Llangollen Line Jct. [Ruabon] - Barmouth North Jct.; Bala Jct. - Bala
Date Closed to Passenger Services
18 Jan 1965
Mileage Closed
52m 75c*
Stations Closed
Acrefair; Trevor; Sun Bank Halt (05/06/1950); Llangollen; Berwyn Halt (14/12/1964); Glyndyfrdwy (14/12/1964); Carrog (14/12/1964); Bonwm Halt (14/12/1964); Corwen (14/12/1964); Cynwyd (14/12/1964); Llandrillo (14/12/1964); Llandderfel (14/12/1964); Bala Junction; Bala Lake Halt (25/09/1939); Llangower Halt; Glan Llyn Halt; Llanuwchllyn; Llys Halt; Garneddwen Halt; Drws-y-Nant; Wnion Halt; Bontnewydd; Dolserau Halt (29/10/1951); Dolgellau; Dolgelley (01/08/1869); Penmaenpool; Arthog
Bala
Services Operated
Birkenhead/Chester/Wrexham/Ruabon - Bala/Barmouth/Pwllheli; also Dolgellau - Barmouth - prior to 12/12/1964.
Ruabon - Llangollen; Bala - Barmouth - from 17/12/1964 to closure from Monday 18/01/1965. LTR Sat 16/01/1965.
Timetable Reference
BR (LM) 15 Jun 1964 - 6 Sep 1964 Table 83
Cobb Atlas Reference
310 29 43 - 281 62 14; 308 93 35 - 92 36
Present Status
Preserved - Llangollen - Corwen; Bala - Llanuwchllyn (narrow gauge), (see Notes below). Dismantled - remainder.
Map
RCH Lancashire & Cheshire Districts 1933; RJD136 1910
Further Notes
OCD - Mon 18/01/1965 for the entire line of route - PNM 1980 p67.
ACD - Mon 14/12/1964 for section of line from Llangollen (excl.) - Bala Junction (excl.). LTR - Sat 12/12/1964 on this section due to flood damage to line. (See below for further details.)
The line was originally scheduled for closure from Mon 23/11/1964 but due to delays in procuring a replacement bus service the closure was postponed initially until Mon 04/01/1965 and again to Mon 18/01/1965.
Over the weekend of Sat/Sun 12/13 Dec 1964 severe flooding breached the line between Llangollen and Bala Junction and also near Dolgellau. Services were suspended late morning on the Saturday. A replacement bus service was introduced from Mon 14/12/1964. From Thu 17/12/1964 train services were resumed between Ruabon and Llangollen, and Bala and Barmouth (reversing at Bala Junction). A bus service continued between Bala and Llangollen until the entire service was withdrawn from Mon 18/01/1965 - BLN Vol 9 Nos18, 20, 24.
RPSGB states that from "Monday 14th line from Barmouth to Dolgellau again usable for passengers". Later states that "from Thursday 17th.......service was also provided from Bala to Dolgellau, reversal at Bala Junction". This implies two end-on services provided, but it must be assumed a through service was actually run.
RM Feb 1965 p111 and RHRGB Vol 11 North & Mid Wales p146 state service reinstated from Bala to Dolgellau and not to Barmouth.
*Llangollen Line Jct. [Ruabon] - Barmouth North Jct. - 52m 23c; Bala Jct. - Bala - 0m 52c.
Llangollen - Corwen RO by the Llangollen Railway and Bala - Llanuwchllyn RO (1' 11½" gauge) by the Bala Lake Railway as preserved tourist lines.
Page updated: 06/01/2023