The Down Fishguard

The direct line from Swindon via Bristol Parkway was built to reduce the journey time from South Wales in conjunction with the Severn Tunnel In 2002 one service a day continued to Fishguard in connection with the ferry to the Emerald Isle These are now history but Video 125 cameras managed to ride aboard a First Great Western 125 High Speed Train HST before the through services were abandoned For most of our journey in the cab we are travelling through Wales on the countrys major main line the South Wales Engineered by IKBrunel it was the last main line to be built to the 7ft broad gauge The double line eventually gives way to a single track at Clarbeston Road The 34 mile Fishguard branch is worked by electric token The train calls at Bristol Parkway Newport Cardiff Bridgend Port Talbot Neath Swansea and Whitland