Amlwch railway project

Mark’s MFA project researches and explores a presently disused railway line on the island of Ynys Môn (Anglesey), in North West Wales. The 17-mile line travels from Gaerwen to Amlwch, on the north coast of the island. It lost its passenger services during the nationwide “Beeching Cuts” of the 1960s, but remained in use by freight traffic until 1992. Since then, it has fallen into disuse, but the railway line and much of its infrastructure remains in place, albeit subject to the passage of time and progressive reclamation by nature. As a group of volunteers painstakingly works to clear the line with a view to restoring it to use, a vibrant debate is now taking place. Mark’s research is now encountering a rich nexus of memories, aspirations and experiences associated with the line, its history and its potential future. The railway line itself is resilient yet fragile, silent yet resonant. Mark’s goal is to witness, record and share this rich source of stories and experiences.