National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
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Jan 14 1965 Llanfyllin to Oswestry Branch Line
One of the last journeys on the Llanfyllin Branch Line which, like the Oswestry and Newtown Railway, was cut by Beeching in 1965, both having been in use for just over a century.
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Overview
The engines, stations, route, passengers and helpful guards on the Llanfyllin to Oswestry line are recorded on one of the last journeys undertaken before the Beeching axe fell and the line was closed. The stations (not seen on screen in line order) are Llanfyllin, Bryngwyn Halt, Llanfechain, Llansantffraid, Carrechofa Halt, Llanymynech, Llynclys and Oswestry (with an engine on a turntable).
Dr Richard Beeching, a physicist and technical director of ICI, became the first chair of the British Railways Board in 1961, a position offered to him by Ernest Marples, Conservative Minister for Transport (and a large share-holder in a road construction company). After a two-year investigation of the economically struggling rail network, Beeching advocated closure of many rural and industrial lines and indeed many such lines were axed and rural communities cut off.
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