Could the GNR have reached Wales?

[GWRSwindon]

In discussion Derbyshire and Staffordshire Extension Railway, there is frequent mention of the GNR seeking to reach the Derby coalfields and eventually Wales. My question is: could the GNR have actually reached Wales, had the circumstances allowed?

[Hatfield Shed]

Not the South Wales coalfields, there was no economically justifiable route; and opposition from those companies already in place would have purchased significant opposition argument against the necessary Bill! Leave that kind of thing to Watkin's schemings.

[GWRSwindon]

Not the South Wales coalfields, there was no economically justifiable route; and opposition from those companies already in place would have purchased significant opposition argument against the necessary Bill! Leave that kind of thing to Watkin's schemings.

Indeed, Watkin did have the Welsh Railways Union proposal. A shame that never went through - Robinson 4-4-0s on the Cambrian: yes please!

[MartinWales]

As the GNR being one third owner of the CLC, the extensions towards Wales would not be beyond the realms of credibility!

[dlester]

As the GNR being one third owner of the CLC, the extensions towards Wales would not be beyond the realms of credibility!

And in fact the LNER did get as far as Connors Quay (just in Wales) and Wrexham -- both via Chester. The CLC ran into Chester Northgate. And the Wrexham, Mold & Connor's Quay Railway was absorbed into the Great Central Railway.

[Mickey]

I have a dvd on the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay railway which was made around 20 years ago and it's pretty good to watch. Ron White who appears on it at some of the locations along the route says even though it was a former LNER line you would be pushed to see any ex-LNER locos on it (by the late 1950s?) then a still photograph of a Thompson B1 appears on a ballast train at a location somewhere on the line. By the late 1950s and early 1960s the route was predominantly in the hands of ex-GWR 56xx 0-6-2 tanks by what is featured on the dvd.

A ex-GWR 56xx 0-6-2 tank https://www.railadvent.co.uk/wp-content ... ksbank.jpg