The 'Other' Heart of Wales Abandoned Railway Line. EDS 14 Manchester to Milford.

[@English_Dawn]

Excellent video from Aberystwyth to Lampeter. Archetypal Welsh branch line. Interesting to see the traction engine in that bloke' s shed/warehouse. The Manchester & Milford was standard gauge whereas the Carmarthen and Cardigan was broad gauge and they met near Pencader. The local lines and branches were dependant on milk traffic, the Milk Marketing Board having numerous factories next to the line, like Greengrove near Felin Fach. The Newcastle Emlyn branch had also an Esso depot next to it as well. There was a milk factory next to Pont Lanio station. Often the Milk traffic outlived passenger traffic some not shutting until '73. Strata Florida was named after a Cistercian Abbey and Derry Ormond after a local park. Another big business was animal feed and British Oil and Cake Mills (B.O.C.M) had numerous prefabricated warehouses next to the principal stations. Best wishes and than you. 🙂👍

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Mark, glad you enjoyed and thank you for sharing the additional information. Very useful.

[@English_Dawn]

@@pwhitewick You're welcome. I have it the other way round, the line was busy with pannier tank locos and Manor's and the ubiquitous milk-trains which the colour film was shot from circa '64, the numerous halts and passing-loops. Interesting to see how it looks. They seem to have by and large looked after the tracked well with signage. At least now you know courtesy of that farmer what the difference us between a station and a halt or perhaps platform. That hole under the ivy-covered platform. Can't be sure on that particular location but if a signal box was close, say platform-end they often ran the point-rodding to signals sub-platform and exited there and run along the track to the signals. Didn't you do Tetbury near Dymock? I think they did it there, kind of a semi-circular arch under platform. 🤗

[@justvin7214]

Excellent information Mark. I'll add that the line to Pont Llanio was indeed open into the 1970s, there was a heavy snowstorm (can't remember which year) and a train was filled with bread and driven to at least as far as Olmarch 10:30 in the video. The farm there belongs to the ex-headmistress of Llangybi school and if you had knocked and asked her or her husband could have told you more. People walked for miles through snowdrifts to take the loaves home for their families and were very grateful. Loved the vid and saw some places I'd never seen. Thanks for sharing.

[@Kae6502]

I live in the U.S. In a place called Wisconsin. Why on Earth am I watching a video about old railway stations in the U.K? ... Oh, yeah, I LOVE the adventure you have chosen for yourselves. Thank you and thank all the helpers you had on this one!!! Carry on. :)

[@pwhitewick]

Haha, thank you and thanks for your views, we are really pleased you are enjoying the travels.

[@drewzero1]

We’ve got some great rails to trails here in WI! The Elroy-Sparta trail has three tunnels to walk through and the Wiouwash trail runs through my town. The latter was used for filming some scenes in the Johnny Depp movie Public Enemies. There’s a park bench with a plaque on the section where they filmed.

[@chrishenderson07]

Living in Jacksonville, Florida - and I am doing the same. Love these videos, great job guys!

[@joylunn3445]

Fabulous, I ride down this on the horse from Llanilar to Trawscoed and beyond on a regular basis. Beautiful neck of the woods.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Joy. It most certainly is.

[@neelix139]

Greetings Paul and Rebecca it is now Sunday morning May 29 and I’m sitting on my Veranda enjoying this nice autumn sunshine I thoroughly enjoy your channel because I like Railway archaeology specially when you’re in Wales my surname is Evans I might have some Welsh ancestry in me but I’m not 100% sure on that but I hope you look after your treating your cheese and kisses When you’re doing your field research I did this you stations railway line I hope you and Rebecca have a nice lunch and a nice cuppa somewhere along the road anyway once again brilliant work Paul I love your work and also Rebecca your research is absolutely fantastic well Ford absolutely brilliant channel yours Jeff Rosebud Melbourne Victoria Australia

[@RichardWells1]

Enjoyed the journey through green and pleasant Wales. A real bonus to find someone with a barn full of memorabilia! Thank you.

[@pwhitewick]

That was a massive treat for sure.. 👍

[@peterfarrell1989]

Found you two via the combo film you & Martin Zero shot awhile back, thanks for uploading and sharing your adventures

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Peter. Glad you are enjoying the channel. Spread the word!

[@iangillham9647]

The building on the platform at Deri Ormond was still standing up to five years ago. And nearer Lampeter at Glan Dennis there was a track spur and a platform, the other side of the road to the big house at Glan Dennis. Very visible the Tregaron-Lampeter way, invisible Lampeter to Tregaron.

[@iannang]

What a fantastic channel it’s becoming addictive

[@pwhitewick]

I like the sound of that

[@iannang]

Really excellent Paul 👍do you know anything about the Wirral way ? no hidden tunnels but lots of platform structure remaining over a 12 mile walk ever fancy a gander more than happy to help

[@bobparsons77]

That Steptoe place was a gem

[@pwhitewick]

Absolutely

[@knownothing5518]

Haha! Here it is! Three years ago, goodie how much time and content there has been!

[@jonathancombe9991]

Interesting stuff. The Steptoe place was quite a find. Looks like he had most of the parts of the station that would have survived in that shed! This is why i enjoy your vidoes you go the extra mile to seek out the stations and track on private land.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Jonathan. *All with permission not course... 😁

[@rogersmart1393]

Used to walk along the old line from the halls of residence at SDUC to Pioneer for something for tea. Happy days.

[@timothyclarke7689]

You achieved a lot in one day. I would have got no further than the traction engine in the barn. Why would anyone go to the effort of bending a bullhead rail in two, to make a gatepost? I subscribe, but I am catching up on some of your older videos. From Spain it is always good to keep abreast of history in the homeland.

[@pwhitewick]

For reasons unknown see the bent bulk head thing a lot!

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

another enjoyable video nice to see some platforms left 👍

[@DeeFPV]

Whitewick's Abandoned Railways nice to see you in my neck of the wooks in Pembrokeshire the old preseli mountains railway ar woth looking in to Did you know... Rosebush village sprang up when two slate quarries started operating here, The Bellstone quarry and The Rosebush quarry. They operated between 1825 and 1891 and supplied the slates for the Palace of Westminster in London. A railway line was built to transport the slate but that has long since disappeared. The village platform, however, does still exist. In Maenclochog researchers have found what are believed to be the remains of a 13th-century castle. The village was served by The Maenclochog Railway formally known as the Narberth Road and Maenclochog Railway which ran from Clynderwen on the Great Western Railway via Maenclochog to Rosebush. The tunnel just outside Maenclochog achieved fame during the war when it was used as a testing site for bombs by Barnes Wallis, creator of the ‘bouncing bomb’.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you, thats great, if you have any specific links that would be ideal. Much appreciated.

[@shauntodd7123]

Another little find on your great channel

[@hongkongphooey78]

The hoarder guy had a cracking couple of whippets.

[@pwhitewick]

Steptoes yard!.... Apparently they were Italian Greyhounds. Tiny little things.

[@peterw2845]

first job on a saturday am : watch the fabulous whitewick video . second job on a saturday am : give the fabulous whitewicks a 🤞. great job as always guys , wish they were longer

[@pwhitewick]

Good Morning Peter. It's Saturday AM, this is your reminder to watch this video.... At least twice. 👍

[@simongumbrell2955]

great video guys I've subscribed to your channel good to see reminants if the past it's a shame that we lost so much of our railways to beeching I can only imagine how brilliant our rail network would be today keep making the videos very entertaining :-)

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Simon. Glad you are enjoying. Don't forget to 'smash' the notification bell!... 😁

[@christhepharmacist]

Love the music! Best b roll ever and gorgeously shot!

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you Charles. Glad you enjoyed this one, was great fun to make and out together.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another great video! My guess is that hole under the platform at 02:12 is where a signal box used to be. I've been to Strata Florida to visit the ruined abbey, I was told it means "Valley of the flowers"!

[@pwhitewick]

Ah I guess that would make sense.... (Both points actually).

[@ruongluesteve]

It;s actually a long way from Strata Florida ain fact it was a stion in the middle of nowhere on the edge of Cors Caron bog.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

most enjoable viewing. thank you

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome aboard good Sir. Long time fan. Thank you. 😁👍

[@radioman1170]

Love the pronunciations. Not the easiest language to master especially when you get a few ways of saying the same word!

[@taffymk1244]

Found you via martin zero, doin irlam line, enjoying the vids,..keep them coming..

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Taffy. Glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@scotti_wan_kenobi]

There are some really beautiful stone bridges on this line.

[@wideyxyz2271]

This was a youtube recommendation. Enjoyed the video will check out the others. Thank you.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you, pleased to know that KZbin is starting to recommend.

[@buffplums]

2:05 if that’s a gap under the platform chances are there was a signal box situated in the platform and the gap is where the linkages for switching the points and the signal cables exited from the box

[@glowskulls100]

Nice one I shall watch this when have more time I take the children from the local primary school in Llanilar when I have taught them cycle training down that route. I also cover every primary school in the county. Hopefully you have done Bettws Bledrws as well in the serie's

[@davie941]

hey paul and rebecca loved this one , really cool :)

[@mikehenfron]

Welcome back to Wales. Excellent video, great to see you getting involved with the locals!!

[@pwhitewick]

We loved it. Once you mention the railways people open up. Great to film this one. Good fun.

[@lindsaybuck2152]

I found your site by chance and I love it. By the way I'm from Australia, just north of Melbourne in Victoria. There's a loging line near me, I'll have to walk now.

[@IanPhillipsWildlife]

Great stuff, looks like a Red Kite above your head ​9:47

[@pwhitewick]

Ah yes, very possible.

[@madedshot5]

@@pwhitewick it's a Bwncath not a Barcud.

[@SteamCrane]

That Beeching guy got rid of a lot of pretty lines!

[@nicklowe536]

I have Martin Zero to thank for finding your videos

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Nick.... And thanks Martin of course!

[@saltleywsc]

Great video both ..nice you have "translator" with you if the society are successful you may be able to travel by train from carmarthen to Aber once more !

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers. I like the idea but I just can't see it happening.

[@saltleywsc]

@@pwhitewick have look at Traws Link Cymru ,the welsh government have commissioned a report on it ,after the success of the Borders railway ..who knows !!

[@pwhitewick]

@@saltleywsc fingers crossed indeed.

[@saltleywsc]

@@pwhitewick the only downside is you would have do a series 11 of stations that were closed but now reopened !!!

[@pwhitewick]

@@saltleywsc hahaha.... yes, thats a good point!

[@kernow..exp.]

Well I'm really enjoying your series of every disused station kind regards from Mark in Cornwall and if case you're wondering I have changed my channel name so don't worry too much so when you start exploring in Cornwall please let me know and I will assist you where I can cause I do know where the loads of discharged stations are and as I said to you before I am quite active with the helston railway and if you would like a look around there I could arrange that for you

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you Mark. If you could do me a favour and drop me an email. I've got a note of peeps happy to help so a quick reminder would be great. [e-mail] 👍👍

[@Wulfbear99]

I have walked the section from Strata Florida to Aberystwyth a few years ago and it is a good days walking with great scenery and railway structures on route, your Welsh is improving with practice keep it up! I live on the other Heart of Wales line at Dolau and have walked the Mid Wales line Moat Lane Junction to Builth Wells sections if I can be of help with any of the other disused lines in the area am willing to do so. All the best, Brian.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Brian. Very much appreciated.

[@BeeJay120]

I lived in Builth for a short while for my internship last year and have only just realised that there was another line that intersected with Builth Road. Had I known at the time I certainly would've explored it. That in itself was an odd station (which took me a while to find) as not only was it a good distance from the town itself, it's also hidden right behind a row of houses which I thought was private land through a passageway hidden around a corner!

[@carolinegray3150]

Nice little bridge

[@pwhitewick]

Which one!?

[@michaelpilling9659]

Guys - one of your best videos. Full of facts and information, great characters and railway relics. Manchester as in Lancashire or is there another one in Wales?

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video 😀

[@pwhitewick]

Shaun West cheers Shaun.

[@angelsone-five7912]

Re your "mystery hole" - could it be the base of a signal box? The place where the rods and wires came out of? Also saw a railtour to Lampeter just about an hour ago.

[@Snaily]

Interesting that so many old rail lines have been turned into pretty average looking paths. Makes me wonder if I've ever walked past a demolished station in the past without realising.

[@pwhitewick]

Most definitely, have a look at the "railmaponline" website. That'll soon tell you.

[@davekirwin]

The ‘Steptoe’ guys were amazing and friendly, I bet you were there ages! Strata Florida sounds rather unWelsh. Big tick.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Dave, yup they were good fun. Once you mention the railways everyone opens up.

[@gearshaw2058]

latin, vale flowers

[@pwhitewick]

@@gearshaw2058 aaahhh. Thank you

[@YDysgwrAraf]

Ystrad Fflur is the Welsh name.

[@iangillham9647]

Strata Florida Abbey ruins there...

[@Joey-kd8lj]

I found you two through Geoff

[@alangillanders2811]

mystery hole could be a opening to the signal box for running signal wires and channel iron for signals and points. Mechanically operated by leavers.

[@pwhitewick]

Yes sounds good. Wish we had an old picture.

[@highdownmartin]

I was going to suggest this. Pretty sure that's what it'd be

[@alangillanders2811]

@@highdownmartin ex signal maintenance section man for 15 years working on the signal box runs in NSW Australia. have cleaned and replaced some over the years.

[@Roblilley999]

I was recommended this video on the back of a box of rice Crispies.

[@pwhitewick]

Now that's the type of feedback we need!.... Wait... Cheap Tesco own brand or the real deal???

[@Roblilley999]

@@pwhitewick the real deal, don't do cheap own brand cereal

[@pwhitewick]

@@Roblilley999 no shame in admitting it.

[@JH4181]

Love your vids,keep going

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. We live making them so we aren't going anywhere soon. 👍👍👍

[@michaelcampin1464]

Here's a new one for you. Our local maps show dismantled railways instead of disused. Mainly coal lines but when you get to Chester Road the Tyne & Wear Metro follows the old route as far as Pallion and heading into town to Park Lane where it joins the mainline instead of following the Hendon Branch to the Docks

[@carolinegray3150]

Interesting

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Always enjoy your videos. Have you thought of incorporating photos of the stations in their heydays?

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Richard. We'd love to out more photos in but getting them with no copyright infringement is close to impossible. (And extremely time consuming).

[@carolinegray3150]

Good video

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you

[@LeoStarrenburg]

Could the mystery hole 02:08 be for point rodding and/or signal wires ?

[@pwhitewick]

That's definitely where my money is Leo

[@johnmanlow3003]

Have you git ny information about the crossing of the railway over the Ystwyth? to the west of Llanilar and to the NE of Abermad, there must have been a bridge there judging by the old rail track but there appears to be no sign of it now, OS shows a footpath over the river but no bridge or ford and the river appears to be too deep for crossing by foot.

[@ruongluesteve]

Not sure it's on the same line but the platform for Aberaeron station is still there in Jewsons Yard.

[@trashtrainpunk1542]

Subscribed!

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome to the party. 👍👍

[@germancarfan]

Great stuff, I live in Aberystwyth and have explored a lot of the line on the Aberystwyth side if anyone needs any info

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers.

[@danielbarrows7144]

Big ✅ little 🛑 lol 😂👍🏻

[@harleancarpenter8043]

Got a recommendation for you via that guy doing all the live stations with few passengers, Geoff Marshall, now follow you both

[@pwhitewick]

Ah yes that was a wee while ago.

[@harleancarpenter8043]

@@pwhitewick Yes, just catching up on some of your old stuff now

[@Nathancp08]

Are you going to do the cardigan branch line?

[@robertlewis2]

Wales: Almost like a foreign country to the English :)

[@joeryan1153]

Really love the channel, Any chance you'll do Any disused stations in Ireland? Sadly we have more than a few.

[@pwhitewick]

Hey Joe. Glad you are enjoying. We will certainly be coming to Ireland. I'm not 109% sure exactly when but be sure that we are. 👍

[@TIMMEH19991]

Mystery hole could well be where the point rodding came out from a signal box? Just guessing loike!

[@pwhitewick]

Yup, tats what we thought after a few days, a light bulbs moment hit us.

[@the1laird]

Very interesting. What was the book titled which was being referred to?

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Unfortunately we didn't think to ask! Just took a few shots. I'll see if I can see it in some of the B-roll.

[@ossiajames5136]

The book is 'The Manchester & Milford Railway' by J S Holden!

[@enriirne2319]

Interesting video. A question: Does it have no abandoned lines, but still with the tracks? This is much more interesting. In Switzerland and France I have already walked on such lines. But maybe in England the tracks are always removed?

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you for the question. Essentially the vast majority of abandoned railways that we walk on have no track left. Most was taken up after closure. There are one or two of our videos where we explore areas with tracks in place but this generally means they were closed more recently.

[@bobly]

Paul, Rebecca Llanrhystyd Road railway station opened on 12th August 1867 Closed 14th December 1964 so if you do a log and you don't know the dates I'll track down on Wiki to help if yourself and Rebecca are busy

[@eddieknox9874]

i got the same mower at 5.06

[@termite2691]

Ah, you missed Caradog Falls Halt between Trawscoed and Strata Florida stations. Another wooden affair now completely gone.

[@pwhitewick]

Alas I think you may have missed it ;-). 7:09 👍👍 We had permission to be in their backgarden.

[@termite2691]

@@pwhitewick Ah, you're right, thought that was still the Trawscoed bit ... missed the Caradog in the text over. The Ystwyth cycle route which runs (tries to) on the track bed from Aberystwyth to Tregaron was supposed to run through Caradog Falls but the council failed to get permission from the land owners so in spite of the council having already renovated a large section of the track heading that direction it had to be abandoned with the cycle track forced to descend back down to the valley bottom before following the windy steep main road back up to Tyn Y Graig (Caradog Falls Halt). Bit of a shame because it's one of the most interesting sections of the track.

[@pwhitewick]

@@termite2691 yes indeed, a shame as it goes through the upper section of their garden above their house. Can't win them all. Next episode features the tunnel adjacent to the Halt.

[@reburdoc4647]

6800 does than include small village halts as well as stations?

[@pwhitewick]

Oooooooh yes!!!

[@TIMMEH19991]

Is that your Giulia??? (drooooooool!)

[@pwhitewick]

How very eagle eyed of you. Yup tis indeed.

[@TIMMEH19991]

@@pwhitewick Very nice. I have a Giulietta, but not a modern one ;)

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

🤔🖖🏽🖖🏽😎🚂🚂

[@janeashby7119]

How do you manage to take photos and videos of old objects that everyone else would look at and think is boring, and you guys make it seem interesting? Like old fence posts etc. You spot them and they’re like, cleverly made ones, but everyone else would just overlook them?! I bet that made no sense did it?! 🤣🤣🤣

[@pwhitewick]

😂😂.....thats ok made sense to me

[@cambellevans9945]

Really interesting videos, but your pronunciation could be better. In fairness Welsh isn't your first language, but if you need help with the pronunciation, you're welcome to contact me. Genuine offer.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Cambell. I will take that as a report card... "Could be better". Really pleased you are enjoying the channel. A little bit of Scotland coming up soon, what could possible go wrong!?

[@bobcooper6528]

It is pronunciation not pronounciation

[@pwhitewick]

Hahaha.... yup.