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Duke class 4-4-0 |
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Cornubia at Talybont: 1949 |
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| Those who regularly
travel on the Cambrian Coast railway line north of Barmouth will know
that immediately to the north of the road overbridge at Talybont Halt,
there are on the eastern side of the railway, two properties. One is a
smart detached house, the other is a traditional Welsh cottage. In 1949,
the cottage was owned by a friend of my father, who shared my fathers
passion for Fly Fishing.
Thus in 1949, my family was offered the use of the cottage for two weeks summer holiday. I was able to invite my friend George Molyneux to accompany us, and since our travel arrangements included the use of a Morris Commercial Van, we were able to take two bicycles with us. At the age of ten, my interests were Meccano and Dinky toys, but through reading the pages of the "Meccano Magazine", I was beginning to develop an interest in Railways. It was therefore with much delight that I found that the cottage we would be occupying was only a few yards away from the railway line. |
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| In the summer of 1949,
trainspotting was still almost a year ahead, so I did not note down any
numbers. But I was fascinated by the regular passing of an engine with a
large dome, and partially hidden driving wheels, with outside coupling
rods. I was told by my father the the engine, number 9054 and named
Cornubia, was in fact ancient and dated from the previous century. So we
looked out for Cornubia, which usually passed in both directions on most
days.
Other recollections of the holiday are 1) Myself and George cycling to both Barmouth and to Harlech. 2) Getting terribly sunburned. 3) Enid Griffiths, a young woman from Talybont Village, coming in several times to help us with cleaning, shopping etc. 4) The appearance of Enid's younger sister, Miah, several times. Even at the age of 10, I knew a good looking girl when I saw one, and she was a stunner. 5) Catching the (crowded) train from Talybont to Barmouth on a couple of occasions. 6) A derelict tank on Talybont beach. |
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| Cornubia, a Duke class
4-4-0 locomotive, was allocated to Machynlleth shed at the time, though
it may well have been sub allocated to Portmadoc.
The loco was built in July 1895, initially numbered 3254. It was superheated in February 1935, and renumbered 9054 in October 1946. Withdrawal took place in June 1950. |
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Duke class 4-4-0 |
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