PGH

Already answered in Post #152, but thanks for your reply anyway. Perhaps some members are not aware that when using "reply quoting this post" they can edit out the part of the original text not relevant to the answer or query. This is the third time that my fairly long original post has been repeated in full, and I'm sure other members are tired of seeing it all again......and again......and again

Some clearance work has been carried out on the line in recent years, but this was the situation in September 2004 End of the line at the works entrance, the short siding used to interchange traffic has been removed. The works was closed in 2003 and has since been demolished. The first level crossing from the works Minor road level crossing in Amlwch View towards station from the same crossing, rails just visible in foreground Loop at former interchange sidings, the station was just off the photo to left This is the first overbridge on the BR line itself, just outside the station - view towards station site View towards Amlwch from overbridge between Amlwch and Rhosgoch The same overbridge, note the different colours of stone (repeat this in model form and no-one would believe it !) Llanerchymedd Station from overbridge, view towards Gaerwen Llanerchymedd Station has since been redeveloped as a heritage centre, museum and café, opened in November 2010. Locos and rolling stock of the Anglesey Central Railway are also stored here. View of the line from Llanerchymedd Station towards Gaerwen Llangefni Station from the road overbridge. The station building is on the right, converted for other uses, and under the undergrowth, believe it or not, is the platform in the centre of the photo with the line itself on the left.

On 31st July 1981 40057 arrived with an incoming train of 10 sulphur hoppers from Mostyn Docks and a van - the van being provided for the wagon tarpaulins on the return journey. The BR loco uncouples and runs into the siding. The Associated Octel loco couples onto the train and draws it forward detaching the brakevan on the works side of the siding points. The Associated Octel loco continues into the works with the incoming train The BR loco runs out of the siding, places the brakevan in the siding and couples onto the outgoing train, comprising 8 empty hoppers, which in the meantime has been propelled out of the works by the Associated Octel loco. After collecting the brakevan the outgoing train departs, seen here at the first level crossing from the works

On 25th July 1980 there was no incoming traffic and 25285 arrived at the works with only a brakevan, stopping short of the siding points outside the works entrance. Associated Octel's 0-4-0DH Hunslet 7460/77 draws the outgoing train of 4 grey ethylene dibromide tanks, one white liquid chlorine tank and 5 empty sulphur hoppers out of the works, uncouples and runs into the siding. The BR loco uncouples from the brakevan and runs forward to couple onto the train. The Associated Octel loco runs out of the siding, couples onto the brakevan and draws it into the siding The BR loco draws the train forward past the siding points The Associated Octel loco places the brakevan at the rear of the train 25285 crossing the main road in Amlwch. The lorry was used by the Associated Octel workers who operated the gates on the three level crossings. (there is a fourth level crossing on a new bypass which cuts across the former station site, this has rails set in the road but the line each side is permanently fenced off so I assume this has been provided after the line was closed)

I only made one trip along the Amlwch Line c1959 when the passenger services were worked by DMU - later steam was reintroduced for the last few years before the line closed to passengers in 1964. Evidently it didn't have the same interest as ex GWR lines covered during the early 1960s, so photos are limited to just two rather blurry views taken on that trip. The view above shows Amlwch Station The Associated Octel Company's Ruston & Hornsby 165DS 0-4-0 diesel loco crosses the main road in Amlwch en route to the exchange sidings at the rear of the station. The 3/4 mile line from Amlwch Station serving the Associated Octel Co.Ltd. works was first used towards the end of 1952. It was originally operated by the works own locomotives - an 88DS 4wDM and the 165DS 0-4-0DM shown above, both supplied new by Ruston & Hornsby in 1952. From the early 1970s BR locos began operating through to the works entrance and this continued until rail traffic ceased in 1993. Interchange at the works was effected with the aid of a short siding outside the entrance and required a co-ordinated effort by the BR and works locos. On two occasions in 1980/81 I photographed this operation. At that time incoming traffic was sulphur from Mostyn Docks in hopper wagons and outgoing traffic liquid chlorine and ethylene dibromide in tank wagons to the same company's Ellesmere Port Works.

David, Yes you may save a copy of the photo in Post #267, which is my Copyright, for use on your desktop

Anthony, Is this photo any help ?

There is some information here: http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1112c.htm and photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trainsandstuff/2934511070/in/set-72157607953475930/ I've a vague idea that the steam loco went to Bressingham, but I'm not sure.

Not really, just some more like the ones already posted but in black & white and quite a number of the goods yard, which I will post here later although I think this has already been covered on RMweb. I took many of the rail diversion works, although all in black & white, some of which I could post here if there is any interest. It would give me an opportunity to see them myself as the negs haven't been printed or scanned yet !

There will be a few coming up shortly on here: PGH's photographs of British Railways from c1960 but they were taken 1980/1, so a bit earlier than your period

"Celebrity" Class 40 No.40106 on a Bangor to Manchester train approaching Colwyn Bay in February 1983 - same location as the third photo in the previous post. Work is underway on the new formation for the BR line to the right. 40106 on the same train the following day at Old Colwyn, about to enter Penmaenrhos Tunnel. The train is actually on a temporary diversion to enable the construction of the bridge over the new road on the original alignment. A new goods yard was provided at Llandudno Junction to replace the existing yard and also the Colwyn Bay Yard, which had to be closed due to the new road. In June 1983 the yard is shunted by 08023. Between Mochdre and Llandudno Junction the new road was built on a foundation of PFA brought in by rail from Fiddlers Ferry Power Station. A total of 300,000 tons was required and this was unloaded at a purpose built facility at Llandudno Junction. In September 1983 56087 has backed its train of HAA hoppers over the drops for unloading. From here the material was distributed to the site by road transport In November 1983 tracklaying was in progress on the diversion west of Colwyn Bay Station with 47298 on the track panel train. This again is a view at the same location as the third photo in the previous post. The track panels were laid by a mobile road crane. Note how the hillside on the right has been excavated away for the new formation.

I was never a great fan of the BR blue period, but the construction of the new A55 road alongside the North Wales Coast Line in the Colwyn Bay Area in the early 1980s prompted the taking of several views which would disappear when the road was completed. Some of these photos are included in this post and the following post includes views taken during the construction work. 47540 on a Holyhead to London train departs unusually from the up slow line platform at Colwyn Bay in August 1980, the up fast line platform being occupied by a short container train. The four platform station was later reduced to two platforms. 25427 departs on the container train Unknown Class 47 on Holyhead to London train approaching Colwyn Bay in September 1980. This was originally a four track section to Llandudno Junction. To accommodate the new road here the line was diverted to the north (right of photo). 47508 "Great Britain" crossing Old Colwyn Viaduct on a London to Holyhead train in March 1981. The new road now occupies the area in front of the viaduct. 40117 on empty ballast hoppers to Penmaenmawr crossing the viaduct just east of Colwyn Bay Station in March 1981. This view is also now obscured by the new road. The flat roofed building in the shadow on the opposite side of the left hand viaduct pier is the former loco shed of the miniature railway, which ran on the promenade side of the railway embankment. 40013 on a Bangor to Manchester train at the same location 47489 on a Manchester to Bangor train leaving Penmaenrhos Tunnel in July 1983 To the east of Colwyn Bay - 40028 on the daily pick up goods train at Towyn

I've had a closer look at the neg, which is a bit grainy but it doesn't look like a "1" and it could well be a "9", so I guess you are correct. For some reason I wrote 45691 on the back of the print done at the time. Thanks for the correction, caption duly amended.

In May 1984 I followed 25083 on a ballast train to Blodwell Quarry: The A495 level crossing at Porthywaen, view towards Llynclys 25083 being flagged across the road on the empty train Running round the train at Blodwell Quarry. The loop has been added since 1974. The returning loaded train crossing the A495 View from the overbridge at Porthywaen. The connection to Whitehaven Quarries has now been lifted and only the through line remains.

Blodwell Junction Station 1960 Ex Cambrian signal at Blodwell Junction The A495 overbridge at Blodwell Junction in September 1974, the same bridge pictured in the first view above. The track now terminates just on the other side of the bridge. In the foreground is the end of the former Blodwell Junction platform. Blodwell Quarry sidings. In the centre of the photo is the elevated platform where lorries tipped the ballast into BR wagons. A495 overbridge on the Nantmawr Branch. Note the interesting combination of materials in its construction - dressed stone abutments with brick parapet walls and steel (or wrought iron ?) girders with timber framed corrugated iron parapets. The level crossing on the Nantmawr Branch Porthywaen, view from the overbridge in September 1974 showing the double reversal required to access the Whitehaven Quarries. The former Tanat Valley Line to Blodwell Quarry and Nantmawr curves left past the signal box; the centre line formerly continued into the works yard of Whitehaven Quarries and then curved right, passing under the right hand line, to serve the limekilns; the line curving away to the right climbed up the hillside to the upper level of the quarries. View of the overbridge looking towards Llynclys. The small opening on the right was once occupied by the narrow gauge Crickheath Tramway. Porthywaen Signal Box The remains of Porthywaen Halt platform

Llanymynech c1959. Rather a poor photo but interesting as it shows the wagon repair works behind the station. In the foreground condemned wagons for scrapping are stored in the former Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Railway platform lines. In the left distance is the limeworks chimney, now restored and preserved along with the limeworks site and remains of the tramway system - well worth a visit for anyone interested in industrial archeology. 7801 at Llanymynech on a 2 coach northbound train October 1962 The following four photos show condemned wagons stored in the S&MR sidings on the same date: Ex GWR 20T Pt .Way Construction hopper wagon No.60043 lettered "Return to Llynclys Junction" Ex LMS 12T van No.M160732 built Wolverton 1924 Ex GWR 12T vans Nos.W104791 and W105481 Ex GWR 8T cattle wagon No.W106580 and 10T 8 plank open No.S11073 The body of auto coach No.210 at the back of the station yard

46401 at Llanfyllin Station 1960 In October 1962 I made another trip to Llanfyllin. 46502 awaits departure at Oswestry. 46502 at Llanfyllin Ground signal/point indicator at Llanfyllin On the return journey I stopped off at Pant, a charming little station I thought, as 46502 departs for Oswestry. The darker patch in the platform marks the location of a tunnel under the station, which was once occupied by a narrow gauge tramway from quarries on the left to the canal just below the station on the right. If you visit this spot today its hard to imagine that there was once a railway line and a station here.

The next posts cover a rather mixed bag of photos in the Oswestry Area. I didn't usually bother with main line trains, but this was prompted by the surprise of seeing an ex LMS loco on the Shrewsbury-Chester line, marking the transfer of the line to the London Midland Region. 45699 approaches Gobowen station on a Chester train in October 1962. I rode the Gobowen-Oswestry auto train several times but unfortunately this is the only photo I took which shows it - in the bay platform at the north end of Oswestry Station with 7810 on a Whitchurch train c1959. 7812 on a southbound train at Oswestry Station October 1962 The following Locos were in store at the rear of Oswestry Shed in October 1962: 7428 - the "GWR" was in yellow chalk ! 5421 2251 3200

Blandford - please un-cross your fingers, unfortunately I didn't do the Three Cocks Junction - Hay - Hereford line

29th December 1962, the last day of scheduled passenger service on the three remaining lines to Brecon. Builth Wells Station with a Brecon train approaching. Three Cocks Junction with the Mid Wales Line to Moat Lane Junction on the left, the line to Hereford on the right. 46508 approaching Three Cocks Junction on a Hereford to Brecon train Brecon Station with 46508 on the left next to the signal box Brecon Station with 4679 on a Newport train 4679 at Talyllyn Junction Station 2251 Class 0-6-0 arriving at Talyllyn Junction with one wagon and a brakevan Pentir Rhiw. An additional pannier tank has been added to assist 4679 with the southbound train up the bank to Torpantau as it waits in the loop to cross a northbound Brecon train.

Rhayader Signal Box View from the northbound train approaching Marteg Tunnel 46514 crossing 46520 on a southbound train at Pantydwr 46520 leaving Pantydwr on the Brecon train Llanidloes Station Moat Lane Junction - the main Cambrian Line platforms. The Mid Wales Line platform was behind the station building. 46523 at left and 78002 on an Aberystwyth train at right.

46511 at Builth Road Loco Shed 48470 in the sidings connecting the Central Wales Line to the Mid Wales Line. Judging by the stock in the sidings here it seems there was some transfer of freight traffic from the Mid Wales Line to Swansea via the Central Wales Line. Builth Road Low Level Signal Box Signals at the junction of the connecting line to the Mid Wales Line Builth Road Low Level Station, looking north towards Moat Lane Junction. The station building is now a pub, appropriately named the Cambrian Arms, with a car park occupying the filled in platform area. Train from Brecon approaching Builth Road Low Level 46514 on the northbound train at Builth Road Low Level Station

73034 at Builth Road High Level Station The bridge over the Mid Wales Line is in the foreground 73034 leaving Builth Road High Level The goods shed and signal box at the Shrewsbury end of Builth Road High Level Station Builth Road High Level Station, view towards Swansea 48730 on a southbound goods train at Builth Road High Level

A leaky 73034 on the Swansea train at Craven Arms, October 1962 Knighton Station building The opposite platform at Knighton Approaching Knucklas Viaduct Llangunllo Station. The small square building with the hipped roof on the left would appear to have housed the ground frame, judging by the point rodding. Llanbister Road 73034 at Llandrindod Wells

The next 6 posts cover the Central Wales (or Heart of Wales Line as its now known) and the Mid Wales Lines. In compiling this topic its been interesting to try and work out what I actually did when riding on some of these lines over 50 years ago, as I didn't make any notes and the photo taking was rather spasmodic. The Mid Wales and Central Wales Lines were first covered with a school mate during 4-5 days of travel, presumably using one of the rover tickets then available, all done on a daily basis from home on the North Wales Coast. The first day we travelled through Caernarfon - Afonwen - down the Cambrian Coast line to Dovey Junction - Moat Lane Junction, then down the Mid Wales Line, presumably all the way to Brecon, although for some reason I didn't take any photos there. The few photos I did take on the Mid Wales were only blurry views from the train. Return to North Wales would probably have been via Oswestry and Chester. The second day we did Bala to Wrexham, the photos taken on that trip were covered in Post #49. I haven't a clue how we got to Bala, presumably via Afonwen and Dolgelley, but the return would have been via Chester. The third/fourth day we travelled to Shrewsbury, then by the Central Wales Line to Swansea (taking the few photos in this Post), up the valley lines to I've no idea where, except that we must have passed through Abercynon where I took a solitary photo, to Cardiff, then returned home overnight via Newport and Hereford, arriving back in North Wales on the morning of day 4. The next day (day 5) it was down to Hereford and as far as Fawley on the Gloucester Line (the photos taken were in Post #30), but this was a solo trip as my mate must have had enough travelling by day 4. The next trip covering these two lines was in October 1962, down the Central Wales Line from Craven Arms to Builth Road, then up the Mid Wales Line to Moat Lane Junction. Quite a number of photos were taken on that trip. The last trip was on Saturday 29th December 1962, which I believe was the last day of scheduled passenger services for the three remaining lines to Brecon (officially closed on 31st December). We travelled overnight via Crewe and Shrewsbury, down the Central Wales Line, arriving at Builth Road in the early hours. Then down the Mid Wales Line to Brecon; down the Newport Line as far as Pentir Rhiw; then returned north up the full length of the Mid Wales Line to Moat Lane Junction. I'm not sure of the merits of this view, but it's the Swansea train at Builth Road High Level Station. On the left is the luggage lift down to the Mid Wales Line's Low Level Station with the footpath down alongside. The bridge over the Mid Wales Line is just in front of the loco. Above the footway in the distance is the small single road loco shed with steam visible from a loco standing outside. Crossing 48706 on a northbound goods train at Garth Llandovery Station with a variety of wagons in the yard - 3 steel 16T minerals, a van, a cattle wagon and a tank wagon I've no idea where this is, except it must be between Llandovery and Swansea, and where the Central Wales Line connected with a local service. This negative was never printed so when I recently scanned these negatives it was the first time I'd seen this view since I took it over 50 years ago ! 5699 at Abercynon. The disc above the front buffer with the lettering "C 02" might give a clue as to what it was doing there ?