IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM SNOWDON

Let's start at the summit of Snowdon and we're looking down in 1961. The weather's rather gloomy.

Two early postcard views around the summit showing the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Sometime around 1970, no. 8 is seen in the clouds at the summit station.

Clogwyn station features on this postcard view.

The first station out of Llanberis is called Hebron, seen in August 1984.

The morning freight train, servicing the summit facilities, is seen between Hebron and Llanberis in 1984.

No. 7 hard at work about a mile uphill from Llanberis.

Llanberis SMR station, circa 1920.

No. 6 being serviced outside Llanberis shed, 1977.

Loco no. 4 photographed leaving Llanberis in 1984.

These days, diesel locos also operate certain trains (Andrew Fieldsend).

Llanberis town is on the banks of Llyn Padarn.

The Llanberis Lake Railway runs along the north bank of Llyn Padarn. Here are some ex "Quarry Hunslet" locos at Llanberis station and shed.

Diesel locos are used for works trains and by contractors.

Beside the station is a long disused incline serving the slate industry.

There's a slate museum by the Llanberis Lake Railway loco shed. A broad gauge crane sits outside.

Inside, some tough looking machinery for cutting the slates (Nicolas Pike).

Wagons full of slate stand outside (Nicolas Pike).

By 2003, the Llanberis Lake Railway had built an extension further into Llanberis town centre. Thomas Bach crosses the newly contructed river bridge.

Here's the new terminus, again featuring Thomas Bach.

There was once a standard gauge railway station in Llanberis.

Close to the town, Llanberis Falls.

Here's a postcard view of what Llanberis has to offer.

Crosville Motor Services ran the majority of buses in Llanberis.

Other operators have included DP Owens and Gwynfor Coaches (Andrew Fieldsend).

KMP Coaches had a yard not far from the town centre. A couple of Bus Eireann coaches are parked up here in 1995.

This Dennis Dart is seen in Llanberis conveying tourists to the underground power station.

Leaving Llanberis (you can see the route map here) we pass the old slate workings at Dinorwig, as seen on this postcard from my collection.

At the village of Llanrug, a KMP Coaches MCW Metrobus passes by in 2003.

Finally! A pint! The Glyntwrog pub is a welcome sight.

Next time, a meander towards Conwy.

 

A START ON SNOWDONIA/ERYRI

 From Carrog, we head north across country to the town of Ruthin, illustrated by two postcard views from my collection.

Maybe, you'd like to see where we're going. The map here will help. Our next stop is the eastern end of Bala Lake.

It's here that we find the terminus of the Bala Lake Railway. There are hopes to extend the line to Bala town. Holy War is in charge of the train.

Holy War is seen again, at the intermediate station of Llangower.

The western terminus of the line is at Llanuwcllyn.

It's here that we find a diesel loco called Meirionnydd.

Hunslet loco Maid Marion at Llanuwcllyn in 1977.

Holy War & Maid Marion outside the loco shed in 1990.

Inside the shed, an ex Chilmark diesel loco.

Taking the route of the crow, we cross mountainous terrain to the village of Trawsfynydd, where the GWR had a station.

Over more rugged landscapes to the Ffestiniog Railway station at Tan-y-Bwlch, seen first in 1895 or thereabouts.

Tan-y-Bwlch was the terminus of the preserved Ffestinog Railway in the 1960s. Prince is running round.

Steam and diesel locos at Tan-y-Bwlch is more recent times.

Not far away, the bridge crossing the Afon Dwyryd at Maentwrog circa 1966.

At Dduallt, the Ffestiniog Railway gains height to reach its new alignment.

Here is Tanygrisau station on the FR in August 1984.

Double Fairlie loco Earl of Merioneth has departed Tanygrisiau.

A nice view of the stream near Tanygrisiau.

FR train from Porthmadog at Blaenau Ffestiniog leaving for GWR station (LMS station on right) 1938.

Here's the former LNWR (LMS) station at Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1977.

The Ffestiniog Railway's loco Princess was plinthed at Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1977, in anticipation of the re-arrival of the narrow gauge line to the town.

A DMU stands in the new British Rail station in Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1984.

By 2003, a class 153 sufficed for the available traffic.

Here's a view of the ex GWR station at Blaenau Ffestiniog (My collection, photographer unknown).

A selection of photos of modern Ffestiniog Railway motive power at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

 

In the 1970s, Crosville was the main bus operator in Blaenau Ffestiniog 

In 2003, Arriva buses were common.

Other bus companies serving Blaenau Ffestiniog included Jones (based in the town) and Express Motors.

The town does attract a fair amount of tourists these days. A Maidstone & District coach has brought a good crowd in.

Another cross country trip now, to the Aberglaslyn Pass, not far from Beddgelert.

The Welsh Highland Railway ran along this valley side, calling at Aberglaslyn Halt.

The trackbed of the WHR became a spectacular walk. The new WHR now runs along here.

Here are two views of the old Beddgelert station in the 1930s.

To the north is Rhyd Ddu, served by the new WHR.

There's some fine views from here.

And finally..... a pub! The lovely Cwellyw Arms at Rhyd Ddu.

Next time, we might ascend Snowdon.