We took the train from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth this morning, about an hour and a quarter. I knew the train would be busy so I made seat reservations which happened to be in coach D. The two car train came in with coaches A and C. I pointed out to the conductor that we had reservations in coach D which did not exist - he just shrugged. We found two seats right next to a large party of noisy schoolkids from Birmingham.
The ride down was very pleasant and there was little chance of rain. At Talerddig I pointed out to Mary that when we had visited Montgomery we had eaten bread from the Talerddig Bakery. Talerddig is at the summit of the steep railway grade from Machynlleth and there was only ever a signal box there and that has now gone. I often wondered where the bakery was.
Machynlleth station is in poor shape, the railway is obviously not looking after it. We walked into the town which has a population of only 2000 although it seems much larger than that. The tower is a fine landmark in the center and there are several good looking buildings. There are a large number of pubs and a lot of charity shops which suggests that Machynlleth is fighting for survival and suffers from unemployment.
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| Interesting building made from thin slates |
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| Mystery solved. The Talerddig Bakery is actually in Machynlleth |
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| Built in 1628 |
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| This attractive clock had four faces, each one had a different time and each one was wrong |
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| Site of the first Welsh parliament - dates from the 1400s |
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| Quite an ornate front for a mere shed |
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| Art for the front garden |
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| The Skinners Arms |
We picked up a snack from a bakery and walked down to the bridge over the river Dyfi
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| River Dyfi |
On the way back we had reservations in coach F. The two car train turned up with coaches A and C. I wonder how Arriva Trains Wales can get away with providing passengers with seats in non-existent carriages.
Click here to see all pictures taken at Machynlleth
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