Tan Y Bwlch Bridge

From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group

This bridge, by which the FR crosses the B4410 Llanfrothen – Maentwrog road, was built in 1854, and therefore predates the coming of steam operation by some 9 years. At the time of building, and until 1873, there was no Tan y Bwlch station either, the nearest stopping-place being Hafod y Llyn. The original alignment of the road, crossed the railway on the level, at a point a little nearer the present station. The road was diverted to pass under the new bridge, which has cast-iron girders, each carrying a plate stating they were manufactured at Boston Lodge Foundry. Whether the girders seen today are the originals is called into question by some, but there seems to be no record of any replacement being installed. The road under the bridge is very narrow, but was widened later on the Maentwrog side to allow room for a junction for an approach road to the station. An interesting point is that George Borrow, in "Wild Wales" passed this way in 1854 on his north-to-south walk through Wales, but makes no mention of any bridge, or even the railway. But then he hated anything remotely industrial, though not so much as to prevent him making use of trains to cross England from his East Anglia home to Chester!

2004 was therefore the 150th birthday of the bridge, and at the Heritage Group AGM dinner held at Tan y Bwlch in October the health of the bridge was drunk in Champagne, after which a motley group of members processed down the line to the bridge in darkness, led by ACG.

[edit]Note

An article dealing more fully with Borrow's walk through WHR/FR country appeared in HGJ71 (Autumn 2002) with follow-up in the correspondence section of HGJ72

[edit]See also

• FR Locations