Bala (New) railway station

Bala

Bala railway station in June 1962
Location
Place Bala
Area Gwynedd
Coordinates 52°54′45″N 3°35′39″W / 52.9126°N 3.5942°W / 52.9126; -3.5942Coordinates: 52°54′45″N 3°35′39″W / 52.9126°N 3.5942°W / 52.9126; -3.5942
Grid reference SH 928 362
Operations
Original company Bala and Festiniog Railway
Pre-grouping Great Western Railway
Platforms 2[1][2][3][4][5][6]
History
1 November 1882 Opened
18 January 1965[7][8] Closed
Disused railway stations in the United Kingdom
Closed railway stations in Britain
A B C D–F G H–J K–L M–O P–R S T–V W–Z
UK Railways portal

Bala railway station was on the Great Western Railway's Bala Ffestiniog Line in Wales.[9] It replaced the first Bala station which was further away from the village, on the Ruabon Barmouth Line.

The route to Blaenau was single track throughout. The stations at Bala, Arenig, Trawsfynydd and Festiniog had two platforms, each with its own track. This both allowed for potential traffic and provided passing loops.[10] A fifth loop was provided between 1908 and 1950 immediately north of Cwm Prysor, when intermittent heavy military traffic to and from Trawsfynydd Camp was likely.[11]

Decline

The line northwards to Blaenau Ffestiniog closed to passengers on 2 January 1960 and to freight on 27 January 1961, following a "Last Train" special a week earlier.[12] The short section to Bala Junction closed on 18 January 1965.

The goods shed was an unusual feature. Local landowner Mr. Price of Rhiwlas objected to the construction of the line, and to appease him the goods shed was built to resemble a castle, with mock battlements and turrets.[13][14][15]

There was a small engine shed - a sub-shed of Croes Newydd - to the south east of the station. It opened and closed with the line and was subsequently demolished.[16]

History

The station was opened by the Bala and Festiniog Railway, which was bought by the Great Western Railway in 1910.[17] The station passed to the Western Region of British Railways on nationalisation in 1948. It was closed by the British Transport Commission.

The site today

The station was demolished and a fire station built on the site. The goods yard is now in light industrial use.

Preceding station Disused railways Following station
Frongoch
Line and station closed		   Great Western Railway
Bala Ffestiniog Line		   Bala Junction
Line and station closed

References

Sources

Further material

External links

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