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[[File:Wm&cqr1.png|thumb|The Wrexham, Mold and Connah’s Quay Railway]]The '''Buckley Railway''' was opened from [[Buckley, Flintshire|Buckley]] to a connection with the [[North Wales Coast Line|Chester to Holyhead main line]] on 7 June 1862, to convey coal and finished brickworks products from the Buckley area. Numerous short tramroads had existed in the area from the 1700s. The line was steeply graded (1 in 28 between Northop Hall and Connah's Quay) and sharply curved.
[[File:Wm&cqr1.png|thumb|The Wrexham, Mold and Connah’s Quay Railway at opening]]
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The '''Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway''' (WM&CQR) was incorporated in 1862 to build a line from [[Wrexham]] to [[Buckley]], continuing to the main line over the Buckley Railway, which it later took over. The Buckley Railway had opened to convey minerals from Buckley where numerous short tramroads existed to a connection with the [[North Wales Coast Line|Chester to Holyhead main line]] in 1862. The line was steeply graded and sharply curved. WM&CQR plans to extend were thwarted by its inability to raise finance. Short branches to mineral workings around [[Brymbo]] were opened.


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The '''Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway''' (WM&CQR) was incorporated in 1862 to build a line from [[Wrexham]] to [[Buckley, Flintshire|Buckley]], continuing to the C&HR main line via the Buckley Railway, which it joined at Ashton's Branch Junction. It later bought the Buckley Railway. The WM&CQR had plans for extensions but was unable to raise money to bring all of them into being. Short branches to mineral workings around [[Brymbo]] were opened.
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The WM&CQR was allied with the [[Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway]] (later the [[Great Central Railway]]) which provided the finance to cross the [[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]] and connect to [[Chester]] and its system over the [[Cheshire Lines Committee]] tracks.


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The WM&CQR allied itself with the [[Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway]] (later the [[Great Central Railway]]) which provided the finance to cross the [[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]] and connect to [[Chester]] and its own system over the [[Cheshire Lines Committee]] tracks.
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The WM&CQR was dependent on mineral traffic, and when it declined so did the railway; but the main line from [[Wrexham]] to [[Hawarden Bridge]] (and on to [[Bidston]]) remains open to passenger traffic.


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The WM&CQR was dependent on the mineral workings, and when they declined so did the railway; but the main line from [[Wrexham]] to [[Hawarden Bridge]] (and on to [[Bidston]]) remains open to passenger and freight traffic as the [[Borderlands Line]].
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==Buckley Railway==
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[[Flintshire]], on the south bank of the River Dee near Buckley, had considerable deposits of coal, iron and other minerals. As they were close to the surface, they were extracted from an early date. The proximity of the river for transport to market assisted in the prosperity of the workings. Wagonways were built to take the minerals to the river; the earliest were wooden wagonways, and in later years plateways were constructed. The tramroads were mostly short and independent of other nearby lines.


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==The Buckley Railway==
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Deposits of good quality clay around Buckley had been dug since about 1750 and the coming of the railway age facilitated the transport of bricks which were in great demand. The owners of the tramroads failed to modernise them and limited the transport opportunities for new works.<ref name = baughan>Peter E Baughan, ''A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: volume 11: North and Mid Wales'', David St John Thomas, Nairn, 1991, {{ISBN|0 946537 59 3}}, pages 48 to 60</ref> This prompted the formation of the Buckley Railway to connect claypits and other sites around Buckley to wharves on the River Dee, and have a direct connection to the Chester and Holyhead Railway, which was allied to the [[London and North Western Railway]]. The Buckley Railway began, although probably not as an incorporated company, as a 2ft 6in gauge horse tramway.<ref name = grant80>Donald J Grant, ''Directory of the Railway Companies of Great Britain'', Matador Publishers, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2017, {{ISBN|978 1785893 537}}, page 80</ref> Its authorising Act of Parliament was granted on 14 June 1860. The line was steeply graded and sharply curved.<ref group = note>Baughan implies that this was a conversion of the Buckley's existing tramroads, but Boyd shows numerous tramroads with overlapping interests, but no direct formal common ownership.</ref><ref name = baughan/><ref name = boyd>Boyd, pages 59 to 67</ref>
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The area of [[Flintshire]], on the south bank of the River Dee near Buckley, had considerable deposits of coal, iron and also of other minerals. As these lay close to the surface, they were extracted from an early date. The proximity of the river for transport to market assisted in the prosperity of these workings.
A large number of early wagonways were built to take the minerals to the river; the earliest were wooden railways, and in later years plateways were constructed. These lines were mostly short and were generally independent of other nearby lines.


In addition to coal and metals, there were deposits of good quality clay around Buckley. This had been dug since about 1750, but with the coming of the railway age, the demand for bricks had increased greatly and a means of conveying them to market was essential. In addition there was considerable manufacture of bricks and tiles, which were fragile and required careful handling. The existing tramroads were in effect a monopoly, and their failure to modernise limited the transport opportunities for new mineral works.<ref name = baughan>Peter E Baughan, ''A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: volume 11: North and Mid Wales'', David St John Thomas, Nairn, 1991, {{ISBN|0 946537 59 3}}, pages 48 to 60</ref><ref name = boyd13>J I C Boyd, ''The Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway'', Oakwood Press, Headington, 1991, {{ISBN|0 85361 417 2}}, pages 13 to 44</ref>
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The line opened on 7 June 1862, and was worked by the WM&CQR from 1863. In 1866 the Buckley Railway secured Parliamentary powers to operate passenger trains, but they were only used for occasional excursion trains to Rhyl.<ref name = baughan/>.<ref name = christiansen>Rex Christiansen, ''Forgotten Railways: North and Mid Wales'', David St John Thomas, Newton Abbot, 1984, {{ISBN|0 946537 05 4}}, pages 19 – 31</ref>

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This prompted the formation of the Buckley Railway, which was conceived to connect claypits and other sites around Buckley to Connah's Quay Dock on the River Dee, by a locomotive railway. It would also have a direct connection to the Chester and Holyhead Railway, allied to the [[London and North Western Railway]]. The Buckley Railway was already in existence, as a {{track gauge|2ft 6in}} gauge horse tramway.<ref name = grant80>Donald J Grant, ''Directory of the Railway Companies of Great Britain'', Matador Publishers, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2017, {{ISBN|978 1785893 537}}, page 80</ref> It got an Act of Parliament authorising this on 14 June 1860. The line was to be steeply graded and sharply curved.<ref group = note>Baughan implies that this was a conversion of the Buckley’s existing tramroads, but Boyd shows numerous tramroads with overlapping interests, but no direct formal common ownership.</ref><ref name = baughan/><ref name = boyd59>Boyd, pages 59 to 67</ref>

The line opened on 7 June 1862, and was worked by the WM&CQR from 1863.<ref name = boyd61>Boyd, pages 61 and 64</ref>

⚫
In 1866 the Buckley Railway secured parliamentary powers to operate passenger trains, but the powers were never used except for occasional excursion trains to Rhyl.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = christiansen>Rex Christiansen, ''Forgotten Railways: North and Mid Wales'', David St John Thomas, Newton Abbot, 1984, {{ISBN|0 946537 05 4}}, pages 19 – 31</ref><ref name = boyd160>Boyd, pages 160 and 161</ref>


==Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway==
==Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway==
Several prospective companies were formed to transport coal, and the battle for authorisation in Parliament was reduced to a GWR-supported scheme, and the Whitchurch, Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway, promoted by [[Benjamin Piercy]]. The significance of Whitchurch was a connection to the London and North Western Railway.
Getting mineral products away from Buckley was all very well, but there were much more important minerals further south-east in the North Wales coalfield. Several prospective companies were formed to transport these minerals, and the battle for authorisation in Parliament was reduced to a GWR-supported scheme, and the Whitchurch, Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway, promoted by [[Benjamin Piercy]]. The significance of Whitchurch was as an outlet to the London and North Western Railway there.<ref name = boyd95>Boyd, page 95</ref>

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After considerable argument in Parliament, the WWM&CQR was passed, but reduced to the area from Wrexham northwards. It received the Royal assent on 7 August 1862, and recognising the reduction in geographical extent, its title was the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway. It was authorised to purchase the Buckley Railway. It was to run from Wrexham broadly northwards through [[Caergwrle]] and crossing the [[Mold Railway]] (where south-to-west and north-to-west curves were authorised) to [[Hope, Flintshire|Hope]], where it joined the Buckley Railway. The WM&CQR main line was to be 9 miles long, with a ruling gradient of 1 in 70.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant629>Grant, pages 629 and 630</ref><ref name = boyd97>Boyd, page 97</ref>

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The line opened for goods and mineral traffic on 1 January 1866; stations at first were Wrexham, [[Gwersyllt]], [[Cefn-y-Bedd]], Caergwrle, Hope Junction (later renamed [[Penyffordd]]), and Buckley. The south-to-west curve at Hope was constructed, even though running powers to [[Mold, Flintshire|Mold]] had been refused in Parliament. The authorised north-to-west curve there was started but never completed while the south to east curve was completed but had tracks removed almost immediately. There was never a North to East curve.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant629/>

After improvements required by the [[Board of Trade]] inspecting officer, chiefly platforms on passing loops, the line opened for passengers on 1 May 1866. There were three passenger trains each way daily, with a connecting bus from Hope to Mold.<ref name = boyd121>Boyd, pages 121, 122 and 134</ref>


Mold was a significant market centre, and the WM&CQR negotiated with the LNWR (owner of the Mold Railway) to erect an exchange station on each line at the point of intersection. The facilities were basic, and there was no access from public roads to the stations. They were known as Hope Exchange, and opened in 1867. The Mold bus service was discontinued.<ref name = boyd147>Boyd, page 147</ref>
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After debate in Parliament, the WWM&CQR act was passed, but reduced to the area from Wrexham northwards. It received Royal assent on 7 August 1862, and recognising the reduction in geographical extent, its title was the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway. It was authorised to purchase the Buckley Railway and run from Wrexham broadly northwards through [[Caergwrle]], crossing the [[Mold Railway]] (where south-to-west and north-to-west curves were authorised) to [[Hope, Flintshire|Hope]], where it joined the Buckley Railway. The WM&CQR main line was nine miles long, with a ruling gradient of 1 in 70.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant629>Grant, pages 629 and 630</ref>


In the latter half of the decade, the WM&CQR attempted to obtain Parliamentary powers for extensions, notably into the Wirral. Some very short connections were approved, but the only significant approved line was to run to [[Whitchurch, Shropshire|Whitchurch]]; this was approved, but the WM&CQR was unable to raise the capital needed to build it.
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The line opened for goods and mineral traffic on 1 January 1866; stations were built at Wrexham, [[Gwersyllt]], [[Cefn-y-Bedd]], Caergwrle, Hope Junction (later renamed [[Penyffordd]]), and Buckley. The south-to-west curve at Hope was in the course of construction, even though running powers to [[Mold, Flintshire|Mold]] had been refused in Parliament. The authorised north-to-west curve there was never completed.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant629/>


However, by Act of Parliament of 5 August 1873 the WM&CQR leased the Buckley Railway, which it had been working from 1866.<ref name = baughan/>
After improvements required by the [[Board of Trade]] inspector, including platforms on passing loops, the line opened for passengers on 1 May 1866. Three passenger trains ran each way daily, with a connecting bus from Hope to Mold. Mold was a significant market centre, and the WM&CQR negotiated with the LNWR (owner of the Mold Railway) to erect an exchange station on each line at the point of intersection. The facilities were basic, and there was no access from public roads to the stations. They were known as Hope Exchange, and opened in 1867. The Mold bus service was discontinued. In the second half of the decade, the WM&CQR attempted to obtain Parliamentary powers for extensions, into the Wirral. Some short connections and the line to [[Whitchurch, Shropshire|Whitchurch]] were approved but the WM&CQR was unable to raise the capital to build it. By Act of Parliament of 5 August 1873 the WM&CQR leased the Buckley Railway, which it had been working almost from the outset.<ref name = baughan/>


==Extending the network==
==Extending the network==
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[[File:Wm&amp;cqr2.png|thumb|The railway as of 1890]] The WM&CQR directors continued to believe that the commercial success of their line lay in expanding the network, most particularly in crossing the River Dee and reaching Birkenhead. On 18 August 1882 powers were granted for part of that scheme: the Hawarden Loop. This was to be a new double track railway running to the Dee some distance east of the Buckley Railway route, to [[Shotton, Flintshire|Shotton]] with a Deeside wharf there. The powers allowed crossing the Dee at this point to a new dock on the north shore. The company name was to be changed to the North Wales Railways and Docks Company, but this was never put into effect. A short extension eastward from the Wrexham station into the centre of the town was also allowed.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant629/><ref name = boyd173>Boyd, pages 173 to 177</ref>
[[File:Wm&amp;cqr2.png|thumb|The Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway in 1890]]
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The WM&CQR directors believed that the commercial success of the line lay in expanding the network particularly across the River Dee to Birkenhead. On 18 August 1882 powers were granted for part of the scheme, the Hawarden Loop, a double track railway to the Dee east of the Buckley Railway, to [[Shotton, Flintshire|Shotton]] and a Deeside wharf. The powers allowed crossing the Dee to a new dock on the north shore. The proposed name change to the North Wales Railways and Docks Company was never put into effect. A short extension eastward from Wrexham station into the centre of the town was also authorised.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant629/>


The Wrexham extension opened on 1 November 1887; the station was named [[Wrexham Central railway station|Wrexham Central]] and the former terminus renamed [[Wrexham Exchange|Wrexham Exchange]]. (The GWR station alongside was operated independently. The branch was doubled in 1888.
The Wrexham extension was opened on 1 November 1887; the station was named [[Wrexham Central railway station|Wrexham Central]] and the former terminus was renamed Wrexham Exchange. There was a GWR station alongside at this point; for many years those two station were independent of one another. The branch was doubled in 1889.<ref name = boyd203>Boyd, page 203</ref>


==Hawarden loop==
==Hawarden loop==
[[File:Buckley Junction Station 1932832 14cdd1b9.jpg|thumb|Buckley Junction Station]]On 31 March 1890 a further line was opened by the WMCQR: it had been authorised in 1883. The ''Hawarden Loop'' had a new station called Buckley Junction though it was never a junction for passenger trains. The old Buckley station near Drury was closed upon opening of Buckley Junction and the Hawarden Loop but after local complaints as it was further from the town centre, it was reopened from 1 June 1893. The reopening was not a success and the station closed permanently in February 1895.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disused Stations: Buckley (1st) Station |url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/buckley/ |website=www.disused-stations.org.uk |access-date=24 June 2021}}</ref>
[[File:Buckley Junction Station 1932832 14cdd1b9.jpg|thumb|Buckley Junction Station]]
On 31 March 1890 the "Buckley Loop" or "Hawarden Loop" was opened by the WMCQR. It by-passed the Buckley Railway line on a gentler gradient and gentler curvature. It deviated from the original line near Buckley, and arched to the east, reaching Connah’s Quay along the riverside.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = boyd218>Boyd, page 218</ref>
The Hawarden Loop by-passed the original Buckley Railway line, on a gentler gradient (1 in 52), although still a steep one, and gentler curvature. It deviated from the original line south of Buckley station and curved to the east, passing through Hawarden and reaching Shotton High Level (originally Connah's Quay and Shotton) where an exchange station was made with the C&HR. Connah's Quay Docks was served by a branch by a riverside line from Shotton High Level.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = boyd218>Boyd, page 183, 203 and 218</ref>


==Brymbo branch==
==Brymbo branch==
{{main | Brymbo railway branch lines}}
[[File:Hawarden Bridge, Hawarden Bridge railway station (geograph 4032396).jpg|thumb|Hawarden Bridge and railway station]]
The four-mile Brymbo branch line opened from a triangular junction near Gwersyllt, to Moss & Pentre in 1882,<ref group = note>The same year as the Royal Assent.</ref> to Plas Power, where it connected to the [[Wrexham and Minera Railway|Wrexham and Minera line]] in June 1864, and to Brymbo in 1887. Passenger operation started on 1 August 1889 and halts were opened in 1905 and 1906. A half-mile branch back Brymbo to Vron colliery opened on 8 October 1888.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = christiansen/>
[[File:Hawarden Bridge, Hawarden Bridge railway station (geograph 4032396).jpg|thumb|Hawarden Bridge and railway station]]The four mile line opened from a triangular junction near Gwersyllt, to Moss & Pentre in 1882,<ref group = note>The same year as the Royal Assent.</ref> to Plas Power, where it connected to the [[Wrexham and Minera Railway|Wrexham and Minera line]], in June 1864, and to Brymbo in 1887. Passenger operation started on 1 August 1889 and halts were opened in 1905 and 1906. A half-mile branch back from Brymbo to Vron colliery was opened on 8 October 1888.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = christiansen/>


==Dee Crossing==
==The Dee Crossing==
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[[File:Wrexham Central railway station 2048484 00a59e8b.jpg|thumb|Wrexham Central railway station]]Notwithstanding the friendly relations with the London and North Western Railway, the WM&CQR turned to the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway for help from 1884. The Dee Crossing was authorised, but unaffordable for the WM&CQR, and the MS&LR agreed to build from Shotton High Level (on the south side of the Dee) into Chester. This took the form of the [[Chester and Connah's Quay Railway]], authorised on 31 July 1885. This ran from the end of the Hawarden loop at Shotton to the [[Cheshire Lines Committee]] network at Chester Northgate. The MS&LR was a participant in the CLC and this gave the company access from the WM&CQR lines to its own network further east.<ref name = grant110>Grant, pages 110 and 111</ref>
[[File:Wrexham Central railway station 2048484 00a59e8b.jpg|thumb|Wrexham Central railway station]]
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Despite friendly relations with the London and North Western Railway, the WM&CQR turned to the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway for help from 1884. The Dee Crossing was authorised, but unaffordable for the WM&CQR, and the MS&LR agreed to build from Hawarden (on the south side of the Dee) into Chester. The [[Chester and Connah's Quay Railway]] was authorised on 31 July 1885. It ran from the end of the Hawarden loop to the [[Cheshire Lines Committee]] network at Chester. The MS&LR was a participant in the CLC giving the company access from the WM&CQR lines to its own network further east.<ref name = grant110>Grant, pages 110 and 111</ref>


[[Hawarden Bridge]] was inaugurated on 3 August 1889, and the line from Chester to Connah's Quay over the bridge was opened on 31 March 1890. A Chester to Wrexham passenger service of three trains a day was started, worked by the MS&LR.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant110/>
The [[Hawarden Bridge]], a prodigious structure, was inaugurated on 3 August 1889 with an opening span for river traffic, and the line from Chester to Shotton High Level, crossing the bridge, was opened on 31 March 1890. A Chester Northgate to Wrexham passenger service of three trains a day was started, worked by the MS&LR.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant110/>


==Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway==
==Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway==
The Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway had been conceived as a possible link in a chain of railways bringing South Wales minerals to the [[Wirral Peninsula]]. The plan never took off, but the line was opened in 1895. <ref name = baughan/><ref name = jenkins>Stanley C. Jenkins and John M Strange, ''The Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway'', The Oakwood Press, Usk, 2004, {{ISBN|0 85361 617 5}}, pages 29 to 31</ref>
The Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway had been conceived as a possible link in a chain of railways bringing South Wales minerals to the [[Wirral Peninsula]]. The plan never took off, but the line was opened on 2 November 1895.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = jenkins>Stanley C. Jenkins and John M Strange, ''The Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway'', The Oakwood Press, Usk, 2004, {{ISBN|0 85361 617 5}}, pages 29 to 31</ref><ref name = boyd191>Boyd, pages 191 and 227</ref>


==Into the Wirral==
==Into the Wirral==
A joint GWR and MS&LR railway to [[Birkenhead]] was proposed but came to nothing. Instead the MS&LR and the WM&CQR built the [[North Wales and Liverpool Railway]] from Hawarden to Bidston on the [[Wirral Railway]]. The WM&CQR could hardly afford the outlay for the 14-mile line but it opened for goods trains on 16 March 1896. Passenger services followed on 18 May 1896, worked by the WM&CQR using hired MS&LR locomotives.<ref name = baughan/>
At one stage a joint GWR and MS&LR railway to [[Birkenhead]] had been proposed, but nothing came of that. Instead the MS&LR and the WM&CQR built the line from Hawarden Bridge to Bidston, on the [[Wirral Railway]]. The line was titled the [[North Wales and Liverpool Railway]]. The WM&CQR could hardly afford the outlay for the 14 mile line, but it opened for goods trains on 16 March 1896. Passenger services followed on 18 May 1896, worked by the WM&CQR but using hired MS&LR locomotives.<ref name = baughan/>


==Brymbo branches==
==Brymbo branches==
The GWR and WM&CQR, (and its successor the Great Central) fought for traffic at Vron colliery in the hills about a mile from Brymbo. The GWR opened its branch in 1847. The WM&CQR constructed a short branch that opened in 1888, with a single platform passenger station. The WM&CQR and GWR routes crossed at Plas Power.
The GWR and WM&CQR, (and its successor the Great Central) fought for traffic at Vron colliery, high in the hills about a mile from Brymbo. The GWR was first there, opening its branch in 1847. The WM&CQR constructing a short branch, opened in 1888, with a single platform passenger station.


The WM&CQR and GWR routes crossed at Plas Power.
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The Great Central ran steam railmotors but they did not provide the traffic hoped for and the service was withdrawn in 1917.<ref name = christiansen24>Christiansen, page 24</ref> The WM & CQ branch closed in 1970, but not before several modifications. In 1954 a connection was put in with the GWR branch at Plas Power and the link to Brymbo Works was re-opened to goods. It closed in 1958, only to be revived between 1965-70. The connection allowed the lifting of the section from Plas Power to Brymbo Junction of the WM&CQR.<ref name = christiansen/>

This was one of the few branches on which the Great Central ran steam railmotors, but they did not provide the traffic hoped for and the service was withdrawn in 1917.<ref name = christiansen24>Christiansen, page 24</ref>

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The WM & CQ branch closed for good in 1970, but not before several modifications. In 1954 a new connection was put in with the GWR branch at Plas Power and the link to Brymbo Works was re-opened to goods. It closed in 1958, only to enjoy a revival between 1965-70. The connection had allowed the lifting of the section from Plas Power to Brymbo Junction of the WM&CQR.<ref name = christiansen/>


==Receivership==
==Receivership==
In 1897 the WM&CQR went into receivership, brought about by financial manipulation by the MS&LR. The MS&LR acquired a controlling interest in the WM&CQR after Piercy's death in 1889, when it acquired his shares. The Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway was reorganised into the Great Central Railway in 1897, and in 1901 it acquired the WM&CQR, the Buckley Railway and the North Wales and Liverpool Railway. The acquisition was authorised by Act of 22 July 1904, effective on 1 January 1905.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant80/><ref name = grant629/>
In 1897 the WM&CQR went into receivership, brought about by financial manipulation by the MS&LR. The MS&LR had acquired a controlling interest in the WM&CQR after Piercy's death in 1889, when it acquired his shares.
The Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway reorganised itself into the Great Central Railway in 1897, and in 1901 it acquired the WM&CQR as well as the Buckley Railway and the North Wales and Liverpool Railway. The acquisition was authorised by Act of 22 July 1904, effective on 1 January 1905.<ref name = baughan/><ref name = grant80/><ref name = grant629/>


==Grouping and nationalisation==
==Grouping and nationalisation==
In 1923 the main line railways of Great Britain were grouped by Act of Parliament. The Great Central Railway was a constituent of the new [[London and North Eastern Railway]] and the WM&CQR lines and the Buckley Railway lines transferred to LNER ownership. The WM&CQR Vron branch became the most westerly branch of the LNER. The pit closed in 1930.<ref name = christiansen/> In 1948 the railways were nationalised and British Railways became the new owner.<ref name = baughan/>
In 1923 the main line railways of Great Britain were “grouped” by Act of Parliament. The Great Central Railway was a constituent of the new [[London and North Eastern Railway]] and the WM&CQR lines and the Buckley Railway lines transferred to LNER ownership. The WM&CQR Vron branch became the most westerly branch of the LNER. The pit closed in 1930.<ref name = christiansen/>
In 1948 the railways were nationalised and British Railways became the new owner.<ref name = baughan/>


==Closures==
==Closures==
The WM&CQR network was heavily dependent on mineral workings, and as those declined so inevitably did the success of the railway operation.
The WM&CQR network was heavily dependent on mineral traffic, and as it declined so did the railway operation. On 1 March 1917 the GCR passenger service to Brymbo from Gwersyllt was closed. The northern part of the Buckley Railway closed in 1959 and the entirety of the original system in 1965, except for the extremity of the Brymbo branch, which continued until 1970, served from the former GWR line and a new connecting spur.<ref name = christiansen/> The Bidston line from Wrexham and the Wrexham Central line continue in use (2019).<ref name = baughan/>
On 1 March 1917 the GCR passenger service to Brymbo from Gwersyllt was closed. The northern part of the Buckley Railway from Northop Hall Coal Yard to Connah's Quay LNWR Junction and Docks closed in 1959 and the Buckley Junction to Northop Hall section 5/7/65<ref>{{cite web |title=Disused Stations: Buckley Railway |url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/buckley/buckley_railway/ |website=www.disused-stations.org.uk |access-date=24 June 2021}}</ref> and the track removed over the following winter. The extremity of the Brymbo branch continued in use until 1970, served from the former GWR line and a new connecting spur.<ref name = christiansen/>


The Bidston line from Wrexham, and the Wrexham Central line, continues in use at present (2019).<ref name = baughan/>
Colliery branches operated as follows:
Colliery branches operated as follows:
From Ffrwyd Junction: Ffrwyd colliery 1866 – 1930;
From Ffrwyd Junction: Ffrwyd colliery 1866 – 1930;
Line 69: Line 89:
Brynmally Colliery 1867 – 1935;
Brynmally Colliery 1867 – 1935;
Westminster Colliery 1884 – 1925.
Westminster Colliery 1884 – 1925.

From Brymbo Junctions: North Curve 1882 – 1966;
From Brymbo Junctions: North Curve 1882 – 1966;
South Curve 1884 – 1925;
South Curve 1884 – 1925;
Line 77: Line 96:


==Locomotives==
==Locomotives==

This is not a complete list:
This is not a complete list:


Line 101: Line 121:
===Buckley Railway===
===Buckley Railway===
{{Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway}}
{{Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway}}
Closed from Connah’s Quay to Northop in 1962; from Northop to Buckley Junction closed in 1965; the curve to the Holyhead line at Connah's Quay closed in 1954.
Closed from Connah's Quay to Northop in 1962; from Northop to Buckley Junction closed in 1965; the curve to the Holyhead line at Connah's Quay closed in 1954.
The Mountain Colliery branch was opened from 1892 to 1965. The Dumpling Colliery branch was open from 1896 to 1902.
The Mountain Colliery branch was opened from 1892 to 1965. The Dumpling Colliery branch was open from 1896 to 1902.


Line 111: Line 131:
* Hope Junction; opened 1 May 1866; renamed Penyffordd 1877; still open.
* Hope Junction; opened 1 May 1866; renamed Penyffordd 1877; still open.
* Caergwrle; opened 1 May 1866; renamed Hope Village 1899; renamed Hope 1974; still open.
* Caergwrle; opened 1 May 1866; renamed Hope Village 1899; renamed Hope 1974; still open.
* Bridge End; opened 1 March 1873; later renemaed Caergwrle; still open.
* Bridge End; opened 1 March 1873; later renamed Caergwrle (named Caergwrle for Castle and Wells until 1960s) ; still open.
* Cefn-y-Bedd; opened 1 May 1866; still open.
* Cefn-y-Bedd; opened 1 May 1866; still open.
* ''Ffrwd Junction''.
* ''Ffrwd Junction''.
Line 123: Line 143:
===Hawarden loop===
===Hawarden loop===
* (Shotton end-on junction with MS&LR)
* (Shotton end-on junction with MS&LR)
* Connah's Quay and Shotton; opened 1 October 1891; renamed Shotton High Level 1953; renamed Shotton 23 August 1972.
* Connah's Quay and Shotton; opened 1 October 1891; renamed Shotton High Level 1953; renamed Shotton 23 August 1972 (after reopening ceremony 17/8/72).
NOTE MAP ERROR...the Borderlands Line passes OVER the North Wales Coast Line and there are joint stations at Shotton currently both open.
* Hawarden; opened 31 March 1890; still open.
* Hawarden; opened 31 March 1890; still open.
* Buckley Junction; above.
* Buckley Junction; above.
Line 134: Line 155:
* Highfield Road Halt; opened May 1905; closed 1 March 1917.
* Highfield Road Halt; opened May 1905; closed 1 March 1917.
* ''Brymbo West Junction''.
* ''Brymbo West Junction''.
* ''Brymbo North Junction''.<ref name = quick>Michael Quick; ''Railway Passenger Stations in England, Scotland and Wales: A Chronology'', Railway and Canal Historical Society, Richmond, 2002</ref><ref name = cobb>Col M H Cobb, ''The Railways of Great Britain: A Historical Atlas'', Ian Allan, Shepperton, 2003, {{ISBN|978-0711030022}}</ref>
* ''Brymbo North Junction''.


==Gradients==
==Gradients==
The Buckley Railway was on a falling gradient towards the River Dee almost all the way; 1 in 40 and 1 in 33 were the dominant gradients. The profile of the post 1890 WM&CQR route shows a climb at 1 in 80 from Gwersyllt to Ffrwyd Juntion, then falling at 1 in 86. After some undeulations there is a climb at 1 in 84 from Caergwrle to a summit at Buckey Junction, then falling continuously at 1 in 53 to Connah’s Quay.
The Buckley Railway was on a falling gradient towards the River Dee almost all the way; 1 in 40 and 1 in 33 were the dominant gradients.
The profile of the post 1890 WM&CQR route shows a climb at 1 in 80 from Gwersyllt to Ffrwd Junction, then falling at 1 in 86. After some undulations there is a climb at 1 in 84 from Caergwrle to a summit at Buckey Junction, then falling continuously at 1 in 53 to Connah's Quay.

The Brymbo branch fell from the terminus toward the main line at 1 in 35, 1 in 44. The colliery branches all fell from the colliery to their respective junctions at gradients as steep as 1 in 27.<ref name = boyd245>Boyd, page 245</ref>
The Brymbo branch fell from the terminus toward the main line at 1 in 35, 1 in 44. The colliery branches all fell from the colliery to their respective junctions at gradients as steep as 1 in 27.<ref name = boyd245>Boyd, page 245</ref>


Latest revision as of 17:59, 11 March 2024

The Wrexham, Mold and Connah’s Quay Railway

The Buckley Railway was opened from Buckley to a connection with the Chester to Holyhead main line on 7 June 1862, to convey coal and finished brickworks products from the Buckley area. Numerous short tramroads had existed in the area from the 1700s. The line was steeply graded (1 in 28 between Northop Hall and Connah's Quay) and sharply curved.

The Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway (WM&CQR) was incorporated in 1862 to build a line from Wrexham to Buckley, continuing to the C&HR main line via the Buckley Railway, which it joined at Ashton's Branch Junction. It later bought the Buckley Railway. The WM&CQR had plans for extensions but was unable to raise money to bring all of them into being. Short branches to mineral workings around Brymbo were opened.

The WM&CQR allied itself with the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (later the Great Central Railway) which provided the finance to cross the River Dee and connect to Chester and its own system over the Cheshire Lines Committee tracks.

The WM&CQR was dependent on the mineral workings, and when they declined so did the railway; but the main line from Wrexham to Hawarden Bridge (and on to Bidston) remains open to passenger and freight traffic as the Borderlands Line.

The Buckley Railway[edit]

The area of Flintshire, on the south bank of the River Dee near Buckley, had considerable deposits of coal, iron and also of other minerals. As these lay close to the surface, they were extracted from an early date. The proximity of the river for transport to market assisted in the prosperity of these workings. A large number of early wagonways were built to take the minerals to the river; the earliest were wooden railways, and in later years plateways were constructed. These lines were mostly short and were generally independent of other nearby lines.

In addition to coal and metals, there were deposits of good quality clay around Buckley. This had been dug since about 1750, but with the coming of the railway age, the demand for bricks had increased greatly and a means of conveying them to market was essential. In addition there was considerable manufacture of bricks and tiles, which were fragile and required careful handling. The existing tramroads were in effect a monopoly, and their failure to modernise limited the transport opportunities for new mineral works.[1][2]

This prompted the formation of the Buckley Railway, which was conceived to connect claypits and other sites around Buckley to Connah's Quay Dock on the River Dee, by a locomotive railway. It would also have a direct connection to the Chester and Holyhead Railway, allied to the London and North Western Railway. The Buckley Railway was already in existence, as a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge horse tramway.[3] It got an Act of Parliament authorising this on 14 June 1860. The line was to be steeply graded and sharply curved.[note 1][1][4]

The line opened on 7 June 1862, and was worked by the WM&CQR from 1863.[5]

In 1866 the Buckley Railway secured parliamentary powers to operate passenger trains, but the powers were never used except for occasional excursion trains to Rhyl.[1][6][7]

Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway[edit]

Getting mineral products away from Buckley was all very well, but there were much more important minerals further south-east in the North Wales coalfield. Several prospective companies were formed to transport these minerals, and the battle for authorisation in Parliament was reduced to a GWR-supported scheme, and the Whitchurch, Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway, promoted by Benjamin Piercy. The significance of Whitchurch was as an outlet to the London and North Western Railway there.[8]

After considerable argument in Parliament, the WWM&CQR was passed, but reduced to the area from Wrexham northwards. It received the Royal assent on 7 August 1862, and recognising the reduction in geographical extent, its title was the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway. It was authorised to purchase the Buckley Railway. It was to run from Wrexham broadly northwards through Caergwrle and crossing the Mold Railway (where south-to-west and north-to-west curves were authorised) to Hope, where it joined the Buckley Railway. The WM&CQR main line was to be 9 miles long, with a ruling gradient of 1 in 70.[1][9][10]

The line opened for goods and mineral traffic on 1 January 1866; stations at first were Wrexham, Gwersyllt, Cefn-y-Bedd, Caergwrle, Hope Junction (later renamed Penyffordd), and Buckley. The south-to-west curve at Hope was constructed, even though running powers to Mold had been refused in Parliament. The authorised north-to-west curve there was started but never completed while the south to east curve was completed but had tracks removed almost immediately. There was never a North to East curve.[1][9]

After improvements required by the Board of Trade inspecting officer, chiefly platforms on passing loops, the line opened for passengers on 1 May 1866. There were three passenger trains each way daily, with a connecting bus from Hope to Mold.[11]

Mold was a significant market centre, and the WM&CQR negotiated with the LNWR (owner of the Mold Railway) to erect an exchange station on each line at the point of intersection. The facilities were basic, and there was no access from public roads to the stations. They were known as Hope Exchange, and opened in 1867. The Mold bus service was discontinued.[12]

In the latter half of the decade, the WM&CQR attempted to obtain Parliamentary powers for extensions, notably into the Wirral. Some very short connections were approved, but the only significant approved line was to run to Whitchurch; this was approved, but the WM&CQR was unable to raise the capital needed to build it.

However, by Act of Parliament of 5 August 1873 the WM&CQR leased the Buckley Railway, which it had been working from 1866.[1]

Extending the network[edit]

The railway as of 1890

The WM&CQR directors continued to believe that the commercial success of their line lay in expanding the network, most particularly in crossing the River Dee and reaching Birkenhead. On 18 August 1882 powers were granted for part of that scheme: the Hawarden Loop. This was to be a new double track railway running to the Dee some distance east of the Buckley Railway route, to Shotton with a Deeside wharf there. The powers allowed crossing the Dee at this point to a new dock on the north shore. The company name was to be changed to the North Wales Railways and Docks Company, but this was never put into effect. A short extension eastward from the Wrexham station into the centre of the town was also allowed.[1][9][13]

The Wrexham extension was opened on 1 November 1887; the station was named Wrexham Central and the former terminus was renamed Wrexham Exchange. There was a GWR station alongside at this point; for many years those two station were independent of one another. The branch was doubled in 1889.[14]

Hawarden loop[edit]

Buckley Junction Station

On 31 March 1890 a further line was opened by the WMCQR: it had been authorised in 1883. The Hawarden Loop had a new station called Buckley Junction though it was never a junction for passenger trains. The old Buckley station near Drury was closed upon opening of Buckley Junction and the Hawarden Loop but after local complaints as it was further from the town centre, it was reopened from 1 June 1893. The reopening was not a success and the station closed permanently in February 1895.[15]

The Hawarden Loop by-passed the original Buckley Railway line, on a gentler gradient (1 in 52), although still a steep one, and gentler curvature. It deviated from the original line south of Buckley station and curved to the east, passing through Hawarden and reaching Shotton High Level (originally Connah's Quay and Shotton) where an exchange station was made with the C&HR. Connah's Quay Docks was served by a branch by a riverside line from Shotton High Level.[1][16]

Brymbo branch[edit]

Main article: Brymbo railway branch lines
Hawarden Bridge and railway station

The four mile line opened from a triangular junction near Gwersyllt, to Moss & Pentre in 1882,[note 2] to Plas Power, where it connected to the Wrexham and Minera line, in June 1864, and to Brymbo in 1887. Passenger operation started on 1 August 1889 and halts were opened in 1905 and 1906. A half-mile branch back from Brymbo to Vron colliery was opened on 8 October 1888.[1][6]

The Dee Crossing[edit]

Wrexham Central railway station

Notwithstanding the friendly relations with the London and North Western Railway, the WM&CQR turned to the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway for help from 1884. The Dee Crossing was authorised, but unaffordable for the WM&CQR, and the MS&LR agreed to build from Shotton High Level (on the south side of the Dee) into Chester. This took the form of the Chester and Connah's Quay Railway, authorised on 31 July 1885. This ran from the end of the Hawarden loop at Shotton to the Cheshire Lines Committee network at Chester Northgate. The MS&LR was a participant in the CLC and this gave the company access from the WM&CQR lines to its own network further east.[17]

The Hawarden Bridge, a prodigious structure, was inaugurated on 3 August 1889 with an opening span for river traffic, and the line from Chester to Shotton High Level, crossing the bridge, was opened on 31 March 1890. A Chester Northgate to Wrexham passenger service of three trains a day was started, worked by the MS&LR.[1][17]

Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway[edit]

The Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway had been conceived as a possible link in a chain of railways bringing South Wales minerals to the Wirral Peninsula. The plan never took off, but the line was opened on 2 November 1895.[1][18][19]

Into the Wirral[edit]

At one stage a joint GWR and MS&LR railway to Birkenhead had been proposed, but nothing came of that. Instead the MS&LR and the WM&CQR built the line from Hawarden Bridge to Bidston, on the Wirral Railway. The line was titled the North Wales and Liverpool Railway. The WM&CQR could hardly afford the outlay for the 14 mile line, but it opened for goods trains on 16 March 1896. Passenger services followed on 18 May 1896, worked by the WM&CQR but using hired MS&LR locomotives.[1]

Brymbo branches[edit]

The GWR and WM&CQR, (and its successor the Great Central) fought for traffic at Vron colliery, high in the hills about a mile from Brymbo. The GWR was first there, opening its branch in 1847. The WM&CQR constructing a short branch, opened in 1888, with a single platform passenger station.

The WM&CQR and GWR routes crossed at Plas Power.

This was one of the few branches on which the Great Central ran steam railmotors, but they did not provide the traffic hoped for and the service was withdrawn in 1917.[20]

The WM & CQ branch closed for good in 1970, but not before several modifications. In 1954 a new connection was put in with the GWR branch at Plas Power and the link to Brymbo Works was re-opened to goods. It closed in 1958, only to enjoy a revival between 1965-70. The connection had allowed the lifting of the section from Plas Power to Brymbo Junction of the WM&CQR.[6]

Receivership[edit]

In 1897 the WM&CQR went into receivership, brought about by financial manipulation by the MS&LR. The MS&LR had acquired a controlling interest in the WM&CQR after Piercy's death in 1889, when it acquired his shares.

The Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway reorganised itself into the Great Central Railway in 1897, and in 1901 it acquired the WM&CQR as well as the Buckley Railway and the North Wales and Liverpool Railway. The acquisition was authorised by Act of 22 July 1904, effective on 1 January 1905.[1][3][9]

Grouping and nationalisation[edit]

In 1923 the main line railways of Great Britain were “grouped” by Act of Parliament. The Great Central Railway was a constituent of the new London and North Eastern Railway and the WM&CQR lines and the Buckley Railway lines transferred to LNER ownership. The WM&CQR Vron branch became the most westerly branch of the LNER. The pit closed in 1930.[6]

In 1948 the railways were nationalised and British Railways became the new owner.[1]

Closures[edit]

The WM&CQR network was heavily dependent on mineral workings, and as those declined so inevitably did the success of the railway operation. On 1 March 1917 the GCR passenger service to Brymbo from Gwersyllt was closed. The northern part of the Buckley Railway from Northop Hall Coal Yard to Connah's Quay LNWR Junction and Docks closed in 1959 and the Buckley Junction to Northop Hall section 5/7/65[21] and the track removed over the following winter. The extremity of the Brymbo branch continued in use until 1970, served from the former GWR line and a new connecting spur.[6]

The Bidston line from Wrexham, and the Wrexham Central line, continues in use at present (2019).[1] Colliery branches operated as follows: From Ffrwyd Junction: Ffrwyd colliery 1866 – 1930; Ffosygo Colliery 1869 – 1912; Brynmally Colliery 1867 – 1935; Westminster Colliery 1884 – 1925. From Brymbo Junctions: North Curve 1882 – 1966; South Curve 1884 – 1925; Gatewen Colliery 1882 – 1991; Plas Power goods: 1884 – 1956; From Brymbo: Vron Colliery 1888 – 1970.

Locomotives[edit]

This is not a complete list:

  • No.1 Wheatley, 0-6-0ST, ex-Buckley Railway, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1861
  • No.2 Kenyon, 0-6-0ST, ex-Buckley Railway, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1862
  • No.3 Chancellor, 0-6-0, ex-St. Helens Railway no.11 Tyne, builder unknown
  • No.4 Lord Richard, 0-6-0T, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1863, rebuilt as 0-4-2T in 1889
  • No.5 Sir Stephen, 0-6-0T, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1863
  • No.6 Queen, ex-London and North Western Railway, built as 0-6-0 by Sharp, Roberts and Company 1846, rebuilt as 0-6-0ST at Crewe 1858, purchased by WM&CQR 1872, rebuilt as 0-8-0ST 1880, rebuilt as 0-6-2ST 1888, rebuilt as 0-8-0ST 1903
  • No.7 (later No.3), ex-South Staffordshire Railway, built as 0-6-0 by Robert Stephenson and Company 1851, rebuilt at Crewe as 0-6-0ST, purchased by WM&CQR 1874, rebuilt as 0-6-2 in 1882, rebuilt as 2-6-0T in 1899
  • No.7 Duke, 0-4-0ST, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1878
  • No.8 Premier, 0-6-0ST, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1880
  • No.9 Dee, 0-4-0ST, ex-Thomas Butlin & Co, Wellingborough, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1871, purchased by WM&CQR 1881
  • No.10 Emily, ex-Broughton Coal Co., built by Beyer Peacock 1882
  • No.11 0-4-0ST, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1885
  • No.12 0-6-2T, built by Beyer Peacock 1885
  • No.13 0-6-2T, built by Beyer Peacock 1885
  • No.14 0-4-0T, ex-Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway, built by Dodds 1854, rebuilt as 0-4-2T 1860, purchased by WM&CQR 1887
  • No.15 0-6-2ST, built by Beyer Peacock 1888
  • No.16 0-6-2ST, built by Beyer Peacock 1888
  • Nos.17-26 0-6-2T, built by Beyer Peacock 1896-98 (actually owned by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, but carried WM&CQR numbers and livery to enable them to exercise running powers over the Wirral Railway.)

Location list[edit]

Buckley Railway[edit]

Wrexham, Mold & Connah's Quay Railway
Legend
Connah's Quay
Dock and Goods
River Dee
Borderlands line
Connah's Quay
Shotton
North Wales
Coast Line
Mold Railway
Mold
Hawarden
Llong
Buckley
old and new stations
Padeswood and Buckley
Castle Cement
Penyffordd Sidings
Hope Exchange
High and low level
Mold
Railway
Coed Talon
Llanfynydd
Penyffordd
Ffrith
Hope
River Cegidog
River Alyn
Wrexham and Minera Railway
Caergwrle
Brymbo
WMCQR │ WMR
Cefn-y-Bedd
The Lodge Halt
Cegidog Viaduct
over River Cegidog
Plas Power
WMCQR │ WMR
Brynmally Colliery
Limit of passenger services
on Moss Valley Branch
Gwersyllt
Station and Colliery
Moss Halt
Shrewsbury–Chester line
Brymbo Steelworks
Wheatsheaf Branch
New Broughton Road Halt
Gwersyllt Hill Halt
Moss and Pentre
Pentre Broughton Halt
Highfield Road Halt
Gwersyllt Junction
Gatewen Halt
Rhosddu Halt
Wrexham Exchange
Wrexham General
now merged with
Wrexham General
Wrexham Central
new and old stations
Shrewsbury–Chester line
Wrexham & Ellesmere Rly

Closed from Connah's Quay to Northop in 1962; from Northop to Buckley Junction closed in 1965; the curve to the Holyhead line at Connah's Quay closed in 1954. The Mountain Colliery branch was opened from 1892 to 1965. The Dumpling Colliery branch was open from 1896 to 1902.

WM&CQR Original line[edit]

  • Buckley; opened 1 May 1866; closed 31 March 1890; reopened June 1893; closed February 1895.
  • Buckley Junction; opened 31 March 1890; renamed Buckley 1974; still open.
  • Hope Passenger Exchange; opened 18 November 1867; later Hope Exchange; renamed Hope 1953.
  • Hope curve connecting towards Mold closed in 1984. The Mold Railway closed to passengers in 1962 and to goods traffic in 1970. From 1970 to 1984 a tinplate works west of Mold was served from Wrexham over the Hope Curve.
  • Hope Junction; opened 1 May 1866; renamed Penyffordd 1877; still open.
  • Caergwrle; opened 1 May 1866; renamed Hope Village 1899; renamed Hope 1974; still open.
  • Bridge End; opened 1 March 1873; later renamed Caergwrle (named Caergwrle for Castle and Wells until 1960s) ; still open.
  • Cefn-y-Bedd; opened 1 May 1866; still open.
  • Ffrwd Junction.
  • Gwersyllt; opened 1 May 1866; sometimes Gwersyllt & Wheatsheaf; still open.
  • Brymbo North Junction.
  • Brymbo South Junction.
  • Rhosddu; opened July 1906; closed 1 March 1917, but workmen's usage until 1923 or later.
  • Wrexham Exchange; opened 1 May 1866; amalgamated with adjacent Wrexham General station under that name 1 June 1981; still open.
  • Wrexham Central; opened 1 November 1887; still open; the Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway beyond here was open from 1895 to 1962, but a stub as far as Abenbury was retained until 1981 serving a brickworks there.

Hawarden loop[edit]

  • (Shotton end-on junction with MS&LR)
  • Connah's Quay and Shotton; opened 1 October 1891; renamed Shotton High Level 1953; renamed Shotton 23 August 1972 (after reopening ceremony 17/8/72).

NOTE MAP ERROR...the Borderlands Line passes OVER the North Wales Coast Line and there are joint stations at Shotton currently both open.

  • Hawarden; opened 31 March 1890; still open.
  • Buckley Junction; above.

Brymbo branch[edit]

  • Brymbo; opened 1 August 1889; closed 1 March 1917.
  • Plas Power; opened 1 August 1889; closed 1 March 1917.
  • New Broughton Road; opened May 1905; closed 1 March 1917.
  • Moss & Pentre; opened 1 August 1905; closed 1 March 1917.
  • Highfield Road Halt; opened May 1905; closed 1 March 1917.
  • Brymbo West Junction.
  • Brymbo North Junction.[22][23]

Gradients[edit]

The Buckley Railway was on a falling gradient towards the River Dee almost all the way; 1 in 40 and 1 in 33 were the dominant gradients. The profile of the post 1890 WM&CQR route shows a climb at 1 in 80 from Gwersyllt to Ffrwd Junction, then falling at 1 in 86. After some undulations there is a climb at 1 in 84 from Caergwrle to a summit at Buckey Junction, then falling continuously at 1 in 53 to Connah's Quay.

The Brymbo branch fell from the terminus toward the main line at 1 in 35, 1 in 44. The colliery branches all fell from the colliery to their respective junctions at gradients as steep as 1 in 27.[24]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Baughan implies that this was a conversion of the Buckley’s existing tramroads, but Boyd shows numerous tramroads with overlapping interests, but no direct formal common ownership.
  2. ^ The same year as the Royal Assent.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Peter E Baughan, A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: volume 11: North and Mid Wales, David St John Thomas, Nairn, 1991, ISBN 0 946537 59 3, pages 48 to 60
  2. ^ J I C Boyd, The Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway, Oakwood Press, Headington, 1991, ISBN 0 85361 417 2, pages 13 to 44
  3. ^ a b Donald J Grant, Directory of the Railway Companies of Great Britain, Matador Publishers, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2017, ISBN 978 1785893 537, page 80
  4. ^ Boyd, pages 59 to 67
  5. ^ Boyd, pages 61 and 64
  6. ^ a b c d e Rex Christiansen, Forgotten Railways: North and Mid Wales, David St John Thomas, Newton Abbot, 1984, ISBN 0 946537 05 4, pages 19 – 31
  7. ^ Boyd, pages 160 and 161
  8. ^ Boyd, page 95
  9. ^ a b c d Grant, pages 629 and 630
  10. ^ Boyd, page 97
  11. ^ Boyd, pages 121, 122 and 134
  12. ^ Boyd, page 147
  13. ^ Boyd, pages 173 to 177
  14. ^ Boyd, page 203
  15. ^ "Disused Stations: Buckley (1st) Station". www.disused-stations.org.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  16. ^ Boyd, page 183, 203 and 218
  17. ^ a b Grant, pages 110 and 111
  18. ^ Stanley C. Jenkins and John M Strange, The Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway, The Oakwood Press, Usk, 2004, ISBN 0 85361 617 5, pages 29 to 31
  19. ^ Boyd, pages 191 and 227
  20. ^ Christiansen, page 24
  21. ^ "Disused Stations: Buckley Railway". www.disused-stations.org.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  22. ^ Michael Quick; Railway Passenger Stations in England, Scotland and Wales: A Chronology, Railway and Canal Historical Society, Richmond, 2002
  23. ^ Col M H Cobb, The Railways of Great Britain: A Historical Atlas, Ian Allan, Shepperton, 2003, ISBN 978-0711030022
  24. ^ Boyd, page 245

External links[edit]

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