Beeching’s axed line comes steaming back

SPECTACULAR Carmarthenshire views not seen by the travelling public for 50 years have come steaming back thanks to Gwili Railway enthusiasts.

This has been made possible by the re-laying of track lost to the Beeching on a line that follows the picturesque River Gwili, passing alongside the ‘Gwili Falls’, where the river tumbles over rocky outcrops.

Volunteers from The Gwili Steam Railway in Carmarthenshire, West Wales, have completed the last quarter of mile of new track under the A485 Lampeter road bridge into the new station at Abergwili, just outside Carmarthen.

The original track was lifted in 1977 after closure of the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth branch line in September 1973. Final works are due to take place later in October with a full opening planned for 2015 season in time for the 50th anniversary of the last passenger train which ran February 20th 1965.

More than £300,000 has been spent on the project including funds from CWM Environmental, Carmarthenshire Council Rural Development Fund and County Collaboration Fund together with monies raised by supporters and well-wishers, locally and further afield.

Carmarthenshire council’s executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said they had been able to fund the project through the RDP Strengthening The Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarmarthenshire grant scheme, delivered by Carmarthenshire council’s physical regeneration section.

“The amount of grant awarded is £66,421 towards total project costs of £132,843 for the extension and re-opening of the line from Bronwydd to Abergwili junction.”

Cllr Gravell said: “This is an important phase in the development of the Gwili Steam Railway, who host an exciting range of events throughout the year. It is growing as a popular visitor attraction and adds greatly to the diversity value of tourism in the county.”

This project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 – 2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The opening of the new station will be a great boost for tourism in the county with around 30,000 people expected to come to travel on the extended line next year.

The total length of the extension is 1.75 miles which includes over 300 lengths of rail, nearly 4000 concrete sleepers and 5000 tonnes of ballast. A combination of paid contractors and volunteer labour has been used to complete the first extension to the line in 14 years and increases the route length to four miles.

Donations are still sought for the final push. If you can help please give online at https://www.gwili-shop.co.uk/index.php?catidtree=1992_1993 or post a cheque payable to Gwili Railway Company,. Send to Gwili Steam Railway, Bronwydd Arms Station, Carmarthen SA33 6HT.

• The Gwili Railway follows the original main line between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth and once formed part of a continuous link between North and South Wales. Built originally by the Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway, with its 7’0¼” broad gauge, and the Manchester and Milford Railway companies, the line was eventually bought up by the Great Western Railway. It carried both passenger traffic and locally-produced goods – wool, livestock, milk and timber – before falling victim to the Beeching reforms. Passenger traffic ceased in December, 1964, and the last milk train ran in September, 1973.