Llangefni railway station
Encyclopedia
Llangefni railway station was situated on the Anglesey Central Railway
line from Gaerwen
to Amlwch
.
A temporary terminus station was opened in 1864, approximately a quarter of a mile south of the current station. This station, near Glanhwfa Road, could be opened prior to the completion of bridge and cutting by which the railway travels through Llangefni.Once the portion of the line to Llanerchymedd had passed inspection in January 1866, the permanent station was opened. Little is known of the temporary station, but it may have seen some use as a freight yard after its closure to passengers.
The line running through was single track and although a short loop was in existence on the Down (south) side
it was never used as a passing loop
.
A gated track, presumably for livestock, ran diagonally down the steep hill side opposite the station and below the primary school. The gate was still there in the 1960s, with railway company plate, although the track itself was heavily overgrown.
The two storey station building was located on the Up (north) side
of the track as was the small wagon shed and larger goods yard. The goods yard was used mainly for cattle as Llangefni was (and still is) the island's market town. A platform extension was undertaken in 1887 when the LNWR took over the line.
All stations on the Anglesey Central line closed to passengers in 1964 as part of the Beeching Axe
; freight works continued until 1993. The line itself has not been removed but the loop and the sidings have been, the latter being used as a car park. The station buildings themselves are now in private ownership. One of the best places on the island to see the remaining tracks are located in The Dingle
(Nant Y Pandy) nature reserve near the station.
Announced in November 2009 the Welsh Assembly Government has asked Network Rail to conduct a feasibility study on reopening the line between Llangefni on Anglesey and Bangor for passenger services. Network Rail is expected to clear the line of vegatation and assess the track bed before publishing its report in 2010, before any business cases to reopen the line is then developed.
Anglesey Central Railway
The Anglesey Central Railway was a long standard-gauge railway in Anglesey, Wales, connecting the port of Amlwch and the county town of Llangefni with the North Wales Coast Line at Gaerwen. Built as an independent railway, the railway opened in portions from 1864 to 1867...
line from Gaerwen
Gaerwen railway station
Gaerwen railway station was situated on the North Wales Coast Line, serving as the junction for the Anglesey Central Railway line to Amlwch. The station closed to passengers in 1966, but the adjoining freight yard remained open for coal and fertiliser traffic before it also closed in 1984.There...
to Amlwch
Amlwch
Amlwch is the most northerly town in Wales. It is situated on the north coast of the Isle of Anglesey, on the A5025 which connects it to Holyhead and to Menai Bridge. The town has no beach, but it has impressive coastal cliffs. Tourism is an important element of the local economy. At one time it...
.
A temporary terminus station was opened in 1864, approximately a quarter of a mile south of the current station. This station, near Glanhwfa Road, could be opened prior to the completion of bridge and cutting by which the railway travels through Llangefni.Once the portion of the line to Llanerchymedd had passed inspection in January 1866, the permanent station was opened. Little is known of the temporary station, but it may have seen some use as a freight yard after its closure to passengers.
The line running through was single track and although a short loop was in existence on the Down (south) side
Railroad directions
Railroad directions are used to describe train directions on railroad systems. The terms used may be derived from such sources as compass directions, altitude directions, or other directions...
it was never used as a passing loop
Passing loop
A passing loop is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams in opposing directions can pass each other. Trains/trams in the same direction can also overtake, providing that the signalling arrangement allows it...
.
A gated track, presumably for livestock, ran diagonally down the steep hill side opposite the station and below the primary school. The gate was still there in the 1960s, with railway company plate, although the track itself was heavily overgrown.
The two storey station building was located on the Up (north) side
Railroad directions
Railroad directions are used to describe train directions on railroad systems. The terms used may be derived from such sources as compass directions, altitude directions, or other directions...
of the track as was the small wagon shed and larger goods yard. The goods yard was used mainly for cattle as Llangefni was (and still is) the island's market town. A platform extension was undertaken in 1887 when the LNWR took over the line.
All stations on the Anglesey Central line closed to passengers in 1964 as part of the Beeching Axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
; freight works continued until 1993. The line itself has not been removed but the loop and the sidings have been, the latter being used as a car park. The station buildings themselves are now in private ownership. One of the best places on the island to see the remaining tracks are located in The Dingle
The Dingle, Anglesey
The Dingle is a nature reserve found just to the north of Llangefni, Anglesey, north Wales. Dingle is a common placename in the English language, which means "steep wooded valley", which describes it well. However, like many similar English names for natural attractions in Wales, e.g. Fairy Glen,...
(Nant Y Pandy) nature reserve near the station.
Announced in November 2009 the Welsh Assembly Government has asked Network Rail to conduct a feasibility study on reopening the line between Llangefni on Anglesey and Bangor for passenger services. Network Rail is expected to clear the line of vegatation and assess the track bed before publishing its report in 2010, before any business cases to reopen the line is then developed.