Rail Chronology : Llanberis branch passenger services from 1930 to 1962

RAIL CHRONOLOGY : LLANBERIS BRANCH
PASSENGER SERVICES FROM 1930 TO 1962

Page updated: 9 December 2015

The normal, regular, all-year passenger train service was withdrawn with effect from the timetable starting on 22 September 1930 but the line was retained for excursion services. This period has been consistently misreported by railway historians, from Charles Clinker’s L.N.W.R. Chronology 1900-1960 (David & Charles, 1961), through such titles as Passengers No More and A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain, Vol. 11, to Michael Quick’s Railway Passenger Stations in England, Scotland and Wales - A Chronology (Railway & Canal Historical Society, 2003) - although his fourth (2009) edition has been amended in response to the details given below.

However, a useful article about the branch prior to 1924 appears as The Llanberis Railway Station, by John Stockton-Wood, in London & North Western Railway Society Journal for December 2005 and June 2006.

The chronological details that follow stem from a careful analysis of the public timetables, working timetables and local press, with the source material set out below.

Chronology

(all dates are "with effect from" unless shown otherwise)

22 September 1930: regular all-year passenger service withdrawn (and Pont Rug station closed) but excursions continued throughout the year on an ad hoc basis to specific events (e.g. football at Liverpool), serving Llanberis, Cwm-y-Glo and Pontrhythallt

25 May 1931: summer season service of up to two round trips, weekdays only, resumed, mentioned (but not listed) in the public timetable. Intermediate stops on Llanberis branch not advertised and not in working timetable (but continued to apply to ad hoc excursions). All trains described as "excursions".

Summer 1932: summer service increased to up to six round trips

Summer 1933: "as required" pathways added on summer Sundays

15 July 1934: summer Sunday service (initially two round trips) added

Winter 1934/5: limited service at Christmas and Easter added

29 December 1934: regular all-year Saturday service (of several round trips) commenced, serving Llanberis, Cwm-y-Glo and Pontrhythallt (not yet in working timetable and only advertised locally)

9 May 1936: the regular all-year Saturday local service first appeared in working and public timetables (with Pontrhythallt and Cwm-y-Glo in working timetable only and only advertised locally)

21 November 1936: Padarn Halt opened and added to all-year Saturday service and also for specified other summer trains (only advertised locally)

11 September 1939: all excursion fares suspended; all branch services ceased; Pontrhythallt, Cwm-y-Glo and Padarn Halt closed

[note: Services are shown in public and working timetables dated 25 September to 28 April 1940 at The National Archives (Public timetable - RAIL 956/41; Working timetable - RAIL 957/160). However, these are believed to be the intended "normal" version which got overtaken by events and was never implemented, rather than actual war-time emergency service timetables.]

6 July 1948 (Tuesday): regular summer excursion, single round trip Rhyl - Llanberis, resumed. No intermediate stops on the Llanberis branch. This service ran only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in 1948 and 1949. Not in working timetable and only advertised locally.

23 June 1950: days of operation increased to Mondays to Fridays

11 June 1956: service appeared in working timetable for first time since the War

15 June 1959: 1½ middle-day Llanberis - Caernarvon round trips added

7 September 1962: trains last ran this day and service thereafter withdrawn - line remained open only for three-days a week freight service

20 October 1963: line visited by The Caernarvonshire Rail Tour, organised by Stephenson Locomotive Society (N W Area) and Manchester Locomotive Society - probably the last passenger train on the branch

7 September 1964: freight service withdrawn and line completely closed

Richard Maund

To return to home page or to contact address.

Source material

i. Timetables

The following passenger services were shown to be operated in the LMS (later BR LMR) working timetables and public timetables. Where available at The National Archives at Kew, details have been taken from the working timetables - otherwise the more abridged details between Caernarvon and Llanberis shown in the public timetables have been used. The National Archives references are shown below. Where only one reference is shown, only that timetable is available at Kew. No trains were shown in any public timetable from 1940 onwards so no references are given for these.

In accordance with then contemporary practice, trains are assumed to run Mondays to Saturdays ("weekdays") unless shown SX which denotes Mondays to Fridays only or SO which denotes Saturdays only. Any Sunday trains are specifically noted.

MT denotes Motor Train (push-pull unit).
ufn denotes until further notice.

7 July - 21 September 1930
Public timetable [RAIL 956/14]:

Advertised regular service of 9-11 round trips, weekdays only

22 September 1930 ufn [- 19 July 1931]
Public timetable [RAIL 956/15]:

"The passenger train service between Caernarvon, Pont Rug, Pontrhythallt, Cwm-y-Glo and Llanberis has been withdrawn (Excursion trains will be run to and from Llanberis during the Summer months - see separate announcements)"

Working timetable [RAIL 957/130]:

No intermediate stops on branch.

1010 SX Llandudno: Caernarvon dep 1106, Llanberis arr 1135 SUSPENDED

1000 SX Rhyl / 1010 SO Llandudno: Caernarvon dep 1135, Llanberis arr 1155 From 25 May 1931

1710 SX Llanberis: Caernarvon arr 1728 thence Llandudno SUSPENDED

1728 ("Public bills" 1725) SX Llanberis: Caernarvon arr 1746 thence Llandudno From 25 May 1931

20 July - 13 September 1931
Public timetable [RAIL 956/15]:

Working timetable [RAIL 957/132]:

No intermediate stops on branch.

1010 SX Llandudno: Caernarvon dep 1106, Llanberis arr 1135

1000 SX Rhyl / 1010 SO Llandudno: Caernarvon dep 1135, Llanberis arr 1155

1710 SX Llanberis: Caernarvon arr 1728 thence Llandudno

1728 ("Public bills" 1725) SX Llanberis: Caernarvon arr 1746 thence Llandudno

14 September 1931 ufn [- 1 May 1932]

Public timetable [RAIL 956/15]:

"Passenger train service withdrawn"

2 May - 17 July 1932 [also reissue of 1 June 1932]
Public timetable [RAIL 956/15]:

Both are Bradshaw’s Guide off prints, not the usual LMS public timetable size, and contain no mention of branch whatsoever

18 July - 11 September 1932
Public timetable [RAIL 956/17]:

"Excursion trains" advertised (in the times shown in w.t.t.)

Working timetable [RAIL 957/134]:

No intermediate stops on branch.

To Llanberis from:

0910 SX Llandudno/0925 SO Llandudno Jn

1010 SX Llandudno

1002 SX Rhyl/1010 SO Llandudno

1045 SX Liverpool Lime Street

1635 Caernarvon

1640 SX Rhyl/1755 SO Bangor

From Llanberis to:

1050 Caernarvon

1300 Caernarvon

1510 Caernarvon SO/Bangor SX

1710 SX Llandudno

1725 Rhyl SX/Llandudno SO

1925 Rhyl

12 September 1932 ufn [- 16 July 1933]
Public timetable [RAIL 956/17]:

"Excursion trains" advertised (in the times and dates shown in w.t.t.)

Working timetable [RAIL 957/135]:

No intermediate stops on branch.

To Llanberis from:

1010 Llandudno to 1 October 1932 and SX from 26 June 1933

1010 SX Rhyl/1010 SO Llandudno from 5 June 1933

1455 Caernarvon to 1 October 1932 and from 26 June 1933

1600 SX Caernarvon light engine from 26 June 1933

1635 Caernarvon to 1 October 1932 and from 5 June 1933

From Llanberis to:

1050 Caernarvon to 1 October 1932 and from 5 June 1933

1300 Caernarvon from 5 June 1933

1520 Caernarvon to 1 October 1932 and from 5 June 1933

1710 SX Llandudno from 26 June 1933

1725 Caernarvon to 1 October 1932

1725 Rhyl SX/Llandudno SO from 5 June 1933

17 July - 10 September 1933
Public timetable [RAIL 956/23]:

"Excursion trains" advertised (in the times shown in w.t.t.)

Working timetable [RAIL 957/137]:

No intermediate stops on branch. Pontrhythallt first appears in working timetable but only as timing point.

To Llanberis from:

0928 Caernarvon

0910 SX Llandudno/09256 SO Llandudno Jn

1010 SX Llandudno

1020 SX Rhyl/1010 SO Llandudno

1240 Caernarvon

1220 SX Llandudno Jn

1045 SX Liverpool Lime Street

1440 SO Caernarvon

1540 SX Caernarvon

1640 Caernarvon

1755 SX Caernarvon

1720 SO Llandudno Jn

1915 Llandudno

From Llanberis to:

0956 Caernarvon

1048 SX/1105 SO Bangor

1210 Caernarvon

1315 Caernarvon SO/Bangor SX

1415 SX Caernarvon

1515 Llandudno

1615 SX Llandudno

1715 SX Llandudno

1730 Rhyl SX/Llandudno SO

1830 SX Llandudno

1900 Llandudno

2000 Rhyl

2125 SO Caernarvon

"As required" paths provided on Sundays: 1430 and 1440 from Llandudno, and 1930 and 2000 return

11 September 1933 ufn [- 29 April 1934]
Public timetable [RAIL 956/23]:

Caernarvon dep 1140 to 28 Oct, 1445 to 28 Oct, 1635 to 30 Sep

Llanberis dep 1525 to 28 Oct, 1700 to 28 Oct, 1710 to 30 Sep

30 April - 8 July 1934

Public timetable [RAIL 956/23]:

"Excursion trains" advertised :

Caernarvon dep 1115 from 25 June, 1140, 1445, 1635

Llanberis dep 1050, 1300 from 25 June, 1525, 1710, 1730 SX from 25 June

Working timetable [RAIL 957/139]:

No intermediate stops on branch.

To Llanberis from:

1005 SX Llandudno

0955 SX Rhyl/1005 SO Llandudno from 25 June

1445 Caernarvon

1635 Caernarvon

From Llanberis to:

1050 Caernarvon

1300 Caernarvon from 25 June

1525 Caernarvon

1710 Llandudno

1730 SX Rhyl from 25 June

9 July - 30 September 1934
Public timetable [RAIL 956/28]:

Running times preclude stops.

Caernarvon dep 0900, 1022, 1115 SX, 1140, 1240, 1340 SO, 1440, 1540 SX, 1640, 1755 SO, 1855, 2018, 2125, 1313 SUN, 1530 SUN, 1700 SUN

Llanberis dep 0945, 1055, 1210, 1315, 1415 SX, 1515, 1615 SX, 1715 SX, 1730, 1800 SX, 1830, 1930 SX, 1955, 2050, 1430 SUN, 1630 SUN, 1945 SUN

1 October 1934 ufn [- 28 April 1935]
Working timetable [RAIL 957/140]:

No intermediate stops on branch. All ran 21, 22, 24 December 1934 and 18, 20 April 1935

To Llanberis from:

1140 Caernarvon

1150 Bangor to 27 October (but not Christmas and Easter)

1445 Caernarvon also to 13 October

1640 Caernarvon also to 13 October

From Llanberis to:

1055 Caernarvon also to 13 October

1525 Caernarvon also to 27 October

1710 Caernarvon also to 13 October

29 April - 7 July 1935
Public timetable [RAIL 956/28]:

Running times preclude stops.

B = from 10 June; D = from 2 June; G = from 8 June

Caernarvon dep 1024 B SX, 1120 B SX, 1140, 1335, 1445, 1635, 1822 B SX, 1835 G SO, 1225 D SUN, 1550 D SUN, 1700 D SUN

Llanberis dep 1100, 1300 B, 1410, 1525, 1710, 1725 B SX, 1910 G SX, 1315 D SUN, 1800 D SUN, 1900 D SUN

8 July - 29 September 1935
Public timetable [RAIL 956/33]:

Running times preclude stops.

B = to 13 Sep; D = to 14 Sep; G = to 15 Sep

Caernarvon dep 0845 D, 0925, 0950 D SO, 1015 B SX, 1120 B SX, 1140, 1240, 1340 D, 1440, 1540 D, 1650, 1755, 1850 D, 2100 B SX, 2100 SO, 1255 SUN, 1550 SUN, 1805 G SUN

Llanberis dep 0920 D, 1053, 1210, 1315 D, 1415, 1515 D, 1615 B SX, 1630 SX, 1730 SO, 1730 B SX, 1800 B SX, 1830, 1925 D, 2030 D, 1315 SUN, 1900 SUN

Working timetable [RAIL 957/144]:

No intermediate stops.

To Llanberis from:

0845 Caernarvon to 14 September

0950 SO Caernarvon to 14 September

0900 SX Llandudno to 13 September

1000 SX Rhyl

1010 Llandudno

1240 Caernarvon

1225 SX Llandudno Jn to 13 September

1053 SX Liverpool Lime Street

1340 SO Caernarvon to 14 September

1440 SO Caernarvon

1540 Caernarvon to 14 September

1650 Caernarvon

1755 SO Caernarvon

1850 Caernarvon to 14 September

2100 SO Caernarvon

1940 SX Llandudno to 13 September

2330 SO Llandudno Jn ("season excursion" beyond Caernarvon)

2300 SO Llandudno ("season excursion" beyond Caernarvon - booked to call at Pontrhythallt and Cwm-y-Glo - the only train so to do in this timetable)

1200 SUN Bangor

1330 SUN Chester

1745 SUN Bangor to 15 September

2040 SUN Llandudno

From Llanberis to:

0920 Llandudno SX/Llandudno Jn SO (terminates Caernarvon from 14 September)

1053 Caernarvon

1210 Caernarvon

1315 Caernarvon to 14 September

1415 Caernarvon

1515 Caernarvon to 14 September

1615 SX Llandudno to 13 September

1630 Llandudno

1730 SO Llandudno

1730 SX Rhyl to 13 September

1800 SX Llandudno Jn to 13 September

1830 Llandudno

1925 Rhyl SX/Llandudno Jn SO to 14 September

2030 Llandudno to 14 September

1315 SUN Rhyl

1640 SUN Bangor ("Season excursion")

1900 SUN Chester

30 September 1935 ufn [- 3 May 1936]
Public timetable [RAIL 956/33]:

Running times preclude stops. B = 24 Dec and 9 Apr only

Caernarvon dep 1130 B, 1315 B, 1450 B, 1640 B

Llanberis dep 1205 B, 1410 B, 1525 B

4 May - 5 July 1936
Public timetable [RAIL 956/33]:

Running times preclude stops apart from SO trains which now have extended running: this marks the start of the year-round Saturday service and reopening of Pontrhythallt and Cwm-y-Glo

D = from 31 May; G = from 22 June; H = from 22 June plus all Saturdays

Caernarvon dep 0928 SO, 1120 G SX, 1140, 1240 SO, 1337 H, 1537, 1635 G SX, 1638 SO, 1822 G SX, 1835 SO, 2037 SO, 2230 SO, 2337 SO, 1225 D SUN, 1521 D SUN, 1700 D SUN, 2229 D SUN

Llanberis dep 1000 SO, 1100, 1315 G SX, 1315 SO, 1410 SO, 1410 G SX, 1610 SX, 1615 SO, 1710 SO, 1725 G SX, 1910 H, 1345 D SUN, 1630 D SUN, 1800 D SUN, 1940 D SUN

6 July - 27 September 1936
Public timetable [RAIL 956/34]:

Running times preclude stops apart from SO trains which now have extended running.

B = to 11 Sep; D = to 12 Sep; G = to 13 Sep

Caernarvon dep 0845 B SX, 0845 SO, 1045 B SX, 1120 B SX, 1140 D, 1255, 1425 B SX, 1525 B SX, 1535 SO, 1650 B SX, 1655 SO, 1840 B SX, 1840 SO, 2100, 2235 SO, 2337 SO, 1225 G SUN, 1521 SUN, 1700 G SUN, 2340 SUN

Llanberis dep 0920 B SX, 1000 SO, 1020 SX, 1225, 1400, 1505 B SX, 1612 SX, 1630 SO, 1730 B SX, 1815 B SX, 1815 SO, 1920 B SX, 1920 SO, 2030 B SX, 1330 G SUN, 1630 G SUN, 1815 SUN, 1935 G SUN

28 September 1936 ufn [- 2 May 1937]
Public timetable [RAIL 956/34]:

"Excursion trains" advertised:

B = SO, also 24 December 1936 and 29 March 1937

Caernarvon dep 0928 B, 1150 B, 1336 B, 1455 B, 1610 B, 1835 B, 2055 B, 2245 B, 2345 B

Llanberis dep 1020 B, 1230 B, 1410 B, 1530 B, 1700 B, 1910 B

Working timetable [RAIL 957/145]:

All the trains also booked to run 24 Dec 1936 and 29 March 1937, and booked to call at Pontrhythallt and Cwm-y-Glo ("not advertised"). No mention of Padarn Halt (which did not open until 21 November 1936).

To Llanberis from:

0928 SO Caernarvon MT

1150 SO Caernarvon MT

1336 SO Caernarvon MT

1455 SO Caernarvon MT

1610 SO Caernarvon MT

1835 SO Caernarvon MT

2055 SO Caernarvon MT

2245 SO Caernarvon

2345 SO Caernarvon (formed off 2245 from Llandudno Jn)

From Llanberis to:

1020 SO Caernarvon MT

1230 SO Caernarvon MT

1410 SO Caernarvon MT

1530 SO Caernarvon MT

1700 SO Caernarvon MT

1910 SO Caernarvon MT

3 May - 4 July 1937
Public timetable [RAIL 956/34]:

"Excursion trains" advertised (in the times shown in w.t.t.)

Working timetable [RAIL 957/147]:

Most booked to call at Pontrhythallt, Cwm-y-Glo and Padarn Halt ("not advertised").

To Llanberis from:

0928 SO Caernarvon MT

1005 SX Llandudno

1005 SO Llandudno from 22 May

0955 SX Rhyl from 14 June

1140 SO Caernarvon

1255 SX Caernarvon from 14 June

1255 SO Caernarvon MT

1430 SO Caernarvon MT

1450 SX Caernarvon from 17 May

1537 SO Caernarvon MT

1730 SO Caernarvon MT

1823 SX Caernarvon MT from 17 May

1837 SO Caernarvon MT

1940 SO Caernarvon MT

2055 SO Caernarvon MT

2125 SX Caernarvon from 17 May

2245 SO Caernarvon MT

2310 SO Bangor

1200 SUN Bangor

1415 SUN Caernarvon

1405 SUN Rhyl

From Llanberis to:

0945 SX Caernarvon from 17 May

1020 SO Caernarvon

1225 SX Caernarvon from 14 June

1225 SO Llandudno Jn

1400 SX Caernarvon from 17 May

1400 SO Caernarvon MT

1510 SO Caernarvon MT

1610 SX Llandudno from 17 May

1700 SX Chester from 14 June

1700 SO Caernarvon MT

1805 SO Caernarvon MT

1910 SX Caernarvon MT from 17 May

1910 SO Caernarvon MT

2020 SO Caernarvon MT

1345 SUN Bangor

1620 SUN Caernarvon

1845 SUN Caernarvon

5 July - 26 September 1937
Public timetable [RAIL 956/35]:

"Excursion trains" advertised (in the times shown in w.t.t.)

Working timetable [RAIL 957/148]:

Most booked to call at Pontrhythallt, Cwm-y-Glo and Padarn Halt ("not advertised").

N.B. no mention of Motor trains.

To Llanberis from:

0845 SX Caernarvon to 10 September

0845 SO Caernarvon

1055 SX Caernarvon to 10 September

1010 Llandudno

1000 SX Rhyl to 10 September

1135 SX Llandudno Jn

1053 SX Liverpool Lime Street to 10 September

1400 SO Caernarvon

1430 SO Caernarvon

1515 SX Caernarvon to 10 September

1535 SO Caernarvon

1650 SX Caernarvon to 10 September

1730 SO Caernarvon

1840 SX Caernarvon to 10 September

1840 SO Caernarvon

1930 SX Rhyl

2005 SO Caernarvon

2115 SO Caernarvon

2245 SO Caernarvon

2310 SO Bangor

1200 SUN Bangor to 12 September

1415 SUN Caernarvon to 12 September

1400 SUN Rhyl

1730 SUN Bangor to 12 September

2225 SUN Rhyl

From Llanberis to:

0920 SX Llandudno (terminates Caernarvon from 10 September)

0940 SO Bangor

1020 SX Bangor

1255 SX Caernarvon to 10 September

1320 SO Caernarvon

1400 SX Caernarvon

1510 SO Caernarvon

1612 SX Llandudno

1630 SX Llandudno to 10 September

1700 SO Rhyl

1730 SX Rhyl to 10 September

1815 SX Llandudno to 10 September

1815 SO Llandudno

1920 SX Rhyl to 10 September

1920 SO Rhyl

2030 SX Llandudno to 10 September

2042 SO Caernarvon

1350 SUN Llandudno to 12 September

1620 SUN Bangor to 12 September

1625 SUN Bangor 19 & 26 September only

1845 SUN Caernarvon

27 September 1937 ufn [- 1 May 1938]
Public timetable [RAIL 956/35]:

"Excursion trains" advertised:

B = SO also 24, 27 December 1937 and 18 April 1938

Caernarvon dep 1225 B, 1333 B, 1610 B, 1730 B, 1835 B, 2005 B, 2130 B, 2245 B, 2345 B

Llanberis dep 1305 B, 1410 B, 1700 B, 1805 B, 1910 B

2 May - 3 July 1938

Public timetable [RAIL 956/35]:

"Excursion trains" advertised:

B = from 5 June; D = from 16 May, G = from 6 June, H = SO, also Mondays to Fridays from 16 May

Caernarvon dep 1122 G SX, 1140 D SX, 1140 SO, 1225 SO, 1255 G SX, 1430 SO, 1450 D SX, 1537 SO, 1730 SO, 1823 D SX, 1837 SO, 2005 SO, 2125 D SX, 2130 SO, 2245 SO, 2340 SO, 1345 B SUN, 1550 B SUN, 2302 B SUN

Llanberis dep 0945 D SX, 1225 G SX, 1305 SO, 1400 D SX, 1400 SO, 1610 D SX, 1700 SO, 1720 G SX, 1805 SO, 1910 H, 2040 SO, 1500 B SUN, 1810 B SUN

4 July - 25 September 1938
Public timetable [RAIL 956/38]:

"Excursion trains" advertised

B = to 9 September; G = to 11 September

Caernarvon dep 0845 B SX, 0845 SO, 1055 B SX, 1122 B SX, 1140, 1255 SX, 1400 SO, 1430 SO, 1435 B SX, 1535 SO, 1730 SO, 1830 B SX. 1840 SO, 2005 SO, 2110 SX, 2130 SO, 2245 SO, 2340 SO, 1345 G SUN, 1550 G SUN, 2302 G SUN

Llanberis dep 0940, 1015 SX, 1225 B SX, 1318 SO, 1400 SX, 1510 SO, 1530 B SX, 1700, 1725 B SX, 1805 B SX, 1815 SO, 1910 B SX, 1920 SO, 2030 B SX, 2042 SO, 1500 G SUN, 1810 G SUN

Working timetable [RAIL 957/152]:

All SO and some others booked to call at Pontrhythallt, Cwm-y-Glo and Padarn Halt ("not advertised").

N.B. no mention of Motor trains.

To Llanberis from:

0845 SX Caernarvon to 9 September

0845 SO Caernarvon

1055 SX Caernarvon to 9 September

0951 SX Rhyl to 9 September

1010 SO/1018 SX Llandudno

1135 SX Llandudno Jn

1053 SX Liverpool Lime Street to 10 September

1400 SO Caernarvon

1430 SO Caernarvon

1410 SX Bangor to 9 September

1535 SO Caernarvon

1555 SX Caernarvon to 9 September

1730 SO Caernarvon

1830 SX Caernarvon to 9 September

1840 SO Caernarvon

2005 SO Caernarvon

1930 SX Rhyl

2130 SO Caernarvon

2245 SO Caernarvon

2310 SO Bangor

1325 SUN Bangor to 11 September

1430 SUN Llandudno to 11 September

From Llanberis to:

0940 SX Llandudno

0940 SO Bangor

1015 SX Bangor

1255 SX Caernarvon to 9 September

1318 SO Caernarvon

1400 SX Caernarvon

1510 SO Caernarvon

1530 SX Llandudno to 9 September

1700 SO Chester

1700 SX Llandudno

1725 SX Rhyl to 9 September

1805 SX Llandudno to 9 September

1815 SO Caernarvon

1910 SX Rhyl to 9 September

1920 SO Llandudno Jn

2030 SX Llandudno to 9 September

2042 SO Caernarvon

1500 SUN Llandudno Jn to 11 September

1810 SUN Llandudno Jn to 11 September

26 September 1938 ufn [- 30 April 1939]
Working timetable [RAIL 957/153]:

All the trains also ran 26 Dec 1938 and 10 Apr 1939

Calling at Pontrhythallt, Cwm-y-Glo and Padarn Halt (all endorsed Not advertised)

To Llanberis from:

1210 SO Bangor MT

1610 SO Caernarvon MT

1730 SO Caernarvon MT

1900 SO Caernarvon MT

2020 SO Caernarvon MT

2130 SO Caernarvon MT

2245 SO Caernarvon MT

2345 SO Caernarvon MT

From Llanberis to:

1345 SO Bangor MT

1700 SO Caernarvon MT

1805 SO Caernarvon MT

1937 SO Caernarvon MT

2005 SO Caernarvon empty MT

2210 SO Caernarvon empty MT

2324 SO Caernarvon empty MT

0018 SUN Bangor empty MT

1 May - 2 July 1939
Working timetable [RAIL 957/156]:

To Llanberis from:

0955 SX Rhyl from 19 June

1122 SX Caernarvon 15-26 May only

1018 SX Llandudno from 29 May

1255 SX Caernarvon from 29 May

1450 SX Caernarvon from 15 May

1615 SX Caernarvon light engine from 19 June

0950 SO Rhyl from 27 May

1210 SO Bangor MT

1610 SO Caernarvon MT

1730 SO Caernarvon MT

1837 SO Caernarvon MT

1823 SX Caernarvon MT from 29 May

2020 SO Caernarvon MT

2130 SO Caernarvon MT

2245 SO Caernarvon MT

2310 SO Bangor

1430 SUN Llandudno from 18 June

From Llanberis to:

0940 SX Caernarvon from 29 May

1225 SX Caernarvon from 15 May

1400 SX Caernarvon from 29 May

1700 SX Llandudno from 15 May

1725 SX Rhyl from 19 June

1910 SX Llandudno MT from 26 May

1345 SO Bangor (MT to 20 May, ordinary train thereafter)

1405 SO Caernarvon empty MT from 27 May

1700 SO Caernarvon MT

1805 SO Caernarvon MT

1937 SO Caernarvon MT

2055 SO Bangor MT

2210 SO Caernarvon empty MT

2324 SO Bangor empty MT

0018 SUN Caernarvon empty stock (thence light engine to Bangor)

1810 SUN Llandudno from 18 June

3 July - 24 September 1939
Public timetable [RAIL 956/39]:

"Excursion trains" advertised (in the times shown in w.t.t.)

Working timetable [RAIL 957/157]:

see separate tabulation derived from working timetable

25 September 1939 - 28 April 1940

[note: Excursion fares were suspended and an emergency service put into operation from 11 September 1939. Services below are as shown in the public and working timetables held at The National Archives. However, these are believed to be the intended "normal" version which got overtaken by events and was never implemented, rather than actual war-time emergency service timetables. While there was a considerable restoration of LMS passenger services generally from 25 September, these branch services are missing from October and November 1939 Bradshaw’s Guides - hence the conclusion that they never ran. ]

Public timetable [RAIL 956/41]:

"Excursion trains" advertised (in the times shown in w.t.t.)

Working timetable [RAIL 957/160]:

All the trains also booked to run 26 Dec 1939 and 25 March 1940

Calling at Pontrhythallt, Cwm-y-Glo and Padarn Halt (all endorsed "Not advertised")

To Llanberis from:

1210 SO Bangor MT

1610 SO Caernarvon MT

1720 SO Caernarvon MT

1900 SO Caernarvon MT

2020 SO Caernarvon MT

2130 SO Caernarvon MT

2245 SO Caernarvon MT

2345 SO Caernarvon MT

From Llanberis to:

1345 SO Bangor MT

1650 SO Caernarvon MT

1755 SO Caernarvon MT

1937 SO Caernarvon MT

2005 SO Caernarvon empty MT

2210 SO Caernarvon empty MT

2324 SO Caernarvon empty MT

0018 SUN Bangor empty MT

1 January 1940 ufn
Working timetable [RAIL 957/161]:

Stations still in station bank but no services

Thereafter branch stations remained in working timetable station bank but without any services. The government’s war time restriction on running excursion trains not lifted until January 1948. Branch excursions services were not mentioned in public timetables post War and were shown in working timetables only where noted below. In no case were there intermediate calling points during the post War period.

31 May - 26 September 1948 - working timetable not available

Regular summer excursions reportedly resumed 6 July 1948

27 September 1948 ufn - working timetable not available

23 May - 25 September 1949 [RAIL 912/9]

A regular excursion service operated Rhyl - Llanberis TWThO - but not shown in working timetable - presumably operated on a weekly notice basis [source: W (Bill) G Rear, Scenes from the Past 28 : Railways of North Wales: Caernarvon and the lines from Afonwen and Llanberis. Foxline, [1996], picture caption page 60)]

26 September 1949 ufn [RAIL 912/14]

5 June 1950 - 24 September 1950 [RAIL 912/22]

0930 SX Rhyl - Llanberis [23 June - 15 September 1950]

1730 SX Llanberis - Rhyl [23 June - 15 September 1950]

These services were advertised in Chester District public timetable [folder K99 - E.R.O. 53390], 5 June - 24 September 1950, but not shown in working timetable.

Note: similar services operated in subsequent years

25 September 1950 - 17 June 1951 [RAIL 912/30]

18 June - 9 September 1951 [RAIL 912/36]

10 September 1951 ufn [RAIL 912/42]

21 April - 29 June 1952 [RAIL 912/44]

30 June - 14 September 1952 [RAIL 912/49]

15 September 1952 - 7 June 1953 [RAIL 912/55]

8 June - 20 September 1953 [RAIL 912/62]

21 September 1953 ufn [RAIL 912/71]

26 April - 13 June 1954 [RAIL 912/74]

14 June - 19 September 1954 [RAIL 912/79]

20 September 1954 - 12 June 1955 [RAIL 912/87]

13 June - 18 September 1955 [RAIL 912/97]

19 September 1955 - 10 June 1956 [RAIL 912/104]

11 June - 16 September 1956 [RAIL 912/114]

First post War appearance in the working timetable

0935 SX Rhyl - Llanberis to 7 September

1300 SX "as required" Llanberis - Caernarvon (returned as empty stock)

1720 SX Llanberis - Rhyl to 7 September

17 September 1956 - 16 June 1957 [RAIL 912/124]

NIL

17 June - 15 September 1957 [RAIL 912/ 134]

0935 SX Rhyl - Llanberis to 6 September

1300 SX "as required" Llanberis - Caernarvon (returned as empty stock)

1720 SX Llanberis - Rhyl return to 6 September

16 September 1957 - 8 June 1958 [RAIL 912/142]

NIL

9 June - 14 September 1958 [RAIL 912/153]

0935 SX Rhyl - Llanberis to 5 September

1440 SX "as required" Bangor - Llanberis

1305 SX "as required" Llanberis - Bangor

1720 SX Llanberis - Rhyl to 5 September

15 September 1958 - 15 June 1959 [RAIL 912/161]

NIL

15 June - 13 September 1959 [RAIL 912/176]

0935 SX Rhyl - Llanberis to 4 September

1440 SX Bangor - Llanberis to 4 September

1305 SX Llanberis - Bangor to 4 September

1530 SX Llanberis - Caernarvon to 4 September (returned as empty stock)

1720 SX Llanberis - Rhyl to 4 September

These services were all advertised as above in North Wales Holiday Pleasure Travel brochure (K.130) issued by District Traffic Superintendent, Chester, LMR

2 November 1959 - 12 June 1960 [RAIL 912/184]

NIL

13 June - 11 September 1960 [RAIL 912/205]

0935 SX Rhyl - Llanberis to 2 September

1440 SX Bangor - Llanberis to 2 September

1305 SX Llanberis - Bangor to 2 September

1530 SX Llanberis - Caernarvon to 2 September (returned as empty stock)

1720 SX Llanberis - Rhyl to 2 September

12 September 1960 - 11 June 1961 [RAIL 912/213]

NIL

12 June - 10 September 1961 [RAIL 912/227]

0935 SX Rhyl - Llanberis

1440 SX Bangor - Llanberis

1305 SX Llanberis - Bangor

1530 SX Llanberis - Caernarvon (returned as empty stock)

1720 SX Llanberis - Rhyl

11 September 1961 - 17 June 1962 [RAIL 912/235]

NIL

18 June - 9 September 1962 [RAIL 912/245]

0935 SX Rhyl - Llanberis

1440 SX Bangor - Llanberis

1305 SX Llanberis - Bangor

1530 SX Llanberis - Caernarvon (returned as empty stock)

1720 SX Llanberis - Rhyl

These services were all advertised as above in North Wales Holiday Pleasure Travel brochure (K.426) issued by District Manager, Chester, LMR

These trains were last booked to run on Friday 7 September 1962. The service was not repeated in subsequent summers.

ii. Local press: Carnarvon (later Caernarvon) & Denbigh Herald (published Fridays)

LMS usually advertised fortnightly, at most - not every entry is noted below.

1930

5 September: news item confirms impending withdrawal of passenger services from 22 September and adds: "An exception is . . . to be made in the case of Llanberis, through which summer excursion traffic will be run." [There seems to have been no reported local reaction to the closure].

26 September: LMS advert.: Football excursion on Saturday 4 October, 11.10am Llanberis - Liverpool [no mention of Cwm-y-Glo and Pontyrhythallt]

21 November: LMS advert.: Football excursion on Saturday 29 November, 11.5am Llanberis - Liverpool calling Cwm-y-Glo 11.8 and Pontyrhythallt 11.13

This denotes continued use of branch and of intermediates (except Pont Rug) rather than a "reopening" in a later year

No Christmas-time excursions advertised for 1930

1931

20 February: LMS advert.: Football excursion on Saturday 21 February, 11.5am Llanberis - Liverpool calling Cwm-y-Glo and Pontyrhythallt

No advert. or editorial mention of the summer 1931 Llanberis services

30 October: LMS advert.: Football excursion on Saturday 31 October, 11.0am Llanberis - Liverpool calling Cwm-y-Glo and Pontyrhythallt

No Christmas-time excursions advertised for 1931

1932

19 February: LMS advert.: "Football excursion to Liverpool. 11.0am Saturday 20 February", calling Cwm-y-Glo and Pontyrhythallt (a similar one was later advertised for Saturday 29 October)

19 August: LMS advert.: Day and Half-Day Excursions to Llanberis"

1933

Various: 11.00 am football excursion to Liverpool (or other excursion destination) from Llanberis, calling Cwm-y-Glo and Pontyrhythallt, were advertised for 4 and 18 February and 1, 8 and 29 April. Nothing then until:

30 June: LMS advert.: "Cheap Excursions Llanberis and Snowdon Summit Every weekday. 11.15 from Bangor" [and other stations]

Various: No football excursions advertised in the autumn until those on 25 November, 9 and 26 December: 11.00 am from Llanberis, calling Cwm-y-Glo and Pontyrhythallt

1934

11 May and 29 June: LMS advert. gives no mention of Llanberis

6 July: LMS advert. shows summer service on Llanberis branch from 9 July

20 July: LMS advert.: "Llanberis and Snowdon Summit. Day and Half-Day Excursions every week day [from Caernarvon]"

14 September: LMS advert.: "Llanberis and Snowdon Summit. Day and Half-Day Excursions every week day [from Caernarvon] to 27 October only"

26 October: LMS advert.: Saturday 27 October 10.10am excursion from Llanberis to Liverpool calling at Cwm-y-Glo and Pontyrhythallt but n.b. no mention of the "every day" excursions

21 December: LMS advert. showed excursions from Llanberis, calling at Cwm-y-Glo and Pontyrhythallt, on 22, 24 and 26 December.

"Saturday December 29^th Special excursions from Llanberis 10.10am and 2pm. Also from Cwm-y-Glo (10.10 am only) and Pontyrhythallt. Evening excursions 4.30pm and 7.5pm"

This marks start of the regular all-year every Saturday excursion service

1935

4 January and 11 January: LMS advert.: "Special Excursions from Llanberis. Every Saturday. 10.10am and 2pm. Also from Cwm y Glo (10.10am only) and Pontrhythallt. Evening excursions 4.30pm and 7.5pm"

1936

5 January: LMS advert. contained no mention of Llanberis

17 January: LMS advert.: Every Satuday from Llanberis: 10am to Manchester etc. 2.10pm and 3.30pm to Prestatyn, etc. 5pm to Colwyn Bay. "Also from Cwmyglo (sic) and Pontrhythallt".

24 January: LMS advert.: "FROM LLANBERIS Every Saturday evening. Dancing at Llandudno. Llanberis dep 5pm"

14 February and 6 March: LMS advert.: "Every Saturday Half-Day excursions. Llanberis dep 10.0am. Every Saturday Evening excursions. Llandudno, Colwyn Bay & Rhyl. Llanberis dep 5.0pm, Cwm y Glo 5.3pm, Pontrhythallt 5.7pm."

3 April: LMS advert.: "From Penygroes, Llanberis, Caernarvon, Bethesda etc. EVERY SATURDAY Half-day excursion to Chester, Liverpool L St, Birkenhead, Manchester. See excursion programme for train times" [fares quoted]

"SATURDAY APRIL 11^thHalf Day excursion to LIVERPOOL Llanberis 10.0am, Cwm y Glo 10.3am, Pontrhythallt 10.7am. Special late return 11.15pm"

10 April: LMS advert.: "Saturday and Easter Monday evening excursions. Llandudno, Colwyn Bay & Rhyl. Llanberis dep 5.0pm, Cwm y Glo 5.3pm, Pontrhythallt 5.7pm."

17 and 24 April: LMS advert.: "EVERY SATURDAY Half-day excursion to Chester, Liverpool Lime Street, Birkenhead, Manchester. See excursion programme for train times" [fares quoted]

"Every Saturday evening excursions. Llandudno, Colwyn Bay & Rhyl. Llanberis dep 5.0pm, Cwm y Glo 5.3pm, Pontrhythallt 5.7pm."

None of the LMS spring adverts. contained Caernarvon or Bangor to Llanberis excursion offers until May. By October 1936 they were back to the "every Saturday" from Llanberis through to Christmas.

1939

15 September: "The new revised timetables on the railway have come into operation on Mondy" [sic - i.e. from 11 September. Details given for Bangor - Caernarvon - Afon Wen service but no mention of Llanberis].

22 September: "There will be additional trains running next week" [but again no mention of Llanberis]

29 September: "Railway Services - Passenger train arrangements" [again no mention of Llanberis]

1948

The Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald carried no mention of the resumption of inward excursions to Llanberis from 6 July.

iii. Local press: North Wales Chronicle (published Fridays)

1939

8 September: "Intending rail passengers should note that the LMSR have arranged, in view of the present situation, a curtailed train service for next Saturday and Sunday [i.e. 9 & 10 September] . . . commencing next Monday September 11^th an emergency train service will operate."

8 September: LMS advert.: On Saturday and Sunday next owing to the present situation it has been found necessary to CURTAIL THE PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES. Commencing Monday September 11^th an Emergency Passenger Train Service will operate."

15 September reported that all excursion, day and half-day tickets had been suspended - start not specified, but presumably 11 September. As the Llanberis branch was only served by "excursions" this would clearly have marked their cessation.

1948

30 July: BR advert.: "Day excursions to Llanberis. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays. Conway 10.18am, [then other pick up points] . . . Llanberis dep. 4.10pm [This is first appearance of this advert.; train obviously starts further east]

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