15th February 2021 · North Wales and Cambrian Railways in the 1960s/70s

For the branch’s Zoom meeting on 15th February Richard Ellis-Hobbs gave a presentation of photographs taken by his late father, John, entitled “North Wales and Cambrian Railways in the 1960s/70s”.

John, grew up in Prestatyn later moving to Warrington, and had been a member of the branch for many years. He had been an active member of the North Cheshire Rail Users Group and the East Lancashire Railway.

The period covered by Richard actually covered a period between 1966 and 1983 with there being a mix of steam and diesel power, particularly Stanier Class 5s interspersed with, what then was the staple diet in the area, Classes 24, 25 and 40 diesels.

Richard started in Chester with a ‘Britannia’ on a Holyhead-Crewe parcels and progressed along the coast to Holyhead including the branches to Dyserth, Denbigh, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llandudno and Amlwch before he returned via the Cambrian routes from Pwllheli and Aberystwyth.

Some of the most interesting shots seen were of 01002 at Holyhead Breakwater and the Freightliner terminal, with a selection of the now no longer freights in the area, together with the prototype LEV1 and VofR locomotives in various liveries.

This was a thoroughly interesting and nostalgic presentation and we look forward to more.