Pontarddulais to Garth - Heart of Wales Line Day 2 

Hi Geoff. I'm the person responsible for the existence of the visitors' book at Sugar Loaf ! Long story short: I'd received the "Tiny Stations" book as a prezzie around 2015 and my late wife and I were captivated by this station and decided to visit it after discovering that it was (one of?) the least visited stations for the previous year. It was so well kept that we felt it appropriate to compliment TfW/Arriva and they passed my email on to the group of volunteers who kept things in order. During a brief exchange of emails with their leader I suggested that all that was missing was a visitors' book...to which I received the response "What a bl**dy good idea!". My sister-in-law visited the station in 2018 and I still have a photo of the visitors' book that she took at the time. Glenn (in Bristol)

I travel all around the UK by train for work, going to collect vehicles for the motor trade, and as a result I recently discovered some of these places. I love travelling on this line - beautiful scenery, with absolutely my favourite type of stations (i.e. remote request stops) and friendly people! Llanwrda was one of the most peaceful waits for a train I've ever had. Glad you're making this series!

I love that Sugarloaf, despite being tiny, and remote and little used, is still looked after in the same way as the bigger stations.

Geoff is a legend for balancing his camera on a pole. If it was clumsy old me, I’d drop it accidentally and it would crack.

I love experiencing days when there is Drama! Makes it interesting. Defiantly you can tell you had fun Geoff and Gareth. Excellent video and cannot wait for day 3!

What a fun episode! I loved that the second taxi driver got in on the adventure. The cat and the occasional sheep baa were icing on the cake.

What a beautiful line, so much character.....gives a sense of what we sadly lost in Beeching era.

If you are going to be delayed, then make it a fine summer’s day on the Heart of wales with friends - looks like a great day!

The goods van was a fish van. They were sold off in their hundreds and became sheds, stables and storage huts.

The expression on the ginger toms face - priceless. Great video Geoff.

Love the Flex Geoff! "If Google Maps says it's an hour, I can do it in 45/50 minutes..." 😂

Geoff is the G.O.A.T Gareth is brilliant

Geoff, I loved your episode of Finstock Station with Ben so much, I wrote a poem and put music to it for a children's piano book. When it's in print, I'll send you a copy. I really love your videos. 🤠 🚆

The Heat of Wales is always great fun! I must go and ride it again soon!

I did a bit of this last week. I picked up the 13.38 from Sugar Loaf to Llanwtryd and, as it drew up, the driver said 'are you that guy who's been going up and down the line!'

What a way to end the day - with some Wales 😍

When you got down on the floor, that moment most of us relate to. You've found it in trains, i find it when i play cricket, others have there own little moments, its so important, and i feel sorry for those who don't have moments like this, get outside and have a moment everybody.

A great advertisement and recommendation for this wonderful line through great countryside, helps that the sun is shining, can be a tad grim on a cold wet day.

Thank you Geoff for these lovely videos. Oh how I would love to just ride the trains all day. ❤

After nearly 17 years of working in the industry, I finally got (along with my colleagues) a staff travel discount - it was little known that staff of my employer, which everyone still calls British Rail, didn’t actually get any travel perks until this year. I’ve now got a map of the network, and inspired by Geoff, I’m filling it in. I’ve completed all of Scotland with the short exception of Aberdeen to Inverness and Crianlarich to Oban. Last week, I went for the first time around the Cumbrian Coast and along the Tyne Valley. I visited Windermere and both Blackpool stations by train for the first time. Interestingly, I started with my employer in the south west of England before moving to Scotland. I have been around every branch in Cornwall and Devon, but realised as I was filling in my map that I haven’t been between St Erth and Penzance by train. So, it’s going to be a long trip down to Cornwall, to cover a few miles at the end of the mainline. Oh well. I love Cornwall. No great loss, but might need to take some Annual Leave for that one. Cheers Geoff.

Hi Geoff, great videos really enjoying them. Pontardulais used to be a junction station. The original Heart of Wales used to spur left and terminate at Swansea Victoria Station. When this was closed the route was changed as it is now. The only bit that remained was from Pontardulais to Gorseinon. This served Brynlliw Colliery where I used to work. The M4 cut off the route from Brynlliw Colliery to Pontardulais, so it was linked to the Swansea avoiding line, with a run around for the engine. The Gorseinon end was there to serve a coal merchant. This shut in 1983 when the Colliery shut.

Absolutely loved that I’m seriously considering going to Sugar loaf

As a signalling 'geek' I enjoyed the Tyers joke! Love it!

The only time I've been on the Heart of Wales line was many many years ago when my parents and I were staying locally. We took the train from Bucknell to Llandovery and back. While we were on the platform at Llandovery, waiting for our train back, my dad had a text message from my brother to say that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre in New York...

Great to have proof that these trains actually run! My partner has a book detailing walks between stations on this line, and we've done two on each of the last Easter weekends - when the trains weren't running....

Your Joy At Garth Really Did Make Me Smile...

Brilliant video with a bit of drama when the class 153 failed in the proverbial middle of nowhere Sugar Loaf could be the basis of a series on ridiculously short station platforms (along with Gilfach Fargoed, Beauly and Damems)

I would preface this comment by saying that I am not a wagon spotter - honest! However, I suspect that wagon in the field by Cynghordy station is an old BR four wheeled ventilated van known as a Vanfit B. I am quite content for purists in this particular area to confirm or correct this point! As ever, an enjoyable and informative vid, Geoff.

What a great part 2, full of drama and beautiful scenery. Wow Geoff you were soo lucky with the weather. Looking forward for Part 3

Hi Geoff, sadly your visitor book wasn't at Sugar Loaf when I was there on Friday. Nice to see some stations that I've recently visited though, and some to visit on another trip (Llangammarch and Garth). Keep up the good work!

Another fantastic video Geoff. A line I'm definitely planning to do seeing as i live quite close to it. Great fun following you, Gareth and Ian, up and down the line. Really made my day watching this video

I loved this video. Just great. The Heart of Wales is the best line after the West Highland.

I've always wondered what Sugar Loaf station looked like, now I know!

Geoff!! I really should have taken a picture but I am the next signature on your Sugar Loaf visitor book! I ventured up there on the 5th of June. If it wasn't for the sharpie hanging out of the box I wouldn't have known it was there. I'm sure you'll get sent a picture soon from the next person. Small world

Love the jointed track at speed sounds.

One of your best videos, and worth the wait. I've used the HOWL (as it should be known) a couple of times in BR days. It's not the Alps, or the Cote d'Azur, but the countryside is nectar. I'm inspired to go back, now! I propose "Rails to Wales" as a campaign slogan.

Lovely vlogs you are making Geoff. I was interrailing in the mid 90:ties and failed on my first and second try to travel on this line , you to cancelled train and missed connection. But on my third try I managed and I also spent on night in the youth hostel in Cynghordy That was an adventure, the hostel was around 45 minutes walk from the railway halt, but easy to find, just follow the road uphills

Another great episode in a great series!

When I get to visit over there again, i'd enjoy going on one of these crazy adventures. Great Vid Geoff

I never thought I would see my hometown on one of Geoff's videos. Pontarddulais station hasn't changed since I was a teenager.

Most enjoyable. Just love the area!!

7:24 Penrith has a picnic bench between platforms 2 and 3 in the small wildlife area

I am really enjoying these videos . Thank you

Love it, one of my favourite Geoff challenges so far.

marvellous new series this.. thank you for it.

it’s good to see you looking so happy!

That looked like fun. I kinda like when you have to improvise and things go wrong.

Nice video. Looks like you both had great fun. Beautiful scenery.

Brilliant video Geoff. I do trains and stations, I think I've got 52 stations ticked off but a lot more trains

Omg! Yall look like you're having so much fun!!!

Ah, Sugar Loaf. I love crazy remote places like that. It's so close to my heart and I've never even been there! 😂

Yes now this is the proper Heart of Wales line journey. 😅

Hello. Geoff this is a great vido ive been waiting for this one

Drama and jeopardy! Thanks Geoff, Gareth et al

Charlbury has a picnic table.

I live in Pontarddulais, lovely place but the worst public transport system. I have to travel to Gowerton to catch a reliable train to Swansea. Great to see someone recording the experience of train travel in Wales 😂 However, HoW is a beautiful line with some amazing towns and villages. Llandovery is particularly nice! I need to start following you on Twitter to pick up when you’re in the area. Could have given you a lift Geoff haha

Fabulous! Train geeks are brilliant.

Quality content, Geoff. Love to see some different areas covered on your channel, hopefully you can try some WCML pendolino action!

I was amazed what happened at Llandovery. Many years ago I had a possession of what then was the Central Wales Line, at Pontarddulais for electrical works. While I was on site to do the various bits of paperwork, both railway safety and electrical safety I was talking to the (then Railtrack) staff on site. One told me that they avoid using 153s specifically because they can't rescue themselves only having one engine

Greatest of all time

Geoff. I do enjoy the video.Excellent

Brilliant video 📹 of the heart of wales line

Has Geoff ever had a guest at a station where their name is just one letter added to the station they're at? Garth and Gareth obviously

14:10 This got me quite emotional! It’s such a great feeling, isn’t it‽

Awesome Video Geoff

love this lots of fun 🚆🚆🚉🚉😍😍

I was ticking off stations too when I was in Vienna last month. U Bahn stations to be precise. For extra points I did a logbook of my trip too

Hey Geoff, If you’re doing ‘migrating Platform 5’s’, at any point, the one at Derby moved about 4 metres closer to the North Sea a couple of years ago and costal erosion had nothing to do with it!

On the hoof enforced changes always make for a more an interesting video. I assume you found some nicer places to stay along the line.

Remember being at Knighton the other week, and that's a town, but felt really out in the sticks!

Brilliant 👏

Unusual to have a valleys 150 on the how line remember years ago travelled on the line on a cardiff valleys 116 unit with no toilet good to hear all the annoucements in welsh believe t f w are having 153 units converted for bikes like in the Scottish Highlands

This request stop thing not showing up isnt just a TfW thing, also happens here down with GWR at Thornford, Yetminster and Chetnole

Llanwrda was my favourite stop quiet and peaceful for lunch

regarding the goods wagon, my grandfather spent his life farming not too far from there and that farm had 2 old goods wagons which had been "converted" into animal sheds

Looks a great few days on a pretty line. I can’t help but find it sad, however, that Geoff can’t seem to refer to his epic All The Stations adventure as ‘All The Stations’ any more. It seems to be known as ‘in 2017 when I was going round the country’.

It's a shame that the cat wasn't on a seat , as in the song "The Slow Train". It looks a lovely part of the World.

Trusting to an ex Greater Anglia dogbox and to find it breaks down? Quelle Surprise! Great video.

The GWR trains in Devon do the same thing (miss out the request stops). Also, there is an unbarriered crossing on the A3052 at Colyford. Thats for the Seaton Tramway though..

9:22 They seem cute. Happy to see their debut on the channel.

Geoff the name of the heart of wales line in Welsh is llinell calon Cymru

What drama! 13 minutes in. I thought Geoff might have missed a connection somewhere Mid-Wales. But you are a cheat for getting taxis out of nowhere 😂 Anyway, another strong video GM 👍

Guy at 9:33- we did enjoy the rest of the video, thanks.

The other side of the Open crossing is just a dead end, it finishes in some kind of farm yard just across the other side of the railway. Can't imagine it gets much traffic!

I've done every stop on rail replacement should do it that way be quicker 😂😂

Well I come from New South Wales. Hi Geoff.

3:35 wondered if it had been used as a stable or animal shelter

There's several open level crossings in Cornwall. I'm sure there's a couple on the looe line and at least one on the Newquay line

Love Geoff’s videos and the characters he meets. If I may ask a “daft laddie” question, what’s the theory behind all the getting off and walking a loop back to a previous station? Thanks! 👍

7:17 Sheringham NNR Station has 4 picnic tables btw!

At 820 feet above sea level, how does the rail summit near Sugar Loaf station compare with other standard gauge railways in Wales?

There used to be a huge dairy at Llangadog. I think it is a pet food plant now.

Party on, Garth.

11:06 shows another good reason to use metric units!

Love the phycist joke...

It's a shame that more of those rural railways in Mid Wales didn't survive. The Neath and Brecon in particular, which was comparatively sensible in its endpoints, but had mad places like Craig-y-nos and Cefn Coed Colliery Halt along the way.

I live in Llandrindod I travel on that line regularly

Thanks Geoff, as always. What type of goods trains use this line?

Is Sugar Loaf Station in Wales named after Sugar Loaf Mountain? In the US we have many mountains named Sugar Loaf and Sugarloaf. There is a Sugarloaf Mountain in Ireland. Are all the Sugar Loaf, and Sugarloaf mountains in the US derived from these locations? Thank you Geoff for giving me a quest. I must visit all the Sugar Loaf. and Sugarloaf mountains. All from a station name on a RU-vid train video. :D

bro you helped me with my english language GCSE, it was about trains