Bala (New) railway station

Bala railway station was on the Great Western Railway's Bala Ffestiniog Line in Wales.[9] It replaced the first Bala station which was further away from the town, on the Ruabon–Barmouth line.

Bala
Bala railway station in June 1962
General information
LocationBala, Gwynedd
Wales
Coordinates52.9126°N 3.5942°W / 52.9126; -3.5942
Grid referenceSH 928 362
Platforms2[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companyBala and Festiniog Railway
Pre-groupingGreat Western Railway
Key dates
1 November 1882Opened
18 January 1965[7][8]Closed

The route to Blaenau was single track throughout. The stations at Bala, Arenig, Trawsfynydd and Festiniog had two platforms, each with its own track. This both allowed for potential traffic and provided passing loops.[10] A fifth loop was provided between 1908 and 1950 immediately north of Cwm Prysor, when intermittent heavy military traffic to and from Trawsfynydd Camp was likely.[11]

Decline

The line northwards to Blaenau Ffestiniog closed to passengers on 2 January 1960 and to freight on 27 January 1961, following a "Last Train" special a week earlier.[12] The short section to Bala Junction closed on 18 January 1965.

The goods shed was an unusual feature. Local landowner Mr. Price of Rhiwlas objected to the construction of the line, and to appease him the goods shed was built to resemble a castle, with mock battlements and turrets.[13][14][15]*[16]

There was a small engine shed - a sub-shed of Croes Newydd - to the south east of the station. It opened and closed with the line and was subsequently demolished.[17]

History

The station was opened by the Bala and Festiniog Railway, which was bought by the Great Western Railway in 1910.[18] The station passed to the Western Region of British Railways on nationalisation in 1948. It was closed by the British Transport Commission.

The site today

The station was demolished and a fire station built on the site. The goods yard is now in light industrial use.

Preceding station   Disused railways   Following station
Frongoch
Line and station closed		   Great Western Railway
Bala Ffestiniog Line		   Bala Junction
Line and station closed

References
  1. Southern 1995, pp. 25-36 & 101.
  2. Mitchell & Smith 2010, Photos 6 & 8.
  3. Turner 2003, p. 17.
  4. Christiansen 1976, p. 54.
  5. Johnson 1995, p. 40.
  6. Bannister 1975, pp. 83 & 86.
  7. Butt 1995, p. 23.
  8. Quick 2009, pp. 70.
  9. Jowett 2000, Map 45.
  10. Bannister 1975, pp. 82–86.
  11. Boyd 1959, p. 549.
  12. "1961 last train at Bala, Arenig and Cwm Prysor Viaduct". NW Rail.
  13. Bannister 1987, Chapter Bala Jcn-Blaenau Festiniog.
  14. Mitchell & Smith 2010, Photo 5.
  15. Southern 1995, pp. 25 & 30.
  16. Clemens 2003, 8 mins from start.
  17. Griffiths & Smith 1999, p. 195.
  18. Boyd 1988, p. 47.

Sources

Further material
  • Coleford, I. C. (October 2010). Smith, Martin (ed.). "By GWR to Blaenau Ffestiniog (Part One)". Railway Bylines. Radstock: Irwell Press Limited. 15 (11).
  • Coleford, I. C. (November 2010). Smith, Martin (ed.). "By GWR to Blaenau Ffestiniog (Part Two)". Railway Bylines. Radstock: Irwell Press Limited. 15 (12).
  • Cowlishaw, Brian (2001) [1961]. North Wales Branches (DVD). Ultimate Archive Steam. Uffington, Shropshire: B&R Video Productions. Vol 38.
  • Ferris, Tom (2004) [1961]. British Railways Volume 4 - Bewdley To Blaenau (DVD). demanddvd. DEMDVD084.
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