Description

The Central Wales Line offered a surprisingly wide variety of traffic in some superb scenery – from the steep climbs to Sugar Loaf, to the Industry of South Wales. We explore the route & motive power in the 1960s, and take the story through to the present day.

The programme comprises:

Craven Arms, Junction for the line with 8Fs, Black 5s & BR Standards.

Through the Hills to Llandrindrod Wells. Knighton, Knucklas, Llagunllo, Llanibster, Pen-y-Bont Jcn with steam workings in 1962 and 1963.

Builth Road to Sugar Loaf. Steam climbing the grades to the summit and the north and south approaches.

The Carmarthen Branch. Traffic and the stations on the delightful line to Llandeilo.

South to Swansea. Freight and loco changes at Pontarddulais, and on the approach to Swansea Bay and Swansea Victoria.

Traffic and Motive Power 1966 to 1999. Freight in the diesel era, resignalling and passenger workings plus the return to steam in 1993.

 75 mins approx