Railways

[SteveH]

Model Railway show to be 'time capsule' of 1950s Deganwy

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20271059.model-railway-show-time-capsule-1950s-deganwy/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The hidden and not-so-hidden history of Ruthin's railway
The station line closed in 1962 but remnants of the town's railway past remain

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hidden-not-hidden-history-ruthins-24621178

[SteveH]

People travelling by train to Wales? historic landmarks can now get 2-for-1 entry thanks to a new partnership between Transport for Wales and Cadw.

?It is a great idea and will enable visitors who have a same day rail ticket to get two tickets for the price of one at Cadw paid sites, like Conwy and Caernarfon Castle in North Wales.

"This is not only great for tourists but also for residents who can take advantage of this offer which is running until the end of May 2023."

The 2-for-1 promotion is applicable at the following North Wales Cadw sites:

Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey
Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd
Conwy Castle, Conwy
Criccieth Castle, Gwynedd         
Denbigh Castle, Denbighshire                       
Harlech Castle, Gwynedd
Plas Mawr Elizabethan Town House, Conwy
Rhuddlan Castle, Denbighshire                                       

https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/20625092.sam-rowlands-ms-welcomes-transport-wales-cadw-partnership/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Cambrian]

Seeing this promotion, reminded me that tucked away in the TfW website are details of Rover Tickets.  These are very cost effective for getting about and are discounted for rail card holders into the bargain. Valid after 0930 Mon-Fri but any time Sat, Sun and Bank Hols.

The Explore Wales Rover enables rail travel across Wales on all operators and includes Chester-Crewe-Salop-Hereford to Newport.  It's very flexible as it is valid for 8 days of which you can use rail on any 4 days in the period.  Full price is ?99 or ?65.35 with railcard.

There is also a North and Mid Wales version which ends at Shrewsbury but includes the Aberystwyth and the Cambrian Coast.  That is ?69 or ?45.55 with card. Both are available at Llandudno, Colwyn Bay or the Junction stations.

Given a day return to Shrewsbury alone is a minimum of ?30.50 (?20 with card) with no flexibility as regards trains, this gives an idea of the savings.

This may be of interest to anyone planning a few days out - strikes permitting of course!

[SteveH]

All the Santa and Halloween train rides in 2022 across North and Mid Wales
Leave it too late and you'll miss out on witches, elves and Father Christmas

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/santa-halloween-train-rides-2022-25199391

[SteveH]

GALLERY: New Transport for Wales train unveiled in Llandudno

THE first of Transport for Wales? (TfW) brand new ?800m fleet of trains was officially launched by minister Lesley Griffiths at a ceremony in Llandudno.

This unveiling took place at the town's railway station on Thursday, January 26.

North Wales Pioneer: Children from Ysgol Tudno in Llandudno turned out for the ceremony. Each pupil was given a goodie bag from TfW.
Children from Ysgol Tudno in Llandudno turned out for the ceremony. Each pupil was given a goodie bag from TfW. (Image: Ryan Lloyd)

The new Class 197 trains, which were built in Wales, offer leather seats, modern air conditioning systems, wider doors and customer information screens.

They provide an increase in capacity and will allow TfW to run faster and more frequent services to destinations such as Holyhead, Fishguard and Liverpool.

cont plus photos  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23286423.gallery-new-transport-wales-train-unveiled-llandudno/

photo The new Transport for Wales train, named 'Happy Valley', was unveiled at a ceremony at Llandudno railway station. (Image: Ryan Lloyd)

[SteveH]

Snowdonia heritage railway station plans move step closer as updated plans are submitted
The Beddgelert proposals are a redesign of a former application which was approved

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/snowdonia-heritage-railway-station-plans-26284355


Vintage loco comes to the rescue after popular Snowdonia path washed away by floods
Just for one day, little Lilla reverted to her original purpose as a quarry locomotive

cont and photo gallery https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/vintage-loco-comes-rescue-after-26286746

[SteveH]

New Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways timetable means passengers can enjoy sights of Blaenau
Tickets already on sale for this year's exciting services

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-ffestiniog--welsh-highland-26380371

[SteveH]

THE ticket booking office at Llandudno Train Station is to open more frequently in line with its "normal operating hours".

Passengers wanting to buy tickets face-to-face at Llandudno Train Station had raised concern over the ticket station "always being closed due to staff sickness."

A spokesperson for Transport for Wales (TfW) responded: ?Due to some late-notice resourcing issues at Llandudno, we have recently had to close the booking office on a small number of occasions.

?Throughout this period we have maintained the ticket vending machine at the station to ensure there is always an alternative means to purchase tickets and staff have continued to visit the station.

?We have been working to resolve the issues and the booking office has returned to its normal working hours.?

According to the Transport for Wales website, The ticket office operates: 8.30am until 3pm between Monday and Friday, 9am until 4pm on Saturday and 10.10am until 5pm on Sunday.     ref pioneer

 

[Cambrian]

Besides the recent closure of the booking office and general sheltered facilities, the early closing of Llandudno has been the source of complaint since the refurb of the station in 2014. 

There seems little rhyme, reason or logic in TfW's staffing hours and they bear little relation to passenger usage as the following indicate for 2021/22 from ORR:

Flint 188,000 passengers; 0615 - 2115
Colwyn Bay 207,000 passengers; 0615 - 1915
Llandudno 240,000 passengers; 0830 - 1500

Llandudno probably has a higher higher of enquiries from visitors regarding train times, fares etc. but then TfW, reflecting its masters, has little interest in promoting holiday or excursion traffic.

[SteveH]

Avanti West Coast given new six month contract to run trains between North Wales and London
Rail services between North Wales and London have been badly impacted since the pandemic

The Department for Transport said there had been "significant improvements" since October although passengers continue to complain about cancelled and delayed services. Back in October a decision was taken to introduce a recovery timetable which has significantly reduced reliance on overtime working. Overall services across the West Coast Main Line have increase from 180 trains per day to 264 on weekdays ? the highest level in over two years.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/avanti-west-coast-given-new-26510998

[SteveH]

Update on above..

DESPITE being handed a short-term contract extension, stripping train operator Avanti West Coast of the franchise remains a "realistic option", according to an MP.

Robin Millar, MP for Aberconwy, said he speaks "regularly" with rail users about their experiences of travelling with Avanti West Coast.

?An improvement in services has been reported since December," he said.

"I travel standard class between Llandudno and London every week to represent Aberconwy in Parliament and I recognise that there is still a very long way to go, but there has been a slight improvement. However, these improvements come from an extremely poor base and the service is still a long way short of the standard passengers reasonably expect.

"There are still too many cancellations ? with insufficient train staff being the most commonly sited reason for cancellations. This, quite simply, is unacceptable.

cont https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/23399017.aberconwy-mp-reacts-avanti-west-coast-handed-contract-extension/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71

[SteveH]

A PLANNED direct train service between Llandudno and Liverpool has been praised as a ?major benefit? for people in the region.

Transport for Wales first outlined plans for the direct service in September 2021, which will see an hourly service between Llandudno and Liverpool and an extension to direct services to Manchester Airport.

These services will be delivered by December 2023, but there is currently no plan for a Llandudno to Cardiff direct service.

Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Welsh Government, told the Senedd: ?There are currently no plans to deliver a direct service between Llandudno and Cardiff.

?Transport for Wales make every effort to ensure good connections at Llandudno Junction to direct services to Cardiff and other destinations.

?They are also working on the plans for the new Liverpool to Llandudno service.?

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23439289.llandudno-liverpool-service-major-boost-north-wales/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Cambrian]

Mmm.  I wonder if this will be at the expense of the roughly hourly service from Llandudno to/from Manchester Airport/Piccadilly which could be diverted to Bangor/Holyhead instead.  WG/TfSW are adept at spinning transport issues:  the class 197s - still to run regularly on Conwy Valley despite the "launch" in January- actually have 20 seats and 1 toilet less than comparable 175s which were the mainstay of the coast service.

[SteveH]

The luxury train charging ?3,575 a trip tickets to steam through North Wales today
The Great Britain XV will drop its passengers off for a 'mini break' in Llandudno during its nine day tour of England, Wales and Scotland

A steam engine pulling a luxury train which charges passengers tickets up to ?3,575 per trip is on its way to North Wales. The Great Britain XV left London's Paddington station yesterday (Saturday) en-route to Bristol.

It is due to steam into Wales today - heading on through Rhyl, Llandudno Junction and across Anglesey on a nine day sightseeing tour before returning to Llandudno Junction again for the night this evening. The train's trip through England, Scotland and Ireland has been organised by the Railway Touring Company, and passengers are paying quite the premium to enjoy the holiday.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/luxury-train-charging-3575-trip-26709074