Machynlleth railway station

Last updated

Machynlleth
National Rail logo.svg
158836 at Machynlleth 030624 (53769980545).jpg
General information
Location Machynlleth, Powys
Wales
Coordinates 52°35′42″N3°51′18″W / 52.595°N 3.855°W / 52.595; -3.855
Grid reference SH744013
Managed by Transport for Wales
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeMCN
Classification DfT category E
History
Opened1863
Passengers
2019/20Decrease2.svg 121,068
Dovey Junction
Line and station open
  Cambrian Railways
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg Aberystwith and Welsh Coast Railway
Newtown and Machynlleth Railway Arrow Blue Right 001.svg
  Cemmes Road
Line open, station closed
Disused railways
Machynlleth Town   Corris Railway   Ffridd Gate

Cambrian Line signalling has been centrally controlled from Machynlleth since the 1980s conversion of the route from traditional signalling to a radio-controlled 'RETB' system. On 26 March 2011, the new European Rail Traffic Management System signalling system went into operational use across the Cambrian Line controlled from Machynlleth. Two days of driver familiarisation followed, with passenger operation commencing on the morning of 28 March 2011. A new control centre has been built on the down side opposite the earlier signal box which has since been demolished.

A past train operator, Arriva Trains Wales, has also developed Machynlleth into the main depot for its fleet of Class 158 trains which provide all passenger services on the Cambrian Lines. Replacing the previous Victorian-era depot and yard, Arriva's depot opened in 2007 and prominently features environmentally friendly technologies such as rainwater harvesting and a wind turbine. [10]

In 2011, The Bluebell Railway discovered a well-worn totem sign from Machynlleth during the excavating of Imberhorne Cutting as part of the northern extension to East Grinstead, which was used as a landfill site by the local council in the late 1960s. The extension was opened on 23 March 2013. The sign is now displayed in their new museum.

Facilities

New footbridge (July 2018) Footbridge at Machynlleth Station (geograph 5958597).jpg
New footbridge (July 2018)

The station has a staffed ticket office in the main building on platform 2. This is open throughout the daytime, however when closed tickets must be bought on the train as no ticket machine is provided. Waiting room in the main building on platform 2 and waiting room and shelter on platform 1.Public toilets. Train running information is provided by customer help points, CIS displays, automated announcements and timetable posters. Step free access is provided to both platforms by means of a footbridge with a lift at both ends. [5] [6] The previous ramp up to platform 1 from street level having closed with the foundations of the new bridge being built across it.

References

  1. "Support to re-open Carno railway station". BBC News. 6 January 2016.
  2. Johnson, Peter (2011). An Illustrated History of the Great Western Narrow Gauge. Oxford Publishing Co.
  3. MRFS; Quine, Dan (July 2024). "Corris Railway Stations at Machynlleth Before Steam". Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review (139). RCL Publications.
  4. Christiansen, Rex & Miller, R.W. The Cambrian Railways, Vol. 1 David & Charles (1967); p 65
  5. 1 2 "New footbridge dubbed 'Tower of Babel'". Cambrian News. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Image of New footbridge". Flickr. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  7. "CHR - 2015/16 (scroll down to 'Machynlleth Footbridge')". Cambrian Heritage Railways. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  8. Roger Griffiths and Paul Smith, Directory of British Engine Sheds, I., Oxford Publishing (1999), p.188.
  9. GB eNRT, 2017 Edition, Table 76 (Network Rail)
  10. Railnews. "Pioneering past powers Arriva's future - Railnews - Today's news for Tomorrow's railway" . Retrieved 2 August 2016.