| Dyserth Branch Line | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Owner | British Railways Previously LNWR then LMSR |
| Locale | Prestatyn Denbighshire, Wales |
| Termini | |
| Stations | 7 |
| Service | |
| Type | Heavy Rail |
| History | |
| Opened | 1 September 1869[1][full citation needed] |
| Closed | 7 September 1973[2] |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 2 miles 74 chains (4.7 km) |
| Number of tracks | 1 |
| Character | Rural |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Minimum radius | 11 chains (220 m) |
| Operating speed | 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) |
| Maximum incline | 1 in 45 |
The Dyserth branch line was a short standard-gauge mineral railway between the northern end of the Clwydian Range at Dyserth and the North Wales Coast Line at Prestatyn.[3] The line was constructed by the London and North Western Railway in 1869; it was built to carry quarried stone and coal. The rise of tourism led to the introduction of a passenger service in 1905. There were stations at Dyserth and Meliden, and basic halts were built at other stopping places. Competition from road transport led to the passenger service being withdrawn in 1930.[4] With the eventual demise of all the mineral industries around Dyserth the entire line was closed in September 1973.