Gaerwen

Gaerwen was an intermediate station between Bangor and Holyhead, and junction for the branch to Llangefni and Amlwch. The station was closed in the mid-sixties, but unlike Llanfair and Valley which closed on the same day, it has not been re-opened. However, both the branch line and the freight yard remained open - the latter for coal and fertiliser traffic well into the 1980s.

25314 at Gaerwen 11/07/77 (s1195.jpg)

25314 waits to come off the branch on the 11th July 1977, with the afternoon working from Amlwch, as the Class 47 hauled train from Holyhead passes. The first wagon of the freight is an empty coal wagon from the Gaerwen yard. In the distance Gaerwen signal box (originally Gaerwen No 1) is seen at the level crossing.

40058 at Gaerwen 14/05/83 (s2674.jpg)

In 1983 a series of special trains ran along the Amlwch branch. This was the first on 14th May 1983, and 40058 is seen negotiating the sidings at Gaerwen at the start of the branch. Note the catch points protecting the branch in both directions.

40034 at Gaerwen 14/05/83 (s2701.jpg)

On the return from Amlwch, 40034 was leading the train, and it is seen awaiting its path back onto the main line at Gaerwen. The line nearest the camera is the former Amlwch bay platform line. The lines here, including the junction with the main line were originally controlled by Gaerwen No 2 signal box.

40093 at Gaerwen 03/07/83 (s2736.jpg)

On 3rd July 1983, an excursion ran to Amlwch from Plymouth. On arrival at Gaerwen, 40093 was waiting in the down refuge siding to 'tail' the train to Amlwch

40093 at Gaerwen 03/07/83 (s2740.jpg)

Back from the trip across Anglesey, 40093 waits for a Holyhead to Bangor dmu to clear the section. To the left is seen Gaerwen coal yard, with two vacuum-braked coal wagons present.