Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway

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Introduction

This line serves much of the west coast of Wales and, in particular, the town of Aberystwyth.

Why built

The line was built to serve a considerable area not served by railways with several coastal towns which became tourist destinations.

Service

The line carries a passenger service.






Dates

24/10/1863Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Aberdovey Harbour opened.
23/06/1864Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Aberystwyth opened.
  /  /1865Aberystwyth and Welch Coast RailwayCambrian Railways
The Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway seeks to merge with the Cambrian Railways.
14/08/1867Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Aberdovey opened.
14/08/1867Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Aberdovey Harbour closed.
02/09/1867Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Afon Wen opened.
10/10/1867Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Abererch opened.
18/03/1935Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Abertafol Halt opened.
01/05/1956Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Abererch renamed Aberech Halt.
04/05/1964Bala and Dolgelly RailwayAberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Closed to regular freight from Bala Junction (excluded) to Morfa Mawddach (excluded) except GPO traffic.
07/12/1964Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Afon Wen closed.
12/12/1964Vale of Llangollen RailwayLlangollen and Corwen RailwayCorwen and Bala RailwayBala and Dolgelly RailwayAberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Closed to all freight, GPO mails contract expired.
16/01/1965Vale of Llangollen RailwayLlangollen and Corwen RailwayCorwen and Bala RailwayBala and Dolgelly RailwayAberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Last day of passenger service from Ruabon (excluded) to Morfa Mawddach (excluded).
18/01/1965Vale of Llangollen RailwayLlangollen and Corwen RailwayCorwen and Bala RailwayBala and Dolgelly RailwayAberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Closed to passengers from Ruabon (excluded) to Morfa Mawddach (excluded).
06/05/1968Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Abererch Halt renamed Abererch.
06/05/1968Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Abertafol Halt renamed Abertafol.
12/10/1980Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Barmouth Viaduct closed, closure of the line between Dovey Junction and Pwllheli seemed likely.
22/05/1981Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Barmouth Viaduct re-opened to DMUs.
14/05/1984Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Last train at Abertafol.
30/09/1985Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Abertafol closed.
13/04/1986Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Barmouth Viaduct repairs complete.
30/05/1994Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Abererch closed.
19/04/2008Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Line closed to allow the track to be raised at Dovey Junction.
27/04/2008Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway
Completion of works to raise the line at Dovey Junction.

Route described

The line runs west from Machynlleth west to the coast where it splits to run south to Aberystwyth and north to Barmouth, Porthmadog and Pwllheli. Connections were made to other lines at Aberystwyth, Machynlleth, Dolgellau and Afon Wen.


Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.


Machynlleth to Aberystwyth




Machynlleth

More details

See also
Newtown and Machynlleth Railway
A print out of unit allocations for Cambrian Coast passenger workings through Machynlleth between 07.30 & 14.00 on 17 September 2015. This shows ...
David Pesterfield 17/09/2013
A Sunday morning service for Aberystwyth waits for departure time in the Down platform at Machynlleth. Unit 158832 has just come off the adjacent ...
Mark Bartlett 18/09/2016
Slightly grainy slide of a Swindon Class 120 DMU, waiting to depart from Machynlleth in July 1980. Aberystwyth can just be made out on the destination ...
David Bosher /07/1980
Seen from the new station footbridge, 158832 has just come off the adjacent depot at Machynlleth to form a Sunday service to Aberystwyth and is ...
Mark Bartlett 18/09/2016
4 of 25 images. more





Dovey Junction

More details
The entrance to Dovey Junction station isn't all it seems, as the actual platforms are over half a mile from this gate. The path runs alongside the ...
Mark Bartlett 18/09/2016
6368 stands at Dovey Junction in August 1962 with the 10.25am ex-Pwllheli ...
K A Gray 14/08/1962
158828 stops briefly at Dovey Junction on the 8 min late 15.03 service to Pwllheli to (not) pick up the photographer who instead had to trek back to ...
David Pesterfield 13/04/2012
Ex-GWR 4-6-0 no 7807 Compton Manor photographed near Dovey Junction on 14 August 1962 with the 9.45am Whitchurch - Aberystwyth. ...
K A Gray 14/08/1962
4 of 9 images. more





Glandyfi

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Ynyslas

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The site of Ynyslas station, closed in 1965, as seen from the level crossing looking towards Dovey Junction on 18th September 2016. Note the grounded ...
Mark Bartlett 18/09/2016
An old railway coach body, still in use as a bothy alongside the Cambrian Coast line at the site of Ynyslas station in September 2016. Ynyslas, ...
Mark Bartlett 18/09/2016
2 of 2 images.





Ynyslas Ferry

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Borth

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158834, from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury, calling at first stop Borth on the evening of 17th April 2017. ...
David Bosher 17/04/2017
Looking northwards towards Ynyslas and Dovey Junction along the tidy single platform at Borth on 18th September 2016. See image 56698 for the ...
Mark Bartlett 18/09/2016
A class 150 calls at Borth, 7 miles north of Aberystwyth on the Cambrian Coast, in September 1988. ...
Ian Dinmore /09/1988
The grand exterior of Borth station, final stop before Aberystwyth. Beyond the entrance of this large station is just a single platform, albeit a long ...
Mark Bartlett 18/09/2016
4 of 4 images.





Llandre

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Bow Street

This was a two platform station on the line north of Aberystwyth in the south of the village of Bow Street.
...

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Aberystwyth

This is a terminus for both the main line trains from Shrewsbury and the Vale of Rheidol Railway.
...

More details

See also
Manchester and Milford Railway
A scene on the Vale of Rheidol Railway in the old Carmarthen Line platforms at Aberystwyth in July 1980. At this time the line was still operated by ...
David Bosher /07/1980
In an effort to brighten up the VoR image, BR applied a modified blue livery to Nos 7 and 9 in 1976/77. The most obvious change was the application of ...
Bill Jamieson /04/1977
Outside a Wetherspoons inn, but inside very much a station, albeit with just one working platform and a run round loop. Generally only served by the ...
Caleb Abbott 12/04/2019
158818 just arrived at Aberystwyth from Birmingham International, reversing at Shrewsbury, on 17th April 2017. ...
David Bosher 17/04/2017
4 of 37 images. more





Dovey Junction to Barmouth




Dovey Junction

More details
The entrance to Dovey Junction station isn't all it seems, as the actual platforms are over half a mile from this gate. The path runs alongside the ...
Mark Bartlett 18/09/2016
6368 stands at Dovey Junction in August 1962 with the 10.25am ex-Pwllheli ...
K A Gray 14/08/1962
158828 stops briefly at Dovey Junction on the 8 min late 15.03 service to Pwllheli to (not) pick up the photographer who instead had to trek back to ...
David Pesterfield 13/04/2012
Ex-GWR 4-6-0 no 7807 Compton Manor photographed near Dovey Junction on 14 August 1962 with the 9.45am Whitchurch - Aberystwyth. ...
K A Gray 14/08/1962
4 of 9 images. more





Gogarth Halt

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Abertafol Halt

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Penhelig

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For a small halt there is a substantial wooden waiting room on the platform. The waiting shelter is mounted on built up foundations and wooden steps ...
David Pesterfield 06/12/2011
Emerging from Aberdovey tunnel number 3 into Penhelig station on 17 August 2011. ...
Ian Dinmore 17/08/2011
158820 leaves Penhelig after picking up a passenger and heads towards the east side tunnel on the 13.26 service to Machynlleth. For a small halt there ...
David Pesterfield 06/12/2011
158820 leaves the east side of Aberdovey No 4 tunnel as it approaches Penhelig on 6 December with a Pwllheli - Machynlleth service. ...
David Pesterfield 06/12/2011
4 of 5 images. more





Craig-y-Don Tunnel

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Aberdovery Harbour

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Aberdovey

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158821 departs Aberdovey on 6 December with the 10.09 ex Birmingham International service to Pwllheli, with the short low cost raised platform ...
David Pesterfield 06/12/2011
1 of 1 images.





Tywyn

More details
Arriva Trains Wales 158833 in silver 'Alphaline' livery approaches Tywyn on 14th October 2009. ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2009
Talyllyn Railway No 4 Edward Thomas on a service train at Tywyn in the summer of 1961. Note the Giesl Oblong Ejector fitted to the locomotive ...
John Thorn /08/1961
Cambrai on display at Tywyn in August 1961. ...
John Thorn /08/1961
ATW Pwllheli (in silver 'Alphaline' livery) and Birmingham International (in standard ATW blue) 158 DMU services cross at Tywyn in 2009. ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2009
4 of 7 images. more





Tonfanau

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Bilingual sign at Tonfanau. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Tonfanau, between Tywyn and Fairbourne, looking north from the adjacent road crossing in December 2011. ...
David Pesterfield 06/12/2011
2 of 2 images.





Llabgelynin Halt

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Llwyngwril

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A pair of refurbished Met Cam DMUs drop down towards Llwyngwrl station, while heading south along the Cambrian Coast line in the summer of 1980. ...
Mark Bartlett /07/1980
An unidentified class 25 taking the Cambrian Coast pick up freight north through Llwyngwril station in the summer 1978. [Ref query 2995] ...
Mark Bartlett //1978
A Met Cam 101 DMU in hybrid livery calls at Llwyngwril on a Pwllheli service in May 1980. The passing loop had been removed by this time. Judging by ...
Mark Bartlett /05/1980
A Metropolitan Cammel 2-car DMU calls at Llwyngwril on its way from Pwilhelli to Machynlleth. Once a reasonably substantial Cambrian Coast two ...
Mark Bartlett /05/1980
4 of 4 images.





Fairbourne

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Dolgelley Branch Loop Junction

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Morfa Mawddach

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2251 Class 0-6-0 No. 2286 at Morffa Mawddach on a train arriving from north in 1962. The view is from a train standing on the closed east to north ...
David Murray-Smith 22/03/1962
Looking north west at Morfa Mawddach along the former platform used by trains heading east on the Dollgellau route (closed 1964). The surviving part ...
David Pesterfield 04/11/2013
The Cambrian Coast Express (or most of it) calls at Morfa Mawddach in 1986. The now closed route inland via Dollgellau ran off to the left. ...
Ian Dinmore //1986
3 of 3 images.





Barmouth Viaduct

More details
Night view of works on Barmouth Viaduct during phase 1 of the restoration. ...
Network Rail //2020
An aerial view of Barmouth Viaduct from the south. ...
Network Rail //
Barmouth Viaduct viewed from the north west. ...
Network Rail //
Network Rail has apologised to passengers and the local community as its £30m restoration of Barmouth Viaduct is being extended after engineers ...
Network Rail //2021
4 of 14 images. more





Barmouth

More details
158 824 from Pwllheli to Machynlleth at Barmouth station on the evening of 23rd May 2016. ...
David Bosher 23/05/2016
Barmouth south signal box in the summer sun. Nice classic cars from the 1970s parked behind. ...
Doug Nicholls /08/1973
A Pwllheli bound Class 101 Metro-Cammell at Barmouth. ...
Doug Nicholls /08/1972
Exterior of Barmouth station, Cambrian Coast Line, opened in 1867, on 23rd May 2016 ...
David Bosher 23/05/2016
4 of 21 images. more





Barmouth to Porthmadog




Barmouth

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158 824 from Pwllheli to Machynlleth at Barmouth station on the evening of 23rd May 2016. ...
David Bosher 23/05/2016
Barmouth south signal box in the summer sun. Nice classic cars from the 1970s parked behind. ...
Doug Nicholls /08/1973
A Pwllheli bound Class 101 Metro-Cammell at Barmouth. ...
Doug Nicholls /08/1972
Exterior of Barmouth station, Cambrian Coast Line, opened in 1867, on 23rd May 2016 ...
David Bosher 23/05/2016
4 of 21 images. more





Llanaber

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Talybont

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Arriva 158832 slows for the request stop at Talybont on the Cambrian Coast between Harlech and Barmouth. The train is the 1338 from Pwilhelli, one ...
Mark Bartlett 19/09/2016
ATW 158832 pulls away from the halt at Talybont with a Pwilhelli to Birmingham International service. This view looks south towards the next minor ...
Mark Bartlett 19/09/2016
2 of 2 images.





Dyffryn Ardudwy

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Llanbedr

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Northbound service leaves Llanbedr. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Cambrian Coast line station opened as Talwrn Bach Halt in 1923 but renamed Llanbedr in 1978 and close to (now disused) RAF airfield of the same name. ...
Mark Bartlett 03/02/2008
2 of 2 images.





Pensarn

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Opened with the Cambrian Coast line in 1867 and from 1885 known as Llanbedr and Pensarn but it reverted to plain Pensarn in 1978. Pictured looking ...
Mark Bartlett 03/02/2008
A DMU on the Cambrian Coast line crossing Pont Briwet over the Afon Dwyryd, near Penrhyndeudraeth, in May 1990. In the background is Cooke's ...
Ian Dinmore /05/1990
2 of 2 images.





Llandanwg

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Train to Pwllheli departing from Llandanwg, previously Llandanwg Halt, on the Cambrian Coast Line, in July 1980. ...
David Bosher /07/1980
Two passengers waiting for the train to Pwllheli as a MetCam 101 diesel unit arrives at Llandanwg on the Cambrian Coast Line in July 1980 with ...
David Bosher /07/1980
Opened as Llandanwg Halt in 1929. A tiny Cambrian Coast line station that looks like it has been lifted straight off a model railway. View south ...
Mark Bartlett 03/02/2008
3 of 3 images.





Harlech

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The 1215 arrival from Birmingham International prepares to depart Harlech as the 1226 return on 9th July 2014. The shuttle service is a result of the ...
Colin McDonald 09/07/2014
Harlech Castle looks down on the 12.26 to Birmingham International preparing to depart on 9th July 2014. ...
Colin McDonald 09/07/2014
A train on the Cambrian Coast line calls at Harlech in the summer of 2011. View is south towards Barmouth with Harlech Castle dominating the scene. ...
Ian Dinmore //2011
Currently the only way of getting from Harlech to Pwllheli by rail. Scene near Harlech station on 9 July 2014. The Cambrian Coast Line is currently ...
Colin McDonald 09/07/2014
4 of 9 images. more





Tygwyn

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View south from Tygwyn level crossing towards Harlech, the destination of much of the school traffic that keeps these tiny Cambrian Coast stations ...
Mark Bartlett 03/02/2008
1 of 1 images.





Talsarnau

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View from Portmeirion village across the Dwyryd estuary as the 1613 service to Machynlleth leaves Talsarnau on 10th October 2014. ...
Colin McDonald 10/10/2014
This Cambrian Coast station opened with the line in 1867 and is viewed looking south towards Tygwyn and Harlech. ...
Mark Bartlett 03/02/2008
Old goods Shed sited at the rear of Talsarnau Station, seen from the south end of the platform looking along the former goods bay in December 2011. A ...
David Pesterfield 08/12/2011
An overgrown Talsarnau halt stands in the middle distance, on the currently closed Harlech - Pwllheli section of the Cambrian Coast line. Photographed ...
Colin McDonald 09/07/2014
4 of 4 images.





Llandecwyn

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Slate plaque at Llandecwyn station commemorating the opening of the nearby bridge over the Afon Dwyryd. ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2015
A direct Then and Now comparison at Llandecwyn showing the rebuilt halt that was upgraded at the same time as the nearby Pont Briwet bridge ...
Mark Bartlett 19/09/2016
DMU 158826 leaves the almost finished new station at Llandecwyn on 14th October 2014 for Birmingham International. Although some work remains to be ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2014
When complete, the new Llandecwyn station, seen here on 14 October 2014, will have lighting, a Passenger Information System and slate walls to blend ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2014
4 of 11 images. more





Penrhyndeudraeth

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View of the signalbox 8 1973 ...
Doug Nicholls /08/1973
A gloomy evening finds two 2-car Met Cam DMUs arriving at Penrhyndeudraeth. ...
Doug Nicholls /08/1973
A mid-day service from Birmingham International to Pwlhelli accelerates up the gradient towards Minffordd on 13th April 2015. ...
Colin McDonald 13/04/2015
The 1609 service to Machynlleth approaching Penrhyndeudraeth on 14 October. View from the new Llandecwyn station. ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2014
4 of 7 images. more





Minffordd

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This disused section of the platform at Minffordd continues on the south side of the overbridge carrying the road and the Ffestiniog line over the ...
Colin McDonald 13/04/2015
1 of 1 images.





Porthmadog Flat Crossing

More details

See also
Festiniog Railway





Porthmadog

This is a two platform station with a passing loop on a single track line. The main station building is on the southbound platform. At the west end of the westbound platform is a short engineer's siding.
...

More details
The final down Cambrian Coast Line train of the day, from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, arriving at Porthmadog station on the evening of 21st May 2016. ...
David Bosher 21/05/2016
A Network Rail test train with 31105 at the rear waits for 158828 to cross at Porthmadog before heading towards Pwllheli. 14th October 2009. ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2009
The 1402 to Birmingham International draws into Porthmadog on an warm autumn day in 2017. ...
Colin McDonald 17/10/2017
158820, still with its old Transport for Wales logo see image 66034 calls at Porthmadog on its way to Pwllheli on a warm October day shortly after ...
Colin McDonald 17/10/2018
4 of 11 images. more





Porthmadog to Pwllheli




Porthmadog

This is a two platform station with a passing loop on a single track line. The main station building is on the southbound platform. At the west end of the westbound platform is a short engineer's siding.
...

More details
The final down Cambrian Coast Line train of the day, from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, arriving at Porthmadog station on the evening of 21st May 2016. ...
David Bosher 21/05/2016
A Network Rail test train with 31105 at the rear waits for 158828 to cross at Porthmadog before heading towards Pwllheli. 14th October 2009. ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2009
The 1402 to Birmingham International draws into Porthmadog on an warm autumn day in 2017. ...
Colin McDonald 17/10/2017
158820, still with its old Transport for Wales logo see image 66034 calls at Porthmadog on its way to Pwllheli on a warm October day shortly after ...
Colin McDonald 17/10/2018
4 of 11 images. more





Black Rock Halt

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Criccieth

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Colourful artwork created by local children in the Arriva Trains Wales Cambrian Schools' Safety Project on display at Criccieth station in October ...
Colin McDonald /10/2014
Criccieth station still retains a restored ornate canopy, complete with period style electric lighting, that runs along full frontage of station ...
David Pesterfield 08/12/2011
The 1352 service to Birmingham International arrives at Criccieth on 14th October 2014. The infilled bay platform gives access to a small garden, ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2014
The 1259 service to Pwllheli approaches the level crossing in Criccieth on a sunny 14th October 2014. ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2014
4 of 10 images. more





Afon Wen

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Afon Wen Junction

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See also
Carnarvonshire Railway





Penychain

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Just across the overbridge the former pedestrian access to the disused down platform, once used by hundreds of holidaymakers on a Saturday, is now ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2015
At the height of the popularity of Butlins Holiday Camp, Penychain had two 10 coach bidirectional platforms. The up platform survives in use and the ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2015
Dating from its Butlins days, Penychain may have the biggest 'bus shelter' of any Welsh station. It is currently brightly decorated with artwork from ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2015
View east over Penychain Station in December 2011, showing the extensive ramped access and the large barn type waiting room. This station is adjacent ...
David Pesterfield 08/12/2011
4 of 4 images.





Abererch

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Pwllheli [1st]

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Pwllheli

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Network Rail has finished an all-encompassing refurbishment of a mechanical signal box that plays an important role in the safe running of rail ...
Network Rail //2023
The entrance to Pwllheli station at the north end of the building on 14th October 2015. The building on the left is a discount store built on the site ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2015
158821 waiting to depart from the Cambrian Coast Line terminus at Pwllheli with the last train of the day to Machynlleth, on the evening of 21st May ...
David Bosher 21/05/2016
The west and south sides of Pwllheli station on 14th October 2015. Only the south face of the original island platform remains. ...
Colin McDonald 14/10/2015
4 of 12 images. more





Dolgellau to Morfa Mawddach




Dolgelli

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See also
Bala and Dolgelly Railway





Penmaenpool

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The closed station site at Penmaenpool, looking east towards Dolgellau along the old trackbed in September 2016. The station house is now an ...
Mark Bartlett 19/09/2016
A view looking back over the wooden toll bridge at Penmaenpool to the south bank of the estuary, and the bird hide signal box, on 19th ...
Mark Bartlett 19/09/2016
Friday the 13th, lunchtime, a miserable wet and cold day and unfortunately no time to stop at the hotel for a warm up. Penmaenpool is a hamlet on the ...
Alan Cormack 13/10/2017
The former Penmaenpool Station station master's house, ticket office and waiting room, complete with hanging Platform 1 sign, on the south side of ...
David Pesterfield 07/12/2011
4 of 7 images. more





Arthog

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Barmouth East Junction

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Morfa Mawddach

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2251 Class 0-6-0 No. 2286 at Morffa Mawddach on a train arriving from north in 1962. The view is from a train standing on the closed east to north ...
David Murray-Smith 22/03/1962
Looking north west at Morfa Mawddach along the former platform used by trains heading east on the Dollgellau route (closed 1964). The surviving part ...
David Pesterfield 04/11/2013
The Cambrian Coast Express (or most of it) calls at Morfa Mawddach in 1986. The now closed route inland via Dollgellau ran off to the left. ...
Ian Dinmore //1986
3 of 3 images.







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