DMU Operations: Western Region
Swansea - Llanelli - Shrewsbury
Cardiff allocated Class 120s fitted with headlamps would be the normal traction on these Central Wales Line / Heart of Wales Line services for many years. In the 1980s 101s and 108s allocated to Swansea would take over, other types would also appear.
Sample Timetables
1966
14 September 1970 to 1 May 1971 Reissue
1 May 1972 to 5 May 1973
This Measured 4 1/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
2 May 1977 to 6 May 1978
9 January to 6 May 1978
8 May 1978 to 12 May 1979
14 May 1979 to 10 May 1980
This Measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
Images
September 1969
A headlamp fitted two-car Swindon Cross-Country DMU at Shrewsbury in September 1969. George Woods.
8th February 1975
Swindon-built Cross-Country set C601 (presumably 50672 + 50722) departs from Knighton with the 10.04am Swansea - Shrewsbury service on February 8th, 1975. Michael Mensing.
8th February 1975
Class 120 DMU set C603 (presumably 50673 + 50724) in Llanwrtyd station on 8 February 1975. Michael Mensing.
8th February 1975
Class 120 DMU set C603 (presumably 50724 + 50673) passes Llanwrtyd Well signalbox on 8 February 1975. Michael Mensing.
8th February 1975
Swindon-built Cross-Country Class 120 DMU set C601 (presumably 50722 + 50672) arrives at Knighton with the 10.04am Swansea - Shrewsbury service on February 8th, 1975. Michael Mensing.
April 1975
BR (Swindon) Cross Country 3-car dmu (Class 120) No.C505 (consisting of Class 120/2, 179 & 120/1 cars) with Central Wales Line headlamp between cab windows, in BR Rail Blue & Grey with all yellow front end, at Builth Road on a Swansea (High St) - Llanelli (General) - Shrewsbury (General) service, 04/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
April 1975
BR (Swindon) Cross Country 2-car dmu (Class 120) No.C601 (presumably 50672 + 50722) with Central Wales Line headlamp between cab windows, in BR Rail Blue & Grey with all yellow front end, awaiting departure at Shrewsbury (General) on a Swansea (High St) service, 04/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
April 1975
Shrewsbury station in April 1975, with Class 120 DMU set C601 (presumably 50672 + 50722) awaiting departure on a Swansea (High St) service. Hugh Llewelyn.
circa 1976
Class 120 set C600 (presumably led by 50664) seen at Llanwrtyd Wells from a passing train (a railtour?) circa 1976. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.
17th January 1976
Class 120 set C603 (50724 and presumably 50673) in Swansea High Street station waiting to depart on a Heart of Wales service to Shrewsbury on 17/1/76. Stephen Burdett.
21st August 1976
W50686 leads Class 120 set C605 at Llanelli with the 10:49 Shrewsbury-Swansea service passing 37 217 outside the goods shed on 21 August 1976. Robert Thomas.
Unknown date
Set C604 at Llanwrtyd Wells. Undated. Tom Clift.
23rd May 1978
Swindon built Class 120 W50701 stands at Shrewsbury after arriving with the with the 1225 from Swansea on 23 May 1978. Keith Long.
16th September 1978
The Central Wales Line used to be operated with pairs of class 120 "Cross Country" motor coaches fitted with headlights (at a time this was unusual in Britain) because of the numerous level crossing on the line. The photo was taken on a circular "Central Wales roundabout" ticket which allowed one to travel from London to Swansea, Shrewsbury (via the Central Wales) and back to London (or v.v) for a bargain fare. I imagine this was taken (at Llanwrtyd Wells on September 16, 1978, presumably 50664 + 50702) while waiting for another train to cross. The line, from Llanelli to Craven Arms, is now known as the Heart of Wales line. Jeremy Chapter.
1980
Set C600 (presumably led by 50702) is seen at Llanwrtyd in 1980. Hamish Stevenson.
14th April 1980
The 14th April 1980, and C604 (50701 + 50681) is seen at Builth Road on the 10:46 Shrewsbury - Swansea. Hamish Stevenson.
14th April 1980
W50681 leads Class 120 set C604 (with 50701) at Builth Road with the 10:46 Shrewsbury - Swansea service on April 14, 1980. Hamish Stevenson.
11th October 1980
This pair of class 120 Swindon Cross Country diesel vehicles were fitted with headlights for working the Central Wales Line (now known as the Heart of Wales line) between Shrewsbury and Llanelli which operates under a light railway order to reduce infrastructure requirements. The lights are necessary for ungated level crossings which are crossed on a stop and proceed basis. Motor Second 50672 is nearest the camera; the other car is Motor Brake Composite 50722. Both were new in 1958 and withdrawn in 1987. Seen at Shrewsbury on 11 October 1980. Jeremy Chapter.
30th December 1980
C621 (51785 + 51793) sits beside a Class 128 at Shrewsbury on 30 December 1980, having arrived on the 05:44 from Swansea. The 128 will leave on the 09:40 parcels service to Newtown. Tom Clift.
circa 1981
Swindon Cross-Country set C601 seen in Shrewsbury station circa 1981. S Saunders.