08. The Ffestiniog Railway Deviation
9th January 2007

Photographs from my Father's collection showing the early days of the Ffestiniog Railway's Deviation Project. The Deviation was made necessary by the flooding of a length of the original trackbed between Dduallt and Tanygrisiau in order to create the lower reservior for Ffestiniog Power Station. The Deviation was constructed between 1965 and 1978. These pictures cover the period 1965 - 1969. Also included here are a few items of paper ephemera concerning the Deviation.

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The first sod of the deviation being dug in 1965. (Picture courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
The first sod of the deviation being dug in 1965. (Picture courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
 Looking in the down direction from the old trackbed at Dduallt. The new site 1 embankment diverges on the left.
Looking in the down direction from the old trackbed at Dduallt. The new site 1 embankment diverges on the left.
Site 1, with the original track on the far left. Waste material from the widening of Dduallt station site is being tipped over the embankment to form the very first part of the deviation.
Site 1, with the original track on the far left. Waste material from the widening of Dduallt station site is being tipped over the embankment to form the very first part of the deviation.
Fill from the Site 1 quarry being moved to the Site 1 embankment for tipping. 1967.
Fill from the Site 1 quarry being moved to the Site 1 embankment for tipping. 1967.
A lunch break at Dduallt station in 1966. FR driver Andrew Morris is on the right.
A lunch break at Dduallt station in 1966. FR driver Andrew Morris is on the right.
 Widening the station at Dduallt for the passing loop in May 1966. The body of the former No. 1 brake van serves as a hut.
Widening the station at Dduallt for the passing loop in May 1966. The body of the former No. 1 brake van serves as a hut.
 The site 1 embankment crossing the bog in 1967
The site 1 embankment crossing the bog in 1967
 Spoil to form the site 1 embankment is dug out from the site 1 quarry.
Spoil to form the site 1 embankment is dug out from the site 1 quarry.
The site 1 and site 2 embankments nearly joined. At least two old cookers from Dduallt Mess were buried in the embankment and the remains of the porridge from each day's breakfast helped cement it together.
The site 1 and site 2 embankments nearly joined. At least two old cookers from Dduallt Mess were buried in the embankment and the remains of the porridge from each day's breakfast helped cement it together.
 The beginning of the spiral seen in 1984. After the site 1 and 2 embankments were completed the area that they had enclosed was filled with spoil from the new tunnel.
The beginning of the spiral seen in 1984. After the site 1 and 2 embankments were completed the area that they had enclosed was filled with spoil from the new tunnel.
 Dduallt station with the loop nearly complete. In the foreground is part of the footbridge which crosses Rhoslyn cutting.
Dduallt station with the loop nearly complete. In the foreground is part of the footbridge which crosses Rhoslyn cutting.
 Tipping at site 2 to create the embankment that will eventually join up with the site 1 workings. 1965.
Tipping at site 2 to create the embankment that will eventually join up with the site 1 workings. 1965.
A skip full of excavated rock is moved from the cutting section of site 2 to be tipped onto the embankment.
A skip full of excavated rock is moved from the cutting section of site 2 to be tipped onto the embankment.
 The working face of site 2 in 1965.
The working face of site 2 in 1965.
 Early days on the site 2 embankment. February 1966
Early days on the site 2 embankment. February 1966
 Patrick Marks pushing a skip through the site 2 cutting. This is one of several skips that were turned 90 degrees on their frames to form end tippers.
Patrick Marks pushing a skip through the site 2 cutting. This is one of several skips that were turned 90 degrees on their frames to form end tippers.
Work underway to widen the cutting in site 2.
Work underway to widen the cutting in site 2.
 Paul Bradshaw drilling on the spiral, October 1966.
Paul Bradshaw drilling on the spiral, October 1966.
 Dan Wilson splitting rocks on the spiral, 1967.
Dan Wilson splitting rocks on the spiral, 1967.
 Patrick Marks loading a skip in the site 3 cutting.
Patrick Marks loading a skip in the site 3 cutting.
Splitting rocks in site 3.
Splitting rocks in site 3.
 A typical deviation scene - an end tipping skip being pushed by Patrick Marks on site 2 or 3. Note the classic
A typical deviation scene - an end tipping skip being pushed by Patrick Marks on site 2 or 3. Note the classic "S" pattern chairs being used on the temporary track.
 Preparing to blast rock on the spiral. 1966.
Preparing to blast rock on the spiral. 1966.
 Looking back towards sites 3 and 4 from above what would later become Barn site. There is little evidence of Rhoslyn Bridge at this stage. 1967
Looking back towards sites 3 and 4 from above what would later become Barn site. There is little evidence of Rhoslyn Bridge at this stage. 1967
Tipping at Barn site, 1965
Tipping at Barn site, 1965
 Derek Winter fells rocks in Barn Cutting, 1969.
Derek Winter fells rocks in Barn Cutting, 1969.
 By 1969 the Barn site embankment is nearly complete and the piers of Rhoslyn Bridge are in place.
By 1969 the Barn site embankment is nearly complete and the piers of Rhoslyn Bridge are in place.
 Dduallt station in April 1967. The temporary track on the right leads to site 4.
Dduallt station in April 1967. The temporary track on the right leads to site 4.
The completed formation at Rhoslyn Bridge in August 1976. (Photo courtesy of David Stowell).
The completed formation at Rhoslyn Bridge in August 1976. (Photo courtesy of David Stowell).
A service train approaching the Rhoslyn Bridge workings, presumably in 1968.
A service train approaching the Rhoslyn Bridge workings, presumably in 1968.
Rhoslyn Bridge site in April 1967. The old footbridge has been removed and some topsoil has been stripped.
Rhoslyn Bridge site in April 1967. The old footbridge has been removed and some topsoil has been stripped.
 Rhoslyn Bridge under construction in 1969.
Rhoslyn Bridge under construction in 1969.
A fallen tree at Midge site, 1968.
A fallen tree at Midge site, 1968.
 The work site at Spooner's Hollow follwing an attack by vandals.
The work site at Spooner's Hollow follwing an attack by vandals.
 Spooner's Hollow. Temporary track laid on the side of the embankment to rescue skips that had been pushed over the edge by vandals.
Spooner's Hollow. Temporary track laid on the side of the embankment to rescue skips that had been pushed over the edge by vandals.
 A skip body being winched back up the embankment at Spooner's Hollow.
A skip body being winched back up the embankment at Spooner's Hollow.
Almost there. The skip body nears the top of the embankment.
Almost there. The skip body nears the top of the embankment.
 New Moon site 1969. Gelli Wiog footbridge is visible in the background.
New Moon site 1969. Gelli Wiog footbridge is visible in the background.
 Dduallt Manor. Dduallt Mess was situated in the single storey building on the extreme right.
Dduallt Manor. Dduallt Mess was situated in the single storey building on the extreme right.
 Breakfast in Dduallt Mess, June 1966. From left to right are Angela Marks, Bronwen Winter, Derek Winter, Gerald Fox, David Parker.
Breakfast in Dduallt Mess, June 1966. From left to right are Angela Marks, Bronwen Winter, Derek Winter, Gerald Fox, David Parker.
Another breakfast scene in Dduallt Mess, this time at Whitsun 1966. Gerald Fox and Dan Wilson are on the left.
Another breakfast scene in Dduallt Mess, this time at Whitsun 1966. Gerald Fox and Dan Wilson are on the left.
David Currant on the telephone in Dduallt Mess.
David Currant on the telephone in Dduallt Mess.
 The site of Tunnel Mess in February 1967.
The site of Tunnel Mess in February 1967.
 Digging foundations for Tunnel Mess in February 1967.
Digging foundations for Tunnel Mess in February 1967.
Loading materials for Tunnel Mess at Tan y Bwlch. 1967.
Loading materials for Tunnel Mess at Tan y Bwlch. 1967.
 On board a Tunnel Mess construction train, 1967.
On board a Tunnel Mess construction train, 1967.
 Supply train outside the partially completed Tunnel Mess, March. 1967.
Supply train outside the partially completed Tunnel Mess, March. 1967.
 Construction train for the Tunnel Mess with Colonel Andrew Campbell driving the locomotive. March 1967.
Construction train for the Tunnel Mess with Colonel Andrew Campbell driving the locomotive. March 1967.
Simplex locomotive outside Tunnel Mess, March 1967.
Simplex locomotive outside Tunnel Mess, March 1967.
 Tunnel Mess under construction in March 1967.
Tunnel Mess under construction in March 1967.
 Patrick Marks and Derek & Bronwen Winter take a break from Mess construction in the shelter of Moelwyn Tunnel, 1967.
Patrick Marks and Derek & Bronwen Winter take a break from Mess construction in the shelter of Moelwyn Tunnel, 1967.
 Fitting out Tunnel Mess, March 1967.
Fitting out Tunnel Mess, March 1967.
Patrick Marks riding a skip frame trolley back to Dduallt mess in 1967. The iron bar, jammed against the wheels formed the only brake.
Patrick Marks riding a skip frame trolley back to Dduallt mess in 1967. The iron bar, jammed against the wheels formed the only brake.
A slightly more sophisticated trolley with screw brake providing transport between the work site and Dduallt Mess.
A slightly more sophisticated trolley with screw brake providing transport between the work site and Dduallt Mess.
 Pushing a trolley from Dduallt Mess to the station. March 1966.
Pushing a trolley from Dduallt Mess to the station. March 1966.
 Patrick and Angela Marks demonstrate the pump trolley at Dduallt in April 1966.
Patrick and Angela Marks demonstrate the pump trolley at Dduallt in April 1966.
Tunnel South grading plant.
Tunnel South grading plant.
 The grading plant seen from Tunnel South Cuting. August 1976. (Photo courtesy of David Stowell).
The grading plant seen from Tunnel South Cuting. August 1976. (Photo courtesy of David Stowell).
 The south end of the new Moelwyn Tunnel under construction in April 1976. (Photo courtesy of David Stowell).
The south end of the new Moelwyn Tunnel under construction in April 1976. (Photo courtesy of David Stowell).
 Tunnel south cutting seen in 1982.
Tunnel south cutting seen in 1982.
Tanygrisiau station site being prepared in April 1976. (Photo courtesy of David Stowell).
Tanygrisiau station site being prepared in April 1976. (Photo courtesy of David Stowell).
 Map showing the deviation site names on the southern section of the new route.
Map showing the deviation site names on the southern section of the new route.
 The projected passing loop at Brookes Quarry on the never-built east shore deviation route. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
The projected passing loop at Brookes Quarry on the never-built east shore deviation route. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
 The length known as Gorsbrwynog on the east shore deviation route. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
The length known as Gorsbrwynog on the east shore deviation route. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
The northern end of Tunnel Newydd on the east shore deviation route. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
The northern end of Tunnel Newydd on the east shore deviation route. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
 The southern end of Tunnel Newydd on the east shore deviation route. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
The southern end of Tunnel Newydd on the east shore deviation route. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
 The original proposal for Rhoslyn Bridge. This had to be abandoned when it was discovered that the surrounding rock would not support the lateral thrust of a traditional arch. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
The original proposal for Rhoslyn Bridge. This had to be abandoned when it was discovered that the surrounding rock would not support the lateral thrust of a traditional arch. (Sketch courtesy of the late Dan Wilson).
 A postcard from Project Engineer Gerald Fox.
A postcard from Project Engineer Gerald Fox.
Example of a letter from the FR's Civil Engineering (New Works) Department from the early 1970s.
Example of a letter from the FR's Civil Engineering (New Works) Department from the early 1970s.
 The cover of a 1973 volunteer recruitment leaflet for the FR Deviation.
The cover of a 1973 volunteer recruitment leaflet for the FR Deviation.
 Coat of arms of the Dduallt & Tanygrisiau Junction Railway Construction Company. A small number of these were produced for members of the Gloucester Group Deviationists.
Coat of arms of the Dduallt & Tanygrisiau Junction Railway Construction Company. A small number of these were produced for members of the Gloucester Group Deviationists.
 Ticket for the Deviation 20th anniversary special train in 1998.
Ticket for the Deviation 20th anniversary special train in 1998.
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