CAERNARVON

15 June 1970 - 5 February 1972

Following the Britannia Bridge fire on 23 May 1970 the Isle of Anglesey was cut off from the mainland for rail services. At that time Holyhead was important for freight services especially for the freightliner trains that had been introduced only a few years previously. Freightliner trains were seen as the future for British rail freight. The damage to the bridge meant that it would be many months before trains could use it again. The solution was to reopen Caernarvon as a freight station. The infrastructure was still in place and there was enough space to load and unload containers. Caernarvon was brought back into use on 15 June 1970. It was used until 5 February 1972.

The following photographs were taken in July 1971 during the period when Caernarvon was in use as a temporary railhead for Holyhead.

The southern end of the line from Menai Bridge to Caernarvon seen in July 1971. It had been cut back to this point in 1969 but had closed as a through route to Afon Wen on 5 December 1964. Photo by Martin Brown Looking north towards Caernarvon station in July 1971. Mobile cranes were used to unload trains during the temporary railhead period. One such crane can be seen in the middle distance. Photo by Martin Brown The approach road to Caernarvon station in July 1971. Photo by Martin Brown Looking north along the up and down platform at Caernarvon station in July 1971. Oil wagons can be seen in the sidings to the left. Photo by Martin Brown Caernarvon station in July 1971. Photo by Martin Brown. The northern end of Caernarvon station in July 1971. Track had already been lifted from the north end bay platform. Photo by Martin Brown A BR 350hp shunter (later class 08) is seen shunting in the yard at Caernarvon station in July 1971. Photo by Martin Brown Looking west across the north end of Caernarvon station in July 1971. A train of oil wagons is being shunted in the yard. Photo by Martin Brown

[Source: Les Fifoot & Paul Wright]

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