1960 - 1969: Consolidation & Expansion

The 1960's started out as a period of consolidation, where the new company could add both internal combustion and steam locomotives, new carriages and wagons. It latterly became the railways busiest and most profitable period with packed trains carrying visitors to and from the ferry.

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1960: 'Dingo' & train departing the newly created Fairbourne station - postcard Bill Hyde collection 1961: General view of road leading to level crossing on main line - postcard, Bill Hyde collection 1961: 'Prince Charles' (ex DZR), 'Ernest W Twining' and 'Count Louis' outside the main station shed Fairbourne - note at the lever-frame (pre installation of the ex-Hardwick Manor Signal Box, from book 'Short History of Fairbourne Railway' - Bill Hyde collection 1961: 'Count Louis' posed at Fairbourne, postcard Bill Hyde collection 1961: 'Sylvia' stands outside makers Guest Engineering & Maintenance works prior to delivery to Fairbourne, from book 'Short History of Fairbourne Railway' - Bill Hyde collection 1961: Looking from inside the main station building at Fairbourne, the ex-Hardwick Manor signal box is in place (yes it operated levers for a short time), awaiting train includes the 2 ex-DZR glass end coaches and road 4 shows 2 ex-Hardwick Manor bogie wooden-bodied toast rack carriages and one of the Fairbourne Railway enclosed carriages, from book 'Short History of Fairbourne Railway' - Bill Hyde collection 1962: 'Ernest. W. Twining' accelerates over the bridge and out of Fairbourne, first train of the day with Canteen on the back - the Semaphore signal & Signal Box have gone and the interlocking electric Colour Light signalling has arrived, from book 'Short History of Fairbourne Railway' - Bill Hyde collection 1962: 'Ernest W. Twining' sits at the Ferry waiting to pull the train back to Fairbourne, late July (c) Bill Hyde 1962: 'Ernest W Twining' and train wait to depart to the Ferry during August (c) John C. Fletcher 1962: 'Ernest W Twining' with an up-train crosses 'Dingo' with a down-train at the loop during August (c) John C. Fletcher 1962: 'Dingo' and train head towards the Ferry during August copyright John C. Fletcher 1962: Fairbourne station captured on 1st Sept (c) D.J. Norton 1962: Fairbourne standard gauge station, looking toward Barmouth Junction 1st September (c) D.J. Norton 1962: Fairbourne standard gauge station, looking toward Friog Cliffs 1st September (c) D.J. Norton 1963: 'Sian' stands outside makers Guest Engineering & Maintenance works prior to delivery to Fairbourne, from book 'Short History of Fairbourne Railway' Bill Hyde collection 1963: 'Rachel' sits outside Fairbourne main shed, late July (c) Bill Hyde 1963: 'Sylvia' at the Ferry station, late July, with my Mother posing by it (c) Bill Hyde 1963: Customer (my Mother) at Canteen counter at the Ferry late July (c) Bill Hyde 1963: 'Count Louis' & train of 2 ex Hardwick Manor twin-bogie wooden-bodied toast racks, the ex-Hardwick Manor half-half carriage and one of the new Fairbourne Railway enclosed carriages arrive at the Ferry, still no actual platforms - postcard, Bill Hyde collection 1963: 'Sylvia' at the Ferry with train, pre construction of platforms, postcard Bill Hyde collection 1963: Canteen carriage Mk2 (same vehicle as Mk 1, just been remodelled), in new Barmouth end siding at the Ferry, from book 'Short History of Fairbourne Railway' Bill Hyde collection 1963: 'Sylvia' near the Ferry in September with a River Authority dredger behind (c) John C. Fletcher 1964: 'Sian' recently arrived from maker Guest Engineering & Maintenance sits in the engine shed at Fairbourne (c) John C. Fletcher 1964: 'Sian' running light engine over Beach Road corner, during it's May proving trials (c) John C. Fletcher 1964: 'Sian' & the Canteen arrive at the Ferry during Sian's May proving trials (c) John C. Fletcher 1964: 'Sian' and Canteen in loop at the Ferry pass 'Count Louis' and train in the paltform road, during Sian's May proving trials, notice the newly created platforms and defined bay for the Canteen (c) John C. Fletcher 1964: 'Sian' has successfully steered the Canteen into the siding at the Ferry, during it's May proving trials - good view of the newly made platforms and Canteen bay (c) John Fletcher 1964: 'Sian' being coupled up at the Ferry late July - Sian's first year at Fairbourne & possibly first volunteering by Bill Hyde! (c) Bill Hyde 1964: Guard taking a breather at Ferry station late July (c) Bill Hyde 1964: 'Sylvia' arrives at the remodelled Ferry station with train in late July (c) Bill Hyde 1965: Un-named engine to become 'Katie', seen outside makers Guest Engineering & Maintenance works before delivery to Fairbourne, from book 'Short History of Fairbourne Railway' Bill Hyde collection 1965: 'Sian' (possibly) & train heading back towards Fairbourne about to depart Golf House halt, postcard Bill Hyde collection 1967: 'Sian' and train waiting for the off at Fairbourne, postcard Bill Hyde collection 1968: 'Katie' and train cross Beach Corner on way to the Ferry, postcard Bill Hyde collection 1968: 'Rachel' with train at the Ferry station, (c) Bill Hyde 1968: 'Sian' with train waiting for off at the Ferry station, postacard Bill Hyde collection 1969: 'Sian' and train approach the Ferry station (c) Bill Hyde circa 1969: 'Ernest W. Twining' is watered prior to backing onto train (c) P. Sharpe circa 1969: 'Ernest W. Twining' heads train past the Springfield Hotel (c) P. Sharpe

More images may be added over time, as they are found. If you have any images and you would like to share them with viewers of Return to the Ferry, get in touch via the Contact page.