Gwili plans £1.2 million northern extension

The Gwili Railway is set to double in length as it plans to extend northwards ‑ even though its southern extension to Abergwili Junction hasn’t opened yet. Currently 2½ miles in length, the Gwili Railway will grow to four miles when it opens its southern extension later this year. Estimated to cost £1.2 million, the four‑mile extension north from its current railhead at Danycoed to Llanpumpsaint will bring the railway’s running line to eight miles. The railway has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £100,000 to begin clearing the trackbed and repair bridges on the former Carmarthen‑ Aberystwyth route. Gwili Railway Marketing Manager Scott Artus says: “There are eight bridges between Danycoed and Llanpumpsaint. On average, these may cost £80‑100k each to restore.” In Phase 1 of the extension, the track will be reinstated to Conwil, where both platforms survive, before attention is turned to Llanpumpsaint. Says Mr Artus: “The station site is owned by Carmarthenshire County Council. One of the two platforms remains intact, the other has had its edging stones removed, but I believe it is still covered by infill.” Both Conwil and Llanpumpsaint closed to passenger traffic on February 22 1965, although the route remained open to freight until 1973, after which the line closed completely. Mr Artus says: “We have no plans to extend further, north of Llanpumpsaint. We do not own the trackbed and there is a tunnel just beyond the station. Realistically, we would want to restore the eight miles we own.” Although hoped to take place this Easter, passenger services to Abergwili Junction will run in June at the latest. You can donate to the Gwili Railway’s Llanpumpsaint extension fund by visiting: