Cambrian Railways

The Cambrian Railways (Cambrian) owned a total of 230 miles of track, over a large area of mid-Wales. The system was an amalgamation of a number of railways which were incorporated in 1864, 1865 and 1904. The Cambrian connected with two of the larger railways to give connections to the North West of England, via the London and North Western Railway; and with the Great Western Railway for connections between London and North Wales.

In the following list the dates are: date of incorporation; opening date

• Oswestry and Newtown 30 miles: June 6 1855; 1860-61
• Llanidloes and Newtown 12.25 miles: August 4 1853; 1859
• Newtown and Macynlleth 23 miles: July 27 1857; 1863
• Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch 18 miles: August 1 1861; 1863-64
• Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast 86 miles: July 26 1861; 1863-69
• Mid-Wales 45.5 miles: August 1 1859; September 1 1864

The Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway opened in 1895. Wrexham was the largest town served by the Cambrian.

• The Van Railway (serving lead mines) 6.5 miles: built 1871
• The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway (WLLR) 9 miles gauge 2ft 6in opened April 4 1903. The WLLR closed for all traffic on November 5 1956; it is now a heritage railway.
• Tanat Valley Light Railway (Llynclys - Llangynog) 15 miles: opened January 5 1904; closed (passenger traffic) 1951
• Mawddwy Light Railway 6.75 miles: incorporated Jul 5 1865; closed (passenger traffic) 1951

• Abermule - Kerry
• Barmouth Junction - Dolgelley

The information in this section taken largely from The Railway Year Book 1912

The headquarters of the Railways was at Oswestry. The building still stands (2004), although detached from the railway lines and in use for commercial purposes. The largest station premises on the line were at Aberystwyth; in 1911 there were 91 locomotives and one rail motor car amongst Cambrian's rolling stock.

• Notes on Cambrian
• The Cambrian in 2004