158841 Penychain 20 October 2014

Penychain station (between Criccieth and Pwllheli) is now a little used unstaffed request stop, but during the 1950s and 1960s it was very busy, as it was situated next to the famous Butlins Pwllheli holiday camp. In fact in those days it was known as Butlins Penychain station. After the 1960s most campers arrived by car, and the station declined in importance. Butlins closed in 1998, and the site is now a caravan park. The station presents an odd appearance, with its massive zig-zag disabled access ramp (mostly off to the left of this picture), and its rural location, down a narrow farm track. The trees behind the station building now hide the caravans from view. On 20 October 2014, 158841 accelerates away again with the 2J15 12:09 Birmingham International to Pwllheli Arriva Trains Wales service, after briefly slowing down in the vain hope that there might be some passengers.