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Next Stop Ellesmere! Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

elis: Time to put this one to bed. only one find in the last 3 years.

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Hidden : 5/11/2007
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

I have placed this cache close to our home on a route that we often walk the dogs. It is placed close to a public footpath near to what used to be the Wrexham to Ellesmere Railway line. It can be approached from the East or the West and shouldn’t involve more than a 15-20 minute walk.

Firstly I would like to thank the Bolas Heathens for providing this cache via their Cache Dispenser (GC11K7W).

Ellesmere station opened in 1863 as part of the Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch Railway. In July 1864 the Oswestry and Newtown and the Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch Railways amalgamated with the Newtown and Machynlleth, and the Llanidloes and Newtown Railways to form the Cambrian Railways. The addition of the Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway in 1865 completed the rail link between Aberystwyth and Whitchurch.

Construction of the Wrexham to Ellesmere Railway line commenced in 1892 and was completed in 1895. Crossing the Dee was a major feat of engineering requiring a single 58-metre span, latticed steel girder bridge just to the north Bangor Is-y-coed, one of the longest single spans in the country, resting on massive sandstone abutments, and manufactured by Pearson and Knowles of Warrington. The line ran from Wrexham Exchange Station to Ellesmere, stops were at Hightown Halt, Marchwiel, Sesswick Halt, Pickhill Halt, Bangor-on-Dee, Cloy Halt, Overton-on-Dee, Trench Halt and Elson Halt. From Ellesmere Station trains were available in the direction of Whitchurch or Oswestry, from Wrexham to Shotton, Chester or Shrewsbury.

The line is fondly remembered by many as being a very scenic route although passenger traffic was interrupted during the Second World War when the line was used for munitions traffic from the Royal Ordnance Factory at Marchwiel. Sadly like many other branch line railways it was extinguished during the Beeching #### of destruction in the early 1960's with the last service being ran on the 8th of September 1962.

There are a number of lay-byes and verges on both Cae-Goody lane and Horseshoe lane depending on which direction you want to approach the cache from. Coordinates for suggested parking spots are given below. The ground in this area is predominantly clay so it can get pretty muddy in the winter or after heavy rain, so be warned. The area is affectionately known by the locals as "The Bog"!!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ng gur onfr bs gur ovt gerr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)