1964/08/11, 2. GWR "Manor" Class 4-6-0 No. 7822 "Foxcote Manor" is climbing away from the Glaslyn estuary with the up 08:20 Pwllheli portion of the "Cambrian Coast Express" to London Paddington, where arrival time was 16:00. It joined up with the portion from Aberystwyth at Machynlleth. In the left background Moel-y-Gest towers over Porthmadog, while on the right is Minffordd quarry. Tuesday 11th August 1964.

1964/08/11, 3. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T No. 80098 has just pulled away from the stop at Penrhyndeudraeth station and is crossing Pont Briwet over the Afon Dwyryd, a bridge shared by rail and road (toll) a car going in the opposite direction just passing the loco.The train is the 16:05 from Pwllheli to Aberystwyth, it will soon pass Llandecwyn Halt, usually a request stop! Tuesday 11th August 1964.

1964/08/15. View from the train as an unidentified BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 approaches the summit of the climb from Machynlleth at Talerddig. This was the summer Saturdays Only 07:20 train from Pwllheli to Paddington on 15th August 1964.

1965/08/27, 1. BR Standard 4MT Class 4-6-0 No. 75004 collects three empty coal wagons from the exchange sidings with the Ffestiniog Railway at Minffordd, the chutes for transhipping coal into the narrow gauge wagons are in the centre of the picture. The narrow gauge tracks are at a much lower level than the standard gauge, so that gravity helps! The engine has left the rest of its pick-up goods on the main line, the roofs of several vans can be see in front of the engine. To the right of the picture the two station buildings can be seen, the lower one is the Cambrian station, above it to the left is the FR station. The electricity pylons were still under construction - no insulators or cables have yet been hung. Friday 27th August 1965.

1965/08/27, 2. Double-chimneyed BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75004 has just collected three empty coal wagons from the exchange sidings with the Ffestiniog Railway at Minffordd (Cambrian) station and has rejoined the rest of its goods train which had been left standing on the mainline. Now it is setting off again, its next stop at Penrhyndeudraeth for the explosives traffic from Cook's Works. Friday 27th August 1965.

1965/08/27. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75055 is at the head of the up Pwllheli portion of the "Cambrian Coast Express" as it nears Minffordd station. Behind the train is Minffordd Quarry whilst alongside work is in progress to construct the power lines changeover point from pylons to underground cables to cross the Glaslyn estuary. Friday 27th August 1965.

1965/09/02. There is something of railway interest in this photo! View from Fox's path high up on the scree slope on the northern side of Cadair Idris, looking over Llyn y Gadair towards Barmouth and the Lleyn peninsular. Barmouth bridge can just be seen centre left of the picture. Thursday 2nd September 1965.

1965/09/03. Seen from the Ffestiniog Railway bridge over the Cambrian line at Minffordd, BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75002 has steam to spare as it approaches the Cambrian station with the up working of the "Cambrian Coast Express" from Pwllheli on the morning of Friday 3rd September 1965. The exchange sidings with the FR curve away to the left of the picture and Minffordd Quarry dominates the background.

1965/09/04. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75021 drifts towards Welshpool station with its safety valves blowing as it works an up express from Aberystwyth on Saturday 4th September 1965. It probably worked the train as far as Shrewsbury, where the train reversed before heading for Birmingham and London.

1965/09/06. An unidentified BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 crosses the viaduct over the estuary of the Afon Dyfi between Dovey Junction and Aberdyfi with the Pwllheli portion of the down "Cambrian Coast Express", Monday 6th September 1965.

1965/10/23, 1. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75013 has just arrived at Porthmadog station with the down daily pick-up goods train from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, on the lovely sunny morning of Saturday 23rd October 1965.

1965/10/23, 2. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75013 has just arrived at Porthmadog station with the down daily pick-up goods train from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, on the lovely sunny morning of Saturday 23rd October 1965. Another member of the class is already shunting in the yard with the up pick-up goods from Pwllheli.

1966/08/19, 1. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76040 hauls the up "Cambrian Coast Express" along the coastline between Friog Cliffs & Llwyngwril, en route from Pwllheli to Machynlleth. There it will join up with the portion of the train from Aberystwyth before continuing to Shrewsbury, Birmingham and London Paddington. Friday 19th August 1966.

1966/08/19, 2. Machynlleth MPD was officially closed by this time but was still very much in use, though the shed building has seen better days! It is housing BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0's Nos. 75047, 75002 being prepared for its next duty (to take the Pwllheli portion of the "Cambrian Coast Express" forward) and nicely bulled-up 75055, though this is not in steam. Friday 19th August 1966.

1966/08/22, 1. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75009 is held at the signals with the down daily pick-up goods to Pwllheli at Morfa Mawddach station (formerly Barmouth Junction) as 2-6-0 76040 comes off the single track over Barmouth viaduct with the Pwllheli portion of the up "Cambrian Coast Express" to Paddington, Monday 22nd August 1966.

1966/08/22, 2. Having given the engine crew the single line token, the signalman returns to his 'box at Morfa Mawddach (formerly Barmouth Junction) and BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75009 sets off to cross Barmouth viaduct with the down daily pick-up goods from Machynlleth to Pwllheli. It had stopped here to cross the up "Cambrian Coast Express" hauled by 76040 en route to Paddington. The rusty lines in the foreground form the closed route to Dolgellau and Llangollen. Monday 22nd August 1966.

1966/08/22, 3. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75009 is shunting at Barmouth station with the up daily pick-up goods from Pwllheli to Machynlleth. In the station, all tracks are occupied by DMU's which by this time had taken over all the local passenger trains, only the "Cambrian Coast Express" was still steam hauled during the week. Summer Saturday extras were also still steam hauled at this stage. The 2928 feet bulk of Cadair Idris dominates the skyline in the background. Monday 22nd August 1966.

1966/08/22, 4. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75009 shunts at Barmouth station with the return working of the daily pick-up goods from Pwllheli to Machynlleth, Monday 22nd August 1966.

1966/08/22, 5. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76040 pulls away from Llanbedr Halt with the down working of the "Cambrian Coast Express". Although called an express, the Pwllheli portion was classed as a local passenger train (hence the headcode) and stopped at all stations - some of them by request! Monday 22nd August 1966.

1966/08/xx. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75002 does a bit of shunting alongside the Talyllyn Railway at Tywyn Wharf with the up daily pick-up goods from Pwllheli to Machynlleth, August 1966.

1966/09/24, 1. "Castle" class 4-6-0 No. 7029 "Clun Castle" had worked the Paddington to Tywyn "Talyllyn Railway Special" from Banbury to Shrewsbury and has now come off the train. It is about to pass Severn Bridge Junction signalbox as it goes for servicing. The train continued double-headed by Standard 4MT 4-6-0s Nos 75002 & 75029 to Tywyn. Saturday 24th September 1966. Photo courtesy Mike Evans.

1966/09/24, 2. Mike Evans has kindly sent me some of his photos of the Talyllyn Railway Special in 1966 to add to the site - thanks Mike! Having arrived from Paddington behind 7029 "Clun Castle" (which worked the train from Banbury), the Talyllyn Railway Special Train from London to Tywyn is ready to depart from Shrewsbury behind double-headed Standard 4MT 4-6-0s Nos. 75002 and 75029. Saturday 24th September 1966, photo courtesy Mike Evans.

1966/09/24, 3. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0s Nos 75002 & 75029 stop for water at Welshpool whilst working the "Talyllyn Railway Special" from Shrewsbury to Towyn (now Tywyn). Saturday 24th September 1966. Photo by courtesy Mike Evans.

1971/06/22. A four coach DMU working from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli has just crossed the bridge over the Glaslyn estuary (out of picture to the right) and is now heading for Porthmadog from Minffordd, dwarfed by the mass of the Snowdon range in the background. Tuesday 22nd June 1971.

1971/06/23, 01. The remains of Penmaenpool station on the former Ruabon to Barmouth line, looking towards Barmouth. The line was closed on Monday 18th January 1965, the last trains running the previous Saturday. The track has been lifted but much infrastructure remains. The signalbox is virtually intact as are the signals on the far side of the level-crossing, though the platforms have been partially demolished. The white railings beyond the platform on the right are part of the toll-bridge over the Afon Mawddach. Wednesday 23rd June 1971. The signalbox is still in situ, now used as an information centre.

1971/06/23, 02. The remains of Penmaenpool station on the former Ruabon to Barmouth line, looking towards Barmouth. The line was closed in January 1965, the track has been lifted but much infrastructure remains. The signalbox is virtually intact as are the signals on the far side of the level-crossing, though the platforms have been partially demolished. The white railings just beyond the road are part of the toll-bridge over the Afon Mawddach. Wednesday 23rd June 1971. The signalbox is still in situ, now used as an information centre.

1971/06/23, 03. View looking towards Dolgellau along the former Barmouth to Ruabon line at Penmaenpool, on the shores of Afon Mawddach. The track has been lifted, but some infrastructure remains, the partially demolished station platforms can be seen just beyond the old level-crossing, together with part of the signalbox. The station house survives and has now been extended and modernised to become a lodge with guest rooms for the adjacent "George III" hotel. The trackbed between Morfa Mawddach and Dolgellau is now the "Mawddach Trail", much used by walkers and cyclists. Wednesday 23rd June 1971.

1971/06/23, 04. The former line from Ruabon to Barmouth ran along the foreshore of the Afon Mawddach at Penmaenpool, on a very tight formation! This is the view looking towards Dolgellau and Ruabon after the line had been lifted following closure in early 1965. There is not much space between the Geoge III Hotel on the right and the signal on the wall alongside the river. Beyond is the level-crossing that leads to the toll-bridge over the river, and beyond that is the remains of the station, the platforms partially dismantled though the signalbox is intact, at least externally. The signalbox remains today, as an information and bird-watching centre, the former station area is a car park and toilet facilities. The trackbed in front of the hotel is now properly surfaced and leads to the hotel car park, and is also part of the "Mawddach Trail" from Dolgellau to Morfa Mawddach, much used by walkers and cyclists. The signals in this picture have now been replaced, perhaps due to the original's post rotting away! The signal on the lower "doll" is a GWR "backing" signal, used to authorise a move in the "wrong" direction when the points are set appropriately. It would have been used here to permit a reverse move into the loop line. Even when the signal was "clear" a hand signal was necessary from the signalman before the "backing" move could be made! Wednesday 23rd June 1971.

1971/06/23, 05. The former line from Ruabon to Barmouth had been closed for some six years by this time and the track has been lifted, nature gradually taking over once again. This view is looking towards Barmouth at Penmaenpool where there was a small two-road engine shed, still intact together with its water tank. Wednesday 23rd June 1971. The trackbed is now a public footpath and cycle track.

1971/06/23, 06. On the former Ruabon to Barmouth line, the remains of the trackbed after closure at Penmaenpool on the banks of the Afon Mawddach, looking towards Dolgellau. The line was closed in January 1965, by this time, 23rd June 1971, the track had been lifted, though much of the infrastructure was still in place. The very cramped nature of the route at this point is apparent, trains must have been very close to the hotel balcony on the right! There was a road level-crossing at the station and the toll-bridge over the river is on the left.

1971/06/23, 07. The former line from Ruabon to Barmouth ran along the foreshore of the Afon Mawddach at Penmaenpool, on a very tight formation! This is the view looking towards Dolgellau and Ruabon after the line had been lifted following closure in early 1965. There is not much space between the Geoge III Hotel on the right and the signal on the wall alongside the river. Beyond is the level-crossing that leads to the toll-bridge over the river, and beyond that is the remains of the station, the platforms partially dismantled though the signalbox is intact, at least externally. The signalbox remains today, as an information and bird-watching centre, the former station area is a car park and toilet facilities. The trackbed in front of the hotel is now properly surfaced and leads to the hotel car park, and is also part of the "Mawddach Trail" from Dolgellau to Morfa Mawddach, much used by walkers and cyclists. The signals in this picture have now been replaced, perhaps due to the original's post rotting away! The signal on the lower "doll" is a GWR "backing" signal, used to authorise a move in the "wrong" direction when the points are set appropriately. It would have been used here to permit a reverse move into the loop line. Even when the signal was "clear" a hand signal was necessary from the signalman before the "backing" move could be made! Wednesday 23rd June 1971.

2008/08/26, 01. In utterly foul weather, BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 attacks the climb of Llangelynnin bank, between Tonfanau and Llwyngwril, with "The Cambrian", 10:05 Machynlleth to Porthmadog train at 10:42 on Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/26, 02. In utterly foul weather, BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 attacks the climb of Llangelynnin bank, between Tonfanau and Llwyngwril, with "The Cambrian", 10:05 Machynlleth to Porthmadog train at 10:42 on Tuesday 26th August 2008. If you're wondering about the cow in the shot, it's a curious hybrid - part black & white, part brown & white, with a head at each end and eight legs!

2008/08/26, 03. An unidentified Arriva Trains Wales 158 unit heads across Barmouth Viaduct with the 13:51 train from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, running some 30 minutes late and holding up the return steam working which it was due to pass at Barmouth. 16:14 on Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/26, 04. An unidentified Arriva Trains Wales 158 unit heads across Barmouth Viaduct with the 13:51 train from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, running some 30 minutes late and holding up the return steam working which it was due to pass at Barmouth. 16:14 on Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/26, 05. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 now gets its train away from Barmouth, having been held up by the late running service train it has just passed at the station. This is the 14:55 return from Porthmadog to Machynlleth, due to leave here at 15:50. 16:22, Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/26, 06. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 now gets its train away from Barmouth, crossing the viaduct over the Mawddach estuary, having been held up by the late running service train it has just passed at the station. This is the 14:55 return from Porthmadog to Machynlleth, due to leave here at 15:50. 16:22, Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/26, 07. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 now gets its train away from Barmouth, crossing the viaduct over the Mawddach estuary, having been held up by the late running service train it has just passed at the station. This is the 14:55 return from Porthmadog to Machynlleth, due to leave here at 15:50. 16:22, Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/26, 08. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 now gets its train away from Barmouth, crossing the viaduct over the Mawddach estuary, having been held up by the late running service train it has just passed at the station. This is the 14:55 return from Porthmadog to Machynlleth, due to leave here at 15:50. 16:22, Tuesday 26th August 2008. Passengers for the Barmouth Ferry "Emily" watch the train before boarding!

2008/08/26, 09. General view at Morfa Mawddach station where only one track and one platform face now remain - this is the view towards Barmouth. The viaduct over the Mawddach estuary can be seen above the pedestrian gate on the left of the picture. The former line to Dolgellau and Llangollen branched off to the right of the picture, the trackbed is now the Mawddach trail. Compare this view with Slide 2486, taken at the same spot in 1966. Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/26, 10. The signalbox at Penmaenpool station still survives, though the station has long gone, the site now being a car park for the Mawddach trail along the old trackbed. The 'box has recently been refurbished as part of the RSPB information centre. A toilet block has been built on the trackbed and restricts the views possible of the signalbox. Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/26, 11. Looking towards Dolgellau, this is the present day scene at Penmaenpool, the George III hotel on the right, toll bridge over the river on the left and the trackbed of the Ruabon to Barmouth line through the centre. This is now the Mawddach trail, the former station site is just beyond the bridge, the signalbox is still in situ, hidden behind a tree and the signalpost which has replaced the original signals which stood here for many years. Tuesday 26th August 2008.

2008/08/27, 01. There is a severe speed restriction over Barmouth Viaduct and 76079 is taking it very easy with its eight coaches as it approaches the former opening spans over the Mawddach estuary. This is the 10:05 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli train at 10:57 on Wednesday 27th August 2008. The weather was no better than the day before!

2008/08/27, 02. There is a severe speed restriction over Barmouth Viaduct and 76079 is taking it very easy with its eight coaches as it crosses the former opening spans over the Mawddach estuary. This is the 10:05 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli train at 10:57 on Wednesday 27th August 2008. Compare this view with Slide No. 17, taken in 1963 - very little has changed, including the weather!

2008/08/27, 03. There is a severe speed restriction over Barmouth Viaduct and 76079 has just opened up with its eight coaches having crossed the former opening spans over the Mawddach estuary. This is the 10:05 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli train at 10:57 on Wednesday 27th August 2008.

2008/08/27, 04. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 is going hell for leather as it storms past Talsarnau station, soon after the stop at Harlech, with "The Cambrian", 10:05 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli at 11:32 on Wednesday 27th August 2008. Covered in a genuine layer of grime from hard work, the loco looks like a proper working machine rather than a polished museum piece!

2008/08/27, 05. "The Cambrian" ran five times a week during the 2008 "summer" from Machynlleth to Porthmadog, continuing through to Pwllheli on Wednesdays and Fridays. Here the train is running almost along the beach between Black Rock Sands and Criccieth at 12:25 on Wednesday 27th August 2008, with 76079 in charge of eight coaches.

2008/08/28, 01. Arriva Trains Wales 158 833 is working the 07:31 from Pwllheli to Birmingham New Street service, alongside the Dyfi estuary soon after passing Penhelig station, at Picnic Island. 09:42, Thursday 28th August 2008.

2008/08/28, 02. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 skirts the shore of the Dyfi estuary as it works the 10:05 Machynlleth to Porthmadog "The Cambrian", on this occasion consisting of five coaches, as it rounds the curve towards Picnic Island near Penhelig. 10:23, Thursday 28th August 2008.

2008/08/28, 03. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 skirts the shore of the Dyfi estuary as it works the 10:05 Machynlleth to Porthmadog "The Cambrian", on this occasion consisting of five coaches, as it rounds the curve towards Picnic Island near Penhelig. 10:23, Thursday 28th August 2008.

2008/08/28, 04. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 drifts down the grade from Tonfanau towards the bridge over Broad Water en route to Tywyn and Machynlleth with the 14:55 from Porthmadog, 16:16, Thursday 28th August 2008.

2008/08/28, 05. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 drifts down the grade from Tonfanau and crosses the bridge over Broad Water en route to Tywyn and Machynlleth with the 14:55 from Porthmadog, 16:16, Thursday 28th August 2008.

2008/08/29, 01. The last outward run for 2008 of "The Cambrian", 10:05 from Machynlleth to Porthmadog and Pwllheli, ran in no better weather than the rest of the trains that week! 76079 rounds the cliffside and attacks Llangelynnin bank in fine style with its eight coaches. 10:41, Friday 29th August 2008.

2009/08/24, 01. Arriva Trains Wales unit No. 158 831 skirts the shore at Llangelynnin with the 09:05 train from Machynlleth to Pwllheli at 09:37 on the morning of Monday 24th August 2009.

2009/08/24, 02. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 rounds the curve from Tonfanau and attacks the climb of Llangelynnin bank with 1J77 "The Cambrian", 10:04 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, at 10:40 on Monday 24th August 2009.

2009/08/24, 03. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 attacks the climb of Llangelynnin bank with 1J77 "The Cambrian", 10:04 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, at 10:40 on Monday 24th August 2009.

2009/08/24, 04. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 attacks the climb of Llangelynnin bank with 1J77 "The Cambrian", 10:04 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, at 10:40 on Monday 24th August 2009.

2009/08/24, 05. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 attacks the climb of Llangelynnin bank with 1J77 "The Cambrian", 10:04 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, at 10:40 on Monday 24th August 2009.

2009/08/24, 06. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 with 1J77 "The Cambrian", 10:04 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, rounds the curve onto the sea shore between Black Rock Sands and Criccieth at 12:26 on Monday 24th August 2009, Snowdonia in the background.

2009/08/24, 07. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 with 1J77 "The Cambrian", 10:04 from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, trundles along the sea shore between Black Rock Sands and Criccieth at 12:27 on Monday 24th August 2009, Moel-y-Gest dominating the background and Snowdonia beyond.