22nd January 1961

Stephenson Locomotive Society (Midland Area)
Last Passenger Train Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog

Locos Used 4645, 8791 & 9669
Stock Used 8x ex-GW saloons

Route :

Loco(s) Route
4645 + 8791 (1) Ruabon - Llangollen Line Jn - Llangollen - Carrog - Corwen - Llanderfel - Bala Junction - Bala - Frongoch - Arenig - Trawsfynydd - Blaenau Ffestiniog Central
4645 + 8791 Blaenau Ffestiniog Central - (reverse of outward route) - Bala (2)
9669 + 8791 Bala - (reverse of outward route) - Ruabon

Notes :
(1) 9669 was put onto the rear of the train at Bala 'prepared to give a slight push up the steep bank which started just off the end of the platform'.
(2) 4645 was replaced as it was 'short of coal'.

Sources : Trevor Machell & Ian Clark (SLS)

Photo Review


4645 & 8791, ready to depart Ruabon (photo: The Bob Mitchell Collection)


4645 & 8791 being watered at Arenig (photo: Robert Darlaston)


4645 & 8791 paused at Trawsfynydd (photo: Robert Darlaston)


4645 & 8791 at Blaenau Ffestiniog Central (photo: Robert Darlaston)


...and ready to leave for Bala and Ruabon (photo: Robert Darlaston)


From Andrew Fairholms ticket collection.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Ian Clark (SLS) & Bruce Nathan)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Ruabon 12.20d 12.44   18.14a 19.04½
Llangollen ? ?   18/00 18/50
Corwen ??.??a ~ 12.54d 13.19 ~ 13.24   17/40 18/28
Bala Junction 13/12 13/45   17/22 18.04 ~ 18.07½
Bala ? ?   17.11 ~ 17.20 17.54 ~ 18.01
Frongoch 13/45 14/07½   17/07 17/46
Arenig 14.00 ~ 14.10 14.27 ~ 14.35½   16/55 17/31
Trawsfynydd 14.30 ~ 14.40 15.02 ~ 15.12   16.25 ~ 16.35 16.51 ~ 16.59½
Festiniog 16/13 16/38½   16/13 16/38½
Blaenau Ffestiniog Central 15.15a 15.39   16.00d 16.26½


Back to "The Railtour Files"