Favourite Welsh station

[High Dyke]

Tanybwlch must be one of most tranquil places to wait for a train with a cuppa or a beer. It has the feel of an Indian hill station.

And some of the best Welsh Cakes i've ever tasted; though the lemon curd filled ones from Cardiff Market were also very tasty. I visited Tan-y-Bwlch last year and after refreshment took one of the walks up through the woods eventually arriving at Plas Halt (not sure the traincrew were too impressed to be requested to stop though...)

Pontypridd is also a station that harks back to a previous time. The decimation of some stations, in the name of progress/de-staffing call it what you will, has devalued the glory of which some of these were built to represent. One of the worst of any merit IMO is Barry Island.

 

[swcovas]

Just noticed a piece on BBC website (see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-22740981 )about one of the stations I referred to earlier on this thread.....Pantyffynon.

I am very pleased that a restoration of the station is about to be undertaken by NR and the Railway Heritage Trust and as I mentioned earlier it's a lovely building (albeit run down) and with a few semaphores and a gated level crossing it's a bit of an oasis on the HOWL.

Network Rail's Jonathan Pegg said .......

"This is a magnificent building which will be brought back into use as a result of our renovation."

.....which sounds as though part of it may be available as a waiting area again which, following on from the excellent renovation job at Llandovery further up the line would be great news.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Just noticed a piece on BBC website (see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-22740981 )about one of the stations I referred to earlier on this thread.....Pantyffynon.

I am very pleased that a restoration of the station is about to be undertaken by NR and the Railway Heritage Trust and as I mentioned earlier it's a lovely building (albeit run down) and with a few semaphores and a gated level crossing it's a bit of an oasis on the HOWL.

Network Rail's Jonathan Pegg said .......

"This is a magnificent building which will be brought back into use as a result of our renovation."

.....which sounds as though part of it may be available as a waiting area again which, following on from the excellent renovation job at Llandovery further up the line would be great news.

Excellent news being an ex local (many years ago) - when there were train crew based there for the coal workings - on a cold day you would always be invited into the messroom until the train arrived. I recall a splendid model in a glass case - no doubt for instructional purposes - of a locomotive valve gear. Hope it went to a good home. Difficult to think of PF having around 5x37 and several 08 shunters and a Traffic Supervisor "Grade C". !

 

[Maidenhead1920]

mine has to be Prestatyn&Pensarn

 

[CardiffKid]

The Red Dragon, however, was at ground level at the front of the station and had an adjoining Cafeteria. This was always very busy, not just with railway passengers but as a 'local' for people working in the area and, of course, the adjacent Bus Station. Its last incarnation was as a 'Gay Bar' which was, understandably, off putting to many people.

Where is/was this Red Dragon that you're refering to?

 

[Gwenllian2001]

Where is/was this Red Dragon that you're refering to?

It was on the far right of the front of the station.

 

[CardiffKid]

It was on the far right of the front of the station.

Where M&S is or in the old council building that's been flattened?

 

[TPJ]

Where the M & S is if I remember correctly.

 

[Gwenllian2001]

Where the M & S is if I remember correctly.

Yes, that,s exactly where it was.

 

[Quakers Yard]

Yes it is where M&S is. Central is miles better for it!

 

[Gwenllian2001]

Yes it is where M&S is. Central is miles better for it!

In what way is it 'miles better'? I've nothing against M&S but the station does not have a proper bar any more. In fact, the 'facilities' for refreshment are minimal and poor. It's the main station of a capital city, for heaven's sake. What kind of impression does it give to visitors?

Incidentally, I was at Queen Street last Wednesday afternoon, around three. The Refreshment room was doing a very healthy trade despite the fact that trains were coming and going every few minutes. It's a simple lesson, provide the facilities and people will use them.

 

[Quakers Yard]

There are plenty of pubs within a minute or two at Central.
There are two near Queen St.
You have to admit Central was lacking somewhere that did tidy food. If youre that desperate for a drink on your journey two of the three shops there do sell booze.
Red dragon shut over twenty years ago. Even if ATW wanted to open a bar there now they wouldnt get permission!

 

[merlodlliw]

some nice stations on the Conwy Valley line in its 150s year, this may interest a few of you.. taken from this weeks North Wales Rail newsboard.

Community Rail Officer Larry Davies writes to tell us that on Monday 17 June there will be a small ceremony at North Llanrwst station immediately prior to the arrival of the Blaenau Train at 10:47 (10:08 from Llandudno) where the Mayor of Llanrwst will unveil a plaque on the station to commemorate the opening of the Conwy - Llanrwst railway in June 1863.

Station adopters, the ladies of the Dyffryn Conwy Soroptomists, have worked hard on the station gardens and will decorate the station buildings which are the former headquarters of the Conway and Llanrwst Railway of 1860 and now Listed. Disused at present, it is hoped that will be returned to Community use as a Welsh Cultural centre in the future if a project now being worked on comes to fruition.

Tal-y-Cafn station is also being decorated on the 150 theme by some members of the Llandudno & Conwy Valley Railway Society who are the adopters. The Society have also prepared an exhibition of photographs and info on the history of this section of line. This will be on display at St Grwst's Parish Church, Llanrwst from Thursday 13 June.

 

[TPJ]

Going back many a year I travelled quite a number of times on Quakers Yard High and Low Levels due to then living in the Black (Mount Pleasant) nicknamed Black Lion which was the name of the signal box

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Is there an elevator to Platform 1/2 at Cardiff Central and to the Cardiff Bay branch Platform at Cardiff Queen Street?

Yes and Yes

Sorry, that's not quite right.

The first bit is correct, but there's only a chair lift to platform 3 at Queen Street, so if you've got luggage, you may have a problem. There are lifts to platforms 1 & 2 at Queen Street.

 

[anti-pacer]

Dovey Junction for its remoteness.
Conwy for its central location.
Penmaenmawr for its sea view.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch for its name.

and Betws-y-coed is just nice full-stop!

 

[quarella]

The Whitland building has been flagged up several times - believed to have lots of nasty asbestos in - therefore requiring very careful treatment or demolition.

Visited Whitland over the weekend and had a lightbulb moment that perhaps indicates I need to change jobs if I can now think like management.

BR Managers look at Milford Haven/Pembroke Dock branches and the figures indicate that independently they cannot sustain a booking office so if one is put at Whitland where the lines converge we have covered both branches (I know Fishguard is down there too). However this failed to take into account the shopping etc habits of the local population.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Visited Whitland over the weekend and had a lightbulb moment that perhaps indicates I need to change jobs if I can now think like management.

BR Managers look at Milford Haven/Pembroke Dock branches and the figures indicate that independently they cannot sustain a booking office so if one is put at Whitland where the lines converge we have covered both branches (I know Fishguard is down there too). However this failed to take into account the shopping etc habits of the local population.

Sorry, I don't understand that. Are you trying to suggest moving the ticket office from Haverfordwest (the only one west of Carmarthen I think, if you don't count the Milford Haven portacabin) to Whitland?

The big issue that I think needs to be soved for places like Whitland is providing enhanced facilities at 'unstaffed' stations. I think I've asked on here before and somebody said there were a few waiting rooms at unstaffed stations.

 

[quarella]

I was not sure whether Haverfordwest was an agency. Due to the Railway industry's history of "knowing best" but then only managing half a plan it was a suggestion of what may have historically happened. I do not know the dates of withdrawal of staffing from stations on the Pembroke Dock branch.
I would like a few more hours of staffing at some stations and some really cry out for some level of staffing. Tenby on a summer Saturday for example.

 

[Rhydgaled]

I was not sure whether Haverfordwest was an agency.

I don't know either, but my guess is it really is ATW staff.

I would like a few more hours of staffing at some stations and some really cry out for some level of staffing. Tenby on a summer Saturday for example.

Milford Haven, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Tenby are all fairly big places (in Pembrokeshire terms) and staffing would be nice at any or all of these, although the lack of buildings at Milford and Pembroke would make the start-up costs daunting. Whitland however I don't think needs staffing just enhanced facilities.

The question is how do you provide suitable facilities without incuring all the cost of staffing?

 

[harry42]

The summit of Snowdon

Also, on the subject of railways the Llanberis Lake Railway is wonderful!!!

 

[CallySleeper]

I don't think I've nominated yet, in which case I'd also like to put Holyhead forward. It is a station which IMO is a bit different from the norm, with its architecture, semaphore signalling, run-round loops, loco-hauled (inc. pendolino working!), empty concourse between 1 and 2, ferry terminal on the side... but really for memories of past adventures in my youth of kipping rough overnight to catch the 0855 HSS to Dublin, or probably a morning pendolino the other way having arrived back at midnight! Not pretty I know but I'd take any excuse to visit.

Somebody above mentioned Chirk... despite only just in England I'd put this forward, again really for nostalgic reasons. I'm responsible for the tennis ball on the up line, car park cricket!

I also think the Anglesey Island stations are quite cute, along with Colwyn Bay, Penmaenmawr and Llandudno Junction. Needlesstosay I was very happy when the North Wales Simsig simulation was released!

Unfortunately I've never had the privilege of doing south Wales by rail and this is definitely something I'd do given the opportunity.

 

[quarella]

The question is how do you provide suitable facilities without incuring all the cost of staffing?

Perhaps a development of the Station Adoption programme where, in a similar vein to historic monuments such as remains of a castle or churches a local person is responsible for opening up and locking up a waiting room at set hours. While not paid station adopters receive travel vouchers. Perhaps an increased amount could be offered for the additional responsibilities.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Perhaps a development of the Station Adoption programme where, in a similar vein to historic monuments such as remains of a castle or churches a local person is responsible for opening up and locking up a waiting room at set hours. While not paid station adopters receive travel vouchers. Perhaps an increased amount could be offered for the additional responsibilities.

That's an interesting idea. How could something like that be started though?

My suggestion is that, if toilets are provided, general tidying would be provided by adding the place to an existing public toilets round and the guard on the first and last trains could lock/unlock the waiting room.

I'd be intrested to know how other unstaffed stations with waiting rooms manage, if they exist.

 

[merlodlliw]

Somebody above mentioned Chirk... despite only just in England I'd put this forward, again really for nostalgic reasons. I'm responsible for the tennis ball on the up line, car park cricket!

Cally you are thinking of Gobowen, Chirk is in Wales within the County of Wrexham.


Bob

 

[CallySleeper]

Somebody above mentioned Chirk... despite only just in England I'd put this forward, again really for nostalgic reasons. I'm responsible for the tennis ball on the up line, car park cricket!

Cally you are thinking of Gobowen, Chirk is in Wales within the County of Wrexham.

Bob

Is it? I can never tell round those parts, I was just going off what another poster said. I was referring to Chirk anyway.

 

[PHILIPE]

Yes. Chirk or "Yr Waun" is in Wales, the boundary being the river at the bottom of the hill on leaving in the Gobowen direction. In the days when Wales was dry on a Sunday, crowds were seen walking across the bridge to the pub there on the English side.

 

[james60059]

Fishguard Harbour, easy transfer between train and ferry

 

[nathanclass323]

Bae Colwyn, Betws Y Coed a Wrecsam Cyffredinol

 

[ChiefPlanner]

I was not sure whether Haverfordwest was an agency. Due to the Railway industry's history of "knowing best" but then only managing half a plan it was a suggestion of what may have historically happened. I do not know the dates of withdrawal of staffing from stations on the Pembroke Dock branch.
I would like a few more hours of staffing at some stations and some really cry out for some level of staffing. Tenby on a summer Saturday for example.

Sort of thing that could be best done locally - look at the success of places like Ludlow and Ledbury with "station agents" (subject to some sort of accomodation being available) - a conversation with a senior ATW Manager confirmed that the average ticket revenue from Milford was pretty high - indicative of the railhead nature of the station and quite long distances travelled per journey ..