Wales in 4 days

[Buttsy]

Not sure if this in in the right forum.

I'm trying to work out whether it is possible to go through every station in Wales on a 4 day Freedom of Wales rover, one day of which being a Sunday.

Current calculations are throwing me short in the valleys on day 4.

So far I've got to the idea of starting at Chepstow or Hereford on day 1, and the 09.15 restriction on the rover doen't help.

 

[Super Sprinter]

Will you be catching a new train at each station?

Don't forget Wrexham Central!

 

[Greenback]

Not sure if this in in the right forum.

I'm trying to work out whether it is possible to go through every station in Wales on a 4 day Freedom of Wales rover, one day of which being a Sunday.

Current calculations are throwing me short in the valleys on day 4.

So far I've got to the idea of starting at Chepstow or Hereford on day 1, and the 09.15 restriction on the rover doen't help.

I have tried working out a way of doing it this several times. I have never succeeded though! That's not to say it can't be done...if it can this is probably the place to find out!

 

[Buttsy]

Will you be catching a new train at each station?

Don't forget Wrexham Central!

No, just travelling through.

I had remembered Wrexham Central, the idea was to come up from Shrewsbury to General, walk or train to Central and detrain at Shotton to go along the coast (Chester not required as in England). The only problem was hitting Wrexham at a time where I could get a train either to or from Hawarden Bridge. I did work out I might have to walk to or from Shotton for this one.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I didn't try to compress it into 4 days, but when I completed a "grand tour" recently on a series of day trips I used buses to link Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock, and Merthyr and Ebbw Vale (both highly scenic) to save back-tracking and time.

Transport Direct is a good guide to what's possible.
http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/Home.aspx?repeatingloop=Y

 

[Buttsy]

I didn't try to compress it into 4 days, but when I completed a "grand tour" recently on a series of day trips I used buses to link Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock, and Merthyr and Ebbw Vale (both highly scenic) to save back-tracking and time.

Transport Direct is a good guide to what's possible.
http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/Home.aspx?repeatingloop=Y

Good call - thought of buses between Pembroke Dock & Milford Haven, but hadn't considered the valleys. Ebbw Vale - Rhymney or Merthyr - Treherbert look like being very useful if possible.

 

[merlodlliw]

No, just travelling through.

I had remembered Wrexham Central, the idea was to come up from Shrewsbury to General, walk or train to Central and detrain at Shotton to go along the coast (Chester not required as in England). The only problem was hitting Wrexham at a time where I could get a train either to or from Hawarden Bridge. I did work out I might have to walk to or from Shotton for this one.

Well Chester/Shrewsbury/Hereford hubs etc are managed by ATW on behalf of WAG, though not in Wales, they are classed as Welsh Stations, so what about an all ATW Wales & Borders station jaunt in four days. Presume you are doing standard gauge only.

Bob

 

[Greenback]

I didn't try to compress it into 4 days, but when I completed a "grand tour" recently on a series of day trips I used buses to link Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock, and Merthyr and Ebbw Vale (both highly scenic) to save back-tracking and time.

Transport Direct is a good guide to what's possible.
http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/Home.aspx?repeatingloop=Y

The use of buses would save a lot of time. I didn't bother looking into that, because I wanted to see how long it would take to cover all Welsh lines.

 

[Gareth Marston]

the rural bits don't have the 0915 restriction that might help you. Also Saturdays are non restricted.

You can do Pwllhlei to Bangor by bus as well

 

[NightatLaira]

Can any bits of the Ffestiniog or Welsh Highland be used?

There are Network Rail / FR / WHR interchanges at: Porthmadog, Minfordd and Blaenau Ffestiniog

 

[Buttsy]

Can any bits of the Ffestiniog or Welsh Highland be used?

There are Network Rail / FR / WHR interchanges at: Porthmadog, Minfordd and Blaenau Ffestiniog

That was part of the plan as it saves doubling back on the Conwy valley line.

Anyone reckon that Heath Low Level to Heath High Level (down platform) can be done in 1 minute?
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I've managed to work out an itinerary that means I can do it, thought it does involve 3 bus trips, use of the Ffestiniog and a VERY tight connection at Shotton (1 min), though it is possible to walk to Hawarden Bridge from Shotton. Only problem is I can only afford 2 days off work and this gets me back to Oxford station at midnight and I have to be at work in Reading at 8 the next day...