Stesion Fein
| Stesion Fein | |
| |
|---|---|
| Site of station | |
| Previous Station | Tanygrisiau |
| Previous Location | Glanypwll |
| Status | Closed, Station demolished |
| Next Station | Blaenau Ffestiniog |
| Latitude | 52:59:45.23N |
| Longitude | 03:56:42.66W |
| Grid Reference | SH695460 |
NGR:SH695460 Lat / Long :52.99574 / -3.94491
Stesion Fein (originally, and more correctly, spelled Stesion Fain [Narrow Station]), was originally opened in 1881 to provide an exchange station with the then newly-opened station of the LNWR on the opposite side of the road. Because of the road at its rear, and an expanse of very boggy ground in front, the FR Co. station was quite narrow, but it did not need to be anything else as it only served passengers. All goods traffic was dealt with using extensive interchange sidings in the LNWR yard, on the far side of their station.
The FR Co. station had offices at the eastern end and toilets at the western end of the long platform, which was protected from Blaenau's notorious weather by a slate roofed, iron-framed, canopy.
'Stesion Fein' was not the official name of the station. According to the nameboard it was called 'Blaenau Festiniog Junction' (spelt thus) and the second line contained the helpful information 'Change Here for Bettws-y-coed and Llandudno'. However it was shown in FR timetables as 'Blaenau Festiniog (LNWR)' or later 'Blaenau Festiniog (LM&SR)'.
In mid 1956, part of the Stesion Fein site was taken over for the construction of the access road to the Tanygrisiau pumped storage project. The station canopy, together with its cast iron supports and valances were sold, to raise much needed funds, for the shielding of spectators from the worst of the Cambrian elements at Cae Clyd Football Ground, at Manod in the parish of Ffestiniog.
*Date July 1976 *Photo: Donald Farnworth
Stesion Fein is just above Glan y Pwll Road Crossing. The track through the site is level - this is followed by a 1 in 66 gradient up to the current Blaenau station. Prior to settling on the expanded GWR Exchange site, Stesion Fein was one of many possible terminus sites for the re-opened line.
There was talk of repatriating the canopy with the FR (Feb 2005), and subsequently the canopy was returned and the slates from it were used in the rebuilding of Rhiw Goch Signal box.
- Stesion Fein
Stesion Fein site, track and sleepers being removed. Looking down the line towards Glan y Pwll crossing.
Stesion Fein site, track and sleepers being removed. Looking down.
On display around 1976
On display around 1976
Princess on display 1977
A recent (2005) shot of the site. Looking up the line.
