I would dearly love to see the Cambrian Coast route added. Machynlleth, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, and Shrewsbury added as part of it. That would be something special!
Era: Modern Day Rolling stock: I don't know what the every day use trains are! But they do a special. The Cambrian Coast Rail Tour using Network Rail two class 97's (No: 97303 and 97304) pulling GWR chocolate and cream coaches. Operated by Pathfinder Tours, which runs from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli. I will see if I can find out what the normal use stock is. (Photo from Pathfinder Tours website) Stations: Shrewsbury Welshpool Newtown Caersws Carno (proposed) Macynlleth Dovey Junction (Where line splits North & south) South Borth Bow Street Aberystwyth North Penhelig Aberdovey Tywyn Tonfanau Llwyngwril Fairbourne Morfa mawddach Barmouth Llanbeder Tallybont Duffryn Ardudwy Llanbedr Pensarn Llandanwg Harlech Tygwyn Talsarnau Llandecwyn Penryndeudraeth Minfford Porthmadoc Criccieth Penychain Pwllheli
As I live in Shrewsbury myself and travelled on the Transport for Wales Line. It would be the Class 158 and 175 that are mainly used. So They would obviously need to get licence To use those Classes and the Transport For Wales Brand. But It is a great line and it be would be an amazing route for DTG to add. But again Can I see them doing it dunno. Haven't been impressed with recent content tbh.
I thought they were using the 197s on that route now. The route is equipped with ETCS Level 2 and all the lineside signals have been removed, so the in-cab signal display is essential. There was a bit of a fuss a while back because it is no longer possible to have steam railtours - nobody has been able to fit an ETCS display in a steam loco. It is still possible to have diesel railtours, as long as one of the ETCS equipped 97s is leading. As far as I know, apart from the 97s the only other stock that can work the route are the ETCS equipped members of the 158 and 197 classes.
