Blaenau Ffestiniog GWR Exchange Station looking towards Duffws.

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(52°59′40″N, 3°56′18″W)

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iBase ID

2757

Title

Blaenau Ffestiniog GWR Exchange Station looking towards Duffws.

Blaenau Ffestiniog GWR Exchange Station looking towards Duffws. The prominent scrub garden dominates the island platform in the foreground (note that the 21st century FR station shop stands approximately in the same spot). The photographer is stood on the platform staircase leading onto the pedestrian footbridge over the FR tracks. Behind him is the joint FR/GWR signal box (Blaenau Box No. 2) which controlled both the narrow and standard-gauge lines. Also in view is the rarely photographed Blaenau Box No. 1 set into the recess on the near side of the original Queen's Bridge. However looking above the box, the FR signals have been taken off the posts, showing that both they and the box are no longer in use. This dates the scene between August 1923 and June 1925 (the introduction of the Light Railway Order and the signalling equipment being fully dismantled respectively). The GWR moved the control of their standard-gauge signalling to a new central signal box situated on the right at the far end of the yard.

The mixed train in the GWR platform has recently arrived from Bala. It comprises the usual distinctive Toad brake van, two private owner coal waggons, a MICA (meat) van, box vans, a sheeted open, another box van, and finally two small 4-wheeler carriages. The locomotive is probably a GWR 2721 Class pannier tank. The loop line adjacent to the GWR Goods shed on the the far right was provided, from the outset, for stabling carriages that formed the GWR 'Workmen's train', a service that continued one provided by the narrow-gauge Festiniog & Blaenau. The GWR almost without exception used antiquated carriages relieved from mainline service by newer designs. The elderly carriages in the siding include two 4-compartment luggage composite 6-wheelers, and two 4-compartment 3rd class 4-wheelers. These vehicles were built in the mid 1870's and are therefore comparable to some of the FR passenger stock in their vintage.

Note the workmen coming off the GW train and heading home, a couple already heading up the FR track towards Duffws. A group of children last out of school includes two little girls in overcoats. The quarrymen's train in the FR platform is preparing to depart. The number of mk3 carriages suggests that this is the full working, meaning that this scene is either a Monday or a Saturday. A much shorter set, often seen in photographs, ran midweek. The bogie van visible in Duffws yard in the distance is probably No. 2 (newly rebuilt with passenger compartments). Van No. 3 (by this date the last Curly Roofed Van) is probably at the head of the quarrymen's train over the photographers left shoulder.

Source. LGRP 2463

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SH6998945904

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