Central Wales / Heart of Wale line
DMUs on the Heart of Wales line, also known as the Central Wales line. At one time vehicles for this line were easily identifiable by the addition of headlamp.
Unknown date
Class 120s on Llandrindod crossing in the late '60s. David Rowe.
2nd April 1966
W50698 leads this 2-car Swindon Cross-Country set away from Llangunllo tunnel with an afternoon Shrewsbury - Llanelli working, 2nd April 1966. Michael Mensing.
September 1969
Unloading the brake van on a headlamp fitted two-car Swindon Cross-Country DMU at Llandrindod Well in September 1969. George Woods.
Passing Central Wales line Swindon Cross-Country DMUs at Llanwrtyd station in September 1969. The DMBC visible in Shrewsbury-bound set 603 on the left is presumably 50724. George Woods.
25th June 1970
A Class 120 has a pile of mail bags being loaded or unloaded at Craven Arms & Stokesay on 25/6/70. Steve Davies Collection.
1st August 1970
Two Swindon Cross-Country sets stopped with cabs side-by-side at Llandrindod Wells to change crews on 1 August 1970. Stuart Mackay Collection.
mid-1973
Class 120 DMU set C602 (W50649 and presumably W50698) is seen three miles north of Craven Arms in mid-1973. Michael Mensing.
Unknown date
Leaving Llandrindod in the mid-1970s is a Class 121 DTS attached to a Class 120 set. Cardiff had two of these DTSs in this era, 56285 and 56289, the former only on loan for a few months. David Rowe.
circa 1974
Two Class 120 Swindon Cross-Country DMUs approaching Church Stretton from the Shrewsbury direction circa 1974. Leading is set C520 - W50723 and presumably W59278 (with red stripe for the buffet) and W50674. John Clark / Adrian Sutterby Collection.
Class 149 (later a 121) DTS W56289 was allocated to Cardiff from December 1973 till May 1975 and sometime during that period it is seen working with one of Canton's two-car Class 120s at Church Stretton approaching from the Shrewsbury direction. John Clark / Adrian Sutterby Collection.
1975
A Central Wales line Swindon Cross-Country DMU (presumably 50681 + 50701) awaits departure at Shrewsbury in 1975. John Law.
8th February 1975
Swindon-built Cross-Country set C601 (presumably 50672 + 50722) departs from Knighton with the 10.04am Swansea - Shrewsbury service on February 8th, 1975. Michael Mensing.
Class 120 DMU set C603 (presumably 50673 + 50724) in Llanwrtyd station on 8 February 1975. Michael Mensing.
Class 120 DMU set C603 (presumably 50724 + 50673) passes Llanwrtyd Well signalbox on 8 February 1975. Michael Mensing.
Swindon-built Cross-Country Class 120 DMU set C601 (presumably 50722 + 50672) arrives at Knighton with the 10.04am Swansea - Shrewsbury service on February 8th, 1975. Michael Mensing.
April 1975
BR (Swindon) Cross Country 3-car dmu (Class 120) No.C505 (consisting of Class 120/2, 179 & 120/1 cars) with Central Wales Line headlamp between cab windows, in BR Rail Blue & Grey with all yellow front end, at Builth Road on a Swansea (High St) - Llanelli (General) - Shrewsbury (General) service, 04/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
BR (Swindon) Cross Country 2-car dmu (Class 120) No.C601 (consisting of Class 120/1 & 120/2 cars) with Central Wales Line headlamp between cab windows, in BR Rail Blue & Grey with all yellow front end, at Knighton on a Swansea (High St) - Shrewsbury (General) - service, 04/75, although the destination blind says "Swansea (Victoria)" - the original terminal of the Central Wales Line but long closed! Hugh Llewelyn.
circa 1976
Class 120 set C600 (presumably led by 50664) seen at Llanwrtyd Wells from a passing train (a railtour?) circa 1976. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.
June 1976
Swindon Class 120 Set C613 (presumably W50691-W59277-W50728) seen at Shrewsbury on the 1st June 1976 with a working from Swansea via the Heart of Wales line which, according to the blind, will soon undertake the return journey. As befits a unit operating via this route is the external spot light fixture fitted just below the destination blind. Steve Carter.
Unknown date
Set C604 at Llanwrtyd Wells. Undated. Tom Clift.
C604 / 50701 seen on the Central Wales line at Llandrindod Wells. Undated. Ian Francis.
A BR Photo Unit picture taken at Pantyffynnon showing a token exchange between the driver of C616 and the signalman. Date not known. Courtesy Tom Clift. British Rail.
Class 108 set S944 at Llandrindod in the '80s. David Rowe.
A Swindon Cross-Country Class 120 unit during its stop at Llanwrtyd Wells on the Central Wales line, date unknown. A member of staff appears to be inspecting the engine or other underframe component. Steve Davies Collection.
A Class 101 - set number (TY)408 in the centre cab window and Special on the destination blind - in Builth Road station. Date unknown - the BR logo on the cab door suggests late 1960s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
7th January 1977
Class 120 DMU set C603 (presumably 50724 + 50673) stands at Llandeilo waiting to cross the southbound service on 7/1/1977. The footbridge has been removed,hence the rudimentary steps to access a foot crossing. Stephen Burdett.
26th March 1977
Two class 120 "Swindon" units pass on the Central Wales line north of Llanelli on 26th March 1977. C605 (presumably 50686 + 50733) is the approaching unit, heading south. Bob Belcher.
1978
A Central Wales line DMU arrives at Llandeilo 1978. John Law.
Crossing Cross-Countries. Class 120 sets C605 (presumably 50733 closest) and C603 (presumably 50673 closest) pass at Llandeilo in 1978. John Law.
16th September 1978
The Central Wales Line used to be operated with pairs of class 120 "Cross Country" motor coaches fitted with headlights (at a time this was unusual in Britain) because of the numerous level crossing on the line. The photo was taken on a circular "Central Wales roundabout" ticket which allowed one to travel from London to Swansea, Shrewsbury (via the Central Wales) and back to London (or v.v) for a bargain fare. I imagine this was taken (at Llanwrtyd Wells on September 16, 1978, presumably 50664 + 50702) while waiting for another train to cross. The line, from Llanelli to Craven Arms, is now known as the Heart of Wales line. Jeremy Chapter.
28th April 1979
The details supplied with this image note the vehicles as M50398 (leading)+ M50409. Did a Class 103 set run with two DMBSs (or were there also two DTCs?) Seen at Welshpool on the 28th April 1979. Robert Frise.
1980
Set C600 (presumably led by 50702) is seen at Llanwrtyd in 1980. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
A 6-car formation is seen on the Heart of Wales line at Llandrindod Wells on a charter from Lancashire. Date unknown. David Rowe.
14th April 1980
The 14th April 1980, and C604 (50701 + 50681) is seen at Builth Road on the 10:46 Shrewsbury - Swansea. Hamish Stevenson.
W50681 leads Class 120 set C604 (with 50701) at Builth Road with the 10:46 Shrewsbury - Swansea service on April 14, 1980. Hamish Stevenson.
11th October 1980
This pair of class 120 Swindon Cross Country diesel vehicles were fitted with headlights for working the Central Wales Line (now known as the Heart of Wales line) between Shrewsbury and Llanelli which operates under a light railway order to reduce infrastructure requirements. The lights are necessary for ungated level crossings which are crossed on a stop and proceed basis. Motor Second 50672 is nearest the camera; the other car is Motor Brake Composite 50722. Both were new in 1958 and withdrawn in 1987. Seen at Shrewsbury on 11 October 1980. Jeremy Chapter.
30th December 1980
C621 (51785 + 51793) sits beside a Class 128 at Shrewsbury on 30 December 1980, having arrived on the 05:44 from Swansea. The 128 will leave on the 09:40 parcels service to Newtown. Tom Clift.
Unknown date
975090 / 975089 are seen at Llanwrtyd Wells, date unknown. Tom Clift.
C600 (presumably led by 50664) is amongst this variety of vehicles seen at Llandrindod Wells. Undated. Tom Clift.
C605 At Cilmeri, date not known. David Rowe.
May 1981
2 x 2-car class 120 DMU's with set C602 (presumably 50649 + 50698) leading set C605 call at Llandrindod Wells on the Central Wales line with the 10.46 Shrewsbury to Swansea in May 1981. Adrian Nicholls.
27th May 1981
Under leaden skies 2-Car class 120 DMU set no.C602 (50649+50698) leads a 2x2-car class 120 formation into Llandrindod Wells on 27/05/81 with train 2V93 the 10.46 Shrewsbury to Swansea. These units were fitted with headlights specifically for this lengthy single line through Mid-Wales many years before it became standard on BR traction. Adrian Nicholls.
29th May 1981
On a grey late spring morning one of Cardiff's 2-car class 120 sets leads a four car DMU formation into a busy Llandrindod Wells station working the 10.10 Swansea to Shrewsbury. 29/05/81. Adrian Nicholls.
With Tyseley in Birmingham and Manchester Longsight Depot having small allocations of the remaining class 100 DMU vehicles by 1981 it was somewhat surprising to see this hybrid set formed of a class 100 DMBS and a class 101 DMC or DTC coupled behind the more usual class 120 "Swindon cross country" set on the Central Wales line. The train is departing north from Llandrindod Wells with the 10.10 Swansea to Shrewsbury on Friday 29/05/81. Adrian Nicholls.
Unknown date
2-car set C601 (presumably with 50672 leading) is seen at Hopton Heath, which has the station building fenced off from the platform as a private residence. Undated. Tom Clift.
B802 (presumably 51521 + 59550 + 51449) passes a 120 at Llandrindod Wells Crossing. Note the 101 has the destination blind glass painted over. Tom Clift.
C812 at Llandrindod Wells, circa 1984. Stephen Williams.
A Class 101 heads out of Llangynllo on an unknown date. David Rowe.
Two Class 120s pass at Llandovery. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
A two-car Class 120 set in Llandovery station. It has Swansea High Street on its destination blind. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
A DMU trundles over Knucklas Viaduct on the Heart of Wales line. Ian Dinmore/railarchive.org.uk.
1982
Class 101 two-car set C801 - presumably 51517 + 51446 - at Hopton Heath, sometime in 1982. Stuart Mackay Collection.
26th July 1982
Class 101 DMCL W51523 working the 03.45 Shrewsbury-Swansea sits alongside 140 001 with the 05:44 Swansea-Shrewsbury at Llandeilo on 26 July 1982. I had started from Neath at 05.06 for the novelty of catching this new contraption from Swansea to Shrewsbury. Robert Thomas.
13th September 1982
The 13th September 1982, and the 13:49 Shrewsbury - Swansea is seen at Llandrindod Wells worked by set C800, presumably 51515 + 51445. Hamish Stevenson.
C804 (thought to be 51452 and 51523) is seen at Llandrindod Wells, on the 10:08 Swansea - Shrewsbury, 13th September 1982. Hamish Stevenson.
1982
Class 101 DMU C804 (presumably 51452 + 51523) leaves Cynghordy on the Central Wales Line in summer 1982. Stuart Pearce.
Unknown date
Cross Country set C605 is seen at Penybont Jct. Undated. Tom Clift.
circa 1983
C801 led by W51517, presumably with 51446, is seen at Llandeilo circa 1983. Nicky Reason.
Unknown date
W51450 leads set C803 at Llandeilo circa 1983, presumably with 51522. Nicky Reason.
Taken from Llandrindod signalbox, C803 (presumably 51522 + 51450) passes C804. Undated. Tom Clift.
Passing sets at Llandrindod in the late 1980s. W51450 is on the left, and it's possibly Class 119 C690 on the right. David Rowe.
2nd July 1983
Class 101 DMU set no. C804 (W51523 + W51452) stands at Llandeilo with the 12.27 Swansea to Shrewsbury waiting to cross a late running southbound service on the single line on July 2, 1983. In the days before air-con most of the locals and crew bailed off to sit on the station until the southbound train came into view. Adrian Nicholls.
3-car class 101 DMU set C811 (51801 + 59548 + 51519) is seen approaching Llandeilo with the 10.50 Shrewsbury to Swansea on 2 July 1983. The Central Wales Line from Shrewsbury to Swansea tended to be worked in the early 1980's by power twins of either class 101 but mostly class 120 Swindon Cross Country sets. Adrian Nicholls.
14th July 1983
C805 (51462 and 51530) at Builth Rd on the 14th July 1983 on a Swansea- Shrewsbury working. Mac Winfield.
C805 (51530 and 51462) departing from Builth Rd on the 14th July 1983 on a Swansea - Shrewsbury working. Mac Winfield.
circa 1983
C802 on Cynghordy viaduct, headed by W51449, circa 1983. Nicky Reason.
circa 1984
At Llandeilo circa 1984, C803 (presumably 51450 + 51522) passes C805. Stephen Williams.
Unknown date
A Class 101 stops to lick up its passengers at Llandrindod Wells in the 1980s. David Rowe.
51445 is one of the vehicles in the Class 101 set (the other is presumably 51515) working with a Class 120 set at Llandrindod Wells. Undated. David Rowe.
Two Class 101s pass at Llandrindod Wells in the 1980s. David Rowe.
circa 1984
C803 (presumably 51450 + 51522) enters Pantyffynon circa 1984. Stephen Williams.
12th May 1984
Two-car Met-Camm Class 101 DMU set C800 (presumably 51445 + 51515) seen in Llandrindod Wells station with a Swansea service on 12 May 1984. Stuart Mackay Collection.
11th July 1984
Class 101 Metro Cammell 2-car DMU 51517 + 51446 at Llandrindod Wells with 15-33 ex-Llanelli to Shrewsbury 11-7-84 On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Unknown date
C800 (presumably 51445 + 51515) is the rear set in this 4-car formation leaving Llandrindod Wells in the 1980s. David Rowe.
Undated, C805 is seen on a southbound service exchanging tokens at Llandrindod wells signal box (which was later moved to the southbound platform as a visitor centre). David Rowe.
Class 108 S944 at Llandrindod Wells circa 1989. David Rowe.
Class 101 set 800 lead a Class 120 near Llandrindod Wells, sometime between 1986 and 1992. David Rowe.
30th June 1986
A class 101 DMU (C806 presumably 51799 + 51808) at Llanwrtyd Wells on 30th June 1986. This train had broken down and was awaiting rescue. Jonathan Hazan.
A class 101 Metro-Cammell DMU (C806 presumably 51799 + 51808) waits at Llandovery, for another service coming from Shrewsbury to cross, I think. The driver passes the time of day chatting to a woman on the platform. Jonathan Hazan.
I like this one, even though it's the end of the roll. A class 101 Metro Cammell DMU (C806, presumably 51799) peeks out from behind the station building at Llanwrtyd Wells on 30th June 1986. The DMU was on a Swansea to Shrewsbury service on the Heart of Wales line. It had failed and we were waiting to be rescued. I can't remember how long we were stuck here, but help eventually arrived in the shape of a class 25, which dragged us all the way to Shrewsbury. Jonathan Hazan.
16th September 1986
Class 101 DMU set C802 (presumably 51521 + 51449), heading north near Dolau, on the Central Wales line. 16th September 1986. John Crooks.
circa 1987
A Class 121 bubble car seen at Llandrindod Wells, carrying a headlamp on the right lamp bracket. Possibly 1987. David Rowe.
Unknown date
C902 contains two Class 108 DMBSs and a Met-Camm centre car (presumably 51910 + 59570 + 53941) 0when seen at Cilmery. Undated. Tom Clift.
circa 1986/1987
A Class 121 (with TS 084 as a set number in the cab window) and Class 114 at Llandrindod Wells. Undated, the set number dates it to circa 1986/7. Tom Clift.
circa 1987
S952 (presumably 52045 + 53625) at Llandovery (looking north). Circa 1987. Stephen Williams.
S952 (presumably 52045 + 53625) at Llanwrtyd Wells, circa 1987. Stephen Williams.
Class 101 set formation S802, consisting of vehicles W51521 + W51449 is seen at Llandrindod Wells, presumably during their time allocated to Landore (LE, Swansea) depot 10/12/1986-03/10/1987. Graeme Phillips Collection.
A Shrewsbury-bound train disturbs the peace of the Central Wales countryside near Dolau, formed of Swansea based class 101 DMU S801 (presumably 51517 + 51446). Circa 1987. John Crooks.
A Swansea - bound train on the Central Wales line near Dolau is formed of Llandore based Class 101 set S807 (presumably 53309 + 53338) circa 1987. John Crooks.
April 1987
C805 (presumably 51530 and 51462) enters Llandrindod Wells in April 1987, where it passed C823 (59082 + 51511 visible) sitting on the platform. Mike Cooper.
C823 (presumably 51505 visible) and C805 (presumably 51530 and 51462) sit side by side in Llandrindod Wells in April 1987. Mike Cooper.
C823 (51511 + 59082 and presumably 51505) passing C805 (presumably 51462 and 51530) at Llandrindod Wells on a wet day in April 1987. Note the temporary headlamp. Mike Cooper.
Unknown date
A 2-car 119 set (C577 presumably 51091 + 51063) and a Met-Camm enters Cynghordy. Date unknown. Tom Clift.
C465 (presumably 51322 at the front and 51307 at the rear) at Llandrindod crossing in the late 1980s. David Rowe.
August 1987
This was a 4-car formation of 2x101 power twins which hit a farm tractor at speed on a crossing about one mile north of Llandrindod Wells while travelling south on the afternoon of Saturday August 8th, 1987. Fortunately there were no injuries. David Rowe.
26th October 1987
Recently transferred from Lincoln to Tyseley, set T233 (54024 + 53039) is seen at Llandrindod Wells with 55034 on the rear. They are working the 10:42 Shrewsbury - Llandovery service on October 26th, 1987. Tom Clift.
circa 1988
Class 108 S947 (presumably 53942 + 51567) is seen at Knighton, with Crewe on the blinds. Circa 1988. Tom Clift.
circa late 1980s
Quite a bit of mail has come of S959 (presumably 53633 + 53947) at Llandeilo, taken circa late 1980s. Stephen Williams.
Unknown date
A Class 116 at Llandrindod in the late 1980s. David Rowe.
16th January 1988
Class 108 DMU power twin set S946 (presumably 53939 + 52046) looms out of the mist passing the site of Stretford Bridge Junction, just north of Craven Arms, with a Swansea bound service over the "Central Wales" line. This was where the Bishops Castle railway once branched off to the left of the photo. 16th January 1988. John Crooks.
Unknown date
A Class 120 set with a Class 101 centre car, seen at Cilmery Halt in the late 1980s. David Rowe.
5th July 1988
Set 293 - probably Chester vehicles 53307 + 53323 - at Llandrindod on 5th July 1988. Nigel Menzies.
Set 293 - probably Chester vehicles 53307 + 53323 - at Llandrindod on 5th July 1988. Nigel Menzies.
The rather homemade fitting of a headlamp for the Central Wales Line - set 293 (probably Chester vehicle 53323) - at Llandrindod on 5th July 1988. Nigel Menzies.
Class 108 set (presumably 51931 + 52055) approaching Llandrindod on 5th July 1988. Nigel Menzies.
Unknown date
T301 (51395 and presumably 59505 + 51353) leads this formation into Llandrindod on a Galerail special in the late 1980s during the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Week. David Rowe.
circa 1988/9
Class 119 set T589 (presumably 51095 + 51057) heading northbound, taken from the steps of Llandrindod signal box (before it moved to station). Undated, but probably after they moved from Tyseley to Chester in July 1988. David Rowe.
Unknown date
A superb shot of M52055 (set S944) at Llandrindod Wells. Undated. Tom Clift.
Class 117 T315 at Llandrindod crossing late 1980s. The power cars should be 51394 + 51352. David Rowe.
25th February 1989
A Class 108 DMU (53935 + 52041) arrives at Llandrindod Wells working the 11.49 Swansea-Shrewsbury on 25 February 1989. This shot was taken during a break at Llandrindod while I was a passenger on the Welsh Mountain Cobbler railtour from Northampton. Lewis Bevan.
Unknown date
BX497 (M51950 presumable leads M59155 + M52062) has a 104 centre car in this view at Llandovery. Undated. Tom Clift.
26th May 1989
A Class 101 approaches Llandrindod Wells signal box on the 26th May 1989. David Rowe.
Unknown date
Llandrindod Wells station in the late 1980s, and Class 108 set S952 (probably 52045 closest) passes Class 101 set C987 (51462 closest). David Rowe.
late 1989
Class 108 set S949 (presumably 53945) in Llandrindod station in the late 1980s. David Rowe.
late 1980s
Class 108/101 hybrid N616 at Llandrindod in the late 1980s. The Class 108 DMBS is presumably 51420. David Rowe.
late 1989
Class 108 S949 (presumably 53945) and Class 101 S950 pass at Llandrindod. Undated but the only Class 101 vehicle that seems to have been part of S950 was 53319 in late 1989. David Rowe.
August 1989
Carrying a Heart of Wales Rambler headboard Class 108 DMU set S941 - 51922 + 51562 - is seen at Llanelli with the 09:43 Swansea - Shrewsbury service one day in August 1989. Stuart Mackay Collection.
10th August 1989
Class 108 set S940 (presumably 52048 + 51919) enters Pantyffynon station on August 10th, 1989. Michael Mensing.
Three-car Class 108 set S942 (presumably 52044 + 59382 + 51928) enters Pantyffynon station on August 10, 1989. Michael Mensing.
The driver of Class 108 set S942 (presumably 51928 + 59382 + 52044) gets the single line token from the Pantyffynon signalman on August 10, 1989. Michael Mensing.
16th August 1989
Class 108 set S946 (presumably 53939 + 52046) working 2M39, the 15:28 Swansea - Crewe (via reversal at Lllanelli and Central Wales line), awaits time at Llandrindod at 18:00 on Wednesday 16th August 1989. Colin Brooks.
Class 108 set S949 (presumably 51563 + 53945) departs from Llandrindod with the 16:19 Shrewsbury - Swansea service viewed from set S946 on 2M39, the 1528 Swansea - Crewe. Colin Brooks.
Class 108 Set S946 (presumably 52046 + 53939) working 2M39, 1528 Swansea - Shrewsbury (via Reversal at Llanelli) passes the lower quadrant semapohre on approach to the Craven Arms at 19:20 on Wednesday 16th August 1989. Colin Brooks.
7th October 1989
Crossing Class 108s on a wet day at Llandrindod Wells. On the left S945 with 51925 is on the 12:22 Llandrindod-Swansea, on the right S943, 51561 visible, is working the 10:43 Shrewsbury-Llandrindod. These were normally through workings that terminated at Llandrindod Wells and returned to Swansea and Shrewsbury respectively, possibly due to one of the crews lack of route knowledge. 7 October 1989. Robert Thomas.
4th April 1990
2 car Class 108 DMU set number S958 (presumably 52038 + 51924) departs Nantwich with a Crewe - Swansea service via the Central Wales line. Jonathan Watson.
circa early 1990s
Class 116 2-car C390 is seen at Llangunllo. 51145 is closest, presumably working with 51132. Date unknown, circa early 1990s. Tom Clift.