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
1 May 1972 to 5 May 1973
This Measured 4 1/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
6 May 1974 to 3 May 1975
This Measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" 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.
September 1969
Unloading the brake van on a headlamp fitted two-car Swindon Cross-Country DMU at Llandrindod Wells in September 1969. George Woods.
circa 1971
Two-car Class 120 DMU set C600 (presumably 50702 + 50664) in Llandovery station, Swansea High Street on the destination blind, circa 1971. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa 1971
Two-car Class 120 DMU set C600 (50664 and presumably 50702) in Llandovery station, Swansea High Street on the destination blind, circa 1971. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
Flagging down a two-car Swindon Cross-Country set for Shrewsbury at Llanwrda. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
A two-car Swindon Cross-Country set for Shrewsbury stops at Llanwrda. Date unknown, the headlamps seems to have been recently fitted. Steve Davies Collection.
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.
circa mid-1970s
Class 120 DMU set C605 (presumably 50733 + 50686), at Llanwrtyd Wells on the Central Wales Line, circa mid-1970s. 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.
26th March 1977
Two class 120 "Swindon" units pass on the Central Wales line north of Llanelli on 26th March 1977. C605 (presumably 50686 + 50733) is the approaching unit, heading south. Bob Belcher.
Easter 1978
Central Wales line class 120 unit C605 passes Garth station with no passengers requiring the request halt. DMBC 50733 is at the rear of the train. Easter 1978. 50733 moved on to Chester in June 1982. Tony Walmsley.