance - Dorridge. 14.10.2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
47810 & 47805 storm through Keyham with the 1Z32 15.41 Penzance - Dorridge ' Statesman'. 14.10.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all, nice to see The Statesman set back in the westcountry.
85A Railway Reunion
Received from Steve Widdowson:
We have another railway event coming up on the 25th October.
85A is an afternoon gathering for any railway interested persons, organised by Worcester Loco Society (who have two steam locos based on the South Devon Rly, 5786 & Kitson which being rebuilt at present).
Their website is: https://sites.google.com/view/worcester-locomotive-society/home
We have another railway event coming up on the 25th October.
85A is an afternoon gathering for any railway interested persons, organised by Worcester Loco Society (who have two steam locos based on the South Devon Rly, 5786 & Kitson which being rebuilt at present).
Their website is: https://sites.google.com/view/worcester-locomotive-society/home
Many thanks Steve - hope it goes well for all involved.
All quiet at St. Blazey
Dennis Clarke
The sad sight of a closed St. Blazey yard - not a loco or wagon in sight. A far cry from its days of glory. 14.10.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
The former coaling road, now leased by M Power Kernow. CDA 375102 is cared for by M Power and is to be used as a training aid for young people learning engineering. 14.10.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
The entrance to St. Blazey yard. 14.10.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
A very sad sight, let's hope it has a future as a rail facility. Many thanks Dennis.
Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford
6Z41 Whitland Down Sidings - Swindon Transfer passes along platform 3. I was only able to photograph the rear loco - 56094. A fellow photographer was going to send me his photos - but no joy!! 13.10.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
6U42 [Cardiff Canton Taff Vale Sidings - Eastleigh East Yard] - Civil Engineers vehicles. The very friendly driver [whose mate was in the rear vehicle] was taking this to Reading where we will hand it over to another driver. 13.10.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Awaiting departure from platform 3 is 2M26 to Westbury [having arrived earlier as 2M17 from Westbury] whilst also awaiting departure in platform 4 is 1C14 [Paddington - Weston Super Mare] consisting of IET unit 800305. 13.10.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Coming out of Swindon East Loop is 6C03 [Northolt Sidings - Severnsde Sita] headed by loco 66190 'Martin House Children's Hospice'. This train carries some of London's waste and I could smell it from platform 3! This hospice is located in Wetherby, Yorkshire and has several charity shops in that area. 13.10.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
5Q76 [Wimbledon - Newport Sims for scrapping] comes hurrying through the station powered by 37800. A Paddington bound IET in platform 3 almost stopped me getting a decent shot of this scrap train. 13.10.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken, a great selection.