Dduallt
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
| Dduallt | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Linda waits to depart Date 7 June 1970 Photo: Gareth Foster | |
| Previous Station | Tan-y-Bwlch |
| Previous Location | Campbell's Platform |
| Previous Location | Garnedd Tunnel |
| Previous Location | Coed Y Bleiddiau Halt |
| Status | Halt Open |
| Next Location | Rhoslyn Cottage |
| Next Location | Llyn Ystradau |
| Next Location | Summit Cutting |
| Next Station | Tanygrisiau |
| Latitude | 52:57:36.69N |
| Longitude | 03:58:06.88W |
| Grid Reference | SH678421 |
| Harbour Station | |
OSGrid:SH678421 Latt / Long :52.96023 / -3.96860
(Meaning 'Black Hill' )
When steam traction was introduced in 1863, a slate water tank (which still exists) was established near Dduallt farm about 42 chains below the present station, on Tank Curve, and all up trains stopped for water. Regular use of this facility probably ceased about 1872 with the opening of Tan-y-bwlch (although up goods trains are said to have been required to stop at Dduallt for examination prior to passing through Moelwyn Tunnel). The quiet station at Dduallt was first mentioned as a passenger station in 1880. It seems to have declined steadily becoming an unstaffed halt in the 1930s (when it was landscaped by Clough Williams Ellis) until final closure to passengers on 15th September 1939.
For a time, William Thomas Edwards was stationmaster here during his time working for the company.
Due to the amount of traffic, in the late 60's, early 70's, an adhoc shuttle was run from Tan-y-Bwlch for a period, colloquially known under various names, including the Dduallt Diddy and the Dduallt Shuttle.
Dduallt reopened to passengers on 6th April 1968 and was the upper terminus until 1977. The original slate water tank at Tank curve was re-commissioned in May 1969 as an emergency supply, but was later replaced by another tank at the north end of Dduallt platform, fed from the water supply at the old tunnel. This tank is now disconnected. Dduallt is at a height of 540ft and a distance of 9 miles 44 chains from Porthmadog. As deviation work progressed, a pull & push service, officially called the Gelliwiog Shuttle (hauled by Moel Hebog and carriage 110) was operated from Dduallt to Gelliwiog from 26th May 1975 to enable tourists to experience the Deviation route in advance of the opening of the new Moelwyn Tunnel. For several years before this a Shuttle ran between Tan-Y-Bwlch and Dduallt between the other trains in the Peak period with Moelwyn, Van 6 (then No2 van), Quarrymans No. 8 and Bug Boxes, with Toastrack No. 37 substituting from 1972.
| Deviation Locator | |
| Towards Porthmadog | Rhoslyn Bridge |
| Toward Blaenau Ffestiniog | Rhoslyn Bridge |
| Dduallt | |
|---|---|
Rhoslyn Cottage, opposite the platform and derelict for many years, and once planned to be converted to a hotel, is now in company ownership.
 Vale of Ffestiniog hauls a down train at Dduallt |
 A plaque dedicated to Colonel Campbell is at Dduallt |
Linda waits to depart from Dduallt, when this was the terminus of the line |
 One of the many projects undertaken by the area groups was construction of a shelter |
[edit]References
- Boyd, James I.C. [1959] (1975 / 2002). The Festiniog Railway 1800 - 1974; Vol. 2 Locomotive and Rolling Stock and Quarry Feeders. Blandford: The Oakwood Press. ISBN ISBN 085361-168-8.