Tan-y-Bwlch railway station
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Tan-y-Bwlch station is on the B4410 former turnpike road from Maentwrog to Llanfrothen and Beddgelert that the railway crosses on a fine cast-iron skew bridge (made at Boston Lodge foundry in 1854 and surmounted by 'gothic' balustrades. It is the principal intermediate passenger station on the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway, which was built in 1836 to carry dressed slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog for export by sea.
From 1863 until 1873 the only regular passing station for trains was at the former horse stage at Hafod y Llyn, which opened for passengers on 6 January 1865 but was very difficult of access. It is just over 7 miles from Porthmadog, and horses were changed there from 1836 to 1863 as well as at several other lineside stables.
The new station at Tan-y-Bwlch opened in July 1873 and closed to passengers on 15th September 1939. Passenger service to Tan-y-Bwlch was resumed on 5th April 1958. Tan-y-bwlch is at a height of 430ft. and at a distance of 7 miles 35 chains from Porthmadog.
Mr and Mrs Will Jones will always be associated with Tan-y-Bwlch station. They lived in the station house from their marriage in 1929 to their retirement in 1968. In the 1930's and again in the 1950's and 1960's, the late Bessie Jones gained world-wide fame as the station-mistress wearing traditional Welsh costume and serving teas in the station house. Will Jones was a well respected track man and passed on some of his skills to countless volunteers over the final 14 years of his employment.
In addition to the station house, Tan-y-bwlch has an original wooden station building, a modern water tank, a modern signal box, and a former stone built goods shed now serving as a shop, café and information centre with modern extensions housing kitchens and passenger amenities. Car parking and a picnic area is provided. The present footbridge is on the site of the original and serves a public footpath (which was formerly a Roman Road) as well as providing access to the island platform.
A feature of the station is the long white paling fence observable in early photographs and recreated in 1968 by volunteers. A later reconstruction is a static replica of the early style slotted post semaphore signal that dominated the station in Victorian times. Modern train control uses modern signalling equipment, carefully interlocked, in the interest of safety.
Tourist facilities include a nature trail through woodlands leading to Llyn Mair (Mary's Lake) as well as longer signposted walks.
References
J.I.C.Boyd; The Festiniog Railway, 1959, revised edns 1965,1975
External links
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