NORTH WALES COAST STEAM
FROM
THE GOLDEN YEARS
UP TO THE PRESENT DAY.
THIS PAGE SHOWS NOSTALGIC
SHOTS OF WORKING
STEAM ENGINES, ON THE NORTH WALES COAST LINE ,
FROM THE HEYDAY OF STEAM, UP TO THE PRESENT
DAY PRESERVATION SPECIALS.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS ON THIS PAGE
WERE TAKEN BY VARIOUS
PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ENTHUSIASTS.
The usual copyright rules
apply so please contact this website
through the email link on the HOMEPAGE,
if you wish to contact the photographers.
All photo's taken by me
are low-resolution copies to save space and
enable faster download times.
If hi-resolution copies
are required I would be pleased to email them free of charge.
Please identify the photo required and the page it is located on plus your full
email address
and the reason it is required.
If any of my photographs
are required for publication please contact
me first to discuss the matter.
PLEASE NOTE: HI-RESOLUTION FILES
CAN BE UP TO 5MB SO A BROADBAND
CONNECTION WOULD BE ADVISABLE.
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May 8th 2008.
An email and two great photo's by Alan
Taylor, taken when he was on holiday in North Wales in June 1964, are reproduced
below. Alan wonders if Les Nevitt and his fireman shown on the footplate of
Jubilee 45653 "Barham" (photo 1) are still with us.
If anyone can help please let me know.
(Photo 2) shows Britannia's 70024 "Vulcan" and 70053 "Moray
Firth" on 6G in June 1964.
Many thanks for your contact Alan.
Enjoyed your site on
Llandudno Junc. MPD.
I noticed in the list of passed firemen 'No. 538 Nevitt L.'
This must surely be Les Nevitt who I befriended in June 1964 whilst on holiday
in North Wales.
He allowed me (aged 16 at the time) and a couple of friends, to ride with him on
the footplate
of 'Jubilee' No. 45653 'Barham' from Conway to Bangor when working a Manchester
to Holyhead express.
We came back with him in the cab of an English Electric type 4 (class 40)
diesel.
Attached is a photo of Les and his fireman on 45653 at Llandudno Junc. before
the train left. Also a photo
of 70053 and 70024 on 6G taken during the same holiday.
The list gives Les's DOB as Dec. 1929 so he will be 78 if he is still with us,
does anyone know?
I don't know the name of the fireman, perhaps you may recognise him. He would be
about the same age as Les as I remember him telling me that he had a 16 year old
daughter.
Les lived in Rhyl at the
time.
Best regards,
Alan Taylor.
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April 26th 2008.
Two shots of an immaculate LMS Coronation
Class 4-6-2 No. 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland"
are shown below. They are both on the outward leg of today's "Welsh
Dragon".
(1) Approaching Station Road bridge Mochdre, 5 minutes early at 11.30am today.
(2) After the usual rest at Llandudno
Junction she approaches Conwy Morfa dead on time
at 12.15pm today.
Both photo's by Geoff Poole.
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April 22nd 2008.
The two photo's below show 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" on her recent visit along the North Wales Coast main line on Saturday April 19th 2008 with the 1Z71 Bristol T.M. to Holyhead Train.
(1) A great shot by Alan Roberts with "Lizzie" in full bore passing Pen Uchaf Foot crossing, near Abergele, working the outward leg.
(2) One of my shots taken at Mochdre with the return leg.
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March 30th 2008.
Stanier 2-6-0 No. 2948 heads a Bangor to
Llandudno Junction stopping train out
of the up line tube of Conway Bridge on June 9th 1948.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY JOHN POWELL.
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March 5th 2008.
Another rare shot, sent in by John
Powell, of a Merseyrail unit 507022 in
the carriage shed (then LJ) on December 2nd 1994, taken from a "RAIL" magazine of
1995.
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March 3rd 2008.
John Powell has sent in this great Keith
Pirt slide of 46200 "The Princess Royal"
under the coaling stage at 6G in 1962.
There is a similar black and white shot of the same engine elsewhere on the site
but I make no apologies for the duplication as Keith Pirt is one of my favourite
photographers who always created a magical feel in his shots and this
one
is no exception.
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March 3rd 2008.
Another good shot sent in by John Powell of
Black 5 45282 on 6G
on June 11th 1963 alongside an unidentified class mate.
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February 18th 2008.
Roger Stronell the webmaster of the
excellent
STEAM TRAIN GALLERIES WEBSITE
has kindly allowed me to publish two of his original photo's that appear on his
website showing a train leaving the Junction and also an 8Fon shed at 6G
(both undated).
Roger tells me that they were both taken with a Kodak Cresta camera.
PHOTO (1)
LMR "Black 5" 4-6-0 No. 45278 hauling empty stock out of Llandudno
Junction.
PHOTO (2)
LMR class 8F, 2-9-0, on shed at 6G
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January 10th 2008.
A photograph by H.C.Casserley, sent in
by John Powell, from Casserley's book
"Welsh Railways" showing Royal Scot 6133 "The Green
Howards" pulling the Irish Mail at Llanfairfechan on July 17th 1941.
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January 10th 2008.
Another shot, sent in by John Powell, of a vintage bus crossing Telford's suspension bridge at Conwy in June 1933 from a book about Crossville buses John borrowed from the library.
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December 12th 2007.
Below is a photo from the John Powell collection showing 4472 "Flying Scotsman" passing through Rhyl Station on her first visit to North Wales on June 6th 1966.
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December 12th 2007.
A photo of 4472 "Flying Scotsman" by Alan Roberts is shown below , taken from Llandudno Junction signal box in 1995, leaving for Holyhead with the North Wales Coast Express.
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December 5th 2007.
An
undated photo of Llandudno Junction Goods Department showing staff loading or
unloading an open wagon outside the warehouse. The site is now occupied by Netto
and Iceland shops.
Photo sent in by Alan Roberts.
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November 25th 2007.
D229
"Saxonia" with a Holyhead to Crewe train meets a D.M.U arriving from
Blaenau Ffestiniog
in the summer 1961.
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November 14th 2007.
The up "Irish Mail" passes beneath
Conway Castle, hauled by un-rebuilt Royal Scot class
No 6120 "Royal Inniskilling Fusilier" circa mid 1930s.
(photo sent in by John Powell)
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November 6th 2007.
Two lovely photo's from the John Powell
collection showing the Conway toll bridge.
The present day road bridge was built alongside Telford's suspension bridge in 1958.
Traffic passed over the suspension bridge one way at a time, controlled by lights.
Photo (1) taken
from the castle, shows traffic using the toll bridge (circa 1940s)
Photo (2) taken from the Llandudno Junction side
(circa 1950s)
For more detail on Thomas
Telfords Conway suspension bridge take a look at this link.
THOMAS
TELFORDS CONWAY SUSPENSION BRIDGE
CLICK THUMBNAILS
(1) (2)
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November 1st 2007.
A photo of "Royal
Scot" class No.6112 "Sherwood Forester" with 7C shedplate,
passes
Chester's No. 6 signalbox, and heads for North Wales with a special. (possibly
late1947)
sent in by John Powell.
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October 21st 2007.
Three more photo's from the Alan Roberts collection are shown below.
(1) Class 24 D5009 in Rhyl station (undated) The class 24 remained as one of the main diesel motive power classes in North Wales until the early 80s.
(2) Black 5 No 45027 heads the 1X00 Royal train through Llandudno Junction (undated)
(3) Type 4 English Electric (Class 40) D308 stands alongside 46250 "City of Lichfield in Llandudno Junction station (undated)
CLICK THUMBNAILS
(1) (2) (3)
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October 21st 2007.
An interesting shot of one of my favourite
classes, "Patriot " 45547 (unnamed) displaying a
6G shed plate at Willesden depot in May 1961. (photo sent in by John Powell)
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October 19th 2007.
An early LNWR postcard shows the viaduct at
Penmaenmawr
(west of Pen y Clip Avalanche tunnel) sent in by Alan Roberts.
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September 30th 2007.
John Powell has sent in the following photo
taken from an old postcard. John would appreciate
any information that would throw any light on the occasion.
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September 30th 2007.
An email and photo from John Powell are reproduced below.
I have no doubt that this is 6G. Well spotted John.
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September 30th 2007.
An email and photo from Alan Roberts are reproduced below.
Geoff,
Please find enclosed a photo showing a MK1 coach getting craned over from the
promenade at Colwyn Bay to Colwyn Bay Station in October 1988. The coach
arrived by road from Carnforth Steam Museum and was destined to the new but short-lived
Platform 3 at Colwyn Bay station and was utilized as a dining coach
at the complex. Also a small 0-6-0 tank steam engine named
"Firefly" arrived the previous week. It was located on the former
platform 1 at the station ex-up slow, later up loop. The up loop at Colwyn Bay
station was done away with from 9th October 1983 but formed a temporary siding
thereafter until January 1984 to convey new track for the alignment of the main
line between Colwyn Bay and Mochdre in conjunction with the construction of the
new A55 roadway.
As mentioned Platform 3 was short lived due to financial problems and the
complex closed down in 1993.
Alan
The 0-6-0 tank engine
"Firefly" mentioned by Alan above is pictured below with her MK1
coach
from a photo by John Powell which was published on this page in July 2006. At
that time John
was unsure about the details of the shot so thanks to Alan for clearing it up.
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September 6th 2007.
Alan Roberts has sent in this unusual shot taken from Conway Castle showing an unidentified engine hauling a goods train passing the goods yard at Conway. (PHOTO: by the late I. Vaughan)
CLICK THUMBNAIL
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August 27th 2007.
A
selection of photo's, sent in by John Powell, showing "The Irish Mail"
at various
locations and on various dates are shown below.
(1) Royal Scot class 46108 "Seaforth
Highlander" leaves Chester with the down
"Irish Mail" passing the
"Roodee" racecourse in the late 1930's.
(2) The down "Irish Mail" passes Old
Colwyn station hauled by "Claughton" class
loco's 5967 and 5993 on August 10th 1928. (from
B.Jeuda collection)
(3) The "Irish Mail" leaves Chester
for Holyhead in the 1950's hauled by Royal Scot class
46127 "Old Contemptibles"
(4) A very smoky "Irish Mail leaves
Holyhead pulled by an unidentified un-rebuilt
Royal Scot class in the mid 1930's.
(5) Royal Scot class (Fowler)
4-6-0 No. 6113 "Cameronian" passing Colwyn Bay
on the five coach second portion "Irish
Mail" on June 5th 1948.
CLICK THUMBNAILS FOR LARGER VIEW
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
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August 24th 2007.
John Powell has sent in this lovely shot of my
favourite class "Patriot" unnamed 45510
leaving Colwyn Bay with a train from London Euston to Llandudno in August 1952.
At last it looks as though someone with the
right backing has put together a viable proposal
to start a "new build" Patriot project. Steam Railway are giving it
their support and the group have set up their own website to keep us informed as
well as appealing for funds and support.
If you are interested in this idea or if you want to help with funds have a look
at the website.
The website is LMS
PATRIOT PROJECT
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July 31st 2007.
Another
three shots sent in by John Powell.
(1) A Crewe to Holyhead train leaving Bangor station hauled by ex-works No.
46231
Duchess of Atholl on April 7th 1961.
PHOTO TAKEN FROM TRAINS ILLUSTRATED
(2) An
empty stock train passes Conway Castle heading for Bangor, hauled by 8F
2-8-0
(3) The up "Irish Mail"
enters Chester station hauled by "Royal Scot "class No. 46161
"The Kings Own" mid 1951.
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July 27th 2007.
John Powell has sent in this rare shot of
streamlined 6220 "Coronation" passing Mostyn on her return
home after her appearance at the main line photographic event between
Llandudno Junction and Colwyn Bay in 1937 to commemorate the Royal Trains of
1835,1911 and 1937.
(see "STEAM DAYS" page)

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July 18th 2007.
I received an email a few days ago from Alan
Roberts who edits the SIGNALLING page on 6G
asking if the K.Wood, who's photo of 46229 "Duchess of Hamilton" at Bangor
published on
this page on July 6th 2007 below, was the same K. Wood that Alan worked with at the Bangor
box.
I emailed Ken Wood's son Dave who sent the photo in and Dave's reply and Alan's
further reply
are reproduced below. Thanks to both of you for following this up and updating
the detail on Ken Wood. What a shame Ken didn't enjoy a longer retirement after
41 years on the railway.
Hi Geoff
Yes
it is the K. Wood that worked at Bangor.
My dad finished on ill health in 1999.
My dad had 41 years working on the railway.
He sadly passed away in May 2000.
Please could you pass my email address to Alan Roberts.
Thanks
Geoff.
Geoff,
Many thanks for the e-mail re-Ken Wood of Bangor.
I was aware he had passed away after he retired. Working as a relief signalman I
worked Bangor when Ken worked there and he always made a note in the back of the
Train Register Book in the box of the engine number of a certain train he was
interested in or when he took a photo of one.
Alan.
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July 12th 2007.
John Powell has sent in the four shots below.
(1) LNWR
Precursor class 4-4-0 3P 25304 "Greyhound" near Llandudno junction in 1945.
The line leading off to the right went to a government store ( possibly to do
with the war)
(2) 2-4-0 number 54 at Llandudno in 1906.
(3) An unidentified tank engine at the Junction in 1949 with a train possibly for Blaenau Ffestiniog.
(4) Another unidentified engine approaches Llandudno Junction with Conway Castle in the background, in the mid-1920s.
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July 6th 2007.
Another shot of 6233 "Duchess of
Sutherland" on her recent visit to North Wales.
This is an early evening photo taken on Saturday June 9th 2007 at Mochdre
with the up "Welsh Dragon".
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July 6th 2007.
Two photo's sent in by Dave Wood from Rainhill, Merseyside are shown below.
(1) 46229 passing through Bangor. The exact
date is unknown but Dave thinks it is 1996.
The photo was taken by Dave's dad (
PHOTO : K. Wood )
(2) An unusual shot of the two class 20
diesels giving rear support to 4472 "Flying Scotsman"
at Llandudno on July 24th 1991. ( PHOTO :
Dave Wood )
(1) (2)
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June 9th 2007.
46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" pulls the down WELSH DRAGON.
(1) Approaching Llandudno Junction.
(2) Passing through Penmaenmawr.
PHOTOS GEOFF POOLE.
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June 2nd 2007.
GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 No. 4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" with the down "North Wales Coaster" approaching Penmaenmawr at Morfa .

PHOTO: GEOFF POOLE
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May 31st 2007.
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The photo of the Patriot below has been sent in by John Powell. May 18th 2007.
Below is Patriot 45507
"The Royal Tank Corps" leaving Penmaenmawr on a returning
"extra" to Birmingham in August 1954.
John Powell.
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May 14th 2007.
An email and photo from Alan Roberts are reproduced below.
Geoff,
A photograph in my collection shows an un-named Claughton Class leaving Colwyn
Bay with an up train at around 1930.
Alan Roberts
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April 15th 2007.
An email from Chris Hazlehurst is reproduced
below thanking me for publishing his photo's and recollections (see below). It's
a pleasure Chris but I think it is us who should be thanking you for sharing
your memories of the glorious years. As you will see from Chris's email he
may
have some more memories to share.
Many thanks again Chris.
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April 12th 2007.
John Powell has sent in the email below, along
with two photo's of interest that
his Sister in Law in Canada found, in an old book about Llandudno.
Photo (2) L.N.W.R. photo of Llandudno Station at the turn of the century.
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April 11th 2007.
A while ago I received an email from Chris
Hazlehurst from Boston in Lincolnshire, who enjoyed the site and promised to
send in a couple of photo's he had taken, whilst on holiday in 1962 and 1964,
along with his recollections of happy days spent watching the steam movements
around North Wales. True to his word he has sent the detail and I must say
as well as the atmospheric photo's he has sent, his writing is beautifully
composed and I think he captures the excitement and nostalgia of the
"glorious days".
Well done Chris and many thanks for your contribution.
Hello.
Some
time ago I wrote to complement you on the Loco Shed 6G site and offered to share
my memories plus two photographs taken in July 1962. Here goes.
As a youth, our family had two North Wales holidays, to Penmaenmawr in July 1962 and September 1964 at Gaerwen. I was 11 and 14 years old on these trips and photography was really unknown but my memories of travels on a Holiday Runabout Ticket for a week of each holiday are clear although merged together. Although not fully about 6G my travels always ended up at Llandudno Junction which I found to be a Mecca of trains with constant action including engines coming on and off shed. I visited the shed several times and well remember the line of stored engines beside the Conwy Valley Line. The first trip was to a largely steam railway with just the Conwy line in the hands of Derby Lightweight units. Even then I witnessed a Black 5 in the yards at Bleanau Ffestiniog. On at least one of the years the "Welsh Dragon" service was steam worked and I visited the shed at Rhyl where I saw 52119, the only 50,000 series engine I ever saw. The 1962 Runabout ticket only went as far as Prestatyn but the 1964 one took in Chester. I recall a Standard 5 non-stop sunny Saturday run from Chester to Holyhead, doubtless a boat train. I have vague recollections of Holyhead shed and Britannia`s resting between duties. I rode from Gaerwen to Almwch behind an LMS 2-6-4T in what must have been the last weeks of the branch. My bedroom window of our holiday farmhouse at Gaerwen gave a panoramic view of the lines just northwest of the station. I rode the switchback Caernarfon to Afon Wen line behind an LMS 2-6-4T and was fascinated by the open ground frames in lieu of signal boxes. I went on to Pwlllheli and Porthmadog to visit to early rebirth of the Ffestiniog Railway. Was this during the final weeks of the Afon Wen line too? I was brave and sneaked into Bangor shed and one of my 1962 pictures bears testimony to a busy scene. The Llanberis line eluded me but I remember the lines turning towards Bethesda beyond Bangor tunnel and the narrow gauge track deep below shortly afterwards. There was the camping coach at Llanfairfechan and I still own platform tickets from Llanfair PG from all those years ago. I rode behind steam to Liverpool in 1964 to watch football at Goodison Park and visited Crewe Works and saw Brush Type 4`s under construction.
But
it was always to Llandudo Junction that I ended up at. It would be a Black
5 ride from Penmaenmawr or Gaerwen and in 1962 at least
I must have seen some of
the more exotic steam classes. My other July 1962 photo shows the
locomotive that took me home from the Junction to Penmaenmawr each evening
around 5 p.m. 45527 Southport, just about to leave with the stopping train to
Holyhead. I was never chased away from my unauthorised tours of 6G and
always found that the railwaymen
tolerated me.
As
well as the books already mentioned on the site I have found the following most
interesting - Steam on the North Wales Coast, Michael Jones, OPC, 1996 plus the
two Foxline publications, Railways of North Wales - Bangor & The Conwy
Valley Line, both by Bill Rear. Derek Williams book - The Men of 7A &
6G Loco Shed is a treasured possession.
I
have always thought that, with due respect to Llangollen, North Wales
deserves it's
own preservation centre and tourism could easily support a
facility that housed other railways out-of-ticket locomotives. It is thus
a tragedy that 6G has not survived long enough to be saved but this site reminds
us of happy days in times gone by. I personally feel that the Bangor shed
site offers a real opportunity given that the building still survives. A fanciful
pipedream? Well maybe but after what preservation has achieved
over the past 50 years - never say never. I'm
amazed how many coast line
stations have survived more or less intact and I'm
making a pilgrimage this
Saturday to take photographs incase somebody turns them all into bus shelters
one of these days.
Congratulations
Web Master for a great site and best wishes to all who, like I, have fond
memories of 6G, and as Derek says, Gone But Not Forgotten.
Chris
Hazlehurst, Boston, Lincolnshire.
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April 11th 2007.
Shunting
mishap at Penmaenmawr
Mishaps
occur from time to time during shunting and the undated photo shows an example
at Penmaenmawr. Apparently the brake van shown in the photo was being propelled
from the yard into the refuge siding when the hand points forming half of the
double slip in the picture moved under the vehicle!. There are dramatic changes
to the area since the photo was taken. The layout was completely remodelled and
the new layout commissioned in January 1988 also the new A55 roadway now
dominates the background crossing over the line forming a tunnel known as Moel
Llys Tunnel. The photo was taken by Alan Hayward who at the time was a guard at
Llandudno Junction . Following a brief spell off the railway he returned and
took over a relief signaller post in the area. He now works as a Signaller at
Poulton near Blackpool. (Alan Roberts)
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March 24th 2007.
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March 17th 2007.
A couple of shots of diesels at 6G, sent in by John Powell, are shown below.
March 21st 2007.
An email from Alan Roberts is reproduced below giving some detail on the above
photo of 40131.
Many thanks Alan.
Geoff,
One of the pictures sent in by John Powell, I can update the following :-
John Calvert is seen standing next to the engine (40131) observing the
movements. Goods Guard Colin Hughes is also seen walking towards the engine.
Alan Roberts
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March 16th 2007.
A photo by Alan Roberts is shown below.
View
shows Class 507/8 Merseyrail units stabled in the carriage shed at Llandudno
Junction in 1992. These were moved out in 1993 together with the prototype 151
units stabled alongside the shed in the sidings.
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February 18th 2007.
Alan Roberts has sent in this photo of the footbridge and level crossing gates at Deganwy Station.
Geoff,
Another photo of the footbridge at Deganwy enclosed for G.Parry. The footbridge
was abolished in 1978, before the commissioning of the barriers in 1979. The
level crossing used to be quite narrow with the footbridge spanning at this
location. The next footbridge on the curve alongside the Castle Hotel is the
original structure dating back to 1866 complete with its stone built pillars.
Alan Roberts.
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February 17th 2007.
I published an email on the NEWSPAGE on
February 16th 2007, from Gwyn Parry asking for a photo of the Deganwy Station
footbridge. He has received the shot I sent him and has explained that he is
trying to identify a railway footbridge that is shown in a photograph he has of
his
Great Uncles on their way to the Great War. He has now eliminated the Deganwy
Station footbridge so if anyone recognizes the location in the photo below
please email me and I will let Gwyn know.
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February 12th 2007.
John Powell has sent in the following old
postcards showing some great old railway
views of our area. I think they portray the era and scenes wonderfully.
(circa 1906) (circa 1906) (circa 1907) (circa 1907)
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February 7th 2007.
An interesting photo and detail from Alan Roberts is reproduced below.
INCIDENT
AT COLWYN BAY INVOLVING A TIPPER TRUCK
Photo
shows an incident west of Colwyn Bay station on the 6th February 1984 during the
construction of the A55 through the town. It shows an Aveling Barford tipper
truck having problems after offloading its material and started to sink into
soft earth next to the railway. The two personnel standing on the track were
Supervisors that British Rail employed during the construction of the A55 next
to the railway. Trains were stopped during the incident as a precaution in case
the worst was to happen. The truck was finally rescued by a bulldozer and
an excavator seen in the photo.
Alan Roberts.
CLICK THUMBNAIL
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February 4th 2007.
Alan Roberts has supplied the two following
shots of the Colwyn Bay Goods Yard that show the yard in 1981 and then after the
lifting of tracks in 1982. A photograph of the yard appears on the
"Local Railway History" page on the site, which gives a good idea of
where it was situated.
The yard made way for the Bay View shopping centre and the A55 expressway.
(1)
is a view of Colwyn Bay Goods Yard taken at June 1981 following the demise of
the last coal traffic in the yard. The yard was then used briefly for the
stabling of cable laying trains (called mole plough!).
Cable drums can be seen in the photo.
(2) After lifting operations - taken in 1982. To make way for A55 and Bay View Shopping Centre.
Both photo's by Alan Roberts.
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January 29th 2007.
John Powell has sent in this interesting
article from the Railway Magazine 1969, putting forward the reason for the
Mochdre troughs being lifted and re-installed at Aber was that the Mochdre
stream, which was the water supply for the troughs, had dried up and expensive
pumping machinery would have been needed to be installed so it was decided a
cheaper alternative
was to move them further along the main line to Aber where there was a plentiful
supply of a
gravity fed water supply.
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January 18th 2007.
I sent out an appeal to one of the more
prolific suppliers of detail for this website,
Alan Roberts, who also compiles the "SIGNALLING AROUND THE
JUNCTION" page
and because of his occupation as a relief signaller on the North Wales
Coast main line
I thought he would be the best person to ask to explain the complicated
track layout
at Llandudno Junction station that existed in the heyday of steam
and how it differs from today's layout.
Not surprisingly Alan took up the challenge and the following detail below is
the result. Alan has tried to make the complicated rail network at the Junction
more understandable to the layman
and I think he has succeeded in that aim.
Many thanks Alan and I'm sure site visitors will be interested in
understanding
how it all works so smoothly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE NOTE: THE TERMS
"UP AND "DOWN" TO CLARIFY DIRECTIONS OF TRAFFIC, ARE USED
IN THE FOLLOWING DETAILS.
WHEN THE TERM "UP" IS USED IT MEANS THAT THE DIRECTION OF THE TRAFFIC
IS SOUTH AND VICE VERSA
WHEN THE TERM "DOWN" IS USED THIS MEANS THE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC IS
NORTH.
THIS IS PECULIAR TO RAILWAY JARGON AND THERE MUST BE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY
THESE TERMS ARE
USED, BUT I MUST ADMIT I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT, WHEN GEOGRAPHICALLY TRAFFIC
TRAVELLING FROM NORTH WALES TO LONDON IS GOING, NORTH TO SOUTH, DOWN
WOULD SEEM TO BE THE MORE ACCURATE DESCRIPTION AS NORTH IS ALWAYS SHOWN AT THE
TOP OF A MAP. BUT HISTORICALLY THESE TERMS
HAVE BEEN USED AND THEY STILL ARE TODAY. MY GUESS IS THAT ALL LINES LEADING TO
THE CAPITAL, LONDON, ARE DEEMED AS "UP" NO MATTER FROM WHICH DIRECTION THEY ORIGINATE, BUT I AM PREPARED TO BE PUT IN MY PLACE IF
ANYONE CAN SUPPLY A BETTER REASON.
January 22nd 2007.
A further explanation of this is now explained in this email from Alan
Roberts
LLANDUDNO
JUNCTION STATION
Llandudno
Junction had 4 through platforms and 4 bay platforms.
Platform
1 (Up Slow)
Platform
2 (Up Fast)
Platform
3 (Down Fast)
Platform
4 (Down Slow)
Bay
Platform 1A. Located at the Holyhead end on the upside.
Bay
Platform 2A. Located at the Holyhead end on the upside.
Bay
Platform 3B. Located at the Chester end on the downside.
Bay
Platform 4B, Located at the Chester end on the downside.
Additionally
there was an Up Goods line (later renamed Up Avoiding), a Down Goods line (later
renamed Down Avoiding) to enable freight to by pass the platforms during busy
times.
The
Bays 1A and 2A were mainly used for local trains to and from Llandudno &
Bays 3B and 4B used for Blaenau Ffestiniog trains or any local services from the
Chester direction terminating at Llandudno Junction.
During
busy times in the summer, as a rule, up trains from Llandudno towards Chester
used platform 1 and continued along the slow line to Colwyn Bay.
Up
trains from Holyhead towards Chester used platform 2 & continued along the
up fast to Colwyn Bay.
Down
trains for Llandudno were kept on the down fast from Colwyn Bay and ran into
platform 3 unless there was an express for Holyhead following close behind; the
train would then be running slow line.
Down
trains for the Holyhead direction were routed on to the down slow at Colwyn Bay
and continued along the down slow line into platform 4. The exception to this of
course if platform 4 was already occupied by a train the signalman at No1 box
could set the route so that it could run into platform 3. Trains from Blaenau
Ffestiniog to Llandudno used platform 3 or 4.
During
the winter months things were quieter with less trains running, passenger trains
would travel on the fast lines between Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction &
any slow goods trains and local shunting trips would travel on the slow lines.
In
the summer train movements moved slightly quicker with the opening of Mochdre
& Pabo box to split the section between Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction.
The
layout at Llandudno Junction No1 was quite flexible which enabled the signalman
to switch moves from fast to slow & vice versa if needed in both directions
and it was possible at times to see 2 trains each way between Llandudno Junction
and Colwyn Bay signalled.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geoff
,
Please find enclosed a photo of the layout at Llandudno Junction No1 taken from
Queens Road bridge (Bridge 107) c.1964.
I have added numbers of certain points and signals on the photo and the names of
the lines.
Alan.
---------------------------------------------------------
Geoff,
Photo below shows comparison to photo above. This was about to change again in 1983
when the east end of the layout was remodelled and the reinstatement of the Up
Slow line as far as the bridge at Pabo Lane. This became an Up Passenger Loop
which compensated for the loss of the Up Avoiding line at Llandudno Junction and the
Up Loop at Colwyn Bay.
Alan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diagram of Llandudno
Junction No 1 layout.

CLICK THUMBNAIL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 14th 2007.
The following slides have been sent in by Chris Evans, which he took in late July 1965.

Britannia class 70054 "Dornoch Firth", with
nameplates removed, waits at
Llandudno Junction station with a Holyhead bound train, and
a good shot of 6G in the background
Unidentified
2-6-2 T pulling a freight between Llanrwst and Dolgarrog
on the Conway Valley line.

2-6-2T 84009 simmering in
Bangor shed's adjacent yard, two months after closure,
pottering about with a few wagons - something long just a memory!
Black
Five 45277 passes with a freight through Bangor station.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 8th 2007.
An email and photo from Alan Roberts are reproduced below, many thanks again Alan.
Geoff,
Happy New Year to you !!
Another photo of mine enclosed.
This was a Farewell To British Rail weekend along the North Wales Coast which
was held over the Easter weekend in 1994.
A special titled "Intercity Sunset Railtour" ran down the coast on
Good Friday 1st April 1994 and the whole event was planned to have a steam
engine from all the four companies.
Crewe - Llandudno Junction = GWR Castle class 4-6-0 No 6029 Nunney Castle double
headed with SR S15 4-6-0 No 828.
Llandudno Junction - Holyhead = LNER A4 class No4498 Sir Nigel Gresley.
Holyhead - Llandudno Junction = LMS 46203 Princess Margaret Rose
Llandudno Junction - Chester = 71000 Duke of Gloucester.
During the day's events, all 5 engines made a line up in the yard at Llandudno
Junction.
On Sunday 3rd April 71000 developed a problem and returned back to Crewe.
Engine line up at Llandudno Junction on Sunday 3/4/1994 was as follows :-
46203, 4498, 6029 and 828.
Photo taken from signalbox shows 71000, 4498 and 46203 + support coach arriving
at Llandudno Junction ready to propel into the sidings. The first leg of the
special was behind this movement and was hauled by 6029 and 828.
Alan Roberts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 23rd 2007.
An email and photo from Alan Roberts are reproduced below.
Geoff,
This 1979 view shows Colwyn Bay station staff Rodney Fitzgibbon on the left and
Richard Roberts on the right. Rodney now works at Llandudno Junction station and
Richard was formerly a Steam-raiser at 6G. He started work at Colwyn Bay station
soon after 6G closed in 1966.
Alan Roberts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 18th 2006.
Some time ago I had a request by email from
Richard Thornton for any photo's of the
Park Royal DMU's allocated to 6G. Regular contributor John Powell sent me
various
shots that I have forwarded on to Richard. One of the shots is shown below.
Park Royal DMU's at Glan Conwy on March 10th
1956 with a Blaenau to Llandudno service.
PHOTO : JOHN POWELL
An email pointing out the incorrect
caption above has been received from Chris Evans,
many thanks Chris.
Just
one point I have spotted whilst browsing your site again: a photo by John
Powell of a DMU at Glan Conway is not, as captioned, of a 'Park Royal' unit
but is an early Derby Lightweight as first appeared on the branch in 1956. Just
20 Park Royal DMUs were built for BR in 1957 and some appeared in North Wales
in the early 60s. Being non-standard (and insulated with blue asbestos)
they were relatively short-lived and withdrawals began in the early
70s, the survivors eventually ending their days at Chester. They were,
from the front, similar in appearance to the early Derby units but did not
have the roof-dome mounted marker-light or the horizontal strip across the
windscreen, both of which are clearly visible in John's photo. Hope that
helps!
Chris Evans.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 14th 2006.
An email and photo received from Alan Roberts is reproduced below.
Geoff
,
Enclosed is an old photo in my collection showing station staff at Colwyn Bay in
the 1960's.
L to R
Alan Roberts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 14th 2006.
Below are two photo's from my collection showing steam on the North Wales Coast main line.
(1) Ian Riley's Black 5, 45407 as 45157 leans into the curve at Conway Castle with the Holyhead-Crewe "Ynys Món Express" on August 16th 2000.
(2)"Coronation Class" 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" taken from Bryn Euryn makes her way through Colwyn Bay to Holyhead on October 19th 2002.
PHOTO'S GEOFF POOLE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 14th 2006.
John Powell has sent in the two shots below
from the "glorious years"
and both are taken at the same location as my shot above of 45407.
(1) (2)
(1) The up Irish Mail hauled by un-rebuilt" Royal Scot" 6124 "London Scottish" circa 1930's.
(2) The "Coronation Land Cruise"
train threads through the walls of Conway Castle on her
way back to Rhyl hauled by 2MT 2-6-0 46424 circa 1953.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 11th 2006.
6201 "Princess Elizabeth" skirts
around Conway Castle with the down Irish Mail
to Holyhead.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is an original plan showing the
proposed positions of the retail buildings
that were about to be built on the 6G site. The layout of the retail park
is shown over the outline of the carriage shed and offices.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 18th 2006.
Some great nostalgic shots with detailed
information, sent in by regular contributor
Alan Roberts, are
shown below.
More
old photos dug out of my collection. (1964)
1) First photo shows 45410 passing Colwyn Bay in 1964 on the down fast. Colwyn
Bay No1 signal box is on the right hand side.
2) A DMU leaves Colwyn Bay on the Down Fast near Colwyn Bay No2 signal box. Note
signal off for another down train on the Down Slow line.
3) Britannia class 70028 " Royal Star " passes Penrhos College on the down slow.
The footbridge where the photo
was taken was one of my favourite spots for taking my photos between 1966 and
1979.
Alan Roberts
(1) (2) (3)
70023
VENUS leaves Colwyn Bay on the Down Fast c.1964. As a rule to prevent
conflicting moves at Llandudno Junction down trains for Bangor and
Holyhead
travelled slow line from Colwyn Bay, most were turned in by No1 box and
travelled
through platform 4 (down slow platform) or occasionally travelled through
platform 3 (down fast platform) and used the scissors crossover at No2 box
to gain the down slow. Trains for Llandudno used the Down Fast
unless there was an express due to pass behind on block, the train
would then run on the down slow.

A photo in my collection
shows the transformer stabled at the back siding (aka Town Siding)
at Colwyn Bay. It was en route to Blaenau Ffestiniog on Sunday February 19th
1961.
It was destined for the new nuclear power station being built at
Trawsfynydd.
The transformer, nearly 14 feet high and 10 foot wide ( 1 foot wider than a
normal load)
was carried on a specially designed 24 wheel transformer wagon equipped with
traversing gear,
which allowed the load to move sideways on th