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DMU Operations: Western Region


Swansea - Llanelli - Shrewsbury

Route map of the Heart of Wales Line

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

front of 1966 Central Wales Line timetable

14 September 1970 to 1 May 1971 Reissue

front of September 1970 Central Wales Line timetable

1 May 1972 to 5 May 1973

This Measured 4 1/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
May 1972 Heart of Wales cover May 1972 Heart of Wales outside May 1972 Heart of Wales inside

6 May 1974 to 3 May 1975

This Measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded.
Front of May 1974 Central Wales Line timetable Outside  of May 1974 Central Wales Line timetable Inside  of May 1974 Central Wales Line timetable

2 May 1977 to 6 May 1978

front of May 1977 Heart of Wales Line timetable

9 January to 6 May 1978

front of January 1978 Heart of Wales Line timetable

8 May 1978 to 12 May 1979

front of May 1978 Heart of Wales Line timetable

14 May 1979 to 10 May 1980

This Measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
May 1979 Heart of Wales cover May 1979 Heart of Wales outside May 1979 Heart of Wales inside

Images

Class 120 DMU at Shrewsbury

September 1969

A headlamp fitted two-car Swindon Cross-Country DMU at Shrewsbury in September 1969. George Woods.

Class 120 DMU at Llandovery

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.

Class 120 DMU at Llandovery

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.

Class 120 DMU at Knighton

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.

Class 120 DMU at Llanwrtyd

8th February 1975

Class 120 DMU set C603 (presumably 50673 + 50724) in Llanwrtyd station on 8 February 1975. Michael Mensing.

Class 120 DMU at Llanwrtyd

8th February 1975

Class 120 DMU set C603 (presumably 50724 + 50673) passes Llanwrtyd Well signalbox on 8 February 1975. Michael Mensing.

Class 120 DMU at Knighton

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.

Class 120 DMU at Builth Road

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.

Class 120 DMU at Shrewsbury

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.

Class 120 DMU at Shrewsbury

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.

Class 120 DMU at Llanwrtyd Wells

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.

Class 120 DMU at Swansae High Street

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.

Class 120 DMU at Llanelli

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.

Class 120 DMU at Llanwrtyd Wells

Unknown date

Set C604 at Llanwrtyd Wells. Undated. Tom Clift.

Class 120 DMU at Llanelli

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.

Class 120 DMU at Shrewsbury

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.

Class 120 DMU at Llanwrtyd Wells

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.

Class 120 DMU at Llanwrtyd

1980

Set C600 (presumably led by 50702) is seen at Llanwrtyd in 1980. Hamish Stevenson.

Class 120 DMU at Builth Road

14th April 1980

The 14th April 1980, and C604 (50701 + 50681) is seen at Builth Road on the 10:46 Shrewsbury - Swansea. Hamish Stevenson.

Class 120 DMU at Builth Road

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.