Cambrian Line
The Cambrian Line (Welsh: Llinell y Cambrian), sometimes split into the Cambrian Main Line (Welsh: Prif Linell y Cambrian) and Cambrian Coast Line (Welsh: Llinell Arfordir y Cambrian) for its branches, is a railway line that runs from Shrewsbury, England, westwards to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli in Wales. Passenger train services are operated by Transport for Wales Rail between the western terminals of Pwllheli, in Gwynedd, and Aberystwyth, in Ceredigion, and the eastern terminal at Shrewsbury, Shropshire, as part of the Wales & Borders franchise. The railway line is widely regarded as scenic, as it passes through the Cambrian Mountains in central Wales, and along the coast of Cardigan Bay in Snowdonia National Park.
| Cambrian Line | |||
|---|---|---|---|
An Arriva Trains Wales Class 158 pulls into Dovey Junction station, where the line splits to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth | |||
| Overview | |||
| Other name(s) | Cambrian Main Line (partially) Cambrian Coast Line (partially) Cambrian Railway | ||
| Native name | Llinell y Cambrian Prif Linell y Cambrian Llinell Arfordir y Cambrian Rheilffordd y Cambrian | ||
| Status | Operational | ||
| Owner | Network Rail | ||
| Locale | England: Shropshire Wales: Powys Ceredigion Gwynedd | ||
| Termini | |||
| Stations | 34 | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | Heavy rail | ||
| System | National Rail | ||
| Services | Shrewsbury–Pwllheli Shrewsbury–Aberystwyth | ||
| Operator(s) | Transport for Wales | ||
| Rolling stock | Class 158 Express Sprinter | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | 1855–1869 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | Shrewsbury–Aberystwyth 80 mi 59 ch (129.93 km) Shrewsbury–Pwllheli 117 mi 69 ch (189.68 km) | ||
| Number of tracks | 1 (with passing loops) | ||
| Character | Rural | ||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
| Electrification | None | ||
| Signalling | ETCS Level 2 | ||
| |||
The line includes long sections of rural single track and is designated as a community rail partnership.