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Recent content by swcovas

  1. swcovas

    Trivia: Stations with a worse service now than 30 years ago

    Heart of Wales line. In the late 80s there were 5 through trains each way plus a Saturday only morning service from Llandovery to Swansea returning late afternoon. Just what the line could do with now.
  2. swcovas

    Heart of Wales line future services

    Lots of interesting comments since my original post. However, going back to that post I still wonder what the £150,000 is being used for. As I believe someone posted it will a shame if it's spent on yet another "consultancy" which is going to tell us what we already know. This was all done...
  3. swcovas

    Heart of Wales line future services

    Three years ago when the announcement was made of the new services on HOWL and the Cambrian it was also announced that £150,000 was being made available to explore future improvements to HOWL services. Does anyone know whether a report is imminent especially in light of the fact that the new...
  4. swcovas

    Trivia: Largest population served by single track line

    Merthyr Tydfil must be right up there. Ebbw Vale, Maesteg, Penarth all sizeable population too. Oh, and Aberdare for that matter. Rhymney is pretty small though.
  5. swcovas

    Future plans in Wales

    Certainly agree on that. The Pembroke Dock branch sees perhaps the worst stock utilisation of any line in Wales with each unit sitting at the terminus for almost an hour before returning back toward Whitland. And it could probably be resolved so easily by sorting out the level crossings between...
  6. swcovas

    Extra Cambrian and Heart of Wales servies -your experiences

    I assume that members (Gareth, Chief Planner and Greenback, I think) have had no response from enquiries they made of the HOWL Forum over a month ago regarding usage on the Heart of Wales line. That's a shame and sadly reflects my own experience when making enquiries of that organisation.
  7. swcovas

    Pembroke Dock station query

    Just curious, gazthomas and Temple meads, what were the loadings like West of Swansea?
  8. swcovas

    Pembroke Dock station query

    The pub is well and truly open and, I think under the same ownership for quite some years. They do keep quite rigid opening hours, closing in the afternoon but they serve an excellent lunch and there's live music most weekends. Personally I don't think PD station is that bad though I shudder to...
  9. swcovas

    Extra Cambrian and Heart of Wales servies -your experiences

    Passed through in June. Lot of work been done since my previous visit in Feb but still part covered in scaffolding and tarpaulin. It is happening though. --- old post above --- --- new post below --- Thank you. Yes, that was the point raised by the staff at Llandod.
  10. swcovas

    Extra Cambrian and Heart of Wales servies -your experiences

    I was brought up on the HOWL and always take a keen interest in what's happening on the line and regularly chip in my bit to the Forum on the subject. Like others I am also intrigued to know how the new services are doing but unfortunately or fortunately I live in Portugal and have done for a...
  11. swcovas

    My suggestion for Cardiff to the Heart of Wales direct trains

    Yes, 2006 tt shows 0809 departure from Cardiff. Just an extension of the 0900 ish departure that has run from Swansea for many years. I guess it was started at Cardiff for operational reasons as opposed to any desire to tap into a potential Cardiff to Mid Wales market.
  12. swcovas

    Trivia: Services that reverse away from stations/platforms?

    HOWL trains at Llanelli. Sometimes fun watching the look on some people's faces if they not familiar with the line as the train makes it way out of Llanelli!
  13. swcovas

    Heart of Wales May 2015 Timetable

    Very curious to know myself but am living in Portugal. As it happens I'll be there next week but only day I have chance to travel on HOWL will be Saturday when the tt is the same as before. Surely someone over there going to do a journey? Greenback?
  14. swcovas

    Trivia: Two changes from London?

    I'll have a pint instead of the cigar! Actually I can't really take the credit. Question was bounced around among some friends and that was one that came up. I was doubtful as I thought at least one train went through to Leominster. Great question though.
  15. swcovas

    Trivia: Two changes from London?

    You've had me and a few mates trying to figure this one out since you lobbed the question! How about coming up with the answer!!! We all reckon somewhere in Scotland. --- old post above --- --- new post below --- Presteigne?

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