"As early as the 16th century coal mining was carried out in the Malltraeth marshes in central Anglesey. Coal would have been transported away at considerable expense by mules, packhorses and wagons. By the early 19th century a canal was proposed to reduce costs, but was later rejected in favour of a cheaper and simpler tramway, either to Malltraeth on the west coast or Traeth Coch (Red Wharf Bay) on the east coast.
Malltraeth was later rejected due to strong on-shore westerly wind that would have made it difficult to sail the small ships into the prevailing winds. The more sheltered shores of Traeth Coch were favoured as it was also cheaper to transport from there to Ireland than from other North Wales ports. An Act of Parliament was finally granted in 1812 to build it, but it never materialised, despite the many later rumours of its one-time existence.
It wasn't until 1899 that Parliamentary powers were obtained by the LNWR to build a six-mile single line branch line from Holland Arms to Red Wharf Bay, branching off the old Anglesey Central Railway that ran between Gaerwen and Amlwch. This development occurred long after coal mining had ceased in the area due to constant flooding. It did, however, run very close to the proposed early tramway route.
The line was built by J Strachan of Cardiff and was opened on July 1 1908 as far as Pentraeth and carried passenger and goods traffic. The line was extended to Red Wharf Bay and Benllech station and fully opened May 24 1909. An early type of twin coach push-pull train ran on the branch for some years, later to be incorporated into the LMS grouping in 1923.
The stations were named Holland Arms, Ceint, Rhyd y Saint, Pentraeth, Llanbedrgoch and Red Wharf Bay and Benllech - the latter station being located typically quite some distance from both communities it was intended to serve.
Trains comprised of passenger and freight trains carrying coal, agricultural produce, building materials, farm feed, livestock etc. It could become very busy during summer weekends in the early years, with sometimes about 300 passengers, and the 4pm was sometimes met with as many as 50 horse traps and carts.
The winter of 1922/3 saw a great herring shoal between Moelfre and Benllech. Five hundred tons were landed and moved in two weeks in 12 special trains destined for London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham etc.
More ... plus slideshow
your comments
We're making some changes to the sites shortly and although this form will be closing, you will have other opportunities to contribute on our new-look site.
Ron Jones, Penrhyn Bay
My father Richard Jones was the stationmaster at Red Wharf Bay from 1909 up to 1917, when he was promoted to stationmaster at Aber Gwyngregin. I believe he could be the person on the left in the photo heading this article.
Tue Aug 18 14:34:04 2009
David Mills
To celebrate the centenary of the opening of the railway on 24th May 1909, I gave a talk in Llangefni Library on the 9th May 2009. I much appreciate the opportunity to have presented it and my thanks go to Felicity Roberts and the library staff. My thanks also go to the North Wales Model Engineering Society for displaying some of their model locomotives on the day. I believe there is a cine film of the line taken in the 1940s just before its closure. I would be very pleased to see it and to receive any further information and photos.
Mon May 11 14:09:10 2009
Prof Mike Brogden - Llandegfan
David, been doing a lot generalised work in the archives - specifically relating to the industrial hereitage of the Cadnant valley. Did you know that there was once a share funding to drive a railway from Menai to Penmon (through "the coalseams of Glen Garth"
Wed Nov 14 11:04:49 2007
Stephen McBride, LLannerch-y-medd
I was very lucky to attend a talk and slideshow given by Mr David Mills on this fabulous railway. David is obviously a very dedicated and clever man and he has collected more photographs and plans etc.
It is very sad that railways like this have fallen into dis-use, however their remains give us a chance to explore (legally and with care and consideration for landowners)our considerable heritage and history. It is also fascinating to listen to people talk about their experiences with the railways, if one is lucky enough to meet someone who used them. We must preserve these memories as well as the infrastructure, if we can.
Fri Nov 3 09:57:29 2006
Christine Mottram New Zealand
My mother Gwendolen Evans, whose grandmother lived at Penrallt, Pentraeth, told me about her grandfather William Jones finding some old Roman coins when they were digging for the rail line which ran past their farm to Red Wharf Bay. So at some time there must have been a Roman settlement near there. I do not know what happened to the coins but she remembered him showing them to her as a child; she was born in 1904. My great grandparents went to the opening of the station at Pentraeth. I visited the farm at Pentraeth in 1998.
Thu Apr 13 09:08:55 2006
Add your comments to this page here:
