Vintage Tube Trains on way to Cynheidre

The Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway and the London Transport Traction Group (LTTG) are delighted to announce that the two ex-London tube trains acquired by the LTTG will soon be taking up residence at the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway (L&MMR), located near Llanelli at the site of the former Cynheidre Colliery. This is believed to be the first time that such a tube train will have visited Wales and both groups are looking forward to working together to bring an additional attraction to the L&MMR. 

The trains in question, 483006 and 483008, were delivered to London Transport in 1940 as part of the then ongoing production of the 1938 Tube Stock. They ran in service on the Northern and Bakerloo lines at various points during their LT careers, with the type also seeing use on the Piccadilly line and the Ongar branch of the Central line. Upon withdrawal in the late-1980s, the trains were sold to British Rail for further service on the Isle of Wight. Known to BR as the Class 483s, these trains were part of a fleet of nine 2-car units, the last of which remained in passenger service until withdrawn by South Western Railway in January 2021. Unit 483006 operated the final Class 483 service on January 3rd.  

The London Transport Traction Group was set up with the intention of securing one of these veteran trains for preservation, and subsequently managed to secure two. After several months of trying to find a home for the trains and after hopes of returning them to a former tube line were dashed, the group have found a home at the L&MMR where restoration towards an eventual return to passenger use will be undertaken. 

The LTTG’s plan is to use one of the cars from 483008 to carry batteries in order that the trains may operate on heritage railways; originally they ran using current taken from conductor rails. 

In addition to the two complete Class 483 trains, the L&MMR is soon to be home to other ex-London Transport artefacts and it is hoped that a small LT-themed display may be developed in this corner of South Wales. Although 483008 requires significant work before it can be made accessible to the public, it is hoped that 483006 may be opened to visitors soon after arrival. Both units will initially be stored on disconnected track, but it is planned that in the future they will run on the railway. Although no date has yet been set, it is likely that the units will arrive during the winter.

The railway will next be open on Saturday 25th September when brake van rides behind the Sentinel diesel will be on offer.   

Please check the websites for the LT Traction Group and the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway at www.lttractiongroup.co.uk and www.llanellirailway.co.uk for details of future developments with the LTTG and the L&MMR.