September 19th 2009.
Alan Roberts has sent in the photo below of 6201, at Prestatyn in 1989, with the
North Wales Coast Express.






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August 31st 2009.

An email and photo are shown below from Alan Roberts.

Geoff,

 

Another photo enclosed of 6201 Princess Elizabeth at Deganwy taken on the steam excursion Sunday 16th August.
The photo is a close up of the engine while it was standing opposite the signalbox due to level crossing failure
at Deganwy Quay.

Regards Alan.

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June 27th 2009.
Four photos sent in by John Powell are shown below.

The first shows Black Five 45326 arriving at Llandudno with a special on June 5th 1948.

The following three are real archive shots of steam on 6G.

May 30th 2009.
Four vintage photos from John Powell showing working steam at Llandudno, Penmaenmawr
and Llandudno Junction taken from "Railway World" magazine November 1966.
(all photographs by John White)


"Britannia" class 70009 'Alfred the Great'  waits at Llandudno Junction station
on July 30th 1966 with a train from Leeds.



Black Five 44837 leaves Llandudno station for Leeds on July 16th 1966.




BR standard class 5 No. 73045 moves empty stock from the carriage sidings
at Llandudno on July 16th 1966.



"Jubilee" class 45562 'Alberta'  near Penmaenmawr with a short works train on July 18th 1966.


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May 17th 2009.
Three nostalgic photos by John Powell are shown below.

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May 8th 2009.
John Powell spotted the following interesting article, describing holiday traffic on the
North Wales Coast main line, in the December 1955 issue of "The Railway Magazine"





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March 25th 2009.

The Push - pull train, the Welsh Dragon, that ran between Rhyl and Llandudno during the 1950's and 1960's
was the only push - pull shuttle on BR that was named in the timetable, making it a unique service.
Unfortunately there is very little that has been written about this wonderful local service but John Powell
has now written the following article for 6G and supplied the accompanying photographs to celebrate
this train and describes how this popular service was run and maintained.

THE WELSH DRAGON.

This train, ( With perhaps the shortest headboard on a main line ) commenced running a shuttle service between

Rhyl & Llandudno during the summer season of 1951. The train consisted of three non - corridor coaches complete

with boards, and a 2-6-2 Tank engine fitted with push - pull apparatus, which was allocated to Rhyl depot. ( 7D )

Usually the train operated from Rhyl`s No 1 bay, but the first working of the day pulled into No 2 platform, after

collecting the stock from the carriage sheds at the east end of the station.

Trains ran throughout the day ( Mon - Fri ) until the last one from Llandudno at 10.30.p.m.

These services were well patronised.

Locomotives used from 1951 were as follows:

1951  = 41210. 41211. 41231. 41276. 41277. 41287.

1952. = Shed code changed to 6K.

1952. = 41210. 41211. 41224. 41230. 41231. 41244. 41276. 41287. 41320.

1953. = 41211. 41224. 41231. 41244. 41276. 41285. 41320. 41324.

1954. = 41224. 41231. 41244. 41276. 41285. 41287. 41324.

1955. = 41224. 41231. 41233. 41244. 41276. 41287. 41321.

1956. = 41216. 41231. 41276. 41321.

1957. = 41216. 41276.

Derby lightweight units took over the workings from the middle of July through until

about 1962, when the service reverted back to push - pull steam workings.

Rhyl shed closed on February 11th, 1963, and the workings were taken over by Llandudno Junction depot. ( 6G ).

March 24th 2009.

John Powell has sent in this interesting photo of a LNWR
 "George the Fifth" class 25392 "Penmaenmawr" at 6G (7A at this time)
as this undated shot is probably in the thirties, just before withdrawal.
 
The 2P 4-4-0 passenger locomotives were designed by
Charles Bowen-Cooke and introduced between 1910-1915.
A total of 90 were built and all were named but withdrawals
started in the mid-thirties and sadly none survived.


 

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March 20th 2009.

A rare photo and detail of the unique push - pull steam hauled service between
Llandudno and Rhyl has been kindly supplied by David Hey.
David's excellent website "The David Hey Collection" is well worth a visit
especially the "BR LONDON MIDLAND REGION" page which features many steam photo's
not strictly North Wales Coast but with some around Chester and a photo of the 6G scrap line
plus a photo of David Hey's atmospheric painting of Coronation Class
46246 'City Of Manchester' pulling the "Royal Scot" which is worth a look on it's own.




Alan Roberts has emailed me to say that he has memories of the "Welsh Dragon" when
it was diesel hauled as he is too young to remember the steam days, and his
recollections are reproduced below.

I do have memories of having a ride in a DMU from Llandudno Junction to Rhyl which terminated
in the bay platform behind Rhyl No2 box (about 1967), the DMU was then shunted across to the
down platform to work the return working, I think at the time there was no connection between
the up bay and the down lines, the connection having been removed approx 1965-6.
It then travelled on the Down Slow line to Abergele passing Foryd Junction box en route.

 Alan Roberts.

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March 6th 2009.
LEAVING CHESTER FOR NORTH WALES.

The down 11.15 am "Welshman" from London Euston to Porthmadog and Pwllheli,
pulling out of Chester station in September 1952 headed by "Royal Scot" class  No. 46162
"Queen's Westminster Rifleman"
FROM THE RAILWAY MAGAZINE : SENT IN BY JOHN POWELL




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March 3rd 2009.
Two Jubilee's at Llandudno Junction.

45643 "Rodney" displaying summer special boards, receives some maintenance before returning
  home with her train while 45721 "Impregnable" is being coaled at 6G in the early sixties.
Photo supplied by John Powell.





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February 12th 2009.
A selection of old photos showing great local interest, sent in by John Powell, are shown below.







Double-headed Black 5's 44869 and 44840 pass under the arch at Conway Castle in this classic
shot from August 11th 1960.




Royal Scot class 46156 "The South Wales Borderer" with the down Irish Mail passing Conway Castle
on August 11th 1960.




An unidentified Black 5 approaches Llandudno Junction with an up express circa 1952.













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January 6th 2009.

Visitors to this site may remember an email from Chris Hazlehurst of Boston, Lincs,
which was published on the NEWSPAGE on October 3rd 2006, in which he related some of his
happy memories from family holidays in Penmaenmawr and Gaerwen during the steam era.

Chris also promised to dig out some old photographs, he took during these days, and he has now sent in
some real archive shots along with some more memories of those halcyon days.

Chris's memories are published below along with his photographs.

As a reminder of Chris's first memories and photographs, which were published on the
original 6G website in April 2007, I have included a copy of the detail and the two photographs
which illustrated the recollections, below this latest article and photographs.

To remember anything of North Wales steam in the pre-preservation era, one has to be mature in years.  I`m 58 now and was 11 and 14 during family holidays to Penmaenmawr & Gaerwen in 1962 and 1964. A week long Holiday Runabout Ticket offered an inexpensive interlude of wall to wall trains and my memories are of frequent and busy trains well used by local people and holiday makers alike.

Memories of Llandudno Junction station are particularly vivid with a constant procession of largely steam hauled express and local passenger trains together with some freight movements. It is where I would head at the beginning of each day and I would study the amazing roller displays listing the train departures.  I would often roll them forward myself and recall being told off by station staff who had forgotten to themselves. 

One of the most fascinating experiences was to observe and travel on the steam worked push-pull "Welsh Dragon" service that connected Llandudno, Deganwy, Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay and Rhyl.  The LMS or BR 2-6-2 tank engine would sport a proper headboard and would pass through the station every hour or so. 

With services starting from or changing engines at the Junction, there were regular locomotive movements on and off the shed and this included named engines from the Patriot and Royal Scot classes as well as the more humble Black 5`s, standard classes and tank engines.  The station would always be busy and I recall the well stocked news-stand where one could sample the delights of Trains Illustrated and Railway Magazine.  There would be the odd main line diesel, usually an English Electric Type 4 and a few diesel multiple units but mostly it was LMS steam classes and LMS designed coaching stock that abounded.

The main difficulty was to balance train watching with train riding.  I was then, and still am today, very happy riding on trains and I liked the main line most of all.  The Bangor area was particularly interesting with the busy and timeless station wedged between the two tunnels with the adjoining engine shed which was the subject of an excellent book by Bill Rear who worked there in his youth.  Beyond was Menai Bridge and the junction for Caernarfon quickly followed by the smoky passage of the Britannia Tubular Bridge over the Menai Straits before arriving at the famed village of Llanfair PG.  My 1964 trip was to a farm very close to Gaerwen Station so I was camped out on the platforms every evening.  The station would instantly change from a peaceful backwater into a buzzingly busy place when a stopping train would meet the branch train, eeking out it`s last weeks but still busy with passengers.

One of the most memorable trips was to ride the heavily graded line from Caernarfon to Afon Wen then onto Pwllheli.  Maybe not the North Wales Coast but still on the Runabout ticket!  I saw standard class two`s and five`s at the shed and station, the GWR classes were in the minority by that time.
 
I've always been fascinated by engine sheds and I managed visits to Holyhead, Bangor, Rhyl, Llandudno Junction and both Crewe sheds and Locomotive Works. Here I saw the Princess Class 46203 "Princess Margaret Rose" being readied for display at the Butlins Holiday Camp at Pwllheli and recall stealing a visit into the Camp to see it again during the 1970`s.

Whilst I found Bangor somewhat intimidating, Llandudno Junction was easy to get around and the railwaymen were never difficult or unwelcoming.  This was, of course, in the days before the health & safety officer and I just roamed around keeping out of trouble.

The overriding feeling from those far off days was of a busy scene with a population still dependent upon the railways for transportation before the widespread availability of motor cars.  Platforms would, as well as being full of people, have trolleys full of parcels, newspapers, boxes of day old chicks and mail bags everywhere.  Staff in huge numbers were present and many families had several people employed on the railway.

My next visit was in 1971 and much had changed.  The railway had been dieselised and was retrenching.  Branch lines had closed and much traffic had transferred to the roads.  I count myself lucky to have known the railways of North Wales of over 40 years ago and although only a teenager I must have somehow realized that it would not last in that form for very much longer. 

I know though that there is ever more interest  in this very special area`s railways and, quite soon, the visitors to this site will have passed 107,000.
 
Well done Geoff Poole for maintaining your "labour of love" over these years and as I listen to this site`s steam engine sounds the toast tonight must surely be:

"Loco Shed 6G, it`s men and it`s steam engines - Gone But Not Forgotten"

Chris Hazlehurst.

Patriot 45527 "Southport" attracts great attention from local spotters at Llandudno Junction with a
stopping train to Holyhead.
Chris remembers that this engine often pulled his train back to Penmaenmawr after
a long spotting day at 6G in the summer of 1962.

Another shot of "Southport" taking water before departing for Holyhead






BR Standard 2-6-2 Tank 84003 leaves Llandudno Junction with the "Welsh Dragon" to Rhyl
in August 1962.









Royal Scot class 46131 "The Royal Warwickshire Regiment" waits in platform one
at Llandudno Junction with a train to Crewe in August 1962.





An unidentified tank engine with a train from Amlwch at Bangor station in 1962.







An unidentified engine pulls a train past the Bowling Green at Conway in 1962.
This shot was taken from the castle.











The last two shots are unidentified engines at unknown locations.

[CORRECTION]
Allan Judd has pointed out that the location in the first shot below, of a Black Five, is actually Bangor station and the
engine is at the 'West' end of platform 3 (as was).

Thanks to Allan Judd. (Geoff Poole)






[CORRECTION]
Vic Smith of York has identified the location below as Pwllheli MPD, which was a sub - shed of 6F Machynlleth.

Thanks to Vic Smith. (Geoff Poole)











I would like to thank Chris Hazlehurst for taking the time to share the above nostalgic
memories and photographs which I'm sure will bring back so many memories
to site visitors.


Below is a copy of Chris's first article of memories and the two photographs which illustrate the
recollections, that were first published on the original 6G website in April 2007.

(Originally published April 2007)

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 Amlwch 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 Pwllheli and Porthmadog to visit the 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 (see below). 

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 Llandudno 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 (see below) shows the locomotive that took me home from the Junction to Penmaenmawr each evening around  5pm.  45527 Southport,  just about to leave with the stopping train to Holyhead. 

I was never chased away from my unauthorized 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  and  BANGOR AND THE CONWAY VALLEY LINE,
both by Bill Rear. 

Derek Williams book - THE MEN OF 7A AND 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 pipe dream?  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 in case 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.

 

    
 Patriot class 45527 "Southport" waits at Penmaenmawr station in August 1962 after carrying
Chris back to continue his holiday after one of his "spotting" days at Llandudno Junction.

This is the other photo, that Chris mentions above, showing a busy Bangor shed in August 1962.







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February 5th 2009.

The article below was taken from "The Railway World" magazine of December 1969 which gives a
railway man's view of the special train from London Euston to Caernarfon on July 1st 1969, which carried
 the dignitaries and distinguished guests to the investiture of Prince Charles at Caernarfon Castle.
(Detail supplied by John Powell)


PHOTO BELOW  SHOWS EE TYPE 4s, NUMBERS 233 AND 216 STANDING AT THE SPECIAL PLATFORM BUILT NEAR 
GRIFFITHS CROSSING, THE POINT AT WHICH THE ROYAL PARTY ALIGHTED FOR THE DRIVE TO CAERNARFON.
PHOTO : NORMAN KNEALE









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January 17th 2009.
The photo below by John Powell shows " Jubilee" class 45735 'Comet' awaiting departure from
Llandudno station on August 4th 1952.

45735 was one of only two "Jubilee's" of the 187 introduced, rebuilt with larger boilers 
double chimneys and smoke deflectors, giving a 7P power classification.
The other engine being 45736 'Pheonix'.





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January 7th 2009.

BRITANNIA BRIDGE FIRE MAY 23rd 1970.

Robert Stephenson’s Britannia Bridge, over the Menai Straits, had stood since 1850, but it was
destroyed by fire on May 23^rd 1970.

A group of teenagers inadvertently set fire to the bridge by ‘playing with fire’ when they lit paper for illumination whilst searching for birds nests and bats just inside the tube entrance, where the main wrought iron tube
terminates and the stonework of the entrance commences.
The jointing at this point was of timber covered by tarred hessian, which ignited instantaneously and caused the total destruction of the bridge, which was the only link to the mainland from the island of Anglesey.

 
As it was going to be some time until the link was restored several diesel locomotives, that had become stranded on the island, were lifted on to ships at Holyhead and transported to the docks at Barrow-in-Furness, to be re-railed and returned to service at Menai Bridge Station on the mainland side of the bridge.

The three photos below, supplied by John Powell, show one of these locomotives,
class 40 No. 233 being craned ashore at Barrow after sailing from Holyhead.
 
Below the photographs is a detailed article taken from the Railway Magazine at the time
listing the ‘marooned’ locomotives and the procedure for repatriation.

 

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January 7th 2009.
John Powell has sent in this 1965 view of Black Five 44687 in store at 6G.
(PHOTO: MICHAEL JONES)










November 12th 2008.

On it's first visit to North Wales, 4472 " Flying Scotsman " passes through Rhyl station
on route to Llandudno Junction on June 6th 1966.

  I purchased this photograph 3 weeks after it was taken, and it has been in my collection since then.     
(John Powell)

November 12th 2008.
LMS Webb tank ( LNWR ) at Bangor shed. No 6681.  Whit Monday. 1947

October 21st 2008.
Black 5 No. 45184 passes Colwyn Bay in September1961 (Photo : G. Holt)






October 19th 2008.
John Powell has sent in this rare photo of a 4-4-0 "Precursor" class 3P No. 25297 "Sirocco".
She is standing next to the old water tower at Betws-y-Coed station on June 17th 1947.
The engine usually worked from Chester (6A) to Llandudno/Holyhead,
so this was possibly a replacement for a failed engine.




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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September 30th 2007.

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

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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)

(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 
      No 48633. 11 / 08 / 1960.  From a Railway Magazine, photo taken by the late Derek Cross.

(3) The up "Irish Mail" enters Chester station hauled by "Royal Scot "class No. 46161
      "The Kings Own"  mid 1951.

                                                                                    
                                (1)                                                        (2)                                                   (3)                    

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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)

PHOTO BY KIND PERMISSION OF MOSTYN HISTORY PRESERVATION SOCIETY,GLASFRYN HOUSE,MOSTYN. 01745 560116

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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.
  Dave Wood..................

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.

                                                                             
                                   (1)                               (2)                             (3)                            (4)

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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". 

 
PHOTO : GEOFF POOLE

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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.

Approaching Llandudno Junction. (Geoff Poole)




Passing through Penmaenmawr. (Geoff Poole)

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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CLICK THUMBNAIL

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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.

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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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

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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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.

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)

PHOTO: Alan Hayward

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March 24th 2007.

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

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.

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

(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.

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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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.

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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 

Geoff,

Thanks for explaining the query of up and down lines.

You are correct to say that Up travels to the capital.  In Llandudno Junction the up direction is from Blaenau Ffestiniog. So an up train leaving Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno travels in the down direction between Llandudno Junction and Llandudno. A Llandudno to Manchester train travels in the up direction as far as Chester but continues in the down direction between Chester and Warrington. Saltney Junction was another example in steam days when two London bound trains passed each other in opposite directions, i.e. Birkenhead to Paddington and a Holyhead to Euston.

Alan Roberts.

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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.

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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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

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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Diagram of Llandudno Junction No 1 layout.


CLICK THUMBNAIL

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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.

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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 Rail tour" 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 5029 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

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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

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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.....  Frank Pennington,   Aneurin Edwards,  Edward Hugh Davies,    ( ? ) ,    Tom Cross.

Alan Roberts.

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November 14th 2006.

Below are two photo's from my collection showing steam on the North Wales Coast main line.

 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.
PHOTO GEOFF POOLE

"Coronation Class" 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" taken from Bryn Euryn makes
her way through Colwyn Bay to Holyhead  on October 19th 2002.
PHOTO GEOFF POOLE

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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.

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November 11th 2006.

6201 "Princess Elizabeth" skirts around Conway Castle with the down Irish Mail 
to Holyhead.

PHOTO GEOFF POOLE:

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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.

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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 the wagon to clear line side obstructions. 
Type 1 (later Class 20) diesel No D8036 worked the train and was connected by a special 
telephone system with the transformer wagon. 
The tunnel at Blaenau Ffestiniog had clearances of only half an inch in some places.
The train was also banked by a Class 4 tank steam loco

A view of the track layout as viewed from Colwyn Bay signal box in 1980.






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October 15th 2006.

An email and photo of a shunting mishap sent in by Alan Roberts is reproduced below.

Geoff,
Found a picture recently published in the North Wales Weekly News dated Thursday 18th March 1976 and shows as a result of a shunting mishap the coaches stabled on the quay siding were accidentally pushed over the buffer stops and ended up in the river.

Alan Roberts.

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October 10th 2006.

Chris Evans has sent in the promised photo's and I must say there are some great shots here. 
My favourite is Patriot 45546 "Fleetwood" (below). Not only are the "Patriots" my favourite engines but this shot of 6G ranks alongside some of Norman Kneale's and Harry Rodgers Jones's classic views  portraying the depot as it was in the glorious years. Chris tells me that all of the photo's were taken while he was on holiday in the area in August 1961. Most show 6G with a few taken at Bangor.

Thanks for letting us share these evocative photo's Chris.

Patriot 45546 "Fleetwood" by the carriage shed with an unidentified engine under the coaling stage.

Unidentified Black 5 at Llandudno Junction.





2-6-0 6P5F "Crab" 42772 at Bangor.





Black 5 - 45075 waits at Bangor Station.






Black 5 - 45340 rests at 6G.






Patriot 45534 "E.Tootal Broadhurst" arrives at Bangor Station.






Royal Scot Class 46127 "Old Contemptibles" at Bangor Station.







Royal Scot Class 46163 "Civil Service Rifleman" moves off from Bangor Station.







8F 48046 at Llandudno Junction.







Standard Class 5 - 73128 passes through Llandudno Junction with a mixed goods.



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Photo below shows a 1980 view from the top of the incline leading to the goods yard at Colwyn Bay. Its hard to imagine nowadays that the A55 runs at this point and partly through the goods yard. The rest of the goods yard is now where the Bay View Shopping Centre now stands.

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Geoff,

Please find enclosed a LNWR postcard showing an early view of Conway Tubular Bridge.

Alan Roberts

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June 7th 2006.

An email from Richard Hearne of Western Australia , and a photo of him at 6G,  is reproduced below.

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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May 20th 2006.

LMS Class 5XP 4-6-0 Jubilee  "Leander" 45690, rests at the Junction on a very wet
Saturday May 20th 2006, with the "North Wales Coaster"( Tyseley-Holyhead-Tyseley).
PHOTO. GEOFF POOLE

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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May 13th 2006

LMS Coronation Class 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" passes Mochdre, on her way
to the Junction with the" Ynys Mon Express" Crewe-Holyhead, on Saturday May 13th 2006.
PHOTO. GEOFF POOLE.

CLICK THUMBNAIL

May 13th 2006

Below is another shot of the "Duchess" taken slightly later
 as she leaves the Junction with the same train.
PHOTO. ALAN ROBERTS


CLICK THUMBNAIL

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April 22nd 2006.

LMS Princess Class 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" visits Llandudno Junction 
with the Royal Dalesman Crewe-Holyhead-Manchester Victoria.
PHOTO: GEOFF POOLE.

CLICK THUMBNAIL

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ALAN BARTLETT OF CHATHAM, KENT, SENT ME THIS SELECTION
OF SHOTS, THAT HE TOOK, WHILST ON HOLIDAY WITH HIS FAMILY,
AS A YOUNG ENTHUSIAST IN THE SIXTIES. ON ALAN'S OWN ADMISSION
THE SHOTS ARE QUITE RAW, BUT I THINK THEY ARE A FANTASTIC NOSTALGIA TRIP
BACK TO THE "GOLDEN YEARS".
ALL ALAN'S PHOTO'S WERE TAKEN DURING MAY 1964.

CLICK THUMBNAILS TO ENLARGE

              An unidentified Class 5, 4-6-0 pulls off 6G  while in the background  a standard 2-6-2 clatters back into the station after some smart shunting in the carriage sidings.  

           Class 5,  4-6-0,  44783 passing Abergele with a down express.

Class 5, 4-6-0, 44891 at Abergele.

            Alan Bartlett leans from the footplate of LMS  Fowler 4F , 0-6-0,  44525 at 6G.
 In the background  2-6-2 T, 84020.  Both in store.

            LMS Stanier 6P5F, 2-6-0 42957 heads light engine towards Abergele station. 

           Britannia Class 70045 “Lord Rowallan” at Abergele.

 Class 5 , 4-6-0,  45311 pulling a train from Holyhead and carrying Alan 
back to Abergele.

Coronation Class 46235 “City of Birmingham” (now preserved at Bressingham )
starts carefully out of Llandudno Junction Station.

Coronation Class 46235 “City of Birmingham” at 6G.

Class 5 , 4-6-0  44661 at 6G.

Britannia class 70045 “Lord Rowallan” at Abergele.

 2-6-2 T, 84020 in store at 6G.

8F , 2-8-0,  48246 waits at Abergele.

Unidentified Black 5,   at Abergele.

THE NEXT FOUR SHOTS ARE FROM THE JOHN POWELL COLLECTION.

CLICK THUMBNAILS

March 10^th 1956 and Jubilee Class, 45556,  “Nova Scotia” approaches Llandudno Junction 
with the Conway Valley Branch line on the right.        PHOTO  (John Powell)

 4-4-0, (3 cylinder) Compound 4P, 41157, in store at 6G on May18th 1957.
PHOTO. (F.W.Shuttleworth)         John Powell collection.

4-4-0 (3 cylinder) Compound 4P, 41119  and 4-4-0 2P. 40580 in store at 6G on May 18^th 1957.
PHOTO  (F.W.Shuttleworth)   John Powell collection.

Class 5, 45004 at Llandudno Junction on May 18^th 1964.
PHOTO ( F.W. Shuttleworth)       John Powell collection

JOHN ALSO SENT IN THE FOLLOWING SHOTS OF CORONATION CLASS 46229
"DUCHESS OF HAMILTON" PULLING THE "YNYS MON EXPRESS"
ON THE NORTH WALES COAST MAIN LINE, ON MAY 4th 1991.

I have included John's notes with the shots.

CLICK THUMBNAILS

  Whilst waiting to photograph 4472 on May 5^th 1991, which unknown to me had failed at Crewe, what a lovely surprise this was to see the “Duchess” after 27 years since she last appeared on the North Wales Coast line. “Long may she reign”.  Coronation Class 46229 “Duchess of Hamilton”.  (John Powell)

      May 4^th 1991 The "Duchess" rests at the Junction      (John Powell)

May 4^th 1991 and 46229 leaves the Junction. “Farewell until the next time”    (John Powell)

THE NEXT TWO PHOTO'S SHOW THE "CONWAY COB" LEVEL CROSSING
 AT LLANDUDNO JUNCTION.

CLICK THUMBNAILS

This photo shows the level crossing at the Llandudno Junction end of the 
Conway Cob prior to the building of the flyover in 1966.

Taken from almost the same position but looking in the opposite direction 
on August Bank Holiday 1957.
Where is all the traffic?

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