For anyone watching not from the UK this bridge is used SO MUCH in the news/weather shows. Literally any time the sea is even slightly stormy this bridge will appear with waves splashing against it.
Lucky enough to live on the Cambrian Coast Line and during winter months we get free travel with our bus passes on the line from Pwhelli to Mac. Still get excited crossing the Barmouth bridge it's amazing!
@@TheWelshonesVideosThat's a seriously steep line, which has caused visiting steam locos grief at times. Did you see the clip of a walk through the long tunnel, when the line was closed for flood repairs a few years back?
As a teenager living just outside of london i've made it my mission to travel as much as i can and cross off every line and landmark on the tube and national rail, On our journey bucket list lies "Meeting Geoff During A Journey", Maybe one day i'll find myself in the tracks of a person that inspired me to begin these journeys
@@nigelkthomas9501 When I was a little boy my family used to come to Fairbourne for our summer holidays and I used the light railway many times. I used to go in the sea there, but I remember there always seemed to be lots of jellyfish there!
Holidayed in Fairbourne in the 50’s and travelled there by train from Birmingham via Shrewsbury and the now missing line through Dolgellau. Used the miniature railway every day to ‘beach’ from our boarding house opposite the station. I have a ticket somewhere for 6p (2 1/2 p)
@@geofftech2 Hi Geoff, I'm not sure if you remember me but we met when you came to the Fairbourne railway in 2021, i Was driving your train from Barmouth ferry back to Fairbourne where we had a pleasant and if I remember correctly I gave you a small tour around the station. You said that you were going to make a video about Morfa when we were talking in Fairbourne and ever since then i have been keeping an eye out for it . I really enjoyed the video it was intriguing to see your old photos compared to how Morfa looks today, and thank you for the shout out for the Fairbourne. I wish you the best and hopefully see you back at the Fairbourne one day :)
The Cumbrian Coast Line and Barmouth Bridge is fabulous especially when you want to get away from the busy city life and to explore the peace and tranquility that West Wales has to offer. Very nice.
Very fond memories of school trips to Fairbourne and rock climbing in the hills above Barmouth. Great to have the memories brought back by the video, thanks Geoff!
I travelled this line recently as part of a ‘no car’ break in Wales and, having grown up overlooking the station at Kirkby in Furness I was astounded at how beautiful this line is. I felt… duplicitous, but I’m looking forward to exploring it more! For the record I got the bus from Dolgellau to Barmouth, the train to Porthmadog and the Welsh highland railway to Caernarfon and then reversed it all for a full day out. It was stunning.
The Mawddach Trail can also be cycled and is one of the best cycle rides in the UK, in my opinion. There's cycle hire places at both ends and it is very popular.
I find it very frustrating, that even though I am in the same county of Gwynedd as Barmouth, to get to Barmouth on a national rail train I'd have to go to Chester, then Shrewsbury, before going to Aberystwyth.
How lovely it is. I must admit my time in Wales was limited to getting off the ferry from Dublin at Holyhead. After spending several sleepless hours on the ferry and in the train station, I promptly fell asleep on the train and missed the sights. Your videos are making me wish I was visiting the U. K. this year. I am looking forward to the next video.
As a 15 year old in 1958 I took the train from London to Criccieth. It was steam double headed from Shrewsbury and obviously Barmouth Bridge left a lasting memory but not just for the view. After stopping at a station just to the north of the bridge there must be a steep incline because both engines ran out of puff. We had to reverse back over the bridge and take a non-stop run through the station to get up the hill.
Went on vacation to porthmadog last year. We went by train and de last part of the journey was this line. just beautiful. greetings from the Netherlands
A part of the world very close to my heart. My Grandparents had a caravan at Talybont & the line passed right by, most summer holidays were spent there for years☀️ Last time I crossed the bridge by cycle the metalwork was in a terrible state (2019) I had cycled the Mawddach Trail from Dolgellau, a beautiful ride if you ever fancy it. Fantastic to see that NR have finally returned the bridge back to its former glory & hopefully it will last for many more years to come👍 The whole Cambrian coast line is one of my favourite journeys by train anywhere, we spend a lot of time near Welshpool now & still take the train just for a day out along the coast. Great video Geoff, keep them coming. Cheers John B😎
Had a splendid holiday in Llwyngwril back in the 1970s. Travelled by loco hauled train from Sheffield (24s??). Visited the Talylyn and Fairbourne railways and climbed Cader Idris. Had an enjoyable day out in Barmouth shopping in Woolworths. These days might struggle to climb Barmouth high street. Old age.
Thank you for this video Geoff. One of your most enjoyable adventures for me, as I used to visit this area around Barmouth and Llanbedr when I was a child.
You win the multimodal medal for this trip. Thanks for showing the bus. Have you considered packing a brompton folding bike for the bits between the stations? May let you get more stops on the same day.
In 1970 I attended my first ever Scout camp at Arthog, just a little way up the estuary from the bridge. Twice we walked from the site to Barmouth and back via the bridge, but I don't remember any tolls/trolls then. This summer I will returning to North Wales for holiday and hope to travel at least part of the Cambrian Coast Line.
I had the pleasure of crossing the viaduct in an early DMU (construction date, not silly o'clock), giving me a beautiful view of it. If possible try to visit the line in the stormy autumn season, it's quite a different scene then !
This is a really lovely part of Wales. I have been to Barmouth a few times and stayed in Pensarn for weekend breaks. Love the dedication to keep these quieter lines and stations open
Thanks Geoff, great to see you out and about here. I use Penhelig fairly often, if I have time to walk the beach from Tywyn and then through all of Aberdovey or if I have been enjoying the food and drink at the Penhelig Arms Hotel.
I always go to Barmouth on holiday and I’m planning to walk the bridge this year. This video is really useful. Really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.
I have an enduring memory of being in Barmouth and seeing the last train to Pwllheli appear to float across the sky as it crossed the bridge in the dark with only the internal lights visible. ❤❤
One of the first holidays I remember was a camping holiday when I was about 5 in the mid 80s. We were staying near Morfa Mawddach station and I remember walking across the bridge and taking a (very old) train back! Fun memories.
Have you done the viaduct at Arnside yet? You may enjoy that - carry on to Grange-Over-Sands and you'll see some incredible scenery. Also, I absolutely love Barmouth. Often go for holiday. I'm having a rotten day, so feeling some whimsical nostalgia is really helping me. Thanks Geoff :)
Lovely to see you exploring an area I used to know well, the Mawddach Estuary area is beautiful, with lots to interesting railway fans to boot. Your pronunciation of Pwllheli puts a smile on my face every time.
One of my earliest memories is of crossing the Barmouth ferry. It was a tiny boat and a huge river, I was not a happy child. On the other side a train pulled up out of nowhere (the Fairbourne Railway) and my father and brothers got off - this simply blew my toddler's brain.
Yet another story of when the trains fail you (in a way), the bus saves you in rural Wales. We cut a connection across the town of Welshpool too fine last summer, and were saved by a local bus that took us to Shrewsbury so we could connect to get home.
Some superb photography there and very impressive doing it all within the time constraints of catching the various trains. It's a lovely trip along the coast down to Barmouth, I did the "Round Robin" ticket last year and the run back to Shrewsbury was the final leg of the trip. An excellent video.
Back in the eighties, I used to travel to school in Barmouth from Porthmadog daily by train. One lasting memory I have is how the sea used to batter the wall running parallel to Llanaber during rough weather resulting in huge waves crashing against the old DMU windows (and in many cases soaking those inside) Happy memories!
I was surprised to see one train terminated at Birmingham International, but my mind was blown when your final destination was Abu Dhabi! That's quite the commute!
That made me smile. I often think what an effort it is to fit a full Formula 1 World Championship race around Aberdyfi… but some how they do it every year! They don’t half fit the place out well. It hardly looks like Wales, but you can tell they do it as the famous Aberdyfi sand is clearly visible on the TV! 😂😂
Great video, Geoff, many thanks. My mother-in-law lives in Borth, and this is definitely a trip we shall make next time we visit this wonderful and beautiful part of Wales. I also appreciate the way you know pronounce Dyfi correctly after meeting the locals.
Geoff - missed you by just a week - fab little route, the walk takes you down to the George Hotel and a toll bridge for cars, back to Barmouth the rail/ foot/cycle bridge is simply outstanding ....catch ya next time.
Geoff, thanks so much for all the videos you make, it's a highlight of my day to see a new one pop up on my notifications! I'm looking forward to Wixams station opening this year (hopefully) and your coverage of it!
I remember going on holiday to Pwllheli back in arriva train years and we took the train to Morfa mawddach and I remember my dad saying to the guard that we where getting off here and then we walked on barmoth bridge.
I did Tywyn to Barmouth, walked to Morfa Mawddach (crossing the bridge just after sunset, it got lovely and dark under the full moon), and then rode back to Tywyn a couple of months ago, after riding behind Sir Haydn on the Talyllyn railway all day. We stayed in Machynlleth that night, and did the Talyllyn behind Dolgoch the following day too.
During the ear;y 80s i used to do the Grantham to Pwhelli trip, via Nottingham, Derby, Shrewsbury... often on the last service of the evening. Used to stop the 150 at every request stop, check for sluggish passengers then switch the lights out. Took forever but great trip.
That is an absolutely spectacular beachside station at Llanaber. I would compare it to the station at Mana (on the Wellington to Kapiti line here in New Zealand). Or what was Muri station just a little north, and on a hilltop.
I've not crossed the bridge on foot, but I have travelled on the Fairbourne - Barmouth ferry, which connects with the Fairbourne Light Railway. The vessel was basically a rowing boat if I remember rightly! Great fun.
On holiday in Snowdonia in 1992/3, we were staying in Trawsfynydd, but most evenings we'd head into Barmouth for dinner. It's no longer there, but there used to be a Fish and Chip shop that had THE tastiest chips in the Country!!
That part of Wales is a fantastic and beautiful place to go and see on a nice sunny day. But on a heavy cloudy or rainy day it's not so nice. I enjoyed you blog
One of my favourite places! Spent many evenings there shopping at the Co-Op and Spar, and eating out whilst camping a little further north up the coast. I ate at the Dolphin Fish Bar, the various pizza and donor kebab shops, and the Promenade cafe. I've never walked all the way across the bridge, but did go across it on a train a few years ago when I went to Tywyn to spend a day at the Talyllyn Railway. Superb views from the top pf the cliffs behind the town. I have some photos of steam trains (not old, but relatively recent tours) on the bridge, and at other sites across the town.
Has Geoff considered visiting the recently reopened Troon Station ticket office, which was destroyed by fire a few years ago? It will have a grand opening just in time for the British Open Golf Championship being held at Royal Troon. It's a beautiful station on the Ayrshire Coast mainline between Ayr and Glasgow Central.
You should go to Balbriggen just North of Dublin the main Belfast- Dublin mainline goes right along side the rugby pitch. It is quite exciting, railway oneside and Irish Sea on the other
I have family in Balbriggan, a couple over here in the UK now. Great town, been there many times, great railway line. I have seen this in one of Geoff's videos, I think under 'All the Stations'.
You’ve got to do Tywyn, as the train announcement said. And ALL the stations (including the request stops) of the Talyllyn railway, which is the first railway to be preserved in the world. I have very fond memories of travelling the Cambrian Coast line (sometimes on the same train all the way from Birmingham New Street) to Machynlleth and Tywyn in the late 1990s for my holidays as a teenaged trainee and then an assistant Guard on the Talyllyn railway. And then travelling home with my bag of soot-covered and smoke-smelling white shirts and black trousers.
They are talking about cutting the trains back to around two per day this summer between machynlleth and peweli ,this is theu can provide more services to shrewsbury
Used to go up that way many years ago as a child on camping holidays. Used to stay at Borth but we made our way up the coast. Remember staying one year just past Barmouth and it was the year of the terrible winds of the Fastnet boat race and having to hang onto the tent or it was taking off. Also the butchers in Barmouth used to have a ceramic pig in the window and every night they used to dress it up as to what the weather was going to be the next day. Great fun and amusement as a child. Not sure if the butchers is still there?
We have a friend who lived on the Mawddach estuary. It’s a lovely area. I’ve actually caught a train to Morfa Mawddach many times. There’s a terrifying but picturesque bridge somewhat upriver, too, at Penmaenpool.
I walked along part of the old railway track - converted into a cycleway - W of Penmaenpool many years ago. I would have crossed over the Barmouth Bridge too, but I don't like heights.
Hey Geoff, I'm glad you'd found a bus. I was worried I'd contributed to the day's plans going even more off track by shouting over to say hello. It was great to bump into you. I was amazed and delighted that you were happy to come over to a complete stranger who'd recognised you for a quick chat, even though you'd missed your train. I confess it sort of made my holiday. I'd have loved to talk more, but it was bad enough boring you with some photos after you'd showed an interest in my camera, sorry. Another great episode, and a wonderful hint at the other stations down there I definitely have to visit next time we come down to the area. You're right about the bridge, its well worth the walk. Did you notice even though the steel arches appear new, they have deliberately retained some of the original, or possibly copies of the swing mechanism controls, to keep it looking as accurate as possible? It dawned on me later maybe you need to do all the request stops on the Talyllyn railway next time you're nearby, there are a few, on the line. We were staying in a cottage on a farm which had its own bridge over the line, and it had its own halt, a request stop named after the farm. Go on, I know you'd want to. Thanks again for meeting you, it was a pleasure.
hey Gordon! i can reveal that the original plan was indeed go on the Talyllyn, but maybe later in the year ... things got swapped out because my friend had to cancel. your photos were great, and it was lovely to chat! no problem!! :-)
A train that Intercity used to run, in the summer season, from 1986-1992, was the Saturdays only Euston - Pwllheli service, producing two loco hauled trains each day. The first one ran from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli, before heading to London Euston, and a second train ran all the way from Euston - Pwllheli and back. These trains worked from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli and back with 37/4 haulage, from a pool at Cardiff Canton depot.
Back in 1972, there was a SO Euston - Aberystwyth through working. Electric haulage to Wolverhampton (where the OHLE petered out back then), thence diesel hauled (may have been a 'Hoover', can't recall) to a reversal at Shrewsbury, the final leg hauled by a pair of 'rats' (Class 25, if memory serves). We changed at Machynlleth for Barmouth, this being a 3x2car DMMU formation (the longest local services I saw), which pulled into the platform as soon as the Aberystwyth portion cleared the station limits. The local DMMUs were Class 101 and 103, wonderfully panoramic units, in plain rail blue, sporting the distinctly non-sttandard red bufferbeams which marked them out as Cambrian units. There was a summer only through DMMU working from the W. Mids which was easily identified by standard black bufferbeams, general grubbiness and obvious 3+2 seating On summer Sundays, there was only one timetabled service, I believe it was from Manchester and was Class 37 hauled, running as far as Barmouth. Pubs in N.Wales were closed on Sundays back then. Not so the Working Mens Clubs, of which my father was a member! At this time, the Ffestiniog's legendary Sunday buffet car service was a great money spinner, shuttling between Portmadoc (as it was then) and Dduallt, the then upper terminus.
@@geofftech2I've had that superb site bookmarked for yonks! Did you find the bit about Barmouth handing three (or was it four?) loco hauled specials? When I was there, there were still sidings where the modern houses now are on the northern end of the seaward side. The old Dolgellau platform still stood south of the crossing, now buried under new development. Have you seen the clips '158 by road through Bramouth'? Parts 1&2? Worth a search IMHO. Quite amazing skill from tbe Allelys Heavy Haulage driver.
Interesting fact for you Geoff, Aberdovey is the closest station to a golf club in the whole of the UK. Literally walk off the platform and you’re inside the clubhouse!
For anyone watching not from the UK this bridge is used SO MUCH in the news/weather shows. Literally any time the sea is even slightly stormy this bridge will appear with waves splashing against it.
Scottish news loves the sea wall at Saltcoats. Usually the waves crashing over a 380 and probably flashing over the overhead lines.
@@southcalder yeah the Saltcoats one is always a favourite lol.
Lucky enough to live on the Cambrian Coast Line and during winter months we get free travel with our bus passes on the line from Pwhelli to Mac. Still get excited crossing the Barmouth bridge it's amazing!
Ah! I thought this was just the Heart of Wales line, didint realise it happened here too … nice
@@geofftech2 It also is permitted to use your concessionary pass between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestinog
@@TheWelshonesVideosThat's a seriously steep line, which has caused visiting steam locos grief at times. Did you see the clip of a walk through the long tunnel, when the line was closed for flood repairs a few years back?
@@geofftech2are you going to do Machynlleth and the funicular?
I'm not a Welsh speaker but I think Geoff did well with the Welsh place names. A bit spoilt by his pronunciation of Bar 'muth'!
I like the signage outside the station in the town of Barmouth St Tion.
Presumably Saint Tion was one of the lesser-known Welsh saints!
Very funny!😀
Might be one of the very few gender-fluid saints. In a lot of other places it‘s called Sta.Tion.
@@WesBergen Hee hee!😃
As a teenager living just outside of london i've made it my mission to travel as much as i can and cross off every line and landmark on the tube and national rail, On our journey bucket list lies "Meeting Geoff During A Journey", Maybe one day i'll find myself in the tracks of a person that inspired me to begin these journeys
Sounds like a plan. Good luck and enjoy!
That is absolutely brilliant! Keep going and all the best on your onward and future travels ♥
Railways and the seaside, two of my favourite things in the whole world.
That sea looked really swimable didn’t it!
@@nigelkthomas9501 When I was a little boy my family used to come to Fairbourne for our summer holidays and I used the light railway many times. I used to go in the sea there, but I remember there always seemed to be lots of jellyfish there!
@@stevebarlow3154 There can be at times, but they’re not deadly.
Thanks for the shout out for the Fairbourne Railway. Volunteers & staff very much appreciate it 😀
No problem 👍 - i was there back in summer of 2021, and it's great! Couldn't make it this time tho!
Thanks you guys for keeping it going!
Holidayed in Fairbourne in the 50’s and travelled there by train from Birmingham via Shrewsbury and the now missing line through Dolgellau. Used the miniature railway every day to ‘beach’ from our boarding house opposite the station. I have a ticket somewhere for 6p (2 1/2 p)
@@geofftech2 Hi Geoff, I'm not sure if you remember me but we met when you came to the Fairbourne railway in 2021, i Was driving your train from Barmouth ferry back to Fairbourne where we had a pleasant and if I remember correctly I gave you a small tour around the station. You said that you were going to make a video about Morfa when we were talking in Fairbourne and ever since then i have been keeping an eye out for it . I really enjoyed the video it was intriguing to see your old photos compared to how Morfa looks today, and thank you for the shout out for the Fairbourne. I wish you the best and hopefully see you back at the Fairbourne one day :)
The Cumbrian Coast Line and Barmouth Bridge is fabulous especially when you want to get away from the busy city life and to explore the peace and tranquility that West Wales has to offer. Very nice.
Very fond memories of school trips to Fairbourne and rock climbing in the hills above Barmouth. Great to have the memories brought back by the video, thanks Geoff!
The views from Dinas Oleu across the estuary are stunning.
I live in Aberystwyth and it takes roughly the same amount of time to travel by train to Shrewsbury as it does to get to Barmouth
On the subject of irony, you can't travel by train from West Wales to either North Wales or South Wales without leaving Wales.
@@Maltloaflegrande I am very aware of that. It can easily take over 5 hours to get from here to Swansea by train
@@unsc95 They should never have allowed the Aber- Carmarthen route to be pulled up.
@@Maltloaflegrande There have been talks about it being redone, but there seems to be a lot of stalling. Most locals want it done though
@@Maltloaflegrande You can get from the west coast to the north coast by train if you use the Ffestiniog railway.
Now I want to visit these villages and see this countryside. What a wonderful world to discover.
I travelled this line recently as part of a ‘no car’ break in Wales and, having grown up overlooking the station at Kirkby in Furness I was astounded at how beautiful this line is. I felt… duplicitous, but I’m looking forward to exploring it more! For the record I got the bus from Dolgellau to Barmouth, the train to Porthmadog and the Welsh highland railway to Caernarfon and then reversed it all for a full day out. It was stunning.
The Mawddach Trail can also be cycled and is one of the best cycle rides in the UK, in my opinion. There's cycle hire places at both ends and it is very popular.
When I first knew it, much ballast was still on the closed Bala line towards Dolgellau. So were all the overgrown, disused platforms.
I find it very frustrating, that even though I am in the same county of Gwynedd as Barmouth, to get to Barmouth on a national rail train I'd have to go to Chester, then Shrewsbury, before going to Aberystwyth.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! But what became a disaster at Barmouth made day more 'action packed' and honestly enjoyed the video
How lovely it is. I must admit my time in Wales was limited to getting off the ferry from Dublin at Holyhead. After spending several sleepless hours on the ferry and in the train station, I promptly fell asleep on the train and missed the sights.
Your videos are making me wish I was visiting the U. K. this year. I am looking forward to the next video.
I live near this bridge! Thanks for showcasing it!
As a 15 year old in 1958 I took the train from London to Criccieth. It was steam double headed from Shrewsbury and obviously Barmouth Bridge left a lasting memory but not just for the view. After stopping at a station just to the north of the bridge there must be a steep incline because both engines ran out of puff. We had to reverse back over the bridge and take a non-stop run through the station to get up the hill.
My late Dad's friend had a caravan in Barmouth and we'd go there for a fortnight in the summer when I was a lad in the 70s. Lovely place.
Went on vacation to porthmadog last year. We went by train and de last part of the journey was this line. just beautiful. greetings from the Netherlands
A part of the world very close to my heart.
My Grandparents had a caravan at Talybont & the line passed right by, most summer holidays were spent there for years☀️
Last time I crossed the bridge by cycle the metalwork was in a terrible state (2019) I had cycled the Mawddach Trail from Dolgellau, a beautiful ride if you ever fancy it.
Fantastic to see that NR have finally returned the bridge back to its former glory & hopefully it will last for many more years to come👍
The whole Cambrian coast line is one of my favourite journeys by train anywhere, we spend a lot of time near Welshpool now & still take the train just for a day out along the coast.
Great video Geoff, keep them coming.
Cheers John B😎
Had a splendid holiday in Llwyngwril back in the 1970s. Travelled by loco hauled train from Sheffield (24s??). Visited the Talylyn and Fairbourne railways and climbed Cader Idris. Had an enjoyable day out in Barmouth shopping in Woolworths. These days might struggle to climb Barmouth high street. Old age.
It's just so unutterably beautiful in Wales 🏴
Very nice shot at 3:37, where you can see the point where the old bullhead rail is connected to the newer Vignoles rail.
Thank you for this video Geoff. One of your most enjoyable adventures for me, as I used to visit this area around Barmouth and Llanbedr when I was a child.
Yet another absolutely awesome video in every way Geoff. Love the request stop videos more than anything else you do I think!
You win the multimodal medal for this trip. Thanks for showing the bus. Have you considered packing a brompton folding bike for the bits between the stations? May let you get more stops on the same day.
In 1970 I attended my first ever Scout camp at Arthog, just a little way up the estuary from the bridge. Twice we walked from the site to Barmouth and back via the bridge, but I don't remember any tolls/trolls then. This summer I will returning to North Wales for holiday and hope to travel at least part of the Cambrian Coast Line.
I had the pleasure of crossing the viaduct in an early DMU (construction date, not silly o'clock), giving me a beautiful view of it. If possible try to visit the line in the stormy autumn season, it's quite a different scene then !
This is a really lovely part of Wales. I have been to Barmouth a few times and stayed in Pensarn for weekend breaks. Love the dedication to keep these quieter lines and stations open
Looks glorious. I have never been to Barmouth.
Lovely video Geoff, makes me want to pay a visit myself 😊
Thanks Geoff, great to see you out and about here.
I use Penhelig fairly often, if I have time to walk the beach from Tywyn and then through all of Aberdovey or if I have been enjoying the food and drink at the Penhelig Arms Hotel.
What a lovely part of the world.
I always go to Barmouth on holiday and I’m planning to walk the bridge this year. This video is really useful. Really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.
I have an enduring memory of being in Barmouth and seeing the last train to Pwllheli appear to float across the sky as it crossed the bridge in the dark with only the internal lights visible. ❤❤
One of the first holidays I remember was a camping holiday when I was about 5 in the mid 80s. We were staying near Morfa Mawddach station and I remember walking across the bridge and taking a (very old) train back! Fun memories.
Have you done the viaduct at Arnside yet? You may enjoy that - carry on to Grange-Over-Sands and you'll see some incredible scenery.
Also, I absolutely love Barmouth. Often go for holiday. I'm having a rotten day, so feeling some whimsical nostalgia is really helping me. Thanks Geoff :)
Lovely to see you exploring an area I used to know well, the Mawddach Estuary area is beautiful, with lots to interesting railway fans to boot.
Your pronunciation of Pwllheli puts a smile on my face every time.
A great location with much railway history. The train journey gives wonderful views of the sea and hills; far better than by car.
Love your Channel Love your videos!!!
Just settled down with a cuppa and a biscuit for this 🤩
One of my earliest memories is of crossing the Barmouth ferry. It was a tiny boat and a huge river, I was not a happy child. On the other side a train pulled up out of nowhere (the Fairbourne Railway) and my father and brothers got off - this simply blew my toddler's brain.
Yet another story of when the trains fail you (in a way), the bus saves you in rural Wales. We cut a connection across the town of Welshpool too fine last summer, and were saved by a local bus that took us to Shrewsbury so we could connect to get home.
Looks beautiful
Some superb photography there and very impressive doing it all within the time constraints of catching the various trains.
It's a lovely trip along the coast down to Barmouth, I did the "Round Robin" ticket last year and the run back to Shrewsbury was the final leg of the trip.
An excellent video.
Thanks Geoff for another fine video. Barmouth is indeed a lovely place.
Back in the eighties, I used to travel to school in Barmouth from Porthmadog daily by train. One lasting memory I have is how the sea used to batter the wall running parallel to Llanaber during rough weather resulting in huge waves crashing against the old DMU windows (and in many cases soaking those inside) Happy memories!
😂
walked that bridge many times, one of my favourite happy places
I used to live in Llanbedr. Beautiful area. The Welsh folk there are very friendly, the English residents... less so.
I was surprised to see one train terminated at Birmingham International, but my mind was blown when your final destination was Abu Dhabi! That's quite the commute!
That made me smile. I often think what an effort it is to fit a full Formula 1 World Championship race around Aberdyfi… but some how they do it every year! They don’t half fit the place out well. It hardly looks like Wales, but you can tell they do it as the famous Aberdyfi sand is clearly visible on the TV! 😂😂
Great video, Geoff, many thanks. My mother-in-law lives in Borth, and this is definitely a trip we shall make next time we visit this wonderful and beautiful part of Wales. I also appreciate the way you know pronounce Dyfi correctly after meeting the locals.
Geoff - missed you by just a week - fab little route, the walk takes you down to the George Hotel and a toll bridge for cars, back to Barmouth the rail/ foot/cycle bridge is simply outstanding ....catch ya next time.
This is one of my favourite lines and I loved watching it and also going on fairbournrs railway
Geoff, thanks so much for all the videos you make, it's a highlight of my day to see a new one pop up on my notifications! I'm looking forward to Wixams station opening this year (hopefully) and your coverage of it!
ah, thank you! very kind. Yeah i don't think Wixams will open this year, it'll be 2025 at the earliest ....
I first travelled to Barmouth, on the through train from Birkenhead Woodside, on a family holiday in 1955.
Was that via Afon Wen or Ruabon?
@@TheHoveHeretic Ruabon. All stations except Bonwm Halt.
Fast to Ruabon, slow to Barmouth.
I remember going on holiday to Pwllheli back in arriva train years and we took the train to Morfa mawddach and I remember my dad saying to the guard that we where getting off here and then we walked on barmoth bridge.
I did Tywyn to Barmouth, walked to Morfa Mawddach (crossing the bridge just after sunset, it got lovely and dark under the full moon), and then rode back to Tywyn a couple of months ago, after riding behind Sir Haydn on the Talyllyn railway all day. We stayed in Machynlleth that night, and did the Talyllyn behind Dolgoch the following day too.
During the ear;y 80s i used to do the Grantham to Pwhelli trip, via Nottingham, Derby, Shrewsbury... often on the last service of the evening. Used to stop the 150 at every request stop, check for sluggish passengers then switch the lights out. Took forever but great trip.
Haven't watched your videos for a long time, and I've missed your history of the places you go. Great video overall.
That is an absolutely spectacular beachside station at Llanaber. I would compare it to the station at Mana (on the Wellington to Kapiti line here in New Zealand). Or what was Muri station just a little north, and on a hilltop.
Thank you Geoff, lovely to see Barmouth again, though I have yet to do it by train, so thats one for the to do list!
First went over on the Cambrian Coast Express in 1961….awesome!
Thanks Geoff absolutely lovely video 👍
I've not crossed the bridge on foot, but I have travelled on the Fairbourne - Barmouth ferry, which connects with the Fairbourne Light Railway. The vessel was basically a rowing boat if I remember rightly! Great fun.
Charming...! More please!
Fun to see Machynlleth in one of your videos, used to spend Christmas there with my family
Went here a few weeks ago, a great place to go if in North Wales!
On holiday in Snowdonia in 1992/3, we were staying in Trawsfynydd, but most evenings we'd head into Barmouth for dinner. It's no longer there, but there used to be a Fish and Chip shop that had THE tastiest chips in the Country!!
That part of Wales is a fantastic and beautiful place to go and see on a nice sunny day. But on a heavy cloudy or rainy day it's not so nice. I enjoyed you blog
One of my favourite places! Spent many evenings there shopping at the Co-Op and Spar, and eating out whilst camping a little further north up the coast. I ate at the Dolphin Fish Bar, the various pizza and donor kebab shops, and the Promenade cafe. I've never walked all the way across the bridge, but did go across it on a train a few years ago when I went to Tywyn to spend a day at the Talyllyn Railway. Superb views from the top pf the cliffs behind the town. I have some photos of steam trains (not old, but relatively recent tours) on the bridge, and at other sites across the town.
You've inspired me. I shall leave my vital organs in my will to a donor kebab shop.
Has Geoff considered visiting the recently reopened Troon Station ticket office, which was destroyed by fire a few years ago? It will have a grand opening just in time for the British Open Golf Championship being held at Royal Troon. It's a beautiful station on the Ayrshire Coast mainline between Ayr and Glasgow Central.
Barmouth swing bridge is the one featured in the Arthur Askey film "The ghost train".
Based on the play written by Arnold Ridley ?
@@chrisneale7453 That`s the one.
Delightful video. Have you ever considered doing a world tour, stopping in the places that are deeply into the use of trains, e.g. Japan?
You should go to Balbriggen just North of Dublin the main Belfast- Dublin mainline goes right along side the rugby pitch.
It is quite exciting, railway oneside and Irish Sea on the other
I have family in Balbriggan, a couple over here in the UK now. Great town, been there many times, great railway line. I have seen this in one of Geoff's videos, I think under 'All the Stations'.
Nice one Geoff your videos are amazing
You’ve got to do Tywyn, as the train announcement said. And ALL the stations (including the request stops) of the Talyllyn railway, which is the first railway to be preserved in the world.
I have very fond memories of travelling the Cambrian Coast line (sometimes on the same train all the way from Birmingham New Street) to Machynlleth and Tywyn in the late 1990s for my holidays as a teenaged trainee and then an assistant Guard on the Talyllyn railway. And then travelling home with my bag of soot-covered and smoke-smelling white shirts and black trousers.
Absolute love the Cambrian line
What a great little area that is
Good stuff 👍🏻
They are talking about cutting the trains back to around two per day this summer between machynlleth and peweli ,this is theu can provide more services to shrewsbury
Lovely, I want to walk that bridge.
Even you get the Jen jinx of announcements over your commentary!
Used to go up that way many years ago as a child on camping holidays. Used to stay at Borth but we made our way up the coast.
Remember staying one year just past Barmouth and it was the year of the terrible winds of the Fastnet boat race and having to hang onto the tent or it was taking off.
Also the butchers in Barmouth used to have a ceramic pig in the window and every night they used to dress it up as to what the weather was going to be the next day. Great fun and amusement as a child. Not sure if the butchers is still there?
My wife and I cycled trail and bridge during our trip from Chirk to Barmouth
Barmouth - childhood holiday spot!
From the direction that last train was coming, I would assume you did indeed end up in Tywyn.
I lived near there in the late 60s (gawd I'm old) for a year. For my forth Birthday I got an train set from a shop in Barmouth.
We have a friend who lived on the Mawddach estuary. It’s a lovely area. I’ve actually caught a train to Morfa Mawddach many times. There’s a terrifying but picturesque bridge somewhat upriver, too, at Penmaenpool.
I walked along part of the old railway track - converted into a cycleway - W of Penmaenpool many years ago. I would have crossed over the Barmouth Bridge too, but I don't like heights.
I find it funny how if you miss one train you have to wait an hour or two for another
Hey Geoff, I'm glad you'd found a bus. I was worried I'd contributed to the day's plans going even more off track by shouting over to say hello. It was great to bump into you. I was amazed and delighted that you were happy to come over to a complete stranger who'd recognised you for a quick chat, even though you'd missed your train. I confess it sort of made my holiday. I'd have loved to talk more, but it was bad enough boring you with some photos after you'd showed an interest in my camera, sorry.
Another great episode, and a wonderful hint at the other stations down there I definitely have to visit next time we come down to the area. You're right about the bridge, its well worth the walk. Did you notice even though the steel arches appear new, they have deliberately retained some of the original, or possibly copies of the swing mechanism controls, to keep it looking as accurate as possible?
It dawned on me later maybe you need to do all the request stops on the Talyllyn railway next time you're nearby, there are a few, on the line. We were staying in a cottage on a farm which had its own bridge over the line, and it had its own halt, a request stop named after the farm. Go on, I know you'd want to. Thanks again for meeting you, it was a pleasure.
hey Gordon! i can reveal that the original plan was indeed go on the Talyllyn, but maybe later in the year ... things got swapped out because my friend had to cancel. your photos were great, and it was lovely to chat! no problem!! :-)
A train that Intercity used to run, in the summer season, from 1986-1992, was the Saturdays only Euston - Pwllheli service, producing two loco hauled trains each day. The first one ran from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli, before heading to London Euston, and a second train ran all the way from Euston - Pwllheli and back. These trains worked from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli and back with 37/4 haulage, from a pool at Cardiff Canton depot.
Back in 1972, there was a SO Euston - Aberystwyth through working. Electric haulage to Wolverhampton (where the OHLE petered out back then), thence diesel hauled (may have been a 'Hoover', can't recall) to a reversal at Shrewsbury, the final leg hauled by a pair of 'rats' (Class 25, if memory serves). We changed at Machynlleth for Barmouth, this being a 3x2car DMMU formation (the longest local services I saw), which pulled into the platform as soon as the Aberystwyth portion cleared the station limits.
The local DMMUs were Class 101 and 103, wonderfully panoramic units, in plain rail blue, sporting the distinctly non-sttandard red bufferbeams which marked them out as Cambrian units. There was a summer only through DMMU working from the W. Mids which was easily identified by standard black bufferbeams, general grubbiness and obvious 3+2 seating
On summer Sundays, there was only one timetabled service, I believe it was from Manchester and was Class 37 hauled, running as far as Barmouth.
Pubs in N.Wales were closed on Sundays back then. Not so the Working Mens Clubs, of which my father was a member! At this time, the Ffestiniog's legendary Sunday buffet car service was a great money spinner, shuttling between Portmadoc (as it was then) and Dduallt, the then upper terminus.
Great memory Howard, thanks! have a look on the brilliant www.2d53.co.uk/ website for photos from back then ...
@@geofftech2I've had that superb site bookmarked for yonks! Did you find the bit about Barmouth handing three (or was it four?) loco hauled specials?
When I was there, there were still sidings where the modern houses now are on the northern end of the seaward side. The old Dolgellau platform still stood south of the crossing, now buried under new development.
Have you seen the clips '158 by road through Bramouth'? Parts 1&2? Worth a search IMHO. Quite amazing skill from tbe Allelys Heavy Haulage driver.
Excellent video, I really enjoyed it.
What a beautiful honest video!☺️
Hey Geoff! do you have any plans to visit the brand new Cameron Bridge & Leven stations in Scotland when they open on the 2nd of next month?
I hope you found the Sweet Shop in Aberdovey, fantastic ice creams!
I visited in the late 60s with parents stayed in Towyn
Bridge Talliyn Railway Cader Idris and car boiling over on mountain pass rest and be thankful..
I constantly fail to remember just how stunning the west coast of Wales is.
I've read something about it in the past. Very interesting as it is.
Interesting fact for you Geoff, Aberdovey is the closest station to a golf club in the whole of the UK. Literally walk off the platform and you’re inside the clubhouse!
...🚂🌉This Bridge sets the Bar, Because It has a Mouthful of History...🍃🚂