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0:00:37 > 0:00:42- This week on Cledrau Coll, we follow - the line from Carmarthen town...
0:00:42 > 0:00:46- ..through Pencader Junction - to Newcastle Emlyn.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55- Evidence of the old station - is still visible here in Carmarthen.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- The station that replaced it - is in continued use...
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- ..on the West Wales - to Cardiff line...
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- ..but many years have passed - since it saw sights like this.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- Our journey doesn't start - in the present station...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- ..but a stone's throw away - the other side of the bridge.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- This is all that remains - of the original station, Gwyn.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21- Something of a pitiful sight.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- Something of a pitiful sight.- - Yes, very sad.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- Things were very different - and very busy once...
0:01:28 > 0:01:32- ..and several rail companies - used the station.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- The main company was - the Carmarthen-Cardigan...
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- ..which was originally - a railway built by Brunel.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- It was an extension - of his South Wales line...
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- ..with wonderfully wide tracks, - 7ft apart.
0:01:49 > 0:01:55- At the time it was the state of - the art, the high-tech of the age.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- Why build a line to Cardigan - in the first place?
0:02:01 > 0:02:07- The main aim was to tie in with the - development of a port in Cardigan.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- There were also rural concerns that - they needed this new technology.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- They feared that without the - railways, they would be left behind.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- Cardigan eventually got its railway, - but not from this direction.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- This line ran no further - than Newcastle Emlyn.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- Here we are in the old goods shed.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- What kind of work - would have gone on here?
0:02:40 > 0:02:41- Sheds like this one...
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- ..were used to unload goods - that had to be kept dry.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- Looking at the architecture, - can you spot any typical features?
0:02:52 > 0:02:53- What about the doors?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55- What about the doors?- - The doors are original.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- Heavy, solid and secure doors.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- There would have been - a platform here...
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- ..to unload directly from the vans.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11- The corresponding level of the door - meant carts could be wheeled in.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- The old window frames - are interesting as well...
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- ..and they've survived because - they are metal and not wood.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26- They were made to endure decades, - if not centuries.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35- The new bypass closely follows - the old line as far as Abergwili.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- There, it splits the junction, with - the Llandeilo line to the right...
0:03:41 > 0:03:45- ..and heading off left is - the line to Pencader, Llandyssul...
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- ..and Newcastle Emlyn.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- The next station ahead of us - is Bronwydd.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- Our next stop is Bronwydd, Gwyn.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20- Our next stop is Bronwydd, Gwyn.- - And I'll be ready to stop too!
0:04:21 > 0:04:26- It's hard to imagine - this was a broad gauge track...
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- ..because we're - talking about 7ft or so.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- Nature recovers ground quickly.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- But look back to - the overgrown boundaries...
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- ..and you can see there was - sufficient room for two tracks.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- Quite a drop here on the right.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- That's evidence that - only one track was laid...
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- ..with no need for a double line.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- Until now, we've spoken - about the line in the past tense.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09- But this section of the line - has a present, if not a future.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- We're approaching Bronwydd here.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22- The section from Bronwydd and - up the gorge towards Conwil...
0:05:22 > 0:05:27- ..has already been reopened and - is a busy line during the holidays.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- I can smell the steam - of the engine from here.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- Volunteers on the Gwili Railway - still endeavour to extend the line.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- They have managed to restore - Bronwydd Arms station...
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- ..close to its original condition.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- You're keen to take - some photographs, Gwyn...
0:06:22 > 0:06:26- ..so I'll see you later after I have - a chat with some of the volunteers.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- Huw, during the week, - you work on the railway in Swansea.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- On the weekend, during your leisure - time, you still work on the railway.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- There's quite a difference between - working for First Great Western...
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- ..and working for - the Gwili Steam Railway.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- It's nice when people can see how - the railway used to be in the 30s...
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- ..and can compare the days - of steam with today's diesels.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07- It's nice for the children - to see the steam trains.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13- It's wonderful too when people who - remember this line before the 60s...
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- ..come back to see it - with a smile on their faces.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- The volunteers who make - the Gwili Railway possible...
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- ..come from all walks of life - and all ages.
0:07:26 > 0:07:33- Yes, we include doctors, office - workers, all kinds of people...
0:07:34 > 0:07:40- ..and without their determination - there wouldn't be a railway here.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- Did you get your photos, Gwyn?
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- Did you get your photos, Gwyn?- - Yes, Arfon, one or two or three!
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- I can't wait to see them. Right, off - we go on the rest of our journey.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56- I'll be the porter for now.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- I'll be the porter for now.- - Thank you, Mr Porter.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- Geoff, you're responsible - for publicity on this line.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- I'm sure the line sells itself - on a fine day like this.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36- It's wonderful when the weather's - fine and we get lots of passengers.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- Over Easter, we had - Thomas the Tank down here...
0:08:42 > 0:08:47- ..and we had a record number - of passengers - six thousand.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- The appeal of a ride in a train - pulled by a steam engine...
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- ..is something you just can't beat.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- There's nothing better than - the smell of the oil and steam.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- What are your hopes for the railway?
0:09:05 > 0:09:11- We hope to reopen another half-mile - between Llwyfan Cerrig and Tanycoed.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- That extension should open - later in the season.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- Then we hope to extend the line - as far as Abergwili...
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- ..close to the new bypass.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- For once, it's not easy to follow - the line's route from the air...
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- ..because of the dense woodland.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- But the route is clear enough - on foot.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- The eventual aim is to extend - the line as far as Abergwili...
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- ..which would include Cynwyl Elfed.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- ..which would include Cynwyl Elfed.- - That would be wonderful.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- This used to be a freight line - - what kind of goods were transported?
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- Timber and farm produce, heavy - machinery came in from England...
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- ..and it was also important - for the milk industry.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- Speaking of milk, - just take a look at this.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- It's obviously some kind of wagon.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- This was originally a special wagon - for carrying milk.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- Looking at it now, you wouldn't get - a pint of milk on it.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- It once carried a huge tank...
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- ..which was aluminium on the outside - and glass on the inside.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- The wagon had six wheels to try - and avoid churning the milk...
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- ..on its journey - from Cardiganshire to London.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- They were pulled behind passenger - trains or in special trains.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- Even the suspension springs were - better than your usual goods wagon.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- The hope was that the milk - would get a smoother ride.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- I didn't expect to see - a wagon like this here.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- There are very few of these - still in existence.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- Who knows where you'd get - a tank to fit on it today.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- There's a challenge, to renovate it!
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- There's a challenge, to renovate it!- - The tank and the glass.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Forward we go on our journey - to Newcastle Emlyn...
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- ..to meet and chat with someone else - who loves retracing the old tracks.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- How are you, Richard?
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- Richard, walking along these old - tracks is something new for us.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- But you've been doing it for years.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- But you've been doing it for years.- - Yes, seven years.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- I'm interested in what engineers, - contractors and navvies did...
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- ..as they worked on - the railways around Wales.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10- For years, I used to go for - a run in the car with my family.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- I'd disappear off down some line - while the family sat in the car!
0:13:15 > 0:13:21- One day, I stood looking down from - a road bridge onto an old cutting.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- It was an old line - that Dr Beeching had closed.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- I wondered where the line led to, - how many stations were along it...
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- ..and innumerable questions - to which I had no answers.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- That was when I decided to - walk along the old railway lines.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- I write down my observations, - but the walking isn't always easy.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- I usually have to - struggle through bramble...
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- ..and you sometimes find old bridges - that have long since disappeared.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- Finding somewhere to cross a river - can add four miles to the walk.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02- Four miles and several hours later - you end up just across the river!
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- Let's hope - that doesn't happen to us.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- You're heading for Carmarthen and - we're heading for Newcastle Emlyn.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- Good luck. I've a sickle in the car - if you'd like to borrow it!
0:14:22 > 0:14:27- Richard will reach Carmarthen long - before we get to Newcastle Emlyn.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- Our next task is to locate - the old station at Llanpumpsaint.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- I suspect two lines - crossed this bridge at one time.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- It's wide enough for two lines.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02- There are stones set in the wall to - take the girders of a second bridge.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- And these solid looking fences - look like recycled railway tracks.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- What would these - cross-bars have been?
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- They were boiler tubes.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- It's strange to think these would've - been inside the engine's boiler.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- The energy and the steam produced - would have flowed through these...
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- ..as the journey started, - and out up the chimney.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- I bet this fence has been here - for about fifty years...
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- ..and I'm sure it will last - another fifty at least.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- Into the tunnel at Pencader...
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- ..whose entrance is now hidden - by trees and vegetation.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- But a few relics remain visible.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- Local farmer Glyn Jones has - a keen interest in the line...
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- ..and he has a host of memories - of the line.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- I'm sure it could be dangerous - during the winter months...
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- ..with the lines freezing - in January and February.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- If the gates were closed - across the line...
0:16:33 > 0:16:37- ..the train was supposed to stop - at that distant signal.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43- The train would come through - at six or six thirty in the morning.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- If there was ice on the line - it couldn't stop.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- Even if they put sand down the train - would plough through the gates...
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- ..and I remember the gates - going at least three times.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- How busy was this line?
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- Very - it carried petrol and coal - to Llandyssul and Newcastle Emlyn.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- On a Sunday, you might see - two engines and a troop train...
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- ..heading for Newcastle Emlyn, - carrying soldiers to Aberporth.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- You had tractors being transported - to James' supplies in Crymych...
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- ..and all the machinery and so on - - it was a very busy line.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25- You could always judge how busy - the mart would be at Llandyssul...
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- ..because you'd see the trucks - going past carrying the livestock.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- I remember twenty-two trucks coming - past here once from Llandyssul mart.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52- On towards Llandyssul where, as - luck would have it, it's market day.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- There's a lot of coming and going - here today with the mart...
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- ..and this is how it would have been - when the steam trains came through.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- Everything is transported - by trucks and lorries these days.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- The mart is conveniently situated, - and we're standing among the pens...
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- ..which have been built - by recycling old railway material.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- They're all made - from the old tracks.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- Brunel's broad gauge tracks are - still put to good use even today...
0:18:29 > 0:18:34- ..when the livestock comes in, and - the yard is full of lorries today.
0:18:40 > 0:18:45- Well, this is the way to Newcastle - Emlyn - it isn't very inviting.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- Mind my manners - after you!
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Mind my manners - after you!- - Thank you. You're too kind.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- We won't make it very far this way.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- You can see the end of the platform, - and the old bridge further down...
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- ..but there's no way through for us.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03- We'll cross the bridge later.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- We'll cross the bridge later.- - First in, first out.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- We leave Llandyssul - for Pentrecwrt and Henllan...
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- ..and the Teifi Valley - Railway Society.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47- As with the Gwili line, the - volunteers here have worked hard.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- This must bring back - some memories, Brian.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- When I was a boy in Pentrecwrt - in the late 40s...
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- ..it was the heyday of the railway.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- I have childhood memories - of that time.
0:20:14 > 0:20:20- We used the railway for trips to - Newcastle Emlyn three times a year.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- On Whit Monday we'd go to scripture - readings in Newcastle Emlyn...
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- ..and then there were - the May and September fairs.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35- There was only one way to travel on - those trips, and that was by train.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41- My father worked - at the Alltcafan factory...
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- ..and in those days, the train - stopped here at Pentrecwrt Halt.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- We'd catch the train sometime after - eleven and return just after four.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- I remember, - as we came through Henllan...
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- ..we'd stick our heads - out of the window.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02- Our eyes would be filled - with the soot from the engine!
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- It was a lot of fun, really.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- As it passed through Pentrecwrt...
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- ..you had Alltcafan factory on one - side and the railway on the other.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- As children, we often played down - there, doing things we shouldn't!
0:21:17 > 0:21:23- Close to Alltcafan factory was Siop - Pen-bont run by Ifan the shopkeeper.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- We used to lay a ha'penny - on the railtrack...
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- ..and hope the train running over it - squashed it to the size of a penny.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Then we hoped Ifan Pen-bont wouldn't - notice the difference in the shop!
0:21:47 > 0:21:52- I remember my grandmother had - this exceptional 8-day clock.
0:21:55 > 0:22:01- She lived about a mile from the - railway running through Pentrecwrt.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- I'll always remember, as the - 7 o'clock train came through...
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- ..if the wind was in the right - direction she'd hear the whistle.
0:22:15 > 0:22:21- She'd set the clock by that whistle - because the train was always on time
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- How different things are today.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30- I remember, as well, how babies - were cradled in shawls at the time.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- If a child had been ill - with whooping cough...
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- ..they'd go and stand outside the - tunnel until the train had passed.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- Once it was gone they'd - walk through the tunnel...
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- ..and almost without fail - it would cure the whooping cough.
0:23:05 > 0:23:11- The course of the old line parallels - the road to Newcastle Emlyn...
0:23:12 > 0:23:17- ..another agricultural town that - once relied heavily on the railway.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- Well, the station railings - are still there, Gwyn.
0:23:31 > 0:23:32- And so is this old buffer.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- And so is this old buffer.- - Still here, but standing idle.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- Was this essentially a freight line?
0:23:38 > 0:23:43- It closed to passengers in '52, but - trains ran for another twenty years.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- Commerce thrived all along the line.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- Looking around this yard...
0:23:51 > 0:23:56- ..I can easily imagine half a dozen - sidings choked with wagons.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01- The end of another line, Gwyn. - Let's go and look for another one!
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- S4C subtitles by- Testun Cyf