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Ironic isn't it that when Swansea Victoria closed in 64 it was at the naff end of town. Nowadays that's where most of the buzz and attractions are. Conversely step out of High St station today and walking down the High St itself is a pretty miserable introduction to Wales' second city!

I would agree but as has been pointed out it, it's 5 years ago and some things have changed. Interestingly I think the HOW Forum have been given another 250k or so to look into ways of how the service can be improved. Dare I say it but most people on the ground can tell what improvements could...

Yea, can see that it wouldn't go down too well in Llanelli! However, even though I'm not THAT old I don't think I'm going to see it in my lifetime!

Actually I was thinking of relaying the line from the SDL to Gorsenion using the spur that was put in from the SDL to the Pontardulais-Swansea Victoria line in late 60s then on from Gorsenion to Gowerton and on to the West Wales main line into Swansea. Divert HOWL trains this way. Has been...

Too true! Just another example of shed fulls of money being spent on consultancy reports which then sit on bureaucrats desks so long that by the time they are looked at much of the info is out of date. Sounding cynical?

I think the best that can be hoped for in the area is greater utilisation of the SDL. Even a service down the Neath Valley would end up terminating at an isolted Swansea Docks. Neath Riverside is also badly located within the town. Reopening part of the Pontardulais-Swansea Victoria line from...

You'll find the tt which I THINK will be used in the attached report as Option 3. As you rightly say this will involve some trains passing on the double track sections. Other options also mentioned in the report with the various advantages and disadvantages.

I agree there would be little point in terminating trains at Llandrindod but as regards the passing loops it is possible to improve the service. The current tt has been virtually unchanged for over 20 years but prior to this there was, IMO, a pretty adequate tt of 5 through trains plus an extra...

Shrewsbury can reach every station in Shropshire. Not really relevant but it can also reach every station in Powys.

Travel from Swansea to Salop on the HOWL and you start in Swansea, Glamorgan or now the county Borough of Swansea. By Llanelli you are in Carmarthenshire. A few miles on at Pontardulais your are back in Glamorgan. A few miles on at Pantyffynon you are back in Carmarthenshire!

The station building at Builth Rd low level is now the Cambrian Arms. I know that trains still call at Builth Rd on the HOWL but Low Level was in effect a separate station built by the Cambrian and closed in 1962. No real ale unfortunately but a super location and a great selection of rail photos.

I seem to remember that when the Heart of Wales Line received its Light Rail Order in (I think) 1972 one of the requirements was that trains had to carry a "powerful" spotlight. Originally a number of 120s were fitted (these units were later replaced by 101s and then 108s both similarly fitted)...

Maybe I'm wrong but I feel sure that from my experiences of travelling on HOWL and West Wales trains announcements are always made regarding reques stops.

Reminds me of a few years ago here in Portugal when an old couple managed to get their car on to the dedicated metro tracks in Porto city centre and drive down into the tunnel finally grinding to a halt at one of the underground stations! Was priceless! Getting the car back out was a damn sight...

There's a great little café in the refurbished station building at LLandovery on the HOWL. I don't know if they do a cooked breakfast but lots of excellent home made cakes and sandwiches and a nice welcome.

Reading through the thread on Stone station I understand that it was closed temporarily aling with Wedgwood Norton Bridge & Barlaston during the WCML modernisation. Stone has since reopened however the others have never seen their service reinstated. In effect they are closed though not...

Thanks for the info. Good to know it is still really happening!

Interesting thread. However is there actually any progress on the possible reopening? I seem to remember that the whole project was dependant on the construction of some 800 houses by the Kilbride Group in Tavistock. what's happening with that?

Llandeilo & Llanwrtyd on HOWL......photo on left taken from barrow crossing at Llanwrtyd.

£1 bn is the ball park figure being quoted. However there are cheaper options available which have plenty of supporters but the WAG have come out in favour of the most expensive option ......in the face of considerable opposition it must be said. As for being "extremely" congested that is also...