Tag Archives: Bala Junction

Volume 236

Cambrian Steam Miscellany No.2 (96-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED May 2021**

THE JIM CLEMENS COLLECTION No.40 The second volume in our popular “Miscellany” series to cover the routes to the Cambrian Coast. Here it has been compiled almost entirely from cine film taken by the late Jim Clemens along with some additional previously unused material from the B & R archives.

We begin at Gobowen in the autumn of 1966 and see double-headed Class 2 2-6-0s on stone trains from Nantmawr Quarry. Steam still reigned supreme on the Paddington to Birkenhead services although the DMU shuttle to and from Oswestry via Park Hall Halt had just a few days of life left. There is excellent coverage of the Cambrian main line from Whitchurch via Ellesmere, Oswestry, and Llanymynech to Welshpool. Return journeys are also made over the Ellesmere to Wrexham and Llanyrnynech to Llanfyllin branches.

Next we follow the route of the “Cambrian Coast Express” from Shrewsbury to Welshpool, Abermule, Newtown, Moat Lane Junction, Carno and Talerddig. Here we spend time watching steam battling with Talerddig Bank before carrying on to Llanbrynmair, Machynlleth, Dovey Junction, Borth and Aberystwyth. Filmed from the Vale of Rheidol line in 1964, we even parallel a ‘Manor’ nearing Aberystwyth hauling a freight train. And at Aberystwyth “Manors” are seen in profusion!

Film along the coastal route includes the Dovey Estuary, Fairbourne, Morfa Mawddach, the famous Barmouth Viaduct, Barmouth itself, Llanaber Halt, Llanbedr & Pensarn, Llandanwg Halt, and Harlech. Then Tygwyn Halt (with class leader 82000), Llandecwyn Halt, Pont Briwet, Penrhyndeudraeth, Portmadoc, and Afon Wen. The old Caernarvonshire Railway route from Afon Wen is traversed in 1964, with film at most stations, including Dinas Junction and Caernarvon.

Also featured is the alternative Great Western line from Ruabon to the coast with scenes at Trevor (where Pannier No.1660 is shunting), Llangollen, Berwyn Halt, Bonwm Halt, Corwen, Llandrillo, Llandderfel, Bala Junction, Llanuwchllyn, Drws-y-Nant, Dolgellau, Penmaenpool (including the engine shed), and Arthog. We see the shuttle from Bala Junction to Bala plus film from 1959 of the passenger service onwards to Blaenau Ffestiniog Central including the SLS “Last Train” in January 1961.

The cine-film was taken between 1959 and 1966. Motive power seen includes ex-GWR Manor, 43xx, 2251, 45xx & Pannier classes, ex-LMS Black 5s, 8Fs and Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0s classes as well as BR Standard Classes 5, 75xxx, 78xxx, 80xxx, 82xxx and 84xxx. Plus the odd DMU! Most of the film is in colour and has been assembled in the order the film runs off the original cine reels. An authentic sound track has been added along with an informative commentary to compliment this further nostalgic look at these last years of steam on the Cambrian.

Cover Photo: Jim Clemens, BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No.75071 climbing Talerddig Bank, Summer 1966.

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Released in Great Western, Miscellany Series (post Vol.190), Volumes 230-238 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 235

Cambrian Steam Miscellany No.1 (86-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED 6th. February 2021**

The first volume in our popular “Miscellany” series to cover the Cambrian Coast routes and compiled from mostly previously unseen footage from the B & R archives.

Travelling along the coastal route we visit places such as Pwllheli, Penychain, Afon Wen, Criccieth, Portmadoc, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, and Harlech. Then back at Barmouth we see the up bay platform, opened by the GWR in 1923, and the Old Chapel Viaduct which was rebuilt in the early 1950s. All followed by glorious views of the world famous Barmouth Viaduct across the Mawddach Estuary.

Continuing south we pass Morfa Mawddach, Fairbourne, Friog Rocks, Llwyngwril and stop off at Towyn for a few minutes before heading up the Dovey Estuary.

We then spend some time at Aberystwyth, with ‘Manors’ everywhere, before heading back inland through Bow Street, after a token exchange, to Borth, Ynyslas, Glandyfi and Dovey Junction. This famous isolated junction has no road access and we make a number of visits including seeing the Pwllheli and Aberystwyth portions of the up ‘Cambrian Coast Express’ being combined together for the onward journey to Shrewsbury

Machynlleth is well covered and highlights include scenes at the shed showing the preparation of 82033 for duty, plus ‘Dukedog’ 9017 acting as pilot on both the up and down “Cambrian Coast Express” in 1960. There are overhead views here plus panoramas across the valley.
We continue inland via Cemmes Road with its token exchange before extended coverage of the final stages of the ascent of Talerddig Bank with passenger and freight trains battling their way up the grade. The final up “Cambrian Coast Express” is seen here in March 1967.

Other locations featured include Newtown, Welshpool, Buttington, Llanymynech, Llanfyllin, and Oswestry. Although not specifically Cambrian there is also film of Shrewsbury, Hookagate, Llangollen, Llandderfel, Bala Junction, Bala, Bontnewydd and Dolgellau (including on what is believed to be the last day of services).

The cine-film was taken between 1960s and 1967. Motive power seen includes ex-GWR Manor, 43xx, 2251, 45xx, Pannier & Dukedog classes as well as BR Standard Classes 75xxx, 78xxx, 80xxx and 82xxx. Even the odd DMU manages to put in an appearance!

Most of the film is in colour and has been assembled in the order the film runs off the original cine reels. An authentic sound track has been added along with an informative commentary to compliment this nostalgic look at these last years of steam on the Cambrian.

Cover Photo: Keith Pirt/Courtesy Booklaw Publications, Manor Class 4-6-0 No.7828 “Odney Manor” at Aberystwyth Shed, August 1963.

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Released in Great Western, Miscellany Series (post Vol.190), Steam in Wales & The Borders, Volumes 230-238 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 213

Welsh Steam Miscellany (77-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED Late November 2017**

Another instalment of our popular “Miscellany” series this time focusing on steam in Wales. It features mostly previously unseen footage largely compiled in the order the film runs off the original cine reels.

We begin at Llangollen and travel on to other locations along this route including Berwyn (with Dukedog 4-4-0s and even a Bulldog 4-4-0), Glyndyfrdwy, Llandderfel, Bala Junction, Bala and the loop at Garnneddwen. The line from Pontypool Road to Neath cut across the heads of the valleys of South Wales and was inevitably a steeply graded route with many tunnels and viaducts. The most famous of all these viaducts was the Crumlin Viaduct, the highest in the country. There is plenty of film footage here for us to admire this massive structure. Hengoed Viaduct is also seen along with both the High Level and Low Level stations. We then visit Nelson & Llancaiach, the branch to Cwmbargoed and Dowlais Cae Harris and Quakers Yard High Level before visiting Aberdare High Level with its staggered platforms.

Into North Wales, we visit Bangor and then on Anglesey, Llanfair PG, Gaerwen and Amlwch. Moving south again, we visit the Central Wales line for the decent from Sugar Loaf Summit and Llandovery. The line from Shrewsbury to Chester forms the eastern boundary of this volume and we include footage at Chirk, Cefn Viaduct, Ruabon, Croes Newydd and Gresford Bank and in the snow, the Brymbo Branch. On the Cambrian main line we visit Welshpool, Talerddig Bank, Macynlleth, Dovey Junction, Borth and Aberystwyth; this coastal route includes visits to Gogarth Halt, Towyn, Fairbourne and Barmouth.

Back to South Wales and we see steam action at Cardiff, Newport (including a visit to Cashmore’s scrapyard), Severn Tunnel Junction and Torpantau. We then journey down the Rhondda Fach from Maerdy and see freight trains labouring up the Llanvihangel Bank complete with banking assistance. All in all a veritable feast of Welsh Steam!

Motive power includes: ex-GWR 94xx, 74xx, 16xx, 57xx, 56xx, 41xx, 61xx, 42xx,72xx, 56xx, 2251, 43xx, 28xx, Dukedog, Bulldog, Castle, Hall, Grange and Manor classes, ex-LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T & 2-6-0s, Black 5s, 4F 0-6-0s, 8Fs and Coronation Pacifics classes plus BR Standard Britannias, Class 5 and Class 4 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-4T and Class 3 2-6-2 tank engines.

The archive film is in both colour and Black & White. An authentic sound track has been added along with a commentary to complement this nostalgic look at the last years of Welsh steam.

Narrated by: Mike Clemens.

Cover photo: Keith Pirt/Courtesy of Book Law Publications, 7828 “Odney Manor” at Welshpool Station, July 1963.

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Released in Miscellany Series (post Vol.190), Volumes 207-213 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 144

Steam in Wales & The Borders Part 1 (60-mins) Price £19.75

This video concentrates on the northern area of Wales and its borders from the North Wales coast through Chester to Gobowen.

Branch lines visited are the Conway Valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog and, by way of a rail tour, the Wrexham, Mold and Connahs Quay route ending at Wrexham.

North to Chester for the end of steam here in 1967 and includes visits by preserved main line locos 40 years on.

Over Gresford bank to Wrexham and a visit to Croess Newydd shed and steam activity at Ruabon in the 1960s. A journey along the Dee Valley through Corwen to Barmouth.

Portmadoc with early scenes on the Ffestiniog Railway before returning along the Dee Valley to Ruabon. The video reaches Gobowen via Chirk and the Ifton colliery sidings at Weston Rhyn.

Many ex-GWR classes are seen from Dukedogs to Castles and ex-LMS Black 5s and Jubilees.

Cover Photo:- Dr. Gaius Sutton, 6357 at Bala Junction.

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Released in Steam in Wales & The Borders, Volumes 142-149 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 79

North Wales Steam Line (60-mins) Price £19.75

Jim Clemens Collection No.6. A video film of a circular tour around North Wales from Chester to Llandudno via Llangollen, Bala, Barmouth, Pwllheli, Caernarvon, Holyhead and Bangor. Featuring 75xxx, 63xx and pannier tanks, the line through the Dee Valley via Llangollen shows all stations and halts before the whole route was closed,. Plenty of activity at Bala Junction including scenes at Bala Town and the route to Blaenau. Continue via Dolgellau and Penmaenpool to Morfa Mawddach. North now through Barmouth and all stations to Portmadoc and Afon Wen with GW and Standard classes. A quick visit to Pwllheli before continuing to Caernarvon via Ynys. Then Bangor to Holyhead with a return journey on the Almwch branch. Returning to Bangor and a visit to the Penrhyn narrow gauge system. Eastwards and the Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog branch. There is also a look at the Corwen – Ruthin – Denbigh line by DMU and archive film of the famous Land Cruise train via Afon Wen and Corwen. Filmed mainly in colour from 1959 to 1966, a memorable record of the time steam reigned in this part of North Wales.

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Released in The Jim Clemens Collection, Volumes 70-79 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment