Heart of Wales Line

Legend Shrewsbury Church Stretton Craven Arms for Welsh Marches Broome Hopton Bucknell English border Knighton Knucklas Knucklas viaduct Llangynllo Llanbister Road Dolau Pen-y-Bont Llandrindod Mid Wales line Builth Road Cilmeri Garth Llangammarch Llanwrtyd Sugar Loaf Cynghordy Llandovery Llanwrda Llangadog Llandeilo Ffairfach Carmarthen Llandybie Ammanford GCG Colliery Pantyffynnon Pontarddulais Morlais Juntion: Swansea District Line (goods line) Llangennech Bynea Llanelli West Wales Line Gowerton Cockett tunnel Swansea Loop West Junction Swansea Loop East/North Junctions Swansea South Wales Main Line

The end of the line in Shropshire at Craven Arms - here it joins the Welsh Marches Line.

Pantyffynnon station

The Heart of Wales Line (Welsh: Llinell Calon Cymru) is the railway line from Llanelli to Craven Arms. It crossed the earlier Mid Wales Railway at Builth Road, but was unable to get any nearer to the town of Builth Wells. It serves several other fashionable spa towns en-route, as well as more rural centres. The line outlasted the Mid-Wales route, which closed in the 1960s. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Shrewsbury railway station is Shrewsburys only remaining railway station (Shrewsbury Abbey, as well as all the other small stations around the town, having long closed). ... 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Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Welsh Marches Line is the railway line from Newport to Crewe via Abergavenny, Hereford, Craven Arms, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Broome railway station is a railway station serving the village of Broome, in Shropshire, England. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Hopton Heath railway station serves Hopton Heath, a village in Shropshire, England 40 km (25 miles) south west of Shrewsbury. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Bucknell railway station serves the village of Bucknell, Shropshire. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Knighton railway station serves the market town of Knighton in Powys, Wales, although the station itself is located in Shropshire, England. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Knucklas railway station serves the village of Knucklas, Powys 56 km (34¾ miles) south west of Shrewsbury. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llangynllo railway station is a countryside stop in Powys about 2 miles from Llangynllo. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llanbister Road railway station is a countryside stop in Powys about 5 miles from Llanbister. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Dolau railway station is a railway station serving the small village of Dolau in mid Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Pen-y-Bont railway station is a railway station serving the village of Penybont, in mid Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llandrindod railway station is a railway station serving the town of Llandrindod Wells in mid Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Mid Wales Railway was a standard gauge railway opened in 1864 as a North-South route serving central Welsh towns including Llanidloes, Rhayader, Builth Wells and Brecon. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Builth Road railway station is a railway station serving the small settlement of Builth Road, north of the town of Builth Wells, in mid Wales. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Cilmeri railway station is a railway station serving the village of Cilmery, in Powys, Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Garth railway station serves the town of Garth, Powys. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llangammarch railway station serves the town of Llangammarch Wells, Powys. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llanwrtyd railway station serves the town of Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Sugar Loaf railway station is a remote countryside station in Powys and is the most remote station on the Heart of Wales Line. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Cynghordy railway station serves the rural community of Cynghordy near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llandovery railway station serves the picturesque market town of Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llanwrda railway station serves the village of Llanwrda near Llandovery, South Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llangadog railway station serves the village of Llangadog near Llandeilo, South Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llandeilo railway station (formerly Landilo Junction for the Carmarthen Line) serves the village of Llandeilo, South Wales. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Ffairfach railway station serves the village of Ffairfach, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Carmarthen railway station is the original station situated south of the river on the edge of Carmarthen. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llandybie railway station serves the village of Llandybie near Ammanford, South Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Ammanford railway station, formerly known as Tir-y-dail and Duffryn Halt, serves the town of Ammanford, South Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Pantyffynnon railway station is a railway station serving the village of Pantyffynnon, in Carmarthenshire, West Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Pontarddulais railway station serves the town of Pontarddulais in South Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This is a section of freight-only line that runs from Court Sart junction at Briton Ferry on the South Wales Main Line to Morlais junction near Pontarddulais on the Heart of Wales Line. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llangennech railway station serves the town of Llangennech near Llanelli, South Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Bynea railway station serves the village of Bynea near Llanelli, South Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Llanelli railway station is the railway station serving the town of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The West Wales Line is a railway line from Swansea to West Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Gowerton railway station serves the village of Gowerton, City and County of Swansea. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Swansea railway station is the railway station for Swansea, South Wales. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The South Wales Main Line is a branch of the Great Western Main Line in the UK. It diverges from the main line at Wootton Bassett near Swindon, first calling at Bristol Parkway, after which the line continues through the Severn Tunnel into South Wales. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 895 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Please see User:Thryduulf/Relicensing if you wish to use this image under a different license. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 895 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Please see User:Thryduulf/Relicensing if you wish to use this image under a different license. ... Shropshire (pronounced /, -/), alternatively known as Salop[6] or abbreviated Shrops[7], is a county in the West Midlands of England. ... Craven Arms is a small town in South Shropshire, Shropshire, England. ... The Welsh Marches Line is the railway line from Newport to Crewe via Abergavenny, Hereford, Craven Arms, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For the parliamentary constituency of Llanelli, see Llanelli (UK Parliament constituency) For the Llanelli Rural area, see Llanelli Rural Llanelli (English: ), the largest town in the county of Carmarthenshire and West Wales, sits on the Burry estuary on the west Wales coast, approximately 13 miles west of the city of... Craven Arms is a small town in South Shropshire, Shropshire, England. ... The Mid Wales Railway was a standard gauge railway opened in 1864 as a North-South route serving central Welsh towns including Llanidloes, Rhayader, Builth Wells and Brecon. ... Builth Wells (Welsh: ) is a town in Powys, traditional county of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying on the River Wye. ...

Historically the line was known as the Central Wales Line (Welsh: Llinell Canol Cymru) and also included routes through Gowerton, where the railway crossed the West Wales Line and ran through Dunvant and Killay then down through the Clyne Valley to Blackpill, the Mumbles and then along the sea wall to Swansea Bay Station, (near the former slip bridge) before finally reaching Swansea Victoria. This section, originally built by the Llanelly Railway and Dock Company to compete with the Great Western Railway and break the monopoly they held on Swansea Dock, closed in 1964. Nationalization of the railways had removed the need for competing routes, and the running down and closure of Swansea North Dock ended the need for freight services on this path. Gowerton is the name of an electoral ward, a community and a village in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales. ... The West Wales Line is a railway line from Swansea to West Wales. ... Dunvant is the name of an electoral ward, a community and a village in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales. ... The electoral ward of Killay South, City and County of Swansea, South Wales consists of some or all of the following areas, Dunvant, Ilston, Killay, Sketty, Upper Killay. ... The electoral ward of Mayals, City and County of Swansea, South Wales, consists of some or all of the following areas, Bishopston, Black Pill, Cheriton, Fairyhill, Horton, Knelston, Landimore, Llanddewi, Llangennith, Llanmadoc, Llanrhidian, Middleton, Newton, Nicholaston, Oldwalls, Overton, Oxwich Green, Oxwich, Parkmill, Penmaen, Pennard, Penrice, Port Eynon, Reynoldston, Rhossili, The... Mumbles village, Wales Mumbles (otherwise The Mumbles – Welsh Y Mwmbwls) is an extremely large village and adjacent headland stretching into Swansea Bay. ... For other places with the same name, see Swansea (disambiguation). ... The Llanelly Railway was a Welsh railway system that became the basis of the present Heart of Wales Line. ... The original Bristol Temple Meads station, first terminus of the GWR, is the building to the left of this picture The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company, linking South West England, the West Country and South Wales with London. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... Nationalization, also spelled nationalisation, is the act by which a nation takes possession of assets without requiring the owners consent, with or without payment of compensation. ...

As a rural branch line the remainder of the Heart of Wales Line survived the Beeching axe since it also carried extensive freight traffic and served the steelworks at Bynea and industrial areas such as Ammanford and Pontarddulais, linking them with the docks at Llanelli. During engineering work the line is still used as a diversionary freight route but normally sees only light passenger services. Many railway lines were closed as a result of the Beeching Axe The Beeching Axe is an informal name for the British Governments attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running the British railway system. ... Bynea is a village close to the River Loughor in Carmarthenshire, Wales. ... Ammanford (Welsh: Rhydaman) is the fourth largest town in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales with a population 5,299 according to the 2001 census. ... Pontarddulais is a town in south Wales. ... For the parliamentary constituency of Llanelli, see Llanelli (UK Parliament constituency) For the Llanelli Rural area, see Llanelli Rural Llanelli (English: ), the largest town in the county of Carmarthenshire and West Wales, sits on the Burry estuary on the west Wales coast, approximately 13 miles west of the city of...

The line is single track throughout. There are five passing loops, at Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llanwrtyd, Llandrindod and Knighton. Normally the Llanwrtyd passing loop is in use on the Monday - Saturday service and the Llandrindod passing loop is in use on the Sunday service. Llandeilo railway station (formerly Landilo Junction for the Carmarthen Line) serves the village of Llandeilo, South Wales. ... Llandovery railway station serves the picturesque market town of Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom. ... Llanwrtyd railway station serves the town of Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys. ... Llandrindod railway station is a railway station serving the town of Llandrindod Wells in mid Wales. ... Knighton railway station serves the market town of Knighton in Powys, Wales, although the station itself is located in Shropshire, England. ... Llanwrtyd railway station serves the town of Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys. ... Llandrindod railway station is a railway station serving the town of Llandrindod Wells in mid Wales. ...

The Welsh scenery is a particularly attractive feature of this line.

Services today

As of 2007, the service runs 4 or 5 trains per day in each direction, and 2 on Sundays. Trains are 1 or 2 carriages each, with a small team of staff and a buffet trolley. As the train doesn't run late at night, the staff do not have to deal with drunken behaviour and are able to maintain a positive and friendly atmosphere. The Heart of Wales line proper runs between Llanelli and Craven Arms. However train services normally terminate at Shrewsbury, Swansea. One train a day terminates at Cardiff. Shrewsbury railway station is Shrewsburys only remaining railway station (Shrewsbury Abbey, as well as all the other small stations around the town, having long closed). ... Swansea railway station is the railway station for Swansea, South Wales. ... Cardiff Central railway station (Welsh: Caerdydd Canolog) is a major British railway station in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. ...

Some stations are request stops. Places served by the route include: In rail transport, a request stop is a train station where trains stop only if passengers wish to board the train or leave it. ...

Wales

• Llanelli (West Wales Line: Gowerton, Swansea)
• Bynea
• Llangennech
• Pontarddulais
• Pantyffynnon
• Ammanford
• Llandybie
• Ffairfach
• Llandeilo
• Llangadog
• Llanwrda
• Llandovery
• Cynghordy
• Sugar Loaf
• Llanwrtyd Wells
• Llangammarch Wells
• Garth
• Cilmeri
• Builth Road (For Builth Wells)
• Llandrindod Wells
• Penybont
• Dolau
• Llanbister Road
• Llangynllo
• Knucklas
• Knighton

England For the parliamentary constituency of Llanelli, see Llanelli (UK Parliament constituency) For the Llanelli Rural area, see Llanelli Rural Llanelli (English: ), the largest town in the county of Carmarthenshire and West Wales, sits on the Burry estuary on the west Wales coast, approximately 13 miles west of the city of... The West Wales Line is a railway line from Swansea to West Wales. ... Gowerton is the name of an electoral ward, a community and a village in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales. ... For other places with the same name, see Swansea (disambiguation). ... Bynea is a village close to the River Loughor in Carmarthenshire, Wales. ... Llangennech is a village in the area of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, south Wales. ... Pontarddulais is a town in south Wales. ... Pantyffynnon is a small village in Carmarthenshire, located several miles south of Ammanford, and several miles east of Tycroes. ... Ammanford (Welsh: Rhydaman) is the fourth largest town in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales with a population 5,299 according to the 2001 census. ... Llandybie Church Llandybie is a parish, and a large village two miles north of Ammanford in Carmarthenshire, Wales. ... Ffairfach railway station serves the village of Ffairfach, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. ... Llandeilo is a town in Carmarthenshire, west Wales, situated at the crossing of the River Tywi by the A483 on an elegant stone bridge. ... Llangadog is a community located in Carmarthenshire, Wales. ... Llanwrda (Llan-wrda), a parish and a village in the county of Carmarthenshire, South Wales, 3 1/2 miles from the river Towy, (W. by S.) from Llandovery. ... Llandovery (Welsh: Llanymddyfri) is a market town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the River Tywi and the A40 road. ... Cynghordy railway station serves the rural community of Cynghordy near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire. ... Sugar Loaf railway station is a remote countryside station in Powys and is the most remote station on the Heart of Wales Line. ... Llanwrtyd Wells (Welsh: Llanwrtyd) is a small town in Powys, in the traditional county of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying on the River Irfon. ... Llangammarch Wells is a village in Powys, Wales, lying on the River Irfon. ... Garth railway station serves the town of Garth, Powys. ... Cilmeri railway station is a railway station serving the village of Cilmery, in Powys, Wales. ... Builth Road railway station is a railway station serving the small settlement of Builth Road, north of the town of Builth Wells, in mid Wales. ... Llandrindod Wells (Welsh: Llandrindod), known locally as Llandod, is a town in mid Wales. ... Penybont (also sometimes spelled Pen-y-Bont) is a small village in Powys, Wales. ... Dolau railway station is a railway station serving the small village of Dolau in mid Wales. ... Llanbister Road railway station is a countryside stop in Powys about 5 miles from Llanbister. ... Llangynllo railway station is a countryside stop in Powys about 2 miles from Llangynllo. ... Knucklas (Welsh: , Green Hill) and Heyop (or Heyope) are 2 small but inseparable villages in Powys, Wales. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

• Bucknell
• Hopton Heath
• Broome
• Craven Arms

At Craven Arms, the line joins the Welsh Marches Line to Church Stretton and Shrewsbury. Bucknell is a village and civil parish in the South Shropshire district of Shropshire, England. ... Hopton Heath, or Hoptonheath, is a small village in Shropshire, England. ... Broome is a village in Shropshire, England. ... Craven Arms is a small town in South Shropshire, Shropshire, England. ... The Welsh Marches Line is the railway line from Newport to Crewe via Abergavenny, Hereford, Craven Arms, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch. ... Statistics Population: 4,186 Ordnance Survey OS grid reference: SO453937 Administration District: South Shropshire Shire county: Shropshire Region: West Midlands Constituent country: England Sovereign state: United Kingdom Other Ceremonial county: Shropshire Historic county: Shropshire Services Police force: West Mercia Fire and rescue: {{{Fire}}} Ambulance: West Midlands Post office and telephone... For other places with the same name, see Shrewsbury (disambiguation). ...

Passenger services are operated by Arriva Trains Wales using Class 150 or Class 153 diesel multiple units, although Class 175's have been used on rare occasions. Arriva Trains Wales (Welsh: ) is a train operating company that operates urban and inter urban passenger services in Wales and the Welsh Marches. ... The British Rail Class 150 Sprinter diesel multiple units (DMUs) were built by BREL from 1984-87. ... Class 153, no. ... DMU, type SA108 of Great Poland Voivodship in Poznań, Poland The Transwa Prospector DEMU capable of up to 200 km/h provides a passenger service between Perth, Western Australia and the mining town of Kalgoorlie A Diesel Multiple Unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages... The Class 175 ‘Coradia’ is a model of diesel multiple unit passenger train used in the United Kingdom. ...

External links

• Heart of Wales Line website
• Travellers Association
• Arriva Trains Wales: Heart of Wales Line timetable