Barmouth railway station

Barmouth

Welsh: Abermaw
National Rail
General information
LocationBarmouth, Gwynedd
Wales
Coordinates52°43′23″N 4°03′25″W / 52.723°N 4.057°W / 52.723; -4.057
Grid referenceSH612158
Managed byTransport for Wales
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeBRM
ClassificationDfT category E
History
Opened1867
Passengers
2019/20Decrease 0.196 million
2020/21Decrease 52,848
2021/22Increase 0.125 million
2022/23Increase 0.170 million
2023/24Increase 0.178 million
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Barmouth railway station serves the seaside town of Barmouth in Gwynedd, Wales. The station is on the Cambrian Coast Railway with passenger services to Harlech, Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Tywyn, Aberdovey, Machynlleth and Shrewsbury. Between Morfa Mawddach and Barmouth the railway crosses the Afon Mawddach on the Barmouth Bridge.

History

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The station (opened in 1867) originally extended further south, with a platform for trains to Dolgellau and Ruabon on the south side of the level crossing. This platform became disused following the closure of the Dolgellau line in 1965, but remained in situ with its waiting room until the early 1990s. It was demolished to make way for a bus stop and car park. The goods yard was redeveloped around the same time by Co-operative Retail Services and, as at Tywyn and Pwllheli, is now occupied by a supermarket.

Until the 1960s there was a summer service between London Paddington and Pwllheli, via Birmingham Snow Hill, Shrewsbury and Machynlleth.

The station signal box, also on the south side of the level crossing, became disused in the 1980s as the Cambrian Line's traditional signalling system was replaced with radio signalling (RETB). After lying derelict for several years, it was moved to Glyndyfrdwy on the preserved Llangollen Railway.

Facilities

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The station as seen from the level crossing (September 2018)

The southbound platform was improved in 2003 and is now home to Barmouth's tourist information centre. The station has a staffed ticket office and the tourist information centre provides a travel information service. There are no toilets within the station building.[1]

Services

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Trains operate every two hours in each direction, southbound to Machynlleth, Shrewsbury & Birmingham International and northbound to Pwllheli (a limited number also originate or terminate here). On Sundays, there is a single service each way all year, with extra trains in the summer.[2] All services at Barmouth are provided by Transport for Wales using its Class 158 DMUs.

From 3 January 2014, train services were suspended due to major infrastructure damage at several locations along the line caused by storm-force winds and the resultant tidal surges. Part of the sea wall to the north near Llanaber was swept away, leading to severe damage to the formation which closed the line for 5 months, whilst further south a section of embankment at Tonfannau was washed out. Network Rail restored service to Barmouth from the south on 10 February 2014, and the line as far north as Harlech in May the same year.[3] The northern end of the route beyond Harlech remained closed until 1 September 2014 due to the reconstruction of the Pont Briwet viaduct.

Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Llanaber   Transport for Wales
Cambrian Coast Line
  Morfa Mawddach
  Historical railways  
Llanaber
Line and station open
  Cambrian Railways
Aberystwith and Welsh Coast Railway
  Barmouth Junction
Line and station open
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References

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  1. ^ "National Rail Enquiries - Station facilities for Barmouth".
  2. ^ Table 76 National Rail timetable, May 2016
  3. ^ "Section of Cambrian Coast line damaged by ferocious storms to reopen in May ahead of schedule"Wales Online article 21 March 2014; Retrieved 12 October 2016

Further reading

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Media related to Barmouth railway station at Wikimedia Commons