Passenger traffic ceased on the Blaenau Ffestiniog branch on 2nd January 1960 to allow construction work to begin on the dam in the Tryweryn valley although a service continued from Bala to Bala Junction to connect with the Ruabon to Barmouth line services as well as through trains from Bala to Wrexham and Birkenhead. The pannier tanks were transferred away and were replaced by Ivatt Class ‘2’ 2-6-0s, one of which No. 46509, waits to leave the branch platform at Bala Junction with the single coach ‘shuttle’ to Bala on 23rd July 1963. Behind the train is Bala Junction Signal Box, the largest intermediate signal box on the Ruabon-Barmouth line.

Photo: Brian Stephenson