The Conwy valley line
Y lein Dyffryn Conwy


The Lledr Valley
Pont y Pant, Dolwyddelan, Roman Bridge.



In 1994 there was a determined attempt to market the line and a range of initiatives were drawn up.  These included appointment of a Rail Officer and upgrading of the stations.  Highlight of the campaign was the decision to dedicate two trains to the line.  Two Class 101 DMU's were made up to three car sets and one - 101685 - repainted in original green livery.  The other unit involved was 101683.  During the winter the centre cars were removed and stored in Chester depot.  This continued for a couple of years after which the units were no longer dedicated to the line but became part of the normal pool and the centre cars were scrapped.  Shortly after repainting 101685 is near Pont y Pant heading for Blaenau.  The causeway in the background once carried a narrow gauge tramway which passed under the line by a now removed bridge.   1st July 1994.


The annual visit of the weedkilling train is recorded here as it passes through Dolwyddelan station
heading for Trawsfynydd.  This station originally had an island platform. 17th August 1993.


67030 is dead in tow on the back of a return "Northern Belle" special - 28th June 2005.
Note the subtle changes from the photo above.


150282 approaches Dolwyddelan on a Llandudno train in June 2005.
This unit is in Arriva Trains Wales "Valley Lines" livery.


37407 "Loch Long" heads an engineers inspection saloon just south of
Dolwyddelan on May 13th 1993.


47821 "Royal Worcester" squeals around the curves between Dolwyddelan and Roman
Bridge on a NENTA tours special from Norwich to Blaenau Ffestiniog on April 24th 1993.


156452 working a Blaenau - Llandudno service on 31st August 1993.
The peak in the background is Moel Siabod.


37422 is on its way to be named "Robert Fairlie" at Blaenau on 3rd May 1993.
It is seen here south of Dolwyddelan hauling its special train.


47237 heads towards Llandudno Junction near Roman Bridge on 22nd May 1993.
The train is "The Snowdonian" run by Rail U.K. Tours.


56081 passes Roman Bridge on an excursion - September 2002.


The Conwy Valley line has always been able to accept main line locomotives and a remarkable variety of classes have visited the line over the years.  One of the largest locos to be used was this National Power owned Class 59 No. 59205 "L Keith McNair" which worked the "Roman Nose" railtour to Trawsfynydd on April 18th 1998.  It was probably also the first North American built loco to appear.  The train is seen here near Roman Bridge on the outward journey.


Bringing up the rear of the train above were 37377 & 37098.   In the background the slopes of Moel Siabod
have a covering of Spring snow.  Roman Bridge station is seen on the left of the photo.


Pathfinder Tours ran a tour to Trawsfynydd on August 27th, 1994 top and tailed by a pair of Class 31's - the "Trawsfynydd Trekker".  Railfreight red stripe livery 31327 is seen here on its way back to Llandudno Junction passing Roman Bridge station, at the rear of the train was 31190.  In the background can be seen the slopes of
Moel Siabod.  The train was repeated a couple of weeks later featuring a pair of class 20's and a pair of Class 31's.


The peaks of Snowdonia tower above a pair of Class 101's as they arrive
at Roman Bridge on a Llandudno service in May 1993.   The three peaks are, from
left to right, Lliwedd, Snowdon and Crib y Ddysgl.


31163 and 31201 pass an isolated farmhouse on the stretch of line between
Roman Bridge and the Blaenau tunnel entrance.  The train is making for
Llandudno Junction.  1st July 1994.


Next page: Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Ffestiniog Railway

Return to the index page