Description

Full description from the producer:

Following a seven month closure due to storm damage and a freight train derailment, the Central Wales line fully reopened to passenger trains in March 2021. In early April, Colas Rail Freight, in conjunction with Network Rail, operated an inspection loco over the full route to take an overview of the line, 37421 was chosen and the entire journey was filmed from the cab.

Starting out at Coleham depot in Shrewsbury, we run on the Marches line as far as Craven Arms, followed by the 90-miles of railway to Llandeilo Junction.

Filmed on a fine early spring day, the entire journey is shown, passing the stations of Knighton, Dolau, Llandrindod, Llandovery, Llandeilo and Pantyffynnon; over the viaducts at Knucklas, Cynghordy and Llwynjack; to the summit at Sugar Loaf and though the tunnels at Llangynilo and Sugar Loaf. It is mostly jointed track and wooden sleepers and with a ‘No Signalman’ Token (NSTR) signalling system – this is a very traditional and picturesque line!

*Please note: This is a slow cab ride! As an inspection loco, the journey was slower than expected and with a line speed of mostly 30mph for locos anyway, high speed is not a factor here! Likewise, running light engine and slow, there isn’t much thrash from the loco either! Nevertheless, this is a very rare opportunity to see the Central Wales line in its entirety, filmed on board a locomotive and not just any loco – a Class 37/4!

Includes maps, part narration and on-screen captions.

Additional information