Tan-y-Bwlch

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Tan-y-Bwlch
Early postcard of Tan-y-Bwlch
Previous Station	Plas Halt
Previous Location	Hafod y Llyn (FR)
Status	Station Open
Next Location	Llyn Mair
Next Location	Garnedd Tunnel
Next Station	Dduallt
Latitude	52:57:15.95N
Longitude	04:00:40/57W
Grid Reference	SH649415
Wikipedia Entry
Stations Locations	Harbour Station

OSGrid:SH649415 Latt / Long :52.95452 / -4.01126

(Meaning 'Under the Pass' ) For more pictures at Tan-y-Bwlch, please click Tan-y-Bwlch (Pictorial Views)

Drawing of layout from 1963. Click on it for a full size view

From 1865 until 1873 the only regular passing station for trains was at the former horse stage at Hafod y Llyn (FR) which opened for passengers on 6 January 1865. It was approximately 7 miles from Portmadoc, and horses were changed there from 1836 to 1863.

The new station at Tan-y-Bwlch was the principal passing station from its opening in July 1873 ( see below) until it closed to passengers on 15th September 1939. Passenger service to Tan-y-Bwlch was resumed on 5th April 1958. Tan-y-Bwlch is 434ft above sea-level and 7 miles 35 chains from the modern zero point at Porthmadog. Tan-y-Bwlch has a large, post-preservation built water tank (and the base of the original, smaller, tank), a post-preservation built signal box, together with the original wooden station building and station house (c1895-6). The stone-built former goods shed serves as a shop and café and has been extended to accommodate kitchens, a store and passenger amenities.

The present footbridge is not on the site of the 19thC original but is a few yards nearer Porthmadog and serves a public footpath (formerly a Roman road) as well as providing access to the island platform.

Before 1854, there was a level crossing for the Maentwrog–Llanfrothen road which passed between the present café and the later road bridge. In that year the road was diverted to go under the new bridge, the cast-iron girders of which were, according to the legend upon them, cast at Boston Lodge, a remarkable achievement at that date.

Early postcard of Tan-y-Bwlch.. The crew of typical down train of the period stand proudly beside their charge Double Fairlie Livingston Thompson, in 1893-6, as an up train receives attention. The twin smoke trails, seen just beyond the ticket office, indicate that the up service is also hauled by a double engine. The small wooden building to the right of the station served as a refreshment kiosk: perhaps the driver of the Oakley Arms Hotel's horse-drawn carriage has just 'wet his whistle'. 'The Barn', on the left, served as a passenger shelter before being replaced by the Station House.

At one point, there appeared at least two machines outside the station. These were known as mutoscopes, and were provided by the North Wales Mutoscope Co.

This view shows Tan-y-bwlch with a train hauled by single Fairlie 'Taliesin' approaching
*Date: from 1900 - 1910 *Photo: Unknown

Trains passing
*Date: 18th August 2004 *Photo: Martin Ellis

[edit]See also

• Bessie Jones
• Multimap Location
• Wikipedia Entry for Tan-y-bwlch
• FR Stations