Peter Kerslake says "5570 from Machynlleth M.P.D. runs into Harlech and off the single line section on a wet and dismal day with the signalman about to take the the staff token from its fireman, this being the view looking towards Barmouth at the southern end of the station, so this working is on the "down" line, heading northwards to Portmadoc and Pwllheli and working from Barmouth.
This crossing was known as Morfa Level Crossing, a secondary road crossing the line at this point, and Harlech was a busy and important location on the Cambrian network, especially on market days, handling large amounts of livestock freight workings including munitions from the nearby Penrhyndeudraeth factory, together with coal and general agricultural traffic as well as the numerous passenger workings".