Wyn Owen

Wyn Owen

A rockman at Maenofferen Quarry, Blaenau Ffestiniog. He was one of two employees there provided on a semi-professional basis to enlarge Garnedd Tunnel. The work was done before relaying of the track in the winter of 1967/8 together with the FR Permanent Way Department and involved lowering the track at the portals and trimming the lowest protrusions of the ceiling. The work was done in very cold conditions. They also worked at Dduallt in March/April 1968 helping to blast the rock to provide space for the new loop to be installed without damaging the tall fir trees on the platform. This was ticklish work because the first trains were soon stopping on the other side of the platform and there were a lot of volunteers around working on the track or loading the spoil into skips. They placed heavy steel plates over the area of rock about to be blasted to limit the quantity and range of flying stones. Word was passed around to those working nearby to retire before the fuses were lit.

The Magazine reported:

"Since then Wyn inspected the tunnel every month and advised on any strengthening work needed; he was also looked upon as the Railway's rock expert, and supervised the stabilising of the cliffs behind Boston Lodge prior to the erection of new buildings as well as trimming cutting sides at various locations. Wyn's visits were nearly always at weekends, and so he came to know many volunteers as well as staff and always had a keen interest in the Railway's affairs. His death at the age of 59 early in January (1979) came as a shock to many."