Betws Garmon
| Betws Garmon | |
| Previous Station | Waunfawr |
| Status | Station closed |
| Next Location | Afon Gwyrfai Bridge |
| Next Station | Plas y Nant |
| Latitude | 53:05:49.53N |
| Longitude | 04:11:28.85W |
| Grid Reference | SH533578 |
NGR:SH533578 Lat / Long :53.09748 / -4.19169
Betws Garmon lies at a height of 127m (416.5 ft), and a route distance of approx 28km (17.4 miles) from Porthmadog.[route 1][wikipedia 1]
The older spelling of this location is Bettws Garmon, and this alternative is used variously on this wiki. The station is derelict, and currently there are no plans to restore it.
Betws Garmon was one of the original North Wales Narrow Gauge Ry stations of perhaps 1877. There was once a short and sharply curved loop line behind the station and a branch southwest to a quarry. The 50ft humpback girder bridge over Afon Gwyrfai has been replaced by a 70ft parallel span and removed to Dinas Yard. It may form a basis for a turntable if such a thing is needed.
The station is unlikely to re-open because (a) there is no present prospect of traffic offering and (b) there is not enough clearance between the station ruin and the track for the 2m clearance required by HM Railway Inspectors. A better place for a halt would be at Betws Garmon Church, some few hundred yards south, where there is also a large camp site. There is public access from the new bridge and from the waterworks path.
In the nearby cemetery behind the church lie Will (1903-81) and Bessie (1905-78) Jones of Tan y Bwlch; fifth row back, eight graves along the row. Easily identified - Bessie with Double Fairlie on gravestone. The grave is covered in marble chips because that is what railways in Heaven have for ballast. If you are passing, please clean the ballast....thank you.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
The Official construction site has 2 pages covering this location,
one for an area description
and
one for the rebuilding in the area
