Rail line could reopen in slate heritage link

A RAIL track which hasn’t been used for around 80 years could be reopened to link a major tourist attraction with a popular narrowgauge line.

The plan coincides with an application for the north Wales slate industry to be internationally recognised and for the joint Ffestiniog Railway and Conwy Valley line station at Blaenau Ffestiniog to be revamped.

Dinas station was first opened for passengers in January 1865, with five return trips each day except Sundays. It was the original station of the Ffestiniog Railway near Rhiwbryfdir when the railway began taking slate from the quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog to the wharves at Porthmadog in 1836.

But in 1866 Ffestiniog Railway extended the mainline to Duffws, nearer to the town centre, and the station closed in 1870 and was eventually covered by slate waste. Slate traffic to the Dinas station area nevertheless continued well into the 20th century.

Now the north Wales slate industry is currently subject of an application for World Heritage status and Ffestiniog Railway officials are considering options for the branch, including the reconnection from the town’s station which it shares with the standardgauge Conwy Valley Line to Llechwedd quarry. Shuttle trains consisting of traditional quarrymen’s coaches could be used.

Ffestiniog Railway company director Stephen Murfitt said: “This would be a significant contribution to the interpretation of the slate industry’s heritage and an important insight for the interested tourist.”

He said a start has been made on investigating the current condition of the Dinas branch.