Dyserth branch line

Dyserth Branch Line
Overview
Type Heavy Rail
Locale Prestatyn
Denbighshire, Wales
Termini Prestatyn
Dyserth
Stations 7
Operation
Opened 1 September 1869[1]
Closed 7 September 1973[2]
Owner British Railways
Previously LNWR then LMSR
Character Rural
Technical
Line length 2 miles 74 chains (4.7 km)
Number of tracks 1
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Minimum radius 11 chains (220 m)
Operating speed 25 miles per hour (40 km/h)
Maximum incline 1 in 45
Dyserth Branch Line
North Wales Coast Line

Prestatyn
Gas works
Left arrowPenrhwylfa Brickworks
 Chapel Street
 Bryn Rhosyn LC
 Woodland Park
 St. Melyd Golf Links
Meliden Works Siding
 Meliden
Talargoch Lead Mine
 Allt-y-Graig

Castle Limestone Siding
Castle Quarry

Mr W L Hobbs' Siding

Dyserth
Stone Loading Siding
Dyserth Quarry
Marian Mill

The standard gauge, single track Dyserth branch line climbed 2 miles 70 chains (4.6 km)[3] from a junction with the Chester to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line near Prestatyn[4] southwards to Dyserth in Flintshire, now Denbighshire, Wales.[5][6][7][8]

History

The branch was opened by the LNWR in 1869 to tap limestone quarries and a lead mine. A passenger, parcels and goods service was introduced in 1905 serving local needs and the North Wales coast's booming holiday industry. The company designed and built a single carriage, steam-powered Motor Train for such lines, with the Dyserth Branch using the first example.[9][10] The passenger service was a success before the First World War, with services having to be doubled and an additional unit provided for the motor trains. After the war the motor trains were replaced by locomotive-propelled push-pull trains.[11] Road competition and the 1926 General Strike ate into profits, leading the LMSR to withdraw the passenger service in 1930.[9]

The line remained open for minerals, parcels and general goods until the end of November 1951, when parcels and general goods traffic ended, leaving just coal to Dyserth and limestone products from a quarry in that village. Coal traffic ended in May 1964, but lime and limestone traffic continued until the line closed completely on 7 September 1973,[12][13] though at least two special trains took stone away in 1974. The tracks were lifted in 1980.[14]

Two enthusiasts' special trains traversed the line, the "North Wales Rail Tour" where a tank locomotive propelled three coaches to Dyserth on 2 October 1955 and "The Welshman" formed of a six car DMU on 11 October 1969.[15][16]

Apart from short level sections through Meliden and Dyserth stations the line climbed southwards on a significant gradient, with the steepest stretch at 1 in 45. As a result, all locomotive-hauled trains had to propel their loads uphill from the main line and all goods trains had to run downhill with brakes pinned down. British railway convention was to designate directions on all lines as "Up" or "Down", when applied to the Dyserth branch this resulted in uphill being Down and downhill being Up. There were many curves, the sharpest having a radius of 11 chains (220 m).[17] These factors combined to necessitate ruling speed limits of 20 mph for trains climbing to Dyserth and 25 mph back to the main line. These limits were lowered to 15 mph over level crossings and 10 mph approaching the junction with the main line. In practice the heavy loads, curves, visibility and gradients confined speeds to around 10 mph throughout.[18]

Present

Much of the old line is now used as a footpath, which retains many historical railway points of interest. There are two pieces of track at Chapel Street, the Woodland Park Bridge, Meliden Goods Shed and Loading Gauge and an original crane from the Dyserth Railway at the end of the walk.[19]

Opposite direction

References

Sources

  • Anderson, V. R.; Fox, G. K. (1984). An historical survey of Chester to Holyhead Railway : track layouts and illustrations. Poole: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-86093-216-1. 
  • Clemens, Jim (2014) [1959]. Steam to North Wales (DVD). Uffington, Shropshire: B&R Video Productions. Vol 136. 
  • Goodall, Stephen P. (2003). The Prestatyn and Dyserth Branch Line. Headington: Oakwood Press. ISBN 978-0-85361-313-8. LP 160. 
  • Jowett, Alan (March 1989). Jowett's Railway Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland: From Pre-Grouping to the Present Day (1st ed.). Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85260-086-0. OCLC 22311137. 
  • Mitchell, Vic; Smith, Keith (2011). Chester to Rhyl, including the Holywell Town and Dyserth Branches. Midland Main Lines. Midhurst: Middleton Press (MD). ISBN 978-1-906008-93-2. 
  • Rear, W.G. (2003). From Chester to Holyhead : The Branch Lines. Shepperton: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-0-86093-569-8. 
  • Thompson, Trefor (1978). The Prestatyn and Dyserth Railway. Rhuddlan: North Clwyd Railway Association. ISBN 978-0-9506661-0-5. OCLC 11120869. 
  • Thompson, Trefor (1985). The Prestatyn and Dyserth Railway - A Pictorial History. Rhuddlan: Charter Publications. ISBN 978-0-907157-02-1. 
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