The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway held a Community Day at the railway on Saturday the 6th August. This was a free event open to all Glyn Ward residents (including Cynheidre, Five Roads and Ponthenri) and the surrounding area (up to 10 miles, including Llanelli, Kidwelly, Cross Hands, Llangennech for example) to demonstrate what we have to offer the community now and in the future. Over eighty residents took up the offer and enjoyed free train rides, guided tours of the site, refreshments and relaxation and picnics within the railways extensive grounds.
Train rides were provided by the unique ex. Valley Lines Pacer No. 142 006 which is resident at the railway. The restoration shed and heritage displays were available to visit, including our ‘Island Line’ tube trains, as was the shop and refreshments. Volunteers carried out a number of tasks during the day, demonstrating the wide variety of volunteering opportunities available to those wishing to join us. A number of visitors expressed an interest in volunteering.
One new item for people to enjoy was the recently delivered cab of a class 40 diesel which is attached to a trailer so that it can be exhibited at shows and events in the local area to help promote the railway and its future aspirations. It proved very popular with visitors as did other interactive cab displays on the site.
Visitors from the local community were asked to fill in a short questionnaire during their visit aimed at helping the railway develop in line with local aspirations. It will also hopefully help with generating funds for these developments and was devised in association with the local council and funding bodies.
Money was raised through refreshments and a raffle, with all proceeds going towards the cost of an adapted trike for Caitlin of Five Roads who has Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).
The railway will next be open on Saturday 13th August with train rides frequently from 10am to 3pm
The railway is a charity run totally by volunteers. It is hoping to grow into a major tourist attraction for the Llanelli district and in order to reach our goals we need more volunteer help in all departments including operational, maintenance and restoration, and administration. If you could spare a few hours for what is a most enjoyable pastime and worthwhile cause do not hesitate to get in touch. For more information or to volunteer please visit our website at https://www.llanellirailway.co.uk or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/llanellirailway
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