Dovey Junction?

[topydre]

Since partial hourly service introduction, there's some good connections between Aberystwyth and the Coast Line at Dyfi Junction, and vica versa. This usually saves an hour of travel time.

Even before the hourly service was introduced, the only way to connect to Aberystwyth from the last train of the day from Barmouth was by changing at Dyfi Junction

 

[Llanigraham]

Local knowledge.
Pwllheli bound trains are only capable of using the curved platform face, P1, on the western side of the station.
Aberystwth trains can only use the extended platform 2A/2B on the eastern, inland side of the station.
There is no way Pwllheli trains could use P2.

The cross-over on P2A/2B was put in so that trains on the Aber run could pass each other, and it is used regularly.

 

[6Gman]

Local knowledge.
Pwllheli bound trains are only capable of using the curved platform face, P1, on the western side of the station.
Aberystwth trains can only use the extended platform 2A/2B on the eastern, inland side of the station.
There is no way Pwllheli trains could use P2.

The cross-over on P2A/2B was put in so that trains on the Aber run could pass each other, and it is used regularly.

Is there still (was there ever?) a passing loop on P.1 ?

 

[stuu]

Is there still (was there ever?) a passing loop on P.1 ?

No, but yes there was

(Photo shows mk1 DMUs passing in the platform and loop)

 

[Gloster]

Is there still (was there ever?) a passing loop on P.1 ?

Taken out of use 11 May 1986.

 

[Mike99]

I needed the mileage from Aberystwyth to Dovey Junction and managed it when on holiday in Aberystwyth on 13th March 2016. I had arrived at 12:05 on the service from Aber on unit 158829, at platform 2A, and a minute later my return journey arrived with a class 158xxx (forgot to note the number) running past 158829 before accessing further along the same platform, platform 2B. A bit like the operation at Penryn on the Falmouth branch.

 

[6Gman]

I needed the mileage from Aberystwyth to Dovey Junction and managed it when on holiday in Aberystwyth on 13th March 2016. I had arrived at 12:05 on the service from Aber on unit 158829, at platform 2A, and a minute later my return journey arrived with a class 158xxx (forgot to note the number) running past 158829 before accessing further along the same platform, platform 2B. A bit like the operation at Penryn on the Falmouth branch.View attachment 143111View attachment 143112

Your second photo certainly shows how heavily built-up the immediate area is.

 

[nw1]

Apologies, I thought you were talking about the Glandyfi near Aberystwyth, although there is a Glandyfi Castle near Dovey Junction which must have been the area you were thinking about.

View attachment 143043
5 hour walk suggested by Google from Glandyfi to D.J.

I'm sure there are better ways of doing the walk than "along the A487", do Google need to fix their routing?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm sure there are better ways of doing the walk than "along the A487", do Google need to fix their routing?

Google Maps is designed to provide fastest/shortest routes, not to find you a nice hiking route. You want to use an Ordnance Survey map for that (and looking at one shows that there are alternatives, but surprisingly few due to the layout of the mountains there).

It could do with knowing which main roads have pavements and which don't, but there's probably not a database of that. Would be handy if OS knew that as well. You can see it (just) on Google Maps aerial view though.

 

[Gloster]

Google Maps is designed to provide fastest/shortest routes, not to find you a nice hiking route. You want to use an Ordnance Survey map for that (and looking at one shows that there are alternatives, but surprisingly few due to the layout of the mountains there).

It could do with knowing which main roads have pavements and which don't, but there's probably not a database of that. Would be handy if OS knew that as well. You can see it (just) on Google Maps aerial view though.

If it is important you can often use Streetview to asses the route. It can be a bit slow and tedious over longer distances, but it is probably better than most alternatives. Although I would always prefer a map and only use Streetview to clarify any concerns.

 

[30907]

If it is important you can often use Streetview to asses the route. It can be a bit slow and tedious over longer distances, but it is probably better than most alternatives. Although I would always prefer a map and only use Streetview to clarify any concerns.

Fortunately, the chances of anyone wanting to walk from one Glandyfi to the other are remote

 

[SteveM70]

Foy my journey, both trains used just the same one extended platform. Train to Aberystwyth was waiting on the extended bit (that is the "west" end, nearer the sea). Train from Pwllheli travelling from west to east looped round it, using the track re the opposite platform (if that platform still exists), but used the points to continue to get back to the original easterly part of the now extended platform. So no footbridge to cross. Just a walk back in the direction of Aberystwyth (and the sea) and then board the waiting Aberystwyth bound train

The one extended platform is the one on the north side of the station layout. In days gone by, logically/possibly that would be the Pwllheli platform, if both Aberystwyth and Pwllheli through trains were on different platforms at the station

Are you sure of this? My recollection is that the junction between the Aber and coast lines is east of the station, which is an island platform in the v of the junction, and there's also a loop on the Aber platform but this doesn't have a platform of its own. I think the only way trains for the two branches can share a platform is with a reversal (if the signalling allows it)

 

[Bletchleyite]

Are you sure of this? My recollection is that the junction between the Aber and coast lines is east of the station, which is an island platform in the v of the junction, and there's also a loop on the Aber platform but this doesn't have a platform of its own. I think the only way trains for the two branches can share a platform is with a reversal (if the signalling allows it)

You are correct. The loop is for inbound and outbound Aberystwyth trains to pass. The Pwllheli side has only one platform and no loop. It's a triangle so you can't get from one to the other.

 

[avid2424]

I must apologise having now checked some photos

The junction is of course at the east of Dovey Junction So my train from Pwllheli arrived on platform 1 of the “island” platform, Dovey Junction Whilst it is just a few steps across on a level surface to get to platform 2, platform 2 is the very long extended platform

Trains towards Aberystwyth depart from the far end of platform 2, numbered 2b. This serves to explain why I was hoping everybody had understood that I was walking the full length of platform 2a in order to reach platform 2b - and hoping that the connection was being held

Trains to Aberystwyth take the passing loop around platform 2a in the east and stop at platform 2b in the west and nearer the sea

Trains from Aberystwyth stop at platform 2a immediately adjacent to the passing loop, and thus such trains are much more adjacent to the Pwllheli line

The length of the passing loop is only half a platform and the two tracks merge into one at the spot where platform 2a becomes platform 2b

 

[Mike99]

I must apologise having now checked some photos

The junction is of course at the east of Dovey Junction So my train from Pwllheli arrived on platform 1 of the “island” platform, Dovey Junction Whilst it is just a few steps across on a level surface to get to platform 2, platform 2 is the very long extended platform

Trains towards Aberystwyth depart from the far end of platform 2, numbered 2b. This serves to explain why I was hoping everybody had understood that I was walking the full length of platform 2a in order to reach platform 2b - and hoping that the connection was being held

Trains to Aberystwyth take the passing loop around platform 2a in the east and stop at platform 2b in the west and nearer the sea

Trains from Aberystwyth stop at platform 2a immediately adjacent to the passing loop, and thus such trains are much more adjacent to the Pwllheli line

The length of the passing loop is only half a platform and the two tracks merge into one at the spot where platform 2a becomes platform 2b

I'm pleased my photo in #36 above shows nicely what you're describing very well above

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I'm pleased my photo in #36 above shows nicely what you're describing very well above

Good photos indeed but I prefer the one by @stuu. More 'atmosphere' with the unusual signal box and prefabricated station!