No 36 North Wales (Part 2) (British Railways Past and Present)

The decline of railways in North Wales started in the 1930s, barely 50 years after the peak years of 'railway mania'. First came the withdrawal of little-used passenger services to Red Wharf Bay, Glynceiriog and Dyserth, followed in the 1950s by Llangynog and Holywell Town. But it was in the 1960s that Dr. Beeching's axe brought the most dramatic decline, with the closure of branches to Amlwch, Bethesda, Llanberis and Llanfyllin and of through routes from Caernarfon to Afon Wen, Ruabon to Morfa Mawddach, Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog, Rhyl to Corwen and Denbigh to Corwen. The stub from Bangor to Caernarfon just lasted into 1970.

We make no apologies for including several shots of Chester, always considered to be a railway gateway to North Wales. Likewise, the inclusion of Oswestry seems logical. A few traces still remain today of some of the earliest industrial railways which brought slate and minerals down from the hills. However many long-closed lines, stations and terminals have either been redeveloped beyond recognition or have completely returned to nature. Other pictures have a more positive story to tell, with new or improved stations and modern rolling-stock - evidence of recent and ongoing investment.