A SCENIC 150-year-old train line is set to shut down this week for major works.
The route runs for nearly 121 miles from Shrewsbury to Swansea, winding through the Welsh Marches and carrying passengers past spa towns and historic castles.
But due to major repairs, the Heart of Wales line will close between Llanwrtyd and Shrewsbury this week.
Closing dates
From 9pm on Friday September 12 until 5.30am on Saturday September 20, buses will replace trains while engineers shut the Heart of Wales line.
Network Rail crews will be working day and night, carrying out urgent track repairs, drainage upgrades and clearing overgrown vegetation along the route between Craven Arms Junction and Llandeilo Junction.
Drivers have been issued a warning, too.
Three towns will face overnight road closures for level crossing works.
Dolau will shut late on Monday 15 September.
Llandrindod Wells follows the next night, while Ffairfach will be closed overnight from Thursday 18 September.
Bosses admit the works will cause disruption but insist they are vital.
Wales and Borders route chief Nick Millington said: “We appreciate that there is always an element of inconvenience for passengers, residents and stakeholders while we undertake work of this nature”.
He said the move was “essential for the efficiency and sustainability of the network” and to “maintain a safe, reliable railway for years to come”.
Passengers are urged to check their route on journey check before travelling.
Closure dates
The Heart of Wales Line between Craven Arms Junction and Llandeilo Junction will be closed from 9pm on Friday 12 September to 5.30am on Saturday 20 September 2025.
A series of overnight road closures will also take place for Network Rail to carry out level crossing maintenance at:
- Dolau – closed from 10pm on Monday 15 to 6am on Tuesday 16 September
- Llandrindod Wells – closed from 10pm Tuesday 16 to 6am Wednesday 17 September
- Ffairfach – closed 11.30pm Thursday 18 to 5.30am Friday 19 September
Other closures to watch out for
It’s not the only rural train closing up for improvements.
One of the world’s most beautiful train routes in the UK is getting a £15million upgrade.
The West Highland Railway Line, which has been called one of the most beautiful in the world, is undergoing £15 million of repairs and improvements.
While not everyone might have crossed over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, most of us know it from the famous Harry Potter train scene.
The West Highland Line links Glasgow to destinations including Oban and Mallaig.
The project involves replacing a total of six miles of rail and 9,100 sleepers.
Network Rail has warned of some disruption to services, in particular, the line between Crianlarich and Fort William will be closed for nine days from November 7-17.
Also effected by the revamp is the bridge by Corrour station – which is the most remote in the UK.
Elsewhere, trains could be brought back to the island of Jersey, with direct links from the capital to the airport.
There haven’t been trains on the largest Channel Island since 1936, but one company wants to make them available to travellers again.
Jersey Western Railway (JWR) has expressed its hope to bring back trains which will provide “affordable, comfortable and sustainable transport for Jersey”.
Following the majority of the old route, the proposed railway would run from its capital in St Helier with branches to both La Corbière and the airport.
In the long-term, JWR revealed it wants to provide a dedicated beach service, a direct service from Trenton Square to Jersey Airport, and even a steam train.
There will be free passes for the over-65s and people with a medical or mobility issue.
Three scenic train journeys you can take in the UK
Cornish Coast – One trip that rail enthusiasts seem to love is along a stretch of the Cornish coast and takes just 10 minutes to complete.
The route from St Erth to St Ives only stops at Carbis Bay en route to its final destination, but the views out the window for the whole journey are pretty spectacular.
Another highlight of the journey is that St Ives station is situated right next to Porthminster beach, meaning the sand and sea can be accessed almost immediately.
Meanwhile, the station is less than a ten minute walk into town, where the harbour, shops, galleries and pubs can be explored.
Durham to Edinburgh – Another train route that people in the UK love is the East Coast train line between Durham and Edinburgh, with coastal views and city landscapes among the sights that can be seen out the window.
Newcastle, Berwick, Lindisfarne and Durham Cathedral are all among the highlights on that route.
Scotland’s West Highland Line – While Scotland is home to plenty of famous landmarks and top attractions, it also has one of the most breathtaking train routes in the world.
Scotland’s West Highland Line has previously been dubbed the best rail journey in the world by Wanderlust – and it’s easy to see why.
The journey from Glasgow to Fort William is one of my favourite train routes – and I’ve interrailed through mainland Europe.
With mountain landscapes, serene lochs, wistful moors, and wildlife all visible through the train window, it’s certainly a route all holidaymakers should consider doing at least once.