Dolgarrog,
Llanrwst and Betws y Coed
Pathfinder Tours ran the "Trawsfynydd Trekker" to Trawsfynydd on August 27th, 1994 top and tailed by a pair of Class 31's. Railfreight red stripe livery 31327 is seen here on its way back to Llandudno Junction near Dolgarrog. At the rear of the six coach train can be seen 31190.
31163
and 201 on the morning flask train to Trawsfynydd near Llanrwst.
1st
of July 1994
Llanrwst is the location of the only passing point and signalbox on the line. As such it frequently witnesses the crossing of trains. In this view the signalman is handing the single line token for the Llanrwst to Blaenau section to the driver of a pair of class 156 units on a Cheshire Railtours excursion to Blaenau. The service train on the left will head towards Llandudno Junction once it receives the token for its section of line from the signalman. The points which work the loop are now hydraulically operated. 25 July 93.
Class
20's nos. 20187 and 073 were used on the second "Trawsfynydd Trekker" railtour
of 10th September 1994. The train was a repeat of the first tour
of 27th August which was a sell out. At the time these locos were painted
in the short lived BRT colours. They are shown here leaving Llanrwst
for Blaenau having received the single line token. In the background
green DMU 101685 is about to leave for Llandudno Junction.
37605
waits for the passenger train to arrive at Llanrwst before proceeding to
Blaenau
on
21st November 2006. At the rear of the train was 37612.
In 1984 the Civil Engineer wished to carry out deflection tests on the wooden bridge spanning the Afon Llugwy just north of Betws y Coed station. To do so he needed a heavy weight, the answer was provided by 56059 and 56069 of Toton Depot. The pair are seen in the loop at Llanrwst on the morning of April 29th having performed their weighty task.
66212
waits to cross the branch passenger service at Llanrwst North on 8th June
2004
while
working a "Northern Belle" to Blaenau. 67007 was on the rear of the
working.
The original Llanrwst station was always inconvenient for the town and in 1989 Regional Railways North West opened a new single platform halt at a better location. In this view class 108 unit No. CH603 is pictured carrying the ceremonial headboard at the old station ready for the short trip to the opening ceremony. The original station has been renamed Llanrwst North and is now a little used request stop. 29th July 1989.
37886 at Llanrwst on a Northern Belle excursion in October 2002.
67019
enters Llanrwst North with a return "Northern Belle" from Blaenau to
Manchester
on 27th June 2005. 67030 was on the rear of the train of nine vehicles.
CH603
about to break the commemorative banner as the first train to
call
at the new Llanrwst station. 29th
July 1989.
Bovine
indifference as a Class 153 crosses the River Conwy and makes for
Llanrwst
in September 2002. The right hand bank marks the boundary of
the
Snowdonia National Park.
101683 in the woods north of Betws y Coed in June 1994.
Class 47 No. 47786 "Roy Castle" enters a crowded Betws y Coed station on 24th June 1995. The train was a day excursion from the East Midlands to Blaenau and the Ffestiniog Railway. In the background can be seen the Conwy Valley railway museum which has an exhibition on the line as well as miniature railway rides and other interesting displays. Betws is an important tourist destination on the line and is an interchange with the Snowdon Sherpa bus network.
One
of a number of railtours marking the end of regular Class 50 operation
was this train organised by the Class 40 appeal. The Festive Fifties
farewell railtour of December 5th 1992 passes through a wet Betws y Coed
behind D400 and 50033. There was formerly a crossing
loop and goods yard here.
47854
works "The Lancastrian" railtour returning to Carnforth on 25th June 2005.