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HoWLTA NewsletterHoWLTA Newsletter

Cymdeithas TeithwyrRheilffordd CanolCymru

Heart of Wales LineTravellers’

Association

In This Issue...In This Issue...In This Issue...In This Issue...In This Issue...HoWL Walk No. 7 ... ... 121 - 2 - 4 Lots! ... ... ... 13Arriva Trains News ... ... 16Chairman’s Chat ... ... 18Minutes of 2014 AGM ... 19

Progress Report on ForumActivities ... ... ... ... ... 3Charter Train News ... ... 5Along the Line ... ... 6Chronicles of Llangadog Station v.12 . . . 8

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Autumn 2014Autumn 2014Autumn 2014Autumn 2014Autumn 2014Number 130

The Heart of Wales Explorer at Llandovery [Photo © Stephen Miles]

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NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER

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Printed by PostDatum, Llandovery

Approaching the Sugar Loaf - see p. 2 [Photo © Stephen Miles]

HoWLTA NewsletterHoWLTA Newsletter2

From the Editor’s DesktopI took over editingthe HoWLTAnewslet ter from

Roy Palmer withissue number123. As you

will have noticed this is number 130 andI’ve just realized, rather to my amaze-ment, that it completes my second yearin the job. Doesn’t time go fast whenyou’re having fun? Certainly I’ve enjoyedit so far and hope that readers have doneso too.In my first editorial I said that my “numberone objective is, and will always be, tosupport and to promote the use of, andto encourage further improvements onthe Heart of Wales line”.

COVER PICTURESContrasting Diesels on theHoWLFront Cover : DRS 20303 and 20304pause for the token exchange at Llandoveryheading Pathfinder’s The Heart of WalesExplorer¬ from Derby to Llandrindod Wells on11th October 2014.This is only the second time that Class 20shave worked the line. The previous occasionwas in 1987 when 20021 and 20113 workedPathfinder’s Welsh Rambler railtour.

Back Cover : Looking like somethingfrom a model railway, but still managing toconvey the grandeur of the Heart of WalesLine, 153323 working the 13.14 Swansea toShrewsbury service passes over a culvert onits climb to Sugar Loaf on 11th October2014.(see also pages 14-16)Photographs by Stephen Miles

One of the most significant impendingimprovements will be the introduction ofa more user-friendly timetable from May2015, with the possibility of furtherchanges for the better in the future,patrticularly in connection with the newfranchise due from 2018.However I think we can all continue toagree that we still “need more trains,faster trains, comfortable trains...toserve the local community”, and thisis where you, our members come in....

We are going to need to encourage morepeople - both residents and visitors - touse the line. Please make every effort topublicise the Heart of Wales....and don’tforget to continue using it yourselveswhenever possible! Peter Berry

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approval of the committee.

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Individual membership ... £8 Overseas membership ... £15Family membership ... £10 Corporate membership ... £12The above rates apply from 1st March 2015. Renewal date is 1st March each year.50% discount if joining after 1st September

Please NotePlease NotePlease NotePlease NotePlease NoteThe views expressed in this

Newsletter are not necessarilythose of the HoWLTA committee.

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HoWLTA NewsletterHoWLTA Newsletter 3

Progress Report on ForumActivities

—Examination of the best way to link the

line with other forms of public transport alongthe route;

Opportunities for such links with buses andcommunity transport have been identified.The rail timetable needs to be defined first.

—Research into the availabilty of rolling

stock that will be needed;

A short list has been drawn up. Much willdepend on what happens elsewhere (thenew Scottish franchise has been announcedand will require stock, as will the forthcomingNorthern Rail franchise). Electrification willalso impact the situation.

And finally a means of payment has to befound…..

—Examination into whether the

establishment of an operating base on theline is feasible;

With the proposed post 2018 enhancedtimetable, such an operation has merits.However it, too, may be affected by decisionson the future use of Landore depot, postelectrification.

—Research into options for different forms

of management.

More local focus is clearly desirable andbeneficial. An analogy has been drawnbetween us and the Settle and Carlisle route,and the report proposes many ways in whichwe can emulate and benefit from theirapproach. Arriva Trains Wales has alreadyindicated that they will be supportive of suchan approach even before 2018.

In parallel with the Aecom work, the Forum,with help from HoWLTA members, has beenlooking at:

The story so far……Welsh Government hasagreed to fund modest but useful serviceimprovements on our route from next May.The revised timetable will be published inFebruary in line with the rai l industry‘validation’ process. Work will soon start ondevising the marketing process to make surethe new service is well used.

[NB: Any members who are able to help withthe distribution of publicity material nextSpring are kindly asked to contact DavidEdwards or Gill Wright.]

Funding was also made available for us tocommission research into future managementand operation of the line post 2018, whenthe new Wales and Borders rail franchise isimplemented. This will enable us to have ourideas adopted as part of the Prospectus andInvitation To Tender (ITT) for the franchisenegotiation process. Consultants Aecom havebeen working to our brief and have workedon the following topics. Each is shown below,with a brief italicised summary of findings:

—Further market research into the needs

of current and potential passengers;

The line could be serving at least three timesthe current numbers being carried, if a moresuitable service was provided. This would haveconsiderable impact on the rural economy.

—Devising and analysis of a range of

timetable options, with cost benefit analyseson them – this is vital if Government is tobe able to accept them;

More trains cost more money. The optimumsituation is one where, with an improvedservice the subsidy per passenger is reducedor at the very least not greater than now.This part of the work is still ongoing.

26

Line RepresentaLine RepresentaLine RepresentaLine RepresentaLine Representatititititivvvvves andes andes andes andes andStaStaStaStaStation Adopterstion Adopterstion Adopterstion Adopterstion AdoptersShrewsbury John CreswellChurch Stretton Church Stretton Rail User GroupCraven Arms Richard WatkinsBroome Alan BelcherHopton Heath Paula TuckerBucknell Beryl Starr; Bucknell WI; Ray DaviesKnighton Shauna Davies & Platform PalsKnucklas Steve Crump; Jim PenserLlangunllo ––––*Llanbister Road ––––*Dolau Steve Vipond; Dolau Action GroupPenybont Sue Cooke and friendsLlandrindod ––––*Builth Road Sara PoulsonCilmeri Ann & Stephen FrodshamGarth The Garth GroupLlangammarch Ron Birchell - Llangammarch Community CouncilLlanwrtyd Wells John Price; Ainsley Jones; Station Action GroupSugar Loaf Peter & Margaret JoyceCynghordy Gill WrightLlandovery Llandovery Town Council; Friends of Llandovery StationLlanwrda Richard Rees; Hywel JonesLlangadog Eileen Mainwaring; Dennis HarrisonLlandeilo Ros BellamyFfairfach David RimmerLlandybie Gwyn IrvingAmmanford Ammanford LionsPantyffynnon Mike Smith, Amman Valley RailwayPontarddulais Pontardulais PartnershipLlangennech Llangennech Community Council; David EdwardsBynea Friends of Bynea Station, Deryk CundyLlanelli Friends of Llanelli StationGowerton ––––*Swansea Felicity Cobley

At the time of going to press there are vacancies at those stations marked * above.HoWLTA would particularly like to hear from potential volunteers for these.


If your club or organisation wouldlike to enjoy a talk/slide show

about theHeart of Wales Line, then call

Tony Birdwoodon 01550 777344 or 07852 115390

or [email protected] of the Heart of Wales Line Travellers’ Association

—‘quick win’ station improvements;

Mike Watson and George Scarfe have carriedout an audit of our stations with help fromCarmarthenshire CC and will be proposingwork on, for example, shelters and CCTV.This is in addition to work already in handunder the Station Improvement Programme.

—the lineside vegetation (ie poor views)

problem

We have made contact with the Devon andCornwall Rail Partnership, who have workedwith Network Rail on jointly funded work todrastically improve views on the Gunnislakebranch. We are also aware of similar workthat has been done in Scotland. We havesome funding available but at the time ofwriting we have been unable to match it witha suitable NR scheme. Discussions proceed.

Stakeholder MeetingsMuch of the above work has requireddiscussion with a range of other ‘stakeholders’

—from local authorities, the tourism sector,

and other interested parties. Aecom has heldtwo stakeholder meet ings, and ForumChairman Cllr Mansel Williams has alsoconvened meetings of his Mid Wales RailImplementat ion Suppor t Group. Th isprovides backup to the small group whichwil l be presenting the Minister with itsrecommendations in early December.

120 Mile Station GardenGill Wright is taking the lead on this project.She has been working with students fromBridgend College on the revamped stationgarden at Cynghordy. She regularly liaiseswith other station adopters and with GeraintMorgan, who looks after the official ArrivaAdopter scheme. By the time of the nextnewsletter Gill and Geraint plan to haveorganised a ‘grouping’ of station gardenactivists so that ideas and resources can beshared, and the whole scheme bet termarketed so that visitors are made aware ofwhat there is to see and do.

Local groups have also expressed an interestin working at Llanelli station on the landowned by Network Rail. Arrangements arebeing made to take this forward, with thesupport of Llanelli MP Nia Griffith.

Social Media, Website and EventsListingSocial Media sites such as Twit ter andFacebook have rapidly become a key businesstool, especially valued for

—Real time and regular updates

—Networking and extending reach to new

audiences

—Collaborative potential to develop

relationships with partners and the wider publicSince mid January, we have been issuingregular updates on Twitter and Facebook forthe Heart of Wales Line Forum. Social media

25

NeNeNeNeNews from the Associaws from the Associaws from the Associaws from the Associaws from the Associationtiontiontiontion

Useful TUseful TUseful TUseful TUseful Telephone Numbers / Welephone Numbers / Welephone Numbers / Welephone Numbers / Welephone Numbers / Web Siteseb Siteseb Siteseb Siteseb SitesLlandrindod Station Ticket Office (Kelsham Hanna) ... ... 01597-822053National Rail Enquiries ... ... ... ... ... ... 08457-484950Arriva Trains Wales (Customer Services) ... ... ... 08456-061660HoWLTA web site ... ... ... ... ... ... www.howlta.org.ukHoWL Forum web site ... ... ... ... ... www.heart-of-wales.co.ukBritish Transport Police (24 hours National Freephone No.) ... 0800-405040Network Rail National Helpline... ... ... ... ... 08457-114141

NEW ADDRESS for Correspondence :HoWLTA, c/o The Crossing House,Dolau, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5TG

HoWLTA Annual Draw Winners2014 - See page 13

Next Committee MeetingSaturday, 15th January 2015. Starts at11.30am at Cammarch Hotel,Llangammarch.See next Newsletter for dates of futuremeeting.

Newsletter Stuffing SessionThe next stuffing session (for Newsletter#131) will be on Thursday, 12th February2015. This starts at about 11am (to suit thetrain arrival times) at The Level Crossing, justopposite Llandovery Station.

Your help would be appreciated if you canspare about 2/3 hours - it’s a great chancefor a chat!

If you can help lease email the editor [email protected] .

Membership Matters

200 Club - HOWLTA’s Monthly DrawWe have 376 members, recent winners are :August 201480 J Burgess (Llandysul ) ... ... £20201 J Lewis (Ilford) ... ... ... £15221 R Webb (Llan’dod.) ... ... £10227 J Richards (Hereford) ... ... £10

231 R Welfare (Sutton) ... ... £10

September 2014161 K F Bishop (Abingdon ... ... £20185 G A Jones (Llan’dod) ... ... £15211 B M Stone (Ch. Stretton) ... £10250 G M Davies (Penarth) ... ... £10

380 R J Bellamy (Llandeilo) ... ... £10

October 2014132 W Williams (Llandovery) ... ... £2021 P Adams (Ludlow) ... ... £1522 Mrs. Horrocks (London) ... ... £1056 M Davies (Llandovery) ... ... £10

85 G Barlow (Llan’dod) ... ... £10

I am slowly get t ing to grips w ith themembership and 200 club lists.All 200 club and membership subs will bedue for renewal on 1st March 2015. Pleasedo not renew before then as rates for subs.have changed.

All 200 club draws commence with the Aprildraw and end with the March draw, so renewpromptly to have more chance of winning.

Nigel Bird, Membership Secretary.


[Photo © Colin Price]

specialist and author Rachel Frances issupporting this and reports that we currentlyhave over 550 Twit ter fol lowers, 285Facebook (FB) followers and that our FB‘reach’ is over 4000. A topic of recentinterest has been the access to FarmersMarkets along the line. Rachel is also nowlooking after our ‘events along the line’update (you can access it via our websitewww.heart-of-wales.co.uk) where she hasposted information about Farmers marketsand other events.

The website itself has also had a facelift andis now more accessible and quicker torespond.

Rachel welcomes news items and quirkypostings that will help her maintain a highlevel of interest in the line: please email herat [email protected]

Remember the Railcard (and the PowysLoyalty card)

If you haven’t already got one pleasepurchase a Heart of Wales Line Railcard. Only£5 for 12 months and it gives you a third offservices on our line. Pick up a leaflet, ordownload it from the Arriva website, orcontact Gill Wright. You are entitled to haveone, no matter where you live, if you are aHoWLTA member.

Also – in the interests of supporting localenterprise – look out for the Powys LocalLoyalty Card, which offers a discount atparticipating local Powys businesses. Theaim is to keep money in the community! Goto www.localloyaltypowys.com for details.

David Edwards

Charter TrCharter TrCharter TrCharter TrCharter Train Neain Neain Neain Neain News for 2015ws for 2015ws for 2015ws for 2015ws for 2015Saturday 25th April 2015The Heart of Wales’Diesel hauled from Alfreton to Cardiff(Alfreton - Loughborough - Leicester -Birmingham New Street - Gloucester -Newport - Cardiff). Steam hauled fromCardiff to Shrewsbury (Cardiff Central -Swansea District Line - Hendy Junction- Llandovery - Llandrindod Wells [arr.13.30, dep. 16.40] - Craven Arms -Shrewsbury). Motive power will be twoLMS ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0s, Nos. 44871and 45407. Train returns (diesel hauled)from Shrewsbury to Alfreton.

[Tour organised by The Railway TouringCompany of King’s Lynn, Norfolk]

Thursday 30th April 2015‘The Great Britain VIII’ Tour (Day3)Steam hauled throughout betweenCardiff Central and Grange-over-Sands(Cardiff Central - Port Talbot Parkway -Swansea District Line - Llandovery -Llandrindod Wells [arr/dep times not yetavailable] - Craven Arms - Shrewsbury -Wrexham General - Chester, - Preston- Lancaster - Grange-over-Sands). Motivepower will comprise two LMS ‘BlackFive’ 4-6-0s Nos. 44871 and 45407.

[Tour organised by The Railway TouringCompany of King’s Lynn, Norfolk]

[Compiled from information provided by George Scarfe [updated: 16th October 2014]

24

(e) (1) Other officers (e.g. Publicity Officer) may beappointed by the Committee from within its electedor co-opted members.

(2) The Committee may also appoint other officersfrom within the membership of the Association.

Such officers shall not be members of the Commit-tee and may be dismissed by the Committee or by aGeneral Meeting.

(3) If a Committee member fails to attend threeconsecutive Committee meetings without givingvalid reasons, he or she shall be deemed to haveresigned from the Committee.

(f) (1) The President and Vice-Presidents shall benon-voting members of the Committee.

(2) The President and Vice-Presidents shall beappointed by and shall hold office at the discretionof the elected and co-opted members of theCommittee and shall not be subject to re-electionby the Annual General Meeting.

(g) Each voting member of the Committee shallhave one vote, but the Chairman shall have acasting vote in the event of a tie.

(h) The entire Committee, excluding the Presidentand Vice-Presidents, shall retire and offer itself forre-election at each General Meeting.

(i) Any member wishing to stand for election to theCommittee must give at least fourteen days’ noticein advance of the Annual General Meeting inwriting to the Secretary. Any nominations forelection to the Committee must be seconded byanother member of the Association.

(j) Any member wishing to propose a motion fordiscussion at the Annual General Meeting must giveat least fourteen days’ notice in advance of theAnnual General Meeting in writing to the Secretary

Matters which have not been notified in this waymay only be discussed at the Chairman’s discretionunder “Any Other Business”.

(k) A Special General Meeting may be called by theCommittee or by a written request of at least tenmembers of the Association to the Secretary.

(l) At least twenty eight days’ notice, in writing, shallbe given to members of the Association concerningthe holding of a Special General Meeting.

6. QUORUM(a) The quorum at a General Meeting shall be tenmembers of the Association present and voting.

(b) The quorum at a Committee Meeting shall be atleast one of the officers named in 5(c) above havingthe right to vote, together with at least two other

elected or co-opted members of the Committeepresent and voting.

(c) If a properly convened meeting does not have aquorum, business may be transacted but must beratified at the next quorate meeting.

7. FINANCE(a) All monies raised by the Association shall be usedfor the furtherance of the aims of the Association.

(b) The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts andshall keep the Committee informed of the financialposition of the Association.

(c) The accounts shall be made up to the end ofFebruary each year.

(d The Auditor shall be elected by the AnnualGeneral Meeting.

8. VOLUNTARY DUTIESMembers working on behalf of the Association doso at their own risk and at all times must complywith any conditions or instructions concerning theirduties which may be laid down by the Association,Network Rail, a Train Operating Company or anyother relevant authority.

9. AMENDMENTS TO THECONSTITUTION AND RULESThe Constitution and Rules may not be amendedexcept in an Annual General Meeting or at aSpecial General Meeting convened for thepurpose.

10. DISSOLUTION(a) Any decision to disband the Association shall betaken only at a properly convened GeneralMeeting, where a simple majority of votes shall besufficient to dissolve the Association.

(b) Any surplus funds at dissolution, after payment ofliabilities, shall be returned to the membership ordonated to an organisation or organisations havingsimilar aims to those of the Association in suchmanner as the General Meeting may decide.

ADVERTISE HEREADVERTISE HEREADVERTISE HEREADVERTISE HEREADVERTISE HEREA 1/16th page advert like this costs just£15 for one issue (or £40 for a year).See page 27 for full advertising rates.


[Photo © Colin Price]

^ A new wind and solarpowered camera for theUWC (User WorkedCrossing).[Photo © Stephen Miles]

Along the Line....

^ HoWL station essentials at Llangannech on 5th September 2014. Nameboard,lighting, passenger information system, pole with platform number (why not fix it to thelamp post to reduce clutter?), shelter and step. [Photo © Stephen Miles]

< Ros Bellamy, Llandeilo station adopter, sawan opportunity when the information machinewas sent away for repair and update andcreated this crocheted cover. Inside are freebooks for people to take and read.

[Photo © Gillian Wright]

Scaffolding covers legs of Cynghordyviaduct while they inspect the structure.

[Photo (c) Gillian Wright]

^

23

HEART OF WALES LINE TRAVELLERS’ ASSOCIATIONConstitution and Rules of the Association

as amended by the 33rd Annual General Meeting on September 20th 2014

1. NAMEThe name of the Association shall be “HEART OFWALES LINE TRAVELLERS’ ASSOCIATION /CYMDEITHAS TEITHWYR RHEILFFORDD CAN-OL CYMRU”, hereafter called “the Association”.

2. AIMS The aims of the Association shall be:-

(a) to seek the retention and improvement of theHeart of Wales Railway (Shrewsbury - LlandrindodWells – Llandovery - Swansea);

(b) to help to create a greater awareness through-out the rest of Wales, and in Britain as a whole, ofthe value and potential of rail transport, and toliaise with organizations with similar aims.

3. MEMBERSHIP(a) Membership shall be open to all those whoagree with the above aims, upon payment of theappropriate subscription.

(b) The amount of the annual subscription shall besuch reasonable sums for each category of mem-bership as a General Meeting of the Associationshall approve on the recommendation of theCommittee.

(c) Acceptance of any application for membershipshall be at the discretion of the Committee of theAssociation.

(d) The annual subscription shall be due on March1st each year. The Committee may fix proportionsof the full subscription which shall be payable bymembers enrolling during the subscription year.

(e) Members shall be reminded of the need to renewtheir subscription by endorsement of the firstnewsletter despatched after their subscriptionbecomes due. If six weeks after this reminder andfollowing one verbal or written reminder thereafter,payment has not been received, membership shallbe deemed to have lapsed.

(f) If a member uses the name of the Associationwithout first obtaining the approval of the Commit-tee, the Committee shall consider whether such useis against the interests of the Association and theCommittee shall have power to take such action inthe matter as it may think fit, including the expul-sion of the member concerned, from the Assoc-iation. However, nothing in this clause is intended

to restrict the expression of personal opinions bymembers, provided that it is made clear that onlypersonal views are being expressed.

(g) The Committee shall have power to confer thestatus of Honorary Life Member upon suchpersons as in the Committee’s opinion have madeoutstanding contributions to the work of theAssociation. Honorary Life Members shall beexcused the payment of the subscription, but inevery other way shall enjoy the rights of ordinaryindividual members of the Association, including theright to be elected or co-opted to the Committee.Honorary Life Members shall be subject to theConstitution and Rules of the Association.

4. POWERSTo further the aims in 2 (above), the Associationmay:-

(a) publish papers, reports and other literature

(b) hold meetings, lectures and exhibitions

(c) organise fund raising activities

(d) organise excursions by rail and/or by road

(e) make representations to local and nationalbodies

(f) affiliate to other organizations having aims similarto those of the Association

(g) take any other appropriate lawful action whichmay be deemed necessary from time to time.

5. ADMINISTRATION(a) The Annual General Meeting of the Associationshall be held between September 1st and November30th each year, at least 28 days’ notice of themeeting having been given in writing to members ofthe Association.

(b) The Association shall be administered by aCommittee which shall be elected at the AnnualGeneral Meeting, subject to clause (f)(2) below.

(c) The Committee shall comprise: President, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary,Treasurer, Membership Secretary and up to nineother members.

(d) The Committee shall have powers to co-optmembers to the Committee to replace any memberswho resign during the year and to co-opt up tothree other members during the year.


HoWL visited by Michael PortilloOn the afternoon of Saturday 23rd Augustword spread amongst people attending theannual Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festivalthat Michael Portillo (ex Cabinet Minister andnow well known television presenter) wastravelling on the 13.12 Swansea to Shrews-bury service train and that he would be alight-ing briefly at Llandrindod Wells Station atabout 15.30 where the train would cross the13.58 Shrewsbury to Swansea service. Fewdetails about his visit were known except thathe had stayed in Llandeilo on Friday nightand that it was generally thought that he wasin the area to film the Heart of Wales Linefor a future programme in the popular televi-sion series called "Great British Railway Jour-neys" based upon the famous Bradshaw Rail-way Guides.The Swansea to Shrewsbury train arrived inLlandrindod Wells to be met by a small crowd

of onlookers, including many dressed in Vic-torian costume, hoping to catch a glimpse ofMr.Portillo. They were not disappointed be-cause Mr. Port i l lo, holding a copy ofBradshaw's Railway Guide in his hand,alighted from the train to be greeted by theLlandrindod Wells Town Crier, Mrs. JanetSwindale, dressed in full ceremonial regalia.Mr. Portillo was accompanied by a camera-man, a sound recordist and another memberof the T.V. production crew. He commentedthat the people on the platform were themost smartly dressed of any that he had seenon the Line that day!It was soon time for the northbound train todepart and Mr. Portillo quickly boarded thetrain and continued his journey towards Cra-ven Arms.The programme will be transmitted early in

the New Year. George Scarfe[With thanks to Mr. Brian Maund, a HoWLTA member from Llandrindod Wells,

for much of the above information]

Passengers crowd Llandrindod Wells and PenybontStations during stops by the charter train from Derbyon 11th October 2014 (see also front cover and p.2).

[Photos © Peter Joyce]

22

HEART OF WALES LINE TRAVELLERS’ ASSOCIATIONiNCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTFOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2014

INCOME EXPENDITURE£ £

Subscriptions 3,637.50 Newsletter inc envelopes & postage 5,351.42200 Club 1,855.00 200 Club 990.00Raffle 1,838.00 Raffle 449.00Donations 2,114.20 Fees, subs 92.00Sale of Goods 941.30 Insurance 436.69Railcards 325.00 Railcards 100.00Royalties 158.02 Walks booklets 279.97HOWL Forum 1,455.00 HOWL Forum 3,500.00Advertisements 165.00 Surveys 1,350.00Interest on investments 2,000.00 Lottery licence 40.00Total 14,489.02 Timetables & business cards 425.80

Travel 6 .30Grants to stations 245.00AGM 118.65HOWLDC donation 1,000.00Miscellaneous 57.35Total 14,442.18

Excess of Income over Expenditure £46.84

BANK RECONCILIATION

Opening balance per bank statement 2,617.09 Closing balance per bank statement 1,841.25LESS: Unpresented cheques 986.45 LESS: Unpresented cheques 163.77

(See Note A)Opening balance per Accounts 1,630.64 Closing balance per Accounts 1,677.48

Opening balance per Accounts 1,630.64 Closing balance per Accounts 1,677.48ADD: Income for year 14,489.02 ADD: Expenditure for year 14,442.18

Total 16,119.66 Total 16,119.66

Note A: This figure includes £45 of small cheques issued to 200 Club winners in the previousfinancial year

Stock in hand: 160 copies of Companions; 100 copies of Walks; 550 Line Guides

I have prepared this Statement from slightly incomplete information provided by the ActingTreasurer. However, I assert that it gives a fair and reasonable picture of the financialtransactions for the year.

R K J TrendActing Treasurer


We had a mad desperate rush during thelatter half of the summer months to getthe station shipshape, and all neat andtidy for the impending visit of Mr. MichaelPortillo. Llangadog station was to be atlast on the railway map of the world. Theshort list of station staff and locals whowere to speak to Mr. Port i l lo werecarefully coached by the BBC languageand pronunciation department on thecorrect way to speak the proper BBCEnglish, and Arriva promised to switchoff the station announcer lady with herweird English/Welsh pronunciations ofCentral Wales line stations. The Arrivacompany rallied to the cause and sent ahuge squad of cleaners and painters tohelp out us poor Adopters and left uswith almost a spanking brand new, stateof the art country station. So manythanks to Arriva for that. However, Ithink that we had mixed up the dates forthe visit cos when Mr Portillo’s trainarrived everybody was away at work orengaged in a shopping spree or othermindless activity and the Portillo traincame, stopped and went on its merryway with us poor station staff completelyoblivious to the fact and we were left withthe sad task of rolling up the red carpets,pulling down the bunting, dismantling the‘welcome to Llangadog’ signs dottedalong the platform and once againswitching on the the announcement ladywith her weird Serbo Croat accent. Thereshould be a law prohibiting the use of

Welsh (or even English) with a SeboCroat accent. However, we look forwardto his TV appearance on the CWL inanticipation of learning at just whatstations he did alight.

Anyway, work proceeded apace on thenew flower box to grace platform 1 andwhich is now packed with a variety ofHeaths and Heathers. We have roomfor yet another box which at the momentis under construction and we hope toplant a solitary Japanese Maple whichwe hope will thrive and provide a littleinterest, and, interesting to note that forthe first time ever we have had to initiatea watering rota for all our plants due tothe exceptionally dry weather in the runup to Autumn. Also for the first time weembarked on the first serious cutting andtrimming of the Lawsons Cypress hedgewe planted behind the platform. Thiswas performed entirely by hand usinghand operated shears as we are bannedfrom using anything mechanical on theplatform as we are too old to know whatwe are doing and might injure ourselves,or worse stil l kil l a few passengers.Anyway, the concrete and wire fence ithas to hide is in fact now well hidden.Well done the Adopters. We also notethat our dozen trees we planted to screenthe above eyesore are growing well, dueno doubt to the very nice summerweather——many of them well above thegrass top level, and even the very smallJapanese Larch has so far escaped the

Chronicles of Llangadog StationVolume 12

21

had been in the role and in her work for the Forum(with which she was continuing). She felt that graduallythe Forum had gained respect from the rail industryand in particular mentioned the improvement inrelations with Network Rail, for example in thegranting of licences to volunteer groups to work onNR land away from station platforms. The “120 milestation garden” concept was important in creating apositive image of the line, especially for tourists. Itwas pleasing that nearly all the stations had beenadopted, with recent developments in this respect atBynea, Garth and Llanelli. She commended the effortsof David Edwards and others with regard to the LocalManagement Study.

Members’ questions to Ben Davies and MichaelVaughan included:

1. Would it be possible to move pupils by train to thenew secondary school at Ffairfach? – the May 2015times do not appear to be suitable and in any caseATW does not have any additional diesel units for thelonger trains which might be necessary

2. Will there be capacity issues in view of the newrules about bus passes? – Ben agreed that there couldbe serious problems

3. If ATW was to win the post-2018 franchise, willthere be better rolling stock on the line? – this wasimpossible to answer for a variety of reasons, not

A presentation of a cardand flowers was made toGil l by her fel lowCommittee members.

11. Address by arepresentative ofArriva Trains WalesBen Davies said that thecompany was workingwith the WelshGovernment to implementthe Minister’s decision tosubsidise an improvedMondays to Fridays servicewith effect from May2015. He commended thevolunteers at Dolau, asthat station had beenshortlisted for an award atthe Association ofCommunity RailPartnerships ceremonywhich was to take placeshor tly. As to train

performance, about 35% of problems were down toATW, but the company was doing all it could to ensurethe reliability of the units working on the line. Theremaining issues were the responsibility of NetworkRail. The senior citizens’ concessionary fare schemewould run from October 1st to March 31st as a resultof Welsh Government funding, with the major changethat any Welsh bus pass holder would be entitled tofree travel on the line. Club 55 was also running againuntil October 23rd. Ben felt that it was important toget more tourists and day trippers into the area bytrain in order to boost the local economy and to tryto achieve better integration between trains and buses.

least the knock-on effectsof the planned electrif-ication of the lines in southWales

12. Address by a representative ofNetwork Rail: no-one waspresent to represent NR

13. Report by HoWLForum Joint LineDevelopment OfficersDavid Edwards gave thebackground to the currentwork being done byconsultants AECOM as aresult of funding by theMinister, Mrs Hart. TheForum’s report to her basedon the consultants’ workwas due by the first week ofDecember. He referred alsoto the service changesfunded by the WelshGovernment from next Mayand the impor tance ofgetting people to use the

new trains. An attempt was still being made to try toget rid of some of the trees and bushes which blockviews from the trains at some of the most scenic partsof the route, but at present NR in Wales appeared tobe unwilling to part fund such work.

14. Discussion of motions notified in advanceby members: none received

15. Open Forum: A number of issues were raisedby members, including the form that the next contractfor Welsh rail services might take, to which Prof Coleresponded.

16. Any Other Business: none.

Gill receives a copy of Bradshaw's Railway Guide toadd to her flowers. [Photo © Peter Berry]


dreaded Larchdisease and standsfour or five feethigh——-at least itwas ver y smal lwhen we planted ita few years ago.

We are disap-pointed to learnthat Arriva havevetoed the use ofthe train to getpupils to Ffairfachstation when theschool opens nextyear. Our hopesthat the rubbish tip

And finally we show a photo of how itshould not be done——-the disfiguring andfurther desecration of our country (andour rubbish tip in the foreground ) by thefaceless corporate institutions that infestour country. A careless and uncaringattitude to our way of life. Poles, morepoles, old poles, poles with cameras,poles with signs, poles with wires,poles with cameras to trap speedingmotorists, poles with cameras to trapspeeding trains, poles with flashinglights, and just old poles left to rot atdrunken angles. What a mess it all is——- and nobody cares.

Eileen Mainwaring,Chief Adopter

Dennis Harrison,Assistant Chief Adopter

which belongs to Arriva and lies alongPlatform 1 might have the awfulsurrounding concrete fence pulled downand the area put down to tarmac andused as a dropping off/pick up point forthe local buses.The cynics among thelocals suggested that this scheme was anon starter anyway as the odds wereagainst any pupil managing to walk thehalf mile from the station to the newschool in the morning and back again atthe end of the day.

We at Llangadog station congratulateDolau stat ion on its achievement ofreaching UNESCO’s World HeritageStatus with a yearning that the samecould be done for our little halt. If thatwere the case then we bet that Arriva’srubbish tip alongside our platform wouldbe instantly transformed by Arriva intosomething resembling Kew Gardens. Ormaybe not.

[Photo © Dennis Harrison]

20

discussion, Brian Maund proposed adoption of theaccounts for 2012-13. This was seconded by CatherineBerry and agreed by members.

5.1.3 Income and expenditure account covering theperiod July 1st 2013 to June 30th 2014

Ray Tend presented this statement to the meeting[Editor : see p. 22]. Following discussion, adoption ofthe accounts was proposed by Richard Watkins,seconded by Chris Horrocks and agreed by members.

5.1.4 Paul Harley expressed his thanks to Ray Trendfor his hard work in sorting out the financial affairs ofthe Association, a view strongly supported bymembers.

5.2 Acting Membership SecretaryNigel Bird sent his apologies for being unable to bepresent, but sent a report which was read to themeeting. He reported a paid-up membership total of985 as at September 18th and stated that the 200Club now had 376 members. Adoption of the reportwas proposed by Eileen Mainwaring, seconded byBrian Maund and carried unanimously.

5.3 Newsletter EditorPeter Berry presented his editor’s report.

Four newsletters had been published at the usualquarterly intervals, the next copy date being October27th. Copies of the newsletter were now availableonline a few weeks after each edition was published.He had made some updates to the rest of the website,but someone was needed to check the other sectionsto ensure they were up to date. Paul Harley offeredhis services for this purpose. Paul also asked whetheran electronic membership fee (at a discount from thenormal rate) could be offered: it was agreed that theCommittee would consider this further. John Daviesthen proposed acceptance of the report, which wasseconded by Tim Record and carried unanimously,with thanks to Peter for his efforts.

6. Appointment of President and Vice-PresidentsThe Committee gave notice, in exercise of its powersunder section 5(f)(2) of the Constitution, that it had re-appointed the following to serve until the next AGM:

President: Prof. Stuart Cole

Vice-Presidents: Lord Berkeley of Knighton, PeterBlack AM, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Alun CairnsMP, Martin Caton MP, Alun Davies AM, Byron DaviesAM, Geraint Davies MP, Keith Davies AM, Suzy DaviesAM, Philip Dunne MP, Jonathan Edwards MP, NiaGriffith MP, Mike Hedges AM, Julie James AM, SianJames MP, Daniel Kawcyzynski MP, William Powell

AM, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, Simon Thomas AM,Joyce Watson AM, Kirsty Williams AM and RogerWilliams MP

It was noted that Rebecca Evans AM had had tostand down as a Vice-President following herappointment as a Deputy Minister in the WelshGovernment

7. Election of Committee for 2014-15It was proposed by Patrick Tiddy, seconded byCatherine Berry and carried unanimously, that thefollowing, having been properly nominated, shouldbe elected to serve until the next AGM:

Chairman Kevin Knell; Vice-Chairman Mike Watson;Secretary (vacant); Treasurer Ray Trend; MembershipSecretary Nigel Bird; Publicity Co-ordinator DavidEdwards; Newsletter Editor Peter Berry; Committeemembers : Ray Davies, Brian Dotson, Len Elliott,Chris Horrocks, Gwyn Irving, Rex Lloyd, Roger Price,George Scarfe, Gill Wright.

8. Election of AuditorNo nominations for the position of auditor had beenreceived before the meeting and none wereforthcoming from those present. Therefore BrianDotson proposed and Chris Horrocks seconded thatthe meeting should accept Ray Trend’s suggestionthat he should ask Kevin Morris, who was known tohim and had carried out similar roles for otherorganisations, to audit the accounts for 2014-15,and failing that that the Committee should make otherappropriate arrangements: this was agreedunanimously.

9. President’s AddressProf. Cole began by thanking Gill Wright for her 22years’ service as Chairman and made a personalpresentation to her of a facsimile of a Bradshaw’sRailway Guide. He wished Kevin Knell well as the newChairman and also thanked Peter Berry and MikeWatson for their work for HoWLTA over the pastyear, together with George Scarfe for his informationservice on special trains and Roger Price for organising“Folk Up The Track” trips. In addition, Stuart thankedDavid Edwards and Gill Wright for their efforts asHoWL Forum Joint Line Development Officers, sayingthat it was essential to ensure that the next franchisegives the line as much as we can get from it. Heconcluded by commenting very favourably on RayTrend’s financial analysis of the Association’s affairs.

10. Outgoing Chairman’s AddressGill said that although she had been Chairman for 22years, the time had flown because of how busy she


European ComparisonI have just spent a holiday by train inEurope using an InterRail global pass. I didmany journeys on local trains, and thereare many contrasts with the Heart of Walesline. I travelled in Sweden, Denmark, theNetherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy,Belgium and France - and in them all it wasthe same.

Post Bag

An AlternativeView From theTracksI would like to express a contrary view tothat expressed in the letter - “View from

Water Shortage?On Thursday 7th August the 14.03 fromShrewsbury developed a fault at Knucklasstation. It ran out of water!!

the Tracks” - from C A Price in thelast Newsletter.Railway lines are noted for beingextremely important wildlife corridorsand so the idea that trees and foliageshould be removed just so thattravellers can see the more distantscenery ignores the fact that thisaction in itself would cause loss ofhabitat to all the insects, bird andmammals that live in the linesideenvironment.The countryside is becoming tragicallydenuded of natural flora and fauna

[Photo © Mary Hargeaves]

I wondered if any of the attached picturesmight be of interest to HoWLTA Newsletterreaders to see how the driver dealt with theproblem. He went to obtain water from thevillage, making at least four trips withborrowed watering cans.

Mary Hargreaves[Editor : Well, I guess we’ve all done itat some time or another!]

anyway and so to deliberatelyperform such an act – except wherematters of operating safety areconcerned – would be wantonvandalism.Trees also have a major part to playin reducing climate change impactthrough their ability to absorb carbondioxide – we should plant more andnot start cutting what we have.Yes, there are some places wheretrees and hedges partially obscuresome “far-reaching views” but there is

natural excitement and beauty to be seen atcloser hand in these very hedgerows.

Andrew Gilson, Wolverhampton

[Photo © Mary Hargeaves]

19

HEART OF WALES LINE TRAVELLERS’ ASSOCIATIONMinutes of the 33rd Annual General Meeting

held at The Belle Vue Hotel,Llanwrtyd Wells, on Saturday September 20th 2014

Operating Company or any other relevant authority”,thus removing an obsolete reference to the BritishRailways Board.

Following discussion, adoption of these two proposedchanges was proposed by Martin Loake, secondedby Paul Harley and passed unanimously.

5. Officers’ reports5.1 Acting Treasurer5.1.1 Investment Account

Ray Trend read his report on the Committee’sconcerns relating to this account, which generatedconsiderable discussion. Mike Watson (MinutesSecretary) stated that the Committee members present(assuming they were re-elected!) intended to hold aspecial Committee meeting immediately after the AGMto take account of views expressed by those presentand so decide on their next steps in this matter. Thiswas supported by the meeting.

5.1.2 Income and expenditure statement coveringthe period July 1st 2012 to June 30th 2013

Ray Trend presented this document, which had notbeen available at the time of the 2013 AGM. Heexplained that, as he was not Acting Treasurer duringthat period, the Committee had asked him to audit the2012-13 accounts and the document which he hadpresented was the result of that process. Following

1. Introduction and welcome by theChairman1.1 Gill Wright welcomed members to the meeting

1.2 Gill’s welcome was echoed by Cllr Lindsay Haines,Deputy Mayor of Llanwrtyd Wells, who spoke of theimportance of the HoWL to the town

2. Apologies for absence were receivedfrom: Alan Belcher, Ros Bellamy, Ray Davies, Len

Elliott, Roy Palmer, Roger Price and Wyn Mainwaring

3. Adoption of the Minutes of the 32nd

AGM, held at Llanwrtyd Wells on 21stSeptember 2013: the minutes had been

circulated in advance via the newsletter. Adoptionwas proposed by Josephine Lewis, seconded by JohnNorris and carried unanimously.

4. Constitutional matters4.1 Increase of subscription ratesThe Committee proposed that the current rates shouldbe increased with effect from March 1st 2015, to £8per annum for individual members, £10 for familiesand £12 for corporate members. Adoption of thisproposal was proposed by Martin Loake, secondedby Paul Harley and passed unanimously.

4.2 Amendment of ConstitutionThe Commit tee proposed twoamendments to the currentConstitution (which had last beenamended at the 2007 AGM), namelythat:

1. Section 7(c) should read “theaccounts shall be made up to the endof February each year”, rather thanto the end of June. Ray Trend (ActingTreasurer) explained the reasons forthis proposal.

2. Section 8 should read “Membersworking on behalf of the Associationdo so at their own risk and at all timesmust comply with any conditions orinstructions concerning their dutieswhich may be laid down by theAssociation, Network Rail, a Train

[L. to R.] Prof. Stuart Cole (President), Ray Trend (Treasurer) and MikeWatson (Vice-Chairman) at the AGM. [Photo © Peter Berry]


German local train at Lindau in Austria.

Italian train at San Candido: half hourly service, sixcoaches long.

Modern in-coach screen indicating stops, route andtimes. Note the clock face with real time of the left.

1. The quietest lines have at least a 2-hourservice pattern. Hourly is the norm.2. Even the most rural trains have threecoaches, with easy access for wheelchairs.Four or more are often found.3. The rolling stock is invariably moremodern than our ageing 153s and 150s.Air-conditioning seems standard on alltrains.4. The seats line up with the windows,which are large and allow fine views of thescenery, even for short people like me.5. There is generous accommodation forbicycles (and pushchairs), which are avail-able free of charge at all times.Here are some photos of these features:

Room for bicycles.

Letters for possible inclusion on the Post Bagpages can either be posted to me at TwinOaks, Castle Close, Llangadog SA19 9AHor emailed to [email protected]

Your letter, if selected for publication,may be subject to editing.

Please include your fulladdress, although thiswill not usually bepublished.

Peter Berry

As can be seen the trains were not crowded- there was always seating no matter howbusy the trains got, because of the numberof coaches.

The Heart of Wales line (and others)deserves this sort of rolling stock.

Andrew Tweed, Llandrindod

[All photos on this page © Andrew Tweed]

18

First of all let me say thank you to Gill, our ex-chairman, for all the hard work she has performedon behalf of HoWLTA. Although she has steppeddown as chairman, she will continue on the Committeeto give help and advice.

Now let me introduce myself to those of you thatdon’t know me. I spent 36 years on the railway, andmy career started in 1968 on BR Eastern Region atHealey Mills. A move to Freightliner soon followed -a company that I would return to several times.

Following that, I spent many happy years at SealinkHarwich Parkeston Quay. Working a freight yard andcontainer depot was second nature to me, but loadingcontainer, RO/RO, and passenger ships, this was atotally new environment.

I then moved to B.R. HQ, Marylebone research anddevelopment on future projects.

Following that, a move back to Freightliner to managetheir safety case and then onto London Internationalfreight Terminal, the site of the 2012 Olympic Games.

My last move was to the Port of Felixstowe where Istayed until the end of my career.

I took early retirement and then decided to live thegood life, bought a farm in Brittany France where Ispent a wonderful 10 years, before returning to Wales.

Apart from being involved in HoWLTA, I am an ElanValley Volunteer Ranger. I am also actively involved inLlandrindod Wells fossil club and a volunteer for themuseum.

May I also take the opportunity to thank our formerSecretary Hazel. We now have a vacancy forSecretary. At the AGM, the lack of female committeemembers was pointed out, so come on ladies....!

If you know anybody, female or male, who might beinterested, please get in touch. I can guarantee thereare going to be some exciting times in the future.

One dut y Hazel per formed admirably was thenewsletter stuffing. In the past she did it on her own,with some help from Gill. Thankfully now we have aneager group of volunteers. At the last stuffing sessionwe had new faces and it’s turning into a bit of a socialevent. So if you want to catch up on the news or justto chat, come along to our next session, the date willbe in the newsletter [Editor - see p. 25]. One of themany things I would like to do as chairman is to meetand talk to as many of you as I can, so I hope to seeyou there.

My reason for joining HoWLTA was to help improvethe line and service.

We are going to see some changes next year and tohelp them succeed we need to start looking at waysof encouraging people to use the service. So if youhave any ideas, drop a line to the Post Bag or get intouch and I will pass them onto the Committee.

As for the future, i.e. 2018, consultants have beenselected to take this forward and we eagerly awaittheir findings.

I know that I am not the only one that would like tosee younger people involved with not only HOWLTA,but the Heart of Wales Line.

We have made a start with the web page and Facebooketc, but perhaps we could encourage even youngerpeople, including schools, to get involved.

One area I am keen to be involved in is the 120 MileStation Garden, and I would like to meet as manyadopters and volunteers as I can.

I was pleased to meet some of you at the meeting inLlanwrtyd but I would like to get out and be moreinvolved. I am very good with a paint brush or aspade. So if you need a helping hand or if you are justgetting together, get in touch.

Finally, I would like to thank everybody who was atthe AGM, especially the President and representativesfor their addresses, as well as the treasurer for hisexcellent repor t.

It was nice to see so many of you there, it was a pitythat we didn’t have more time to chat.

I was quite aware that we could have taken morequestions during the open forum. I will keep this inmind at the next AGM. Kevin Knell

[Photo © Peter Berry]

Chairman’s Chat....


Heart of Wales LineWalk No 7A walk from CynghordyRail Station up theCynnant Fawr Valley andreturn under the viaductCircular walk of 6.2 miles (10 km).All walks are on public Rights of Way oron open access land. Explorer Mapssheet 187)Starting at the newly vastly improved stationat Cynghordy (GR 802407), walk to thesouth end of the platform, cross the line andtake the track uphill to the left of the house‘Dildre’. Go through a gate and traverseacross the field, over a low bank and to agate in the far left corner. Through this secondgate turn down left (boggy) and through thethird (antiquated) gate across a quaint smallstream bridge. In the field go uphill, keepingthe hedge on your right, to a stile (with aMountain Ash growing out of the stile postwhich I remember as a 12 inch high plant).From this stile strike diagonally right acrossthe reedy field towards a small strip of treesto a stile, cross a small stream and uphill tothe left to the skyline and a fence. This isfollowed to the left, along the ridge, throughthree gates, to a stile on the right of acot tage. There should be views of theCynghordy viaduct (GR 808418) on yourright. The second stile will bring you ontothe cottage track downhill to a stile on yourright. Turn left opposite this stile and throughtrees, diagonally up right across a brackenfield (cleared by the Carmar thensh ireRangers) to an old fashioned metal barredstile. When across, continue through the next

field to a gate on the leftwith a second barred stilenext to the gate.Through this gate turnright on to a green trackwhich leads to the road. At the road (uphillfrom Llanerchindda Guest house - GR803427) turn up hill and, at the first bend,right on to a lane. This is followed for about2.5km (1½ miles) to a footbridge oppositeCynannt Farm (GR 812444). Cross it andright through a gate, down river to a secondgate and a track leading uphill through theforestry (felled) to a wide forest track. This isfollowed to the right downhill, leaving a houseon your left, to the road and a picnic spot.This road is followed under the viaduct (GR808418) to the first footpath on the rightacross the bridge. Follow the track over thehill to join your outward track back to therail station (GR 802407).

Walks are designed by the DinefwrGroup of Ramblers Cymru by GeoffWilliams (tel. 01558-822960).

Thanks should be given to theCarmarthenshire Ranger service for theway in which they have cleared part ofthis route and the sensible diversionsand new gates at Cynannt Farm.

Geoff Williams

RAILWAY BOOKS(Bought & Sold)

Over 4000 listed on my websitewww.nigelbirdbooks.co.uktelephone 01974 821281

17

Heart ofHeart ofHeart ofHeart ofHeart of W W W W Wales Line Trales Line Trales Line Trales Line Trales Line Travavavavavellers’ellers’ellers’ellers’ellers’AssociaAssociaAssociaAssociaAssociation tion tion tion tion –––– HoWL HoWL HoWL HoWL HoWLTTTTTAAAAAOfficialsPresident Professor Stuart Cole CBEVice-Presidents Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Lord Berkeley of Knighton

Peter Black AM Alun Cairns AMMartin Caton MP Alun Davies AMByron Davies AM Geraint Davies MPKeith Davies AM Suzy Davies AMPhilip Dunne MP Jonathan Edwards MPRebecca Evans AM Nia Griffith MPMike Hedges AM Julie James AMSian James MP Bethan Jenkins AMDaniel Kawczynski MP Eluned Morgan MEPWilliam Powell AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas AMSimon Thomas AM Joyce Watson AMKirsty Williams AM Roger Williams MP

Committee MembersChairman : Kevin Knell, Llandrindod Wells ([email protected])Vice Chairman : Mike Watson, Swansea ([email protected])Secretary : vacancyMembership Secretary : Nigel Bird ([email protected])Treasurer : Ray Trend ([email protected])Minutes Sec : Mike Watson, Swansea ([email protected])Newsletter Editor : Peter Berry, Llangadog (01550-777980; [email protected])Publicity Co-ordinator : David Edwards, Llangennech ([email protected])Committee Ray Davies, Bucknell (01547-530443)Members : Brian Dotson, Llandrindod (01597-824408; [email protected])

Len Elliot, Beulah ([email protected])Chris Horrocks, Church Stretton ([email protected])Gwyn Irvine, Llandybie ([email protected])Rex Lloyd, Swansea (01792-580324)Roger Price, Llanelli (01554-750045; [email protected])George Scarfe, Llandrindod Wells (01597-822524; [email protected])Gill Wright, Cynghordy (01550-750261; [email protected])

NEW ADDRESS for Correspondence :HoWLTA, c/o The Crossing House, Dolau, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5TG

HoWLTA is affiliated to Railfuture and Better Transport


HoWLRoadRoute (on path)Route (on road)○ ○ ○ ○

1 - 2 - 4 - Lots!(see pages 14-15)1. A class 153 single coach unit providingthe 13.12 service from Swansea toShrewsbury on 29th July 2014 as it passesthrough lush pastures near Manordeilo.2. On 11th October 2014, the 09.00Shrewsbury to Newport is worked by 2-coach class 150 150278 across the RiverTywi on Lwynjack bridge south ofLlandovery.4. Two class 150s provide a 4-coach RoyalWelsh Show Special from Cardiff Central toBuilth Wells. on 24th July 2014. In theforeground is the River Tywi nearManordeilo.Lots! Nearly eight hours into its forwardjourney and only three minutes late, WestCoast Railways 47854 Diamond Jubileeheads Compass Tours’ The Heart of WalesScenic Rambler from Grantham to CardiffCentral past Garnswllt, south of Pantyffynnonon 16th August 2014. (47786 Roy CastleOBE was on the rear of the lengthy,12-coaches plus 2 engines, train).

All photographs by Stephen Miles.

Cynannt

N

Llanerchindda

Cynghordy Viaduct

Dildre

Station

Cynghordy A483

Not to scale

HoWLTA Annual DrawWinners 2014£100 L. Wilson, Enfield

£75 M. Hargeaves, Llandovery

£50 M. Headland, Bucknell

£25 A. Lynd-Evans, Cynghordy

£25 R. Welfare, Sutton, Surrey

£15 D. Pembridge, Telford

£15 M. Hooper-Immins, Weymouth

£10 D. Bennett, Guildford

£10 R. Devonald, Bath

£10 R. Griffiths, Killay, Swansea

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Arriva Trains NewsLynne Milligan, customer services directorat Arriva Trains Wales, said: “The reportcontains some interest ing and newinformation and we are currently workingwith Passenger Focus to help us furtherdevelop the overall customer and journeyexperience. Undoubtedly, these researchfindings will assist that work.

“We constantly focus on delivering safe,reliable trains, great value fares supportedby the best possible levels of customerservice.

“Over the past 10 years we have encouragedmore customers to use our services and haveseen growth of over 60 per cent in passengerjourneys in this time.”

Sent in by Hywel Jones

Concessionary Travel NewsClub 55 was brought back from 1stSeptember until the end of October 2014.Unfortunately we were not advised of thisuntil too late to give advance notice toreaders and members. Advance details maybe available in future on the Arriva website

(www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/club55/)

Free travel on our line with a bus pass alsoreturned on 1st October and will continueuntil 31st March 2015. As announcedpreviously this concession is now availableto all bus pass holders in Wales and alsoapplies to the following lines in Wales :

Wrexham – Hawarden Bridge

Cambrian Coast (Machynlleth – Pwllheli)

Conwy Valley Line (Llandudno -- Blaenau

Ffestiniog)

ADVERTISE HEREADVERTISE HEREADVERTISE HEREADVERTISE HEREADVERTISE HEREA 1/16th page advert like this costs just£15 for one issue (or £40 for a year).See page 27 for full advertising rates.

Train operator Arriva Trains Wales has faredpoorly in a survey about reliability andcommunication with passengers.

Many rail passengers across the board donot trust their train company to provide agood day-to-day service or be truthful, fairor communicate well, according to thePassenger Focus survey, which comprised4,000 online interviews.

Arriva Trains Wales scored 16 per cent onthe trust in service question, and only 36per cent of its customers felt itcommunicated well.

The survey measured delivery on basis ofthe day-to-day service which included fivefactors - punctuality/reliability, value formoney, problem resolution, helpful staff ontrains and helpful staff at stations.

Arriva Trains Wales was ranked 15th amongits fellow train operators. Only threecompanies — Grand Central, Merseyrail andScotRail — got positive marks, with FirstGreat Western among those with the mostnegative feedback.

A spokesman for Passenger Focus said: “Tobuild greater trust with passengers, it isimportant not only to deliver a punctual andreliable service but also to build a strongerrelationship with passengers, this beingbased on communicat ing openly andhonestly.”


1 - 2 - 4 - Lots!Diesels can come in all sorts of sizes on the HoWL.(see p. 13 for details) [All photographs © Stephen MIles]

1

4

15

2

Lots!

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