Pre-Preservation Traffic Staff

From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group

This list of Old Company FR Traffic Staff is not complete or guaranteed to be fully correct. Records come from known data. Page still under construction.

FR Passenger Guards[edit]

It is believed that for the duration of passenger services during old company days (1864-1939), two passenger guards were employed at any one time, with other staff able to cover where required.

Other staff known to have covered passenger guard duties include:

  • John Owen: c1871-c1881? Listed as "Guard" in 1871 & 1881, but "Shunting Guard" in 1891 and 1901.
  • E. Jones Griffiths - Porter/Guard. Known to have been working the train which divided in Moelwyn Tunnel in 1924 (could possibly be Ellis Jones - above?). [1]
  • William Owen Williams - Believed to have acter as a porter / guard in later years, continuing to be employed until 1946.

FR Goods Guards[edit]

  • Henry Thomas: Listed as a goods guard at Duffws in 1871.
  • John Owen: Listed as a "Guard" in 1871 & 1881, but "Shunting Guard" in 1891 and 1901.
  • Griffith William Pugh: Listed as a shunting guard in 1901 and 1911
  • John Charles Jones: Listed as a shunter / goods guard / porter living in Blaenau from 1911 onwards. Was still employed by the Traffic Department in 1940.
  • Robert Edwards: Listed as a porter/guard at Porthmadog from 1920, becoming a shunter in October 1920.
  • Owen Owens (IV): Goods Guard listed from c1940-c1942; possibly the same person as Owen Owens (III), who was a Porter at Harbour Station c1925-c1930.

FR Signalmen[edit]

Porthmadog Harbour

  • William Newell: Known to have been a signalman at Portmadoc in 1881.
  • Thomas L Piercy: Recorded as a signalman living in Portmadoc in 1911 - though not definitely signalman at Portmadoc.

Boston Lodge

  • Owen Owens (II): Known to have been a signalman at Boston Lodge from 1890 until at least 1920 - possibly until the box closed in 1923.
  • David Morgan: Recorded as a signalman at Boston Lodge in 1911.

Minffordd

  • Job Williams: Recorded as signalman at Minffordd in 1871. Later Crossing Keeper at Penrhyn & Minffordd (this may have referred to Minffordd Crossing).
  • William Yoxall: Recorded as a signalman at Minffordd in 1881. Later Station Master at Minffordd.

Moelwyn Tunnel

  • Thomas Cooke: Recorded as a signalman at Tunnel Cottages in 1871.
  • John Price: Known to have been a signalman at Tunnel Cottages in 1881, having previously worked at Dinas Junction.
  • John Richards (III): Known to have been a signalman at Tunnel Cottages in 1881.
  • Benjamin Phillips: Recorded as a signalman at Tunnel Cottages in 1901 & 1911.

Tanygrisiau

  • John Morris: Listed as a signalman at Tanygrisiau in 1872.

Dinas Junction / Glan-y-Pwll

Duffws

  • William Ellis Richards: Recorded as a signalman at Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1911, FR records show him as a signalman at Duffws in December 1912, and until 1923.
  • Jonah Jones: Listed as a porter/signalman at Duffws from at least 1911 to at least 1923.
  • William R Jenkins: Listed as a signalman at Duffws from at least 1911 to at least December 1912.
  • William Lloyd: Signalman at Duffws from 05/12/1899, joining up to serve in WWI before returning to Duffws on 13/05/1919. Later porter / guard / shunter at Duffws (presumably after the box closed).
  • William Foulkes Roberts: Listed as a signalman at Blaenau No.1 Box (Duffws) from 1914 to January 1917.
  • Owen Jones: Listed as a porter/signalman at Duffws in June 1920.
  • R.T. Owen: Having been a Porter at Tanygrisiau in 1920, known to have been a signalman at Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1923, when he was seconded to become a porter/guard at Beddgelert from the opening of the WHR until October [2].

Unknown Location

  • George Doyle: Recorded as a "policeman/signalman" employed at least 1854-1861, living at Creuau Farm.
  • Thomas Morris (1817): Recorded as a signalman living at Old Coed-y-Bleiddiau in 1871.
  • Griffith Owen (II): Recorded as a signalman living at Old Coed-y-Bleiddiau in 1871.
  • William Yoxall: Recorded as a signalman in 1881, probably at either Minffordd or Harbour Station.
  • Henry Ellis Jones: Recorded as a signalman living at Boston Lodge in 1901, but post unknown. Later became a Stationmaster at Dduallt, Penrhyn and eventually Harbour Station.
  • W. Roberts: Recorded by NUR as signalman at Blaenau, 1916-1920.
  • Griffith William Pugh: Recorded as a signalman in 1917, location unknown.

FR Crossing Keepers[edit]

Minffordd Crossing

  • Howell Lloyd: Known to have been living at Minffordd Crossing in 1861.
  • Alice Lloyd: Thought to have acted as Minffordd Crossing Keeper from the death of her husband (Howell Lloyd) in c1863 until at least 1872.
  • Job Williams: Known to have been at Minffordd Crossing in 1911 until his death in 1915.
  • Edwin Jones: Known to have been at Minffordd Crossing, probably from the death of Job Williams in 1915 until his own death in 1917.
  • William Pugh: Employed as Minffordd Crossing Keeper in 1917, and still there in 1920.

Penrhyn Crossing

  • Job Williams: Known to have been living at Penrhyn Crossing in 1881, 1891 & 1901 - later moved to Minffordd Crossing.
  • John Owen: Known to have been living at Penrhyn Crossing in 1911/1912.
  • "Mrs Jones": Known to have been employed at Penrhyn station to operate the crossing gates in 1920.

FR Porters[edit]

Porthmadog

  • William Roberts (1822): listed as a porter at Harbour Station in 1872. Thought to have worked as a Porter at Harbour Station from 1867-1901, possibly longer.
  • William Parry: listed as a porter at Harbour Station in 1872.
  • John Brown: listed as a porter at Harbour Station in 1912, and foreman porter in 1915 & 1918.
  • R. Edwards: listed as a porter at Harbour Station in 1912.
  • K. Williams: listed as a temporary relief porter at Harbour Station in 1915.
  • Ellis J. Griffith: listed as a Parcel Porter in 1915, and a porter in 1918 & 1920.
  • Robert Jones (II): listed as a Parcel Porter in 1918 and 1920.
  • W.O. Williams: listed as a Porter in 1920.
  • Owen Owen (III): listed as a Porter at Harbour Station from c1925-c1930.

Minffordd

  • Evan Evans: listed as a Porter at Minffordd in 1872.
  • Owen Owens (?): listed as a Porter at Minffordd in 1872.
  • Robert Roberts: listed as a Porter at Minffordd in 1872.
  • Rees Williams: thought to have been a Porter at Minffordd from 1891, and listed as a Porter at Minffordd in February 1912, having previously worked at Duffws, as a stone mason and as a brakesman.
  • W. Morgan: listed as a Porter at Minffordd in February 1912.
  • H. Jones: listed as a Temporary Porter at Minffordd in February 1912.
  • T.J. Williams: seconded to Beddgelert from 5th July 1923 to 5th November 1923, resigned February 1924 [3].
  • R. Jones: seconded from Beddgelert in 1923 to replace T.J. Williams [3]. Later reported to be the Dinas-based guard on the WHR in 1924 [4].
  • Lewis Jones: formerly WHR porter/guard, transferred to Porter at Minffordd in February 1924 [3].

Penrhyn

  • Henry Thomas: listed as a Porter at Penrhyn in 1872.
  • Evan Davies (1863): listed as a Porter at Penrhyn from December 1917 to at least 1920.
  • Lewis Jones (1903): listed as a Porter at Penrhyn in 1922, rising to "Porter-in-Charge" by late 1925. May have left in 1926, but possibly stayed until 1939.

Tan-y-Bwlch

  • John J. Jones: listed as a Porter at Tan-y-Bwlch in March 1912.
  • William Evans: listed as a Porter at Tan-y-Bwlch in June 1920.
  • Will Jones: became "Porter-in-Charge" in September 1925; on marriage to Bessie Jones in 1929 he returned to working on the PW.
  • Bessie Jones: took up some sort of voluntary "Station Mistress" role in 1929, living at Tan-y-Bwlch throughout the closure period until retirement in 1968.

Tanygrisiau

  • Robert Jones: Listed as a Porter at Tanygrisiau in 1872.
  • R.T. Owen: Listed as a Porter at Tanygrisiau in 1920. Later became a signalman at Blaenau Ffestiniog, followed by a guard on the WHR.

Duffws

  • Richard Jones: Listed as a Porter at Duffws in 1872.
  • Rees Williams: Listed as a Porter at Duffws in 1872. Thought to have been a Porter at Minffordd from at least 1891 through to at least 1912, having spent time as a stone mason and brakesman in the mean time.
  • David Owen: Listed as Foreman Porter at Duffws in December 1912, and a Porter in June 1920.
  • Owen Jones: Listed as Porter/Signalman at Duffws in June 1920.
  • Jonah Jones: Listed as Porter/Signalman at Duffws in June 1920.

NWNGR Guards[edit]

  • Thomas Morris (I): Known to have started as a guard on the NWNGR in 1878, and still been employed as a guard in 1911. Still employed in 1922 on "General Duties". Possibly worked as a guard 1878-1916, throughout the NWNGR passenger period, and may even have worked on the WHR. [5]
  • Owen Thomas: Known to have been a guard in 1881, leaving around 1900 to take up farming [5]. Was the regular guard for Bryngwyn Branch trains [6]
  • Dafydd Lloyd Hughes: Recorded as a Porter at Dinas and NWNGR Guard - potentially replacing Owen Thomas on his resignation?
  • Robert Hughes: Reported to have been in charge of Bryngwyn station for a time, and the regular guard of the afternoon train from there [7].

WHR Guards[edit]

  • Ellis Lewis: Known to have been the Porthmadog based guard on the WHR in 1923/1924, but may only have been on loan from the FR [8].
  • R.T. Owen: Known to have been the Beddgelert based porter/guard on the WHR on opening in 1923 [8]. Had transferred from position as a porter at Tanygrisiau in 1920, and seconded from being a signalman at Blaenau Ffestiniog to become the Beddgelert porter/guard in 1923, returning to Blaenau in October [2].
  • Lewis Jones: Known to have been the Dinas based porter/guard on the WHR on opening in 1923 [8]. Later assisted as assistant Station Master at Beddgelert & porter at South Snowdon from 5th November 1923 [3]. Became a guard again by September 1924 [9].
  • R. Jones: Reported to have been the guard of a WHR train in June 1924 [4].
  • Dafydd Lloyd Hughes: Known to have been a WHR guard in March 1928. Had previously been an NWNGR guard and WHR porter at Dinas [10]. Known to have been a guard into the 1930s [11].
  • Guard Limerick?: Referenced in reports of a theft on a train in 1924 [4].
  • Thomas Morris (I)?: Possibly returned to duty and encountered by PB Whitehouse in 1933 [5].

NWNGR/WHR Station Masters[edit]

Dinas

  • Daniel O. Jones: spent most/all of his career at Dinas, was station master from at least 1922 [12] until the line closed in 1937.

Tryfan Junction

  • Believed to have come under the control of Robert Hughes at Bryngwyn.

Bryngwyn

  • Robert Hughes: in charge of Bryngwyn Station for a time, and also guarded the afternoon train [7]. Killed manoeuvering a wagon on the incline at Bryngwyn in 1901 [13].
  • Owen Thomas: carried out some of the duties of Station Master [14].

Waunfawr

  • J Hughes: Station Master at Waunfawr from 1877 through to at least 1911 [15] [13].

South Snowdon

  • William Foulkes Morris: Station Master at South Snowdon in 1881 [16]. Believed to have been replaced by Idwal Owen(s) in 1889.
  • Idwal Owen: Station Master at South Snowdon from 1889 [16] to at least 1906 [15]. Had departed by 1911 [13].
  • Myfanwy Williams: Station Master from the start of WHR service, but made redundant on 1st November 1923 [3] [17].
  • H.D. Jones at Beddgelert given responsibility for South Snowdon additionally after 3rd November 1923 [3].

Beddgelert

  • H.D. Jones: Transferred to Beddgelert from Tan-y-Bwlch in 1923 until laid off on 15th December 1924. Resumed service on the resumption of passenger trains from 1st June 1925, but appears to have departed again c1927 [18].
  • Miriam Jones: "Girl Station Mistress" at Beddgelert from 1934 to 1936 [19].
  • John J. Marks: "Station Master" at Beddgelert in 1934/1935, having transferred from the LMS [20].

Porthmadog New

  • O.C. Davies: Station Master on opening in 1923, through until destaffing at the end of summer 1928 [21].

WHR Porters[edit]

Dinas

Waunfawr

South Snowdon

  • Lewis Jones: acted as Porter in Charge at South Snowdon from 5th November 1923.

Beddgelert

  • R.T. Owen: Porter/guard at Beddgelert from opening in 1923; transferred back to signalman at Blaenau Ffestiniog on 1st October 1923 [2].
  • R. Jones: Worked at Beddgelert from opening in 1923, but quickly transferred to Minffordd [3].
  • T.J. Williams: Transferred from Minffordd from 5th July 1923 to 5th November 1923 [3].
  • Lewis Parry Jones: Employed 8th October 1923, made redundant 19th October 1923 [3].
  • Lewis Jones: Acted as Beddgelert porter during the winter of 1923/1924, returning by May 1924 and becoming a Guard by September 1924.
  • Elfed Lewis: Known to have been a porter from February 1924 to approx September 1924, when he was made redundant [22]. Later worked as a Porter/Clerk for the FR from 1926 to 1931.
  • John Marks: Formerly an FR Guard, employed as a Travelling Agent at Beddgelert 1933-1936 [10].

Portmadoc New (1923)

  • "Porter Roberts": Working in 1923.

CT/NWNGR/WHR Signalmen[edit]

Cambrian Crossing

  • John Jones: Worked as Crossing Keeper at Cambrian Crossing until retirement in 1879 [23].
  • Owen Pugh: Crossing Keeper from 1879 until some time between 1901 & 1911 [23].

References[edit]

  1. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 24, Page 6
  2. ^ a b c Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 8, Page 8
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 16, Page 8
  4. ^ a b c Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 61, Page 6
  5. ^ a b c Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 73, Page 8
  6. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 13, Page 2
  7. ^ a b Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 15, Page 2
  8. ^ a b c d Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 20, Page 4
  9. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 66, Page 5
  10. ^ a b c Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 66, Page 4
  11. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 31, Page 6
  12. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 61, Page 5
  13. ^ a b c Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 56, Page 2
  14. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 13, Page 2
  15. ^ a b Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 24, Page 2
  16. ^ a b Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 19, Page 3
  17. ^ a b Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 75, Page 8
  18. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 66, Page 8
  19. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 4, Page 8
  20. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 42, Page 12
  21. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 8, Page 4
  22. ^ Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 15, Page 7
  23. ^ a b Welsh Highland Heritage Issue 42, Page 2
Retrieved from "https://www.festipedia.org.uk/w/index.php?title=Pre-Preservation_Traffic_Staff&oldid=79766"