The first volume in our popular “Miscellany” series to cover the Cambrian Coast routes and compiled from mostly previously unseen footage from the B & R archives.

Travelling along the coastal route we visit places such as Pwllheli, Penychain, Afon Wen, Criccieth, Portmadoc, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, and Harlech. Then back at Barmouth we see the up bay platform, opened by the GWR in 1923, and the Old Chapel Viaduct which was rebuilt in the early 1950s. All followed by glorious views of the world famous Barmouth Viaduct across the Mawddach Estuary.

Continuing south we pass Morfa Mawddach, Fairbourne, Friog Rocks, Llwyngwril and stop off at Towyn for a few minutes before heading up the Dovey Estuary.

We then spend some time at Aberystwyth, with ‘Manors’ everywhere, before heading back inland through Bow Street, after a token exchange, to Borth, Ynyslas, Glandyfi and Dovey Junction. This famous isolated junction has no road access and we make a number of visits including seeing the Pwllheli and Aberystwyth portions of the up ‘Cambrian Coast Express’ being combined together for the onward journey to Shrewsbury

Machynlleth is well covered and highlights include scenes at the shed showing the preparation of 82033 for duty, plus ‘Dukedog’ 9017 acting as pilot on both the up and down “Cambrian Coast Express” in 1960. There are overhead views here plus panoramas across the valley.
We continue inland via Cemmes Road with its token exchange before extended coverage of the final stages of the ascent of Talerddig Bank with passenger and freight trains battling their way up the grade. The final up “Cambrian Coast Express” is seen here in March 1967.

Other locations featured include Newtown, Welshpool, Buttington, Llanymynech, Llanfyllin, and Oswestry. Although not specifically Cambrian there is also film of Shrewsbury, Hookagate, Llangollen, Llandderfel, Bala Junction, Bala, Bontnewydd and Dolgellau (including on what is believed to be the last day of services).

The cine-film was taken between 1960s and 1967. Motive power seen includes ex-GWR Manor, 43xx, 2251, 45xx, Pannier & Dukedog classes as well as BR Standard Classes 75xxx, 78xxx, 80xxx and 82xxx. Even the odd DMU manages to put in an appearance!

Most of the film is in colour and has been assembled in the order the film runs off the original cine reels. An authentic sound track has been added along with an informative commentary to compliment this nostalgic look at these last years of steam on the Cambrian.

Pannier

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B & R No. 235 DVD, Cambrian Steam Miscellany No. 1

BR Steam in Dean by Ben Ashworth & Ian Pope

Great Western Railway Pannier Tanks by Robin Jones

London Underground Gallery (1954-2000)

The PANNIER PAPERS No.2 The 57XX Engines: 36XX, 37XX, 46XX by Ian Sixsmith & Richard Derry