Oswestry to Gobowen Disused Railway

Dr Beeching left Oswestry with only one line in 1965, it's lifeline to railway network at Gobowen on the Chester to Shrewsbury Line. Sadly in 1966 this short stretch of track too became a victim of the savage cuts leaving Oswestry cut off and dumped into the railway wilderness. I take a look at what is left and examine the hopes that it could be restored on day. The line is still intact which certainly raises the hopes, but the crossing of the A5 trunk road will continue to be a huge barrier to any future aspirations.

[@pat4brown]

I grew up in Oswestry and my grandfather worked for Cambrian Railways. He was an engine driver on the steam trains. I was told that the Oswestry Council chose not to join the Main Line way back, so Oswestry was on the branch line and eventually cut off. I guess they didn’t want Oswestry to become a bigger town with more traffic etc. Who knows what decisions are taken today will affect the future? I remember the way it was in the 1950-60’s. The Cambrian Inn/pub was across the road from the metal bridge. We used to stand on the bridge and wait til a steam engine went underneath and get covered in smuts and steam. I wouldn’t do it now, even if I could. 😆 The engine sheds were enormous and they had a turntable to turn the engines around. Happy days!

[@detestory]

I travelled this branch in the early 60's to 'cop' 822 & 823 in Oswestry works.We were hauled by a wheezing GWR pannier tank.I remember it as an exciting day out and 2 more underlined in my Ian Allen spotters bible.

[@holdenwebs]

I'm not quite old enough to have travelled the line as you did. I hope you have great memories of it.

[@mezroth]

Very interesting thank you for that. I actually lived in Oswestry in 1981 and 1982 as I went to Oswestry technical college there. And I met the chap who had just purchased Oswestry railway station. he had started turning the building into Studios and flats. He also inherited with the station at least a dozen antique trains and engines. It would be interesting to see if any of them were refurbished or ended up in a museum.

[@barbararichards8421]

My dad family are from Gobowen they used that railway line a lot before it closed. They said it really effected Oswestry when it did.

[@davidbaird3401]

Yes, the closing of the line and the railway works at Oswestry was a disaster for the area. A very short-sighted decision, part of the ridiculous Beeching report.

[@pat4brown]

@@davidbaird3401 it could have been different if the Council hadn’t decided against having the main line run through Oswestry back in the beginning.

[@EP3Stuff]

Great video. I’m visiting the area at the moment and was very intrigued by the crossing over the A5. It would be ace to see this running again but I can’t see it happening now?!

[@gazzab3224]

I hope the line is reopened in the near future. It's so sad to see disused lines.

[@engineslovetostartmatthew]

very good thank you for the share i have some of Leeds my way

[@daicymru5527]

I must be one of the few left who went by rail on the Oswestry to Gobowen!

[@banksroadmodernimage7358]

Very interesting video!! Realy want to see this line re open again!!!!!!!

[@holdenwebs]

+n moughton It can be done if there is enough will to do it

[@banksroadmodernimage7358]

+holden webster i remember Llangollen starting off with little track and station,but with help n extra funds soon started taking shape to how it is today👍

[@banksroadmodernimage7358]

+n moughton I always attend diesel or steam days here at the station,to show support.

[@Sarge084]

Oh blimey, I've crossed that line more times than I can count, but I always assumed it was an old quarry branch, or something like that.

[@angelsone-five7912]

Ditto when I`m out in me coach in those parts.

[@likklej8]

Oswestry built locomotives and rolling stock for Cambrian Railways. The factory works is now an antique warehouse. Reopen the line

[@oskarwinters1873]

In 2017/18 there were plans to convert it into a bike lane. My grandad is an ex council member age 90 a train lover. But they decided against it eventually as they believed the end point was likely too dangerous and it would be under utilized. So likelihood of it being a train route again is basically zero.

[@dillshiba9376]

I live in Whitchurch and i go to gobowen hospital and the road to Oswestry and Gobowen god it so busy with cars blocking up Elsmere we need the Whitchurch - Oswestry line re built. and this line

[@holdenwebs]

Yes totally agree with that.

[@pugwashsecond]

As much as I'm sure the Cambrian Railway Society would like to get back to Gobowen I can't see it happening with the road crossing (A483) as a level crossing. In summer time, particularly, it only takes a very minor accident for the road to jam up in both directions. As I would imagine the track signalling sections on each side would have to be of some considerable length as to make it an impossible situation to have this major road closed for a long enough period to close the barriers, get the train across and then raise the barriers, maybe several times a day. Given that there is always the possibility that the road might get upgraded to a dual carriageway then maybe a combined raising of the road and lowering the track would see it happen, but I feel it's a long way off yet....

[@deanmarsh1452]

Thing to remember is the railway was there why before the bypass. So still takes priority.

[@brad_8711]

Do you know much about the St John ambulance railway division based at the Cambrian? It apparently made up 200 members along with the Oswestry town division.

[@reginaldwallace6199]

I fired on that line in the 60s we used to shunt at oswestry and other engine went into nantmayr quarry

[@priyamganguly]

What's the accent of the videographer here? I've seen Graham McTavish speaking in this accent.

[@elliotsmith4051]

I have news seven years later the line will be restored

[@nickthorne1442]

🚂👍

[@michaeljohn7262]

The line WILL reopen in the not to distant future thankfully. Will bring a lit of revenue back to the town in Oswestry,especially when visiting rail tours run from various parts of the UK. The only way is up.

[@holdenwebs]

That's great to hear. just love what's happening up on the Cambrian Railway in Oswestry and beyond.

[@chrispearce6024]

Thats excellent news. Sadly the line near where i am between Gosport and Fareham in Hampshire has been turned into a Bus Rapid Transit system. Some of the line was only taken up in 2009/2010. Gosport is 1 of the largest towns in the UK as i understand it without a railway. A bus rapid system is not the answer..

[@brad_8711]

They've been saying that for years though, I doubt it will happen though due to both the 2 and 53 busses going to the hospital.

[@G0IMB]

The DFT should build a bridge over the track. A passenger service probably to Chester or to Manchester Airport could be the aim.

[@alcopley7684]

Any update on the possible reopening?

[@hs0008]

It’s reopening :)

[@anthony342]

37's used to bring coal to yard right next to gobowen station .

[@holdenwebs]

+anthony duvall You don't see 37's up there these days!

[@peterbuckley265]

NO WAY GOBOWEN TO OSWESTRY WAS STEAM WORKED TO THE END IN 1966, PETER.

[@michaeljohn7262]

peter buckley It was worked by DMU from 64 to closure of the line for passenger services.

[@holdenwebs]

Take a look at my new website www.shropshirerailways.co.uk

[@henryporter5466]

It's not the A5, it's the bypass.

[@oskarwinters1873]

The A5 bypass......

[@ianhosier4042]

Sad that due to Beeching you have to own a fat stinky polluting car if you live in Oswestry.