Dovey Junction

On what line? ...... Shrewsbury-aberystwyth/pwllheli Built by? ........................................... Cambrian Railways Opened? ................................................................... 1863 Current status? ...................................................... Open Road access? ............................................................... No Nearest town? ............................................ Machynlleth

The name and purpose of Dovey Junction conjures images of a large railway interchange. It’s here that the Cambrian Coast line diverges from the main line to Aberystwyth. But there’s nothing here other than an isolated island platform to serve the two lines. The station facilities have never been particularly lavish, but now there’s nothing other than a small shelter. A footpath connects you to the outside world – but why would you want to leave? The River Dyfi has created a wide, flat valley, on the southern edge of Snowdonia National Park. It’s a great spot for nature lovers too, with a thriving population of ospreys. Dovey Junction would suit a model railway of any era, from the steam days of ‘Manors’ and ‘4MTS’, to when BR blue Class 37s, 40s and 25s would share duties with first generation of DMUS.

RAIL PHOTOPRINTS Dovey Junction has always been a station of interest, from the days of ‘Manors’ on the ‘Cambrian Coast Express’ to the 1980s. Class 25s 25282 and 25324 pass with the 1705 Aberystwythbirmingham on July 21 1984.

NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY Right: Another destination to access from Dovey Junction is the Dyfi Osprey Project – these majestic birds of prey have started to breed in Wales after 400 years.