Llangennech railway station

51°41′28″N 4°04′44″W / 51.691°N 4.079°W / 51.691; -4.079Grid referenceSN563012Operated byTransport for WalesPlatforms2Tracks2Train operatorsTransport for WalesConstructionBicycle facilities4 Sheffield standsOther informationStatusUnstaffedStation codeLLHClassificationDfT category F2Websitenationalrail.co.uk/stations/llangennech/HistoryOpenedc. 1840 (c. 1840)Pre-groupingLlanelly Railway and Dock CompanyPost-groupingGreat Western RailwayKey dates2020Freight train derailmentPassengers2018/19 3,5782019/20 3,7182020/21 362021/22 9242022/23 1,868 Notes

Llangennech railway station is a railway station in the village of Llangennech. It lies on the Heart of Wales line with services operated by Transport for Wales running to and from Swansea and Shrewsbury.

Llangennech station is located at street level about half a mile away from the centre of the village. It is one of two stations (neighbouring Bynea being the other) located on the double track portion of the route that is shared with the Swansea District Line.

History

Discussions to build a railway in Llangennech began as early as 1830.^[1] The station opened c. 1840.^[2] It initially served the local collieries by offering a route to the Llanelli Dock for export.^[3]

Facilities

The station is unstaffed and has no permanent buildings other than basic shelters on each platform. Passengers wishing to travel must buy tickets on the train or in advance. Amenities are limited to the standard CIS display, customer help point and payphone (the latter two at the main entrance). The platforms are linked by a barrow crossing, which is not recommended for use by disabled travellers without assistance.^[4]

In 2016, The Welsh Government funded the installation of reinforced glass fibre 'humps' on the platforms to improve access for wheelchair and pushchair users onto and off trains.^[5]

Services

All trains serving the station are operated by Transport for Wales. There are five trains a day in each direction through to Swansea and Shrewsbury) from Monday to Saturday, plus a fifth Monday to Friday a.m peak service from Carmarthen to Llandovery and back to Swansea and one late evening service from Swansea to Llandovery and back; two services each way call on Sundays.^[6] This is a request stop, whereby passengers have to give a hand signal to the approaching train driver to board or notify the guard when they board that they wish to alight from the train there.

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Bynea		Transport for Wales Heart of Wales Line		Pontarddulais

Freight services operated by DB Cargo to the Trostre Steelworks in Llanelli from Margam pass Llangennech.^[7]

The proposal of the West Wales Parkway station in Felindre, Swansea has led to discussions regarding the opening of the Swansea District line for passenger services. Llangennech station sits on the line and the possibility of direct services to and from Cardiff Central have been discussed for the future.^[8]

Accidents and incidents

• On 26 August 2020, a freight train carrying fuel derailed and caught fire near Llangennech.^[9]

References

Further reading

• Quick, M.E. (2002). Railway Passenger Stations in England Scotland and Wales—A Chronology. The Railway and Canal Historical Society.
• Denman, Michael (2012). The Llanelly Railway and Dock Company: The Heart of Wales Pioneer. The Wider View. ISBN 978-0-9535848-9-5.

External links

Media related to Llangennech railway station at Wikimedia Commons

• Train times and station information for Llangennech railway station from National Rail