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Railwatch 068 - July 1996

Mid Wales

By Chris Magner

Match that About 27,000 people arrive at Cardiff by rail when there is an international rugby match. The national stadium's capacity is 54,000.

Learning Railways Minister John Watts travelled by train, rather than his normal Jaguar car, to open the refurbished booking office run by Moreton Hall School girls at Gobowen station. The girls use the station for work experience and happily Central Trains is improving the train service in June. Central's director Mark Causebrook said there had been a 12% increase in traffic on the Chester-Shrewsbury line.

Priced off Fertiliser and coal is again delivered by rail to Gobowen station goods yard and, if Railtrack charges were lower, quarry traffic could return too.

Progress? Railtrack is to spend £1m to increase line speeds on the Wolverhampton-Shrewsbury line from 70mph to 90mph by the turn of the century. Way back in the days of steam, it was suitable for 90mph. RDS wants the Chester-Shrewsbury line raised to 75mph.

Can do! Cheap fares on the Cambrian line boosted usage by 65% and receipts by 13%. The infrastructure is so fragile that locomotives are banned but RDS wants to see freight and charter traffic return. Central Trains is worried Railtrack might put up charges even for using light-weight Sprinters if the line is upgraded. Community rail officer David Williams has had his contract extended for another four years. The 25-year-old Cambrian Coast Line Action group has been re-formed. Information from 21 Dunval Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 4NA.

Can't do! Railtrack has refused to allow Heart of Wales rambler Sunday specials to start at Crewe but Shropshire County Council is providing £3,600 to support the trains.

Record ramble Ramblers have responded in record numbers to this year's Wales Rail specials from Shrewsbury to Knighton and Dovey Junction.

Party time Rail groups helped with an open day held in March to celebrate the £700,000 refurbishment of Machynlleth station. The old Welshpool meanwhile has been refurbished at a cost of £1million.

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