Heart of Wales: Swansea-Shrewsbury Drivers Eye View

This programme condenses the usual four-hour journey into an engaging one-and-a-half-hour experience, highlighting the most scenic and historically interesting sections. The adventure begins at Swansea, with the train tackling the 1 in 52 climb up to Cockett Tunnel before reaching the reversal at Llanelli. Along the way, viewers can see the last remaining semaphores on the route, all controlled from Pantyffynnon Box.

Aboard a single-car Class 153 unit, the train ascends the famous bank to Sugar Loaf Tunnel, offering a driver’s eye perspective of this challenging stretch. The combination of real-time cab footage and detailed signalling insights gives a unique view of the line’s operation, blending historical interest with contemporary train handling.

The journey pauses briefly at Llanwrtyd and Llandrindod Wells, two charming spa towns, allowing viewers to take in the character of these traditional locales. The camera work and narration provide both scenic appreciation and operational context, highlighting the features that make this route so memorable.

Finally, the train continues to Craven Arms, joining the former LNWR/GWR joint line from Hereford. The line remains semaphore-signalled all the way into Shrewsbury, with a notable passage past the impressive Severn Bridge Junction signal box, completing a rich and visually striking exploration of this historic Welsh and English route.