2. North Wales coast-02.08.81

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1981 > 13. The Welsh Marches & the North Wales coast-01 & 02.08.81 > 2. North Wales coast-02.08.81

On an absolutely glorious summer's day we traversed the North Wales coast from east to west ending up at Bangor before heading for home. We arrived back in Bath at well past one am making it an extremely long but rewarding day. Amazingly, many of the signal boxes and scenes were very similar when I revisted the line with Andy in 2016. However, the more recent weather did not play ball quite as it did thirty five years earlier!

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Images 1-39 of 39 displayed.

Flint station
Flint station is another example and variant of the Italinate style favoured for the North Wales coast designed by the architect Francis Thompson. Opened on 01.05.1848 by the Chester and Holyhead Railway the station remains open today with the building (Grade II listed) having been extensively renovated in 2007 by Network Rail with additional funding from Flintshire County Council and The Railway Heritage Trust. Following its reopening, the station was voted 'Best in UK' the following year. In this 1981 view, it looks to be a little down on its luck with the first floor entirely out of use at this time.
Keywords: Flint station

Flint signal box (LMS, 1932)
With its stove pope at a jaunty angle, Flint signal box stands proudly on the station's up platform. Unlike nearly all of the signal boxes on the North Wales route, this example was to an LMS design being constructed later in 1932. Notice the cast No Admittance sign attached adjacent to the door of the box. Unfortunatelty, the box was demolished in 1990 some twenty-eight years before the rest of the boxes along the route were closed.
Keywords: Flint signal box LMS, 1932

Bagillt signal box (LNW, 1907)
Bagillt signal box was a remarkable survivor even when photographed here in 1981! It had already been closed for nine years and was suprisingly intact except for some broken windows. The box was a Type 5 London and North Western structure located, as was common practice on this route, in the centre of the four tracks at the site of the station that had closed in February 1966. I am not sure how long the box lingered on but it did seem a casualty waiting to happen thanks to local arsonists! Notice the former station footbridge beyond the box, this is still in use today permitting access to the Wales Coast long-distance footpath.
Keywords: Bagillt signal box L&NWR 1907

Holywell Junction signal box (LNW, 1902)
The fine L&NWR Holywell Junction signal box is seen located between the up and down fast lines. The box is a classic example of an L&NWR Type 5 box that was fitted with a fifty-four lever frame that was considerably reduced over the years as the track was simplified and rationalised. It was reduced further from a quadruple layout to a double track soon after this 1981 photograph was taken. Notice the large bell hanging on the end of the box. This was a feature on a number of the boxes along the North Wales coast used, in times past to warn road traffic that the level crossing gates were about to be closed for an approaching train.
Keywords: Holywell Junction signal box LNWR

Holywell station (Closed)
Reminiscent of an elegant Italianate villa rather than a railway station Holywell stands proud on the former down platform. Opened in 1848 and designed by the renowned architect Francis Thompson the station was once a busy place and named Holywell Junction with a short branch to Holywell Town heading south from here. It closed in 1966 falling into a state of disrepair and dereliction finally being restored and returning to use a private residence in the early 2000s. There are active moves to reopen the station supported by the Welsh Government with it more likely to be named Greenfield rather than retaining its Holywell identity.
Keywords: Holywell station Closed

Mostyn station (closed)
Another of the Francis Thompson designed stations that lined the North Wales coast is seen at Mostyn. When this photograph was taken in 1981 it was derelict and looking very sorry for itself having been closed some fifteen years previously on 01.05.66. When I last passed the station, located directly on the A548 coast road, it had been renovated and was back in use as a private residence, see....https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30021093929/mostyn-station.
Keywords: Mostyn station closed

Mostyn signal box (LNW, 1902)
When the North Wales coastal route was largely quadrupled by the L&NWR there was plenty of room along much of its length. However, there were some tight spots such as here at Mostyn where there was a busy harbour and a number of sidings that serviced it. The running lines had to be closer together so the LNWR had to construct a narrower than normal signal box that required a cantilevered operating floor. Back in 1981 the box was still very much in use with a footbridge (now removed) crossing the lines behind in this view with the closed station and goods shed further beyond that. To take this photograph I was standing on a level crossing that afforded access to the harbour.
Keywords: Mostyn signal box LNWR London & North Western Railway

Talacre signal box (LNW, 1903)
The size of Talacre signal box would suggest that it was a relatively insignificant block post on the North Wales coastal route. However, the 1903 L&NWR box was a busy one complete with its twenty-four levers (later reduced to fifteen) that controlled access to a number of reception sidings and the short branches in and out of Point of Ayr colliery. The colliery (the most northerly in Wales) closed in August 1996 with the last train leaving with the coal mined prior to closure a month later. During my last visit, the box had gone but the pair of sidings into the once-busy colliery complex were still extant disappearing into a mass of trees that had taken over in the intervening years. I will upload the image and provide a link when I get to it which at the present rate of knots will be in abut ten years' time!
Keywords: Talacre signal box L&NWR 1903

47487, 09.10 Holyhead-Manchester Victoria (1J16), Talacre
A photograph that shows the real and tangible weakness of Fujichrome slide film! Whilst I spent a long time in Photoshop working on the digital scanned image it still has a strange colour hue that I could not quite eradicate. The view is taken from an overbridge that leads down to the holiday village of Talacre and shows 47487 heading east with the 09.10 Holyhead to Manchester Victoria service. How warming to see a seven-coach locomotive hauled train working this 1J16 service that today would be operated by some two or three-car DMU; how things have changed! Notice the concrete platforms of the closed Talacre station that was shut in 1966 along with a number of others along this route. The platforms are still in place today but no holiday trains carrying passengers to the nearby vast Talacre Beach Resort holiday park will call again anytime soon!
Keywords: 47487 09.10 Holyhead-Manchester Victoria 1J16 Talacre

Prestatyn signal box (LNW c.1897)
Prestatyn signal box was located at the western end of the station in this popular North Wales resort town. Up until 1931 this box was actually named Prestatyn Number 2 with Number 1 being to the east of the station. However, this box was extended and Number one was closed. The box is a London and North Western Type 4 structure that opened in 1897 and closed on 26.03.18 with the opening of the Rhyl workstation in the Wales Railway Operating Centre (Cardiff). Notice the absolutely huge telegraph pole in this photograph towering above the box.
Keywords: Prestatyn signal box L&NWR

47366, 08.25 Leamington Spa-Llandudno ADEX (From BNS) (1ZXX), Rhyl station
On this summer Sunday back in 1981 Graham and I had no idea what this train, hauled by Crewe diesel's no heat 47366, was as there was nothing in the working timetable at this time of day that fitted its description. Only some forty years later have I discovered by the wonders of the internet that it was actually an ADEX (Away Day EXcursion) that had originated at Leamington Spa and that was heading towards Llandudno. According to the notes on the web the Class 47 took over at Birmingham New Street but I have no reporting number unless anybody knows better? The train is seen not far from its destination passing through Rhyl station.
Keywords: 47366 08.25 Leamington Spa-Llandudno ADEX 1ZXX Rhyl station

Rhyl No. 2 signal box (LNW, 1900)
The grand Rhyl Number 2 signal box was (and still is as it still stands) a L&NWR Type 4 structure dating from 1900. It replaced an earlier box when the railway along the North Wales coast was expanded with it largely quadrupled along its entire length. The box still stands as it is Grade II listed but during my last visit I found it boarded up and festooned with ivy having been closed in March 1990 with control moving to Number 1 box. Also of interest is the restricted height latticed bracket signal to the left of the photograph. This carries a circular banner repeater for the up fast line operated by Number 1 box located at the other end of the station behind me.
Keywords: Rhyl No. 2 signal box L&NWR

Rhyl No. 1 signal box (LNW, 1900)
Photographs of Rhyl Number 1 signal box were always tricky to secure due to its location off the end of the station on the up side of the tracks. Utilising my 135mm telephoto lens the 1900-built Type 4 is seen from the station footbridge. In 1990 the box was renamed Rhyl following the closure of Number 2 box at the western end of the station. Unfortunately, I failed to capture in this photograph the superb eight-doll LMS gantry that is just out of view to the right. Notice the line of parked up (it is a Sunday after all) Leyland FG flatbed coal trucks in the adjacent coal merchants.
Keywords: Rhyl No. 1 signal box L&NWR

106, Rhyl Marine Lake
The fifteen-inch narrow gauge Rhyl Marine Lake railway has been a popular holiday attraction in the North Wales resort for over one hundred years (apart from a short break between 1970 and 1978) and is still in operation to this day. On the day that Graham and I visited the town 1930 built 106 'Billy' was in steam and is seen waiting at Central station on Wellington Road. This locomotive is now stored and on public display in the railway's museum waiting for a full restoration and a possible return to service. Notice the Esso fuel station in the background advertising two-star petrol at £1.61 per gallon this land is now covered by a large retail park with the beach beyond.
Keywords: 106 Rhyl Marine Lake

47090, excursion from Shoeburyness (1ZXX), Abergele & Pensarn station
Apologies again for the poor colour rendition of the Fujchrome 100 slide film that has not stood the test of time well! 47090 'Vulcan' is seen racing past Abergele signal box leading an excursion from Shoeburyness. I am not sure where it was heading but it was probably to Llandudno. Whilst the station was named Abergele and Pensarn (from 1883) the 1902 L&NWR Type 4 box was simply called Abergele until it was refurbished in the mid-2000s when a reproduction LMS wooden nameboard was applied carrying the same name as the station.
Keywords: 47090 Shoeburyness 1ZXX Abergele & Pensarn station Vulcan

Abergele signal box (LNW, 1902)
Abergele signal box stands somewhat isolated between the up and down fast lines at Abergele and Pensarn station. The 1902-built London and North Western Railway Type 4 box was the block post between Rhyl (to the east) and Llysfaen (to the west) but with the latter commonly switched out it was usually Colwyn Bay. Following refurbishment in the mid-2000s the box was closed on 26.03.18 along with all others along this stretch of the North Wales coast with control moving to the Wales Railway Operating Centre in Cardiff.
Keywords: Abergele signal box L&NWR

Llysfaen signal box (LNW, 1868)
A particularly early example of a L&NWR signal box is seen standing in the balmy summer sunshine at Llysfaen on the North Wales coast. Research identifies some debate over the date of construction varying from 1868 to 1870 but there is agreement that it was a Saxby and Farmer construction that had its original frame changed to a L&NWR standard tumbler example in 1902. When this photograph was taken it was switched out which seemed pretty common at the time with it closing just two years later in 1983. Another factor that may well have led to its demise was that the new A55 North Wales coast road was shoehorned in between the coastline and the railway directly behind the box with a huge bridge crossing the line at about this spot.
Keywords: Llysfaen signal box L&NWR

Colwyn Bay station
Looking east through Colwyn Bay station illustrates a traditional and attractive structure. It also reveals its unusual location on a sharp curve in the line necessitating a steep camber on the tracks that can just be seen in the foreground. The station was opened by the Chester and Holyhead Railway in October 1849 named Colwyn to become Colwyn Bay in 1876. In the early 1980s, soon after this photograph was taken, the life of the station was severely disrupted by the construction of the A55 'Expressway' that goes through a short tunnel directly below the station's entrance forecourt.
Keywords: Colwyn Bay station

40018, 12.00 Manchester Victoria-Holyhead (1D38), Colwyn Bay station
There was a number of Class 40 hauled services along the North Wales coast, particularly on Sundays however, in these pre-internet days it was potluck as to whether one was seen. Graham and I were lucky whilst calling in at Colwyn Bay station with the down line being pegged and the grand sight of the 1D38 12.00 Manchester Victoria to Holyhead appearing in the distance. 40018 (formally named 'Carmania') had just six more weeks in service being withdrawn on 15.09.81 at Crewe. Notice the huge group of bashers flailing from the droplights of the leading Mk. 1 coach watched by a bemused 'normal' on the platform! Also, notice the rather extreme camber of the track through the western end of the station taken in some style by the 40 at line speed; what a sight!
Keywords: 40018 12.00 Manchester Victoria-Holyhead 1D38 Colwyn Bay station Carmania

Colwyn Bay signal box (BR, 1968)
Prior to 1968, there were two L&NWR signal boxes at Colwyn Bay that were deemed a little excessive so BR rationalised things by closing these two and installing a standard Type 15 box as seen here. The replacement contained a thirty-five lever London Midland frame but this only lasted until 1991 (just twenty-three years) when it was closed with control moving to Llandudno Junction with the installation of some colour lights in Colwyn Bay.
Keywords: Colwyn Bay signal box British Railways

Class 108 DMUs, 14.07 Llandudno-Llandudno Junction, Llandudno Junction
A pair of Class 108 first-generation DMUs are seen working the 14.07 Llandudno to Llandudno Junction shuttle service approaching its destination. With just one intermediate stop at Deganwy the journey from end to end would only have taken about ten minutes with a four-car DMU combination (Including some first-class seating) providing ample accommodation!
Keywords: Class 108 DMUs 14.07 Llandudno-Llandudno Junction Llandudno Junction

Llandudno Junction signal box (LNW, 1898)
Close examination of the pre-1935 wooden nameboard reveals that part of it has been painted out. Until the spring of 1968 the box was named Llandudno Junction Number 2 but following track rationalisation and resignalling Number 1 box was taken out of use hence this box's revised name. The structure is a fine example of a London and North Western Railway Type 4 box dating from 1898 that was extended in 1921. The box survived for another three years from when this photgraph was taken in 1981 to be replaced by a British Railways (London Midland) Type 15 box that saw just twenty five years in service closing when the whole line was resignaled in 2018.
Keywords: Llandudno Junction signal box L&NWR

47439, 13.29 Holyhead-London Euston, Llandudno Junction
The 13.29 Holyhead to Euston service approaches Llandudno Junction passing the substantial box of the same name hauled by 47439. The Cass 47 would probably have hauled the train as far as Crewe (or possibly Birmingham New Street) where an AC electric would take over. These services between Holyhead (and/or Bangor) and London still run today but, at the time of writing, they are operated by the unloved and tired Voyagers soon to be replaced by thirteen Hitachi bi-mode Class 805s the first of which is undergoing dynamic testing.
Keywords: 47439 13.29 Holyhead-London Euston Llandudno Junction

47339, 14.20 Llandudno-Manchester Victoria (1J22), Llandudno Junction
Being high summer the use of one of Crewe Diesel's 'no heat' Class 47s would present no issues for passengers. 47339 enters Llandudno Junction passing the grand 1898 L&NWR signal box leading the 14.20 Llandudno to Manchester Victoria service that today would be handled by a DMU...progress; I'm not so sure?
Keywords: 47339 14.20 Llandudno-Manchester Victoria 1J22 Llandudno Junction

40003, stabled, Llandudno Junction depot
Being a Sunday afternoon Graham and I had no bother 'bagging' Llandudno Junction depot! I recall that the gate was open and that we just walked in finding it devoid of any staff. The prize for our clandestine visit was to find 40003 (ex D203) on-shed among a huge number of ancient vacuum wagons of various types. I am not sure as to when 40003 arrived at the depot with the fabled Mother List website having it placed at Holyhead depot the previous day. The 40 survived for just over a year after this photograph was taken being withdrawn at Healey Mills on 12.09.82 taking a further two years to be cut up at Doncaster, a process completed by January 1984.
Keywords: 40003 stabled Llandudno Junction depot Whistler

Deganwy signal box (LNW, 1914)
The unusually positioned Deganwy signal box is seen from the well-patronised beach on this hot summer Sunday afternoon. The box is a Type 5 L&NWR structure dating from 1914 and was originally named Deganwy Number 2 hence the painted-over section of the wooden post-1935 nameboard. The platform and crossing bell can be seen clearly in this photograph used to warn station staff and pedestrians on the level crossing just beyond the box of the imminent arrival of a train. The visitors to the beach would not have such a pleasant place to sit these days as huge amounts of rock armour have been placed just in front of the sea wall in an effort to retard erosion.
Keywords: Deganwy signal box L&NWR

GGV and me, lunch stop, Llandudno Yard
Even railway enthusiasts have to take a break! Having been following the North Wales coastal route since the morning without pausing by mid-afternoon it was time to stop, get a brew on and have something to eat. As Graham empties what appears to be baked beans on to a plate I look on not appearing to have contributed a great deal towards lunch! We are in Llandudno's former yard with the station to our immediate right (left as viewing the photograph) and would probably have been breaking some by-law or other by doing this that involved the firing up of the paraffin fueled primus stove!
Keywords: Graham lunch stop Llandudno Yard

Class 108 DMU, 15.24 Llandudno Junction-Llandudno, Llandudno station
A wide view of Llandudno station revealing its platforms and the unusual central access road something that permitted Victorian carriages to access to the platforms in order that the town's visitors could be taken directly away to their hotels around the town. Notice the large glazed canopies that have been drastically reduced over the years with them once extending to a point level with the supporting wall to the right. The passengers seen have just arrived aboard the Class 108 DMU that has worked in as the 15.24 shuttle service from Llandudno Junction.
Keywords: Class 108 DMU 15.24 Llandudno Junction-Llandudno Llandudno station First generation DMU

Llandudno signal box (LNW, 1891)
Llandudno's signal box (formally named Llandudno Number 2) is seen from the rear probably taken from this angle due to the sun being wrong for a front view. The box was a L&NWR Type 4 opened in 1891 along with Number 1 signal box that was closed when BR rationalised the tracks around the station in 1970. Notice the Class 47 partially obscured behind the box. Close examination of the image reveals a tiny blob of red on its bodyside suggesting that it could well have been 47090 'Vulcan' waiting to return to Essex as seen earlier in the day at Abergele, see... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30035069772/x47090-shoeburyness-1zxx-abergele
Keywords: Llandudno signal box LNW 1891 L&NWR

Conwy tubular bridge
Officially opened in 1849, even though traffic had been using it since 1848, the Conwy tubular railway bridge is a fine and interesting structure. In common with much of its infrastructure the Chester and Holyhead Railway appointed Francis Thompson to be the architect of their bridge to carry the railway over the estuary of the River Conwy. His design dressed the pylons at either end as barbicans with crenellated turrets, arrow slits and bartizans to complement the adjacent Conwy Castle that had stood on the promontory since the late 13th century. His design has stood the test of time well and is very typical of Victorian extravagance and excess.
Keywords: Conwy tubular bridge

Penmaenmawr station
A family sit in the afternoon shade under Penmaenmawr station's canopy waiting for their train on this hot Sunday afternoon. The station opened in 1849 with the building now Grade II listed and has undergone a sensitive restoration in the hands of its new private owner. Notice the cars of the era parked behind the station including a Chevette, a Marina, the inevitable Cortina and a Volvo with the rear of a Morris Ital (the reworked Morris Marina) seen through the station gate. I last visited the station in 2016 with Andy, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/25632547804/penmaemawr-station
Keywords: Penmaenmawr station

Penmaenmawr signal box (BR, 1952)
Penmaenmawr signal box is seen in the afternoon sunshine located at the eastern end of the station platform the ramp of which can be seen to the extreme right. I am not too sure as to why I trespassed off the end of the platform to take this view into the sun but it may well have been to include the dramatic granite quarry that dominates the landscape around this North Wales town. The box is a British Railways (London Midland) Type 14 structure dating from 1952. It replaced a poorly located L&NWR box at the western end of the station following a multi-fatal collision on the night of 27.08.50 dubbed the Irish Mail Train Disaster. In the enquiry, it was found that the light engine locomotive awaiting access to a siding to collect a stone train that was hit at speed by the up Irish Mail was out of sight of the signalman in the old box hence why it was rebuilt in the location seen here. I took a photograph in 2016 from the other end of the box but, as can be seen, it has been heavily modified in the intervening thirty-five years, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/25632547404/penmaemawr-signal-box-br-1952
Keywords: Penmaenmawr signal box

Llanfairfechan station
Llanfairfechan is situated on the North Wales coast between Bangor (west) and Conwy (east). As a relatively small settlement, it was blessed with a nice station that is seen here looking eastwards towards Penmaenmawr. There was once a charming L&NWR signal box located on this side of the track just beyond the footbridge that was demolished in 1971 following a period of use as a PW hut. Unfortunately, when the A55 North Wales Coast dual carriageway was constructed in the late 1980s the station building was demolished and the trees felled seen here to make for the new road. It runs directly behind the down platform with all that remains from this 1981 scene being the footbridge.
Keywords: Llanfairfechan station

Aber signal box (LNW, date not known)
Aber (short for Abergwyngregyn) was an isolated signal box providing the only intermediate block post between Bangor and Penmaenmawr. During evenings the box was unmanned making it a long block section of some ten miles for such a busy mixed traffic line. The box was located very close to where Aber station was situated. This station was somewhat isolated from the settlements it professed to serve and closed in 1960. The box was a super early example of an L&NWR structure but I have no details of its date of construction unless anybody can help.
Keywords: Aber signal box L&NWR

LMS roundels, Bangor station
Bangor station was opened by the Chester and Holyhead Railway in 1848 located in a strategic location between two fingers of highland that lead to the coast. The railway route into the station area passes through tunnels at both the eastern and western end. The slightly later 'Big Four' identity of the station is clearly seen in the booking office with a trio of fine LMS roundels installed above the ticket office. These would probably have been istalled pretty soon after grouping took place in 1923.
Keywords: LMS roundels Bangor station

Bangor station
Looking eastwards along the length of Bangor station reveals a wide-open layout with the platforms linked by a grand enclosed footbridge with some impressive lift towers. I replicated this 1981 photograph when I visited again in 2016, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/25632548604/bangor-station
Keywords: Bangor station

Bangor signal box (LNW, 1923)
Compared to when I last visited Bangor station in 2016, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/25632548204/bangor-signal-box back in 1981 I seemed to have had the confidence to wander trackside in order to secure a close-up photograph of the unusually constructed 1923 London and North Western Type 5 signal box. The box was originally designated Bangor Number 2 but when Number 1 was closed and the station layout extensively simplified in the late 1960s it reverted to its simpler name.
Keywords: Bangor signal box L&NWR 1923

Frontage, Betws-y-coed station
After a superb day surveying the North Wales coastal route Graham and I headed for home in the Auston 1100, indeed the car is seen fourth from the left in this photograph. We must have stopped at Betws-y-coed for a comfort break as we had already taken a brew-up at the top of the Nant Ffrancon valley at the foot of Tryfan. The large station building looks grand in the evening light as does the superb lineup of cars the rarest today is probably the yellow Fiat 128 estate next to our 1100. The car park has largely gone from the front of the station today with it being pedestrianised.
Keywords: Frontage Betws-y-coed station

Frontage, Gobowen station
On our long journey home from Bangor to Bath Graham and I made one more railway-related stop in the dusk at Gobowen. There was just enough light to take a long exposure of an image of the unusual station building probably utilising Graham's tripod. Back in 1981 the station was looking particularly run down and in need of some attention. Designed by Thomas Mainwaring Penson the building is now Grade II listed which affords it a degree of protection with it now fully restored. It was built between 1846 and 1848 by the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway in a notable Florentine (or Italianate) style with white stucco facing and a small turret. Today it is in use containing a number of business units and is a notable structure within the town.
Keywords: Frontage Gobowen station

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