The structure consists of nine stone arches carrying a single bi-directional track over which passenger trains ran from 1882 to 1960, with freight trains lasting until 1961. The viaduct was the most substantial single structure on the line. It is sharply curved, necessitating the provision of a check rail in its active railway days.[8][9]
In 1953 extensive repair work was undertaken in which the opportunity was taken to raise the parapet and add metal railings on top.[10][11]
A "Last Train" special crossed the viaduct a week before final closure.[12][13] The track was lifted in the 1960s.
The prospect of rail traffic returning over the viaduct is very remote, not least because part of the route has been flooded by the construction of a dam at Llyn Celyn.
The viaduct is the location of a spectacular suicide in episode 8 of the 2018 S4C drama Hidden (Craith).
Baughan, Peter E. (1991) [1980]. A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: North and Mid Wales v. 11. Nairn: David St John Thomas Publisher. ISBN978-0-946537-59-4.
Mitchell, Vic; Smith, Keith (2010). Bala to Llandudno: Featuring Blaenau Ffestiniog. Midhurst: Middleton Press (MD). ISBN978-1-906008-87-1.
Southern, D. W. (1995). Bala Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Scenes from the Past, Railways of North Wales. Stockport: Foxline Publishing. ISBN978-1-870119-34-4. No. 25.
Southern, D. W.; Leadbetter, H.J.; Weatherley, S.A. (1987). Rails to Bala. Rhuddlan: Charter Publications. ISBN978-0-907157-03-8.
Further material
Ferris, Tom (2004) [1961]. British Railways Volume 4 - Bewdley To Blaenau (DVD). demanddvd. DEMDVD084.
