North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways
This was the original precursor to the Welsh Highland Railway.
Formed to be part of a major network of narrow gauge railways throughout the North Wales mountains, the NWNGR built only the line from Dinas Junction to the quarries above Bryngwyn, with a branch to Rhyd Ddu (the orignal name being South Snowdon). After delays, the lines opened, in stages, over 4 years from 1877. Originally the Bryngwyn line was the mainline. However, within a short space of time the roles of the lines were reversed, and the line to South Snowdon became the main line.
Due to financial difficulties, a receiver was appointed nearly as soon as it opened. The Bryngwyn line closed to passengers in 1913, and was eventually followed by the closure of the rest in 1916; goods traffic was carried on a 'as required basis' until 1922.
Various extensions were planned. The first were in 1885 when an extension to Caernarfon and a zig-zag line to replace the Bryngwyn incline were proposed. Neither was built but the Caernarfon part was resurrected again between 1904 & 1908 and again in 1922, as part of the new WHR. However, not until 1997 did the narrow gauge reach Caernarfon. In 1897 approval was given for an extension to Beddgelert. This was eventually started, around 1904 but probably by then as part of the Portmadoc, Beddgelert and South Snowdon Railway with changes on the approach to Beddgelert.
Further information can be found on Barrie Hughes's site here
With the company being in the hands of the receiver for much of its existance, and the loss of much trade that it had, it became prey for the Dolgarrog People, and the company was taken over in April 1920.
[edit] Odd Notes
No list of officials exist, so are recorded here whenever some are found.
R H Livesey General Manager around mid 1887 at least[1]
- ^ WHR Heritage Group Journal - group House Magazine Issue No: 046 , page(s): 004
Also National Archives document MT 54/160, MT 54/435, MT 54/455, MT6/1367/11, MT 6/972/8
