Arriva Trains Wales has been celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Heart of Wales Line. There is plenty to enjoy on this special line.

On Friday the 23rd March, commemorative events were held at both Shrewsbury and Swansea stations to mark the start of the year of celebrations.

Shrewsbury Platform 7 saw guests gather in the presence of  Lord Mayor Jane Mackenzie, Arriva Trains Wales‘ Managing Director Tom Joyner and Professor Paul Salveson, while ‘Shrewsbury Morris’ entertain with traditional Morris Dancing

Mr. Joyner praised the work of station adopters and volunteers the length of the line and described it as “one of the most beautiful lines in the country”.

A special train departed Shrewsbury at 10:09 with the Lord Mayor on board on its 121-mile long journey to Swansea.

The speeches were coordinated by Martin Wood, Shrewsbury’s town crier, who at 7ft 2in is the tallest in the world.

A crowd gathered at Swansea to meet to the train upon its arrival where speeches were made by the Lord Mayor of Swansea Councillor Philip Downing, Professor Stuart Cole and Jan Swindler, the Town Crier for Llandrindod.

The Morriston Orpheus Choir were busy performing a melody of popular songs and hymns.

About the Heart of Wales Line

The Heart of Wales line was completed in 1868 and connects Shrewsbury with Swansea via Llandrindod. The line was saved from closure in the 1960s. The line has 34 stations along the route, which crosses two viaducts at Knucklas and Cynghordy.

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