BACK TO ENGLAND AGAIN

 Before we arrive in the town of Dolgellau, there are some fine walks to be had in the area.

Now, we're looking down on the town.

A more modern postcard showing Dolgellau's highlights.

Back in 1990, Crosville Wales was the main bus operator.

Jones of Blaenau Ffestiniog also served the town.

The Royal Ship serves Robinson's beers and can provide food and accommodation.

We now take a cross country route (see the map here), calling in at Dinas Mawddy to see this ancient 0-6-0ST of the long-vanished Mawddy Railway.

Another railway next, to be found at Llanfair Caerenion, heafquarters of the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway of 2' 6" gauge. The original locos, The Countess and The Earl are seen here.

Other items of motive power include Monarch from Bowaters in Kent.

No. 35 came from, I believe, Sierra Leone.

Dougal in steam, ex Dundee Gasworks.

Sir Drefaldwyn being shunted around in 1981.

Chattenden is a diesel from the Chattenden & Upnor line in North Kent.

A Parry People Mover was present at Llanfair Caerenion in 1995.

0-6-2T loco Joan is seen on a train near Sylfaen in 1978.

The Earl again, this time at Sylfaen in 1976.

In GWR days, no. 822 The Earl was photographed in Welshpool, near Raven Square.

The Countess on arrival at what is now the line's terminus, Raven Square, Welshpool.

The Montgomery Canal is gradually being restored in Welshpool town centre.

Looking out from the old station at Welshpool. The station has since been moved to allow for road construction.

Mid Wales' buses were often to be found in Welshpool.

English operator Worthern Motorways also served the town.

Owen's Coaches were running the town service in 2006.

Crossing the border into England, we travel back in time to find the Shropshire & Montgomershire Railway operating at Llanymynech station.

To the north, just outside Oswestry, is the village of Morda, home to Parish Coches, with an interesting fleet.

We'll be going into Oswestry in the next post and I can promise you more beer!

MEN OF HARLECH (AND ELSEWHERE)

 As promised, we start at the Ffestiniog Railway's Boston Lodge Works.

Linda gets up steam, then leaves for Porthmadog.

Prince outside the works and passing by..

Mountaineer leaves to take up service.

The ex Harrogate Gasworks loco waits for restoration at Boston Lodge in 1977.

We take a slight detour (see the map) to see the famous tourist attraction of Portmeirion (Keith H - Creative Commons License).

Back to the Ffestiniog Railway and Minffordd station in the 1930s.

Here's Minffordd station in 1984, looking spick and span.

A diesel hauled service arrives in 1984.

In May 1993, a collection of Quarry Hunslets was in operation in Minffordd yard.

The next station up the line is Penrhyndeudraeth.

One of the Double Fairlie locos on the level crossing at Penrhyndeudraeth, 1984.

Between Penrhyndeudraeth and Tan-y-Bwlch is the magnificent stone-built embankment at Cae Mawr.

Time for an "about turn" and we head back towards Harlech, calling in at the Ship Aground at Talsarnau for a pint.

So, we arrive at Harlech. We're looking down from the castle grounds in the 1960s.

The railway station is down there (Creative Commons License).

Here's the castle in 1975.

The Lion Hotel in Harlech has recently reopened.

To the south, the Tŷ Mawr hotel at Llanbedr, set in its own grounds.

As we approach Barmouth, we find the village of Llanaber.

Barmouth is our next stop. A GWR 0-6-0 is seen on a local train.

Barmouth station goods yard, circa 1927.

Barmouth station in 1962 (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License).

Barmouth South signal box was still operational in 1990.

A postcard view of King Edward Street.

Another postcard, showing some of Barmouth's delights.

A Cambrian Railway train approaches Barmouth having just crossed the Mawddach estuary, sometime around 1890. 

The north end of Barmouth Bridge, about 100 years later.

A class 37 takes its southbound Cambrian Coast Express over the Mawddach estuary in 1990.

Here's the alternative means of crossing the estuary (Anthony Abbott - Creative Commons License).

Many moons ago, a horse tram met the ferry, ready to take passengers down to Fairbourne.

The line was later changed to a 15" gauge miniature railway. We're looking across to Barmouth here in 1971.

The Fairbourne Railway's Ernest W Twinning at Barmouth Ferry.

The year 1986 saw the line regauged to 12¼". In 1990, diesel loco no. 6 is seen on a foul day in 1990.

Back in 15" gauge days, another diesel is operating the service to and from Fairbourne village.

A 1950s view of another diesel, departing from Fairbourne terminus.

2-4-2 loco Sian departs Fairbourne in 1977.

Two of the diesel locos in 1977.

The regauged line has a selection of locos, all photographed in 1990.

There's a standard gauge station at Fairbourne too (Tom Bastin - Creative Commons License).

Just to the south, the hamlet of Friog.

We now head inland, taking the bus through Bontddu.

And that's where I'll leave you for now. Next time, Dolgellau and beyond.