Railway General Knowledge.

[krus_aragon]

Well, I've consulted Mr W Pedia about some of these stations, and I think that I know the answer.

I'll leave it to others to have a few more guesses before I offer my theory, though, given that I've done some research.

Don't feel bad about that: I spent some time researching the question in the first place.

Does your theory still work if I add Betws-y-Coed to the list?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Don't feel bad about that: I spent some time researching the question in the first place. Does your theory still work if I add Betws-y-Coed to the list?

No, it doesn't … and after some more checking, I find that Clunderwen station doesn't bear out my theory either!

I thought that it might be that there was / is a signal box on all of these stations, but there isn't one at Deganwy or, in fact Clunderwen!

 

[krus_aragon]

There is actually a signal box at Deganwy, controlling two level crossings. But that's not the link I'm after.

Add to the list:

• Pembrey & Burry Port
• Bodorgan
• Whitchurch (Cardiff)
• Prestatyn
• Clunderwen
• Deganwy
• Kidwelly
• Llanrwst North
• Cefn-y-Bedd
• Caersws
• Flint
• Tal-y-Cafn
• Shotton (High-Level)

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Well, I've asked Mr W Pedia and he's as much in the dark as I am …. !

 

[krus_aragon]

There is a historical angle to this question.

And it's notable that I had to specify Shotton (High Level). The Low Level station doesn't qualify for this group.

 

[martinsh]

Well all trhe stations listed have two platforms, but surely that isn't the answer ?

 

[krus_aragon]

Well all trhe stations listed have two platforms, but surely that isn't the answer ?

No, it isn't the answer. That would apply equally to Shotton High Level and Low Level, but only HL is part of this group. Also, while Whitchurch (Cardiff) used to have two platforms, I'm not sure that Caersws ever did.

It may help to group these stations by line (with extras added):

• Ty Croes
• Bodorgan
• Penmaenmawr
• Prestatyn
• Flint

• Deganwy
• Tal-y-Cafn
  
• Llanrwst North
• Betws-y-Coed

• Cefn-y-Bedd
• Hawarden
• Shotton (High Level)

• Pembrey & Burry Port
• Kidwelly
• Clunderwen
• Clarbeston Road

• Caersws

• Whitchurch (Cardiff)

Remember, there is a historical reason that these stations are special...

 

[twpsaesneg]

Is it that they've all been known by another name?

 

[krus_aragon]

Is it that they've all been known by another name?

No.

There is, however, a person who connects them all.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Thomas Telford? Isambard Kingdom Brunel? (The scattergun approach sometimes works!)

 

[martinsh]

Queen Victoria ?

 

[krus_aragon]

Thomas Telford? Isambard Kingdom Brunel? (The scattergun approach sometimes works!)

Queen Victoria ?

The scattergun needs to aim the 20th Century.

Something this person did links all these stations:

• Ty Croes
• Bodorgan
• Llanfairfechan
  
• Penmaenmawr
• Prestatyn
• Flint

• Deganwy
• Tal-y-Cafn
• Dolwyddelan
  
• Llanrwst North
• Betws-y-Coed
• Pont-y-Pant

• Cefn-y-Bedd
• Hope
• Penyffordd
  
• Hawarden
• Shotton (High Level)
• Hawarden Bridge

• Pembrey & Burry Port
• Kidwelly
• Ferryside
  
• Clunderwen
• Clarbeston Road
• Kilgetty
• Saundersfoot

• Caersws

• Whitchurch (Cardiff)

I think that's the full set of Welsh stations (as said, there are numerous ones in England and Scotland that would also qualify).

 

[EbbwJunction1]

The Prince of Wales?

 

[krus_aragon]

The Prince of Wales?

Not to my knowledge.

I know little about his relation with railway stations other than his travelling to Griffiths Crossing station on his way to his investiture at Caernarfon. (Both those stations closed soon afterwards.)

 

[krus_aragon]

Let me give a slightly different hint:

Shotton High Level is in this group, but Shotton Low Level isn't. How does their (20th century) history differ?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Shotton High Level is in this group, but Shotton Low Level isn't. How does their (20th century) history differ?

Well, one of the stations (Low Level) was closed and later re-opened, but High Level has stayed open, but that sort of thing doesn't apply to any of the other stations in the list.

Still confused ….. if there was a icon thingy for a white flag, I'd be waving it!

 

[martinsh]

Were they all proposed for closure by Beeching, but stayed open ?

 

[krus_aragon]

Well, one of the stations (Low Level) was closed and later re-opened, but High Level has stayed open, but that sort of thing doesn't apply to any of the other stations in the list.

Still confused ….. if there was a icon thingy for a white flag, I'd be waving it!

You are absolutely on the right track here.

Were they all proposed for closure by Beeching, but stayed open ?

Yes!
All these stations were proposed for closure in Beeching's Reshaping of British Railways, but weren't closed, and remain open to this day.

(The absence of stations on the Heart of Wales line is because they were already being considered for closure before the report, though they too survived, thanks to Lord Tonypandy famously telling the Prime Minister "You can't close that line! It goes through seven(?) marginal constituencies" .)

Sorry the question turned out to be a bit of a hard slog, but thanks for persevering. I hope it was interesting.

Time to yield the floor...

 

[DerekC]

Deleted - sorry, it's martinsh's turn

 

[martinsh]

All these stations were proposed for closure in Beeching's Reshaping of British Railways, but weren't closed, and remain open to this day.

Would have guessed earlier but I didn't realise Beeching proposed closing Prestatyn and Flint !

Which (NR) terminal station, opened before the second world war became a through station in the 1980s ?

 

[Marton]

Bedford St John's

 

[martinsh]

Bedford St John's

No. That was previously a through station and only became a terminus in the 1960s. The station I am thinking of was ALWAYS a terminus prior to the 1980s

 

[Mvann]

Leeds springs to mind

 

[AndrewE]

The current Falmouth / the Dell / Falmouth Town has the wrong dates, being opened as a terminus by BR in 1970!

 

[martinsh]

Thought this was terribly easy, but it seems a clue is needed

This station was built by the GWR

 

[Marton]

Wrexham Exchange?

 

[martinsh]

Wrexham Exchange?

Err... NO !

1) Wrexham Exchange was always a through station
2) it was opened by the Great Central

The station I am thinking of is a larger station than Wrexham Exchange in a larger place than Wrexham

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Is it Birmingham Moor Street?

Open terminus if I'm right!

 

[martinsh]

Is it Birmingham Moor Street?

Open terminus if I'm right!

Correct.

Open "Marylebone for the Midlands"

 

[Calthrop]

The USA's first railroad company in the "main line" category -- as opposed to strictly local odd branches / short lines -- to undergo mostly-abandonment (a little of it lasted longer); underwent same, perhaps surprisingly long ago. Please give the railroad's name, and approximate date of the event.

This closure was, largely, precipitated by special and unusual circumstances. "Virtual bonus points" for telling what those circumstances were.