OSWESTRY

Oswestry - a smallish Shropshire town. It was once the headquarters of the Cambrian Railway, absorbed into the Great Western in 1923. Here are a few scenes from the loco shed here in GWR times.

 

The shed survived into the 1960s.

By 1977, just one line passed through what remained of Oswestry station.

A preservation society had taken over part of the yard.

A coach of Parish Coaches, from Morda, is picking up passengers outside the old station.

Vagg's, of Knockinh Heath, NAW 662P approaches the old station, passing a Border Ales pub, the Railway Inn. The pub survives, but no cask beer.

Hampson's Coaches ran a town services using this ancient ex London AEC Regal IV RF type.

Hampson's had their depot in Oswestry and operated to other villages in Shropshire.

Other independents in Oswestry included Owen's Coaches, Bryn Melyn Motor Services and Tanat Valley.

Of course, Crosville was the dominant operator in the town.

Crosville became Crosville Wales/Cymru.

Midland Red North were to be found in Oswestry in 1992.

Here's a postcard view of the Guildhall, one of the important buildings in the town.

Another postcard - the Wynnstay Arms. Real ale and a bed for the night here.

There's the inevitable Wetherspoons - the Wilfred Owen.

The Fox, a former Marston's house, is now in the capable hands of Joules.

The Oak Inn is a fine historic pub and a good place to conclude this post.

Next time, well head vaguely east.

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, headquarters 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!