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Mumbai, 17th August, 2016-Thanks to a competition sponsored by the Department for Transport, travellers to Wales have a new free guide to tell them how to visit the “Great Little Trains of Wales” and many other Welsh attractions by public transport.
Taking the big trains to meet the little trains is the theme of a new 100-page guidebook being launched at London King’s Cross station on August 2. It is published by the 11 little railways, working together with Arriva Trains Wales and includes ideas for intriguing places to stay and eat, walks, heritage sites and the magnificent scenery of Wales.
“Big Train meets Little Train” is inspired by the Bradshaw’s Guides of years gone by and suggests a range of trips into and around Wales, encouraging the novice public transport user or overseas tourist to get out and about by rail.
There is a feature on each of the little trains, plus two of Wales’ beautiful community lines, run by Arriva Trains Wales. In addition, there are some real travellers’ tales to whet your appetite, including BBC ‘Antiques Roadshow’ expert, Paul Atterbury.
There are suggestions on places to eat, journeys to make and places to stay as well as some local tips to get the most from your visit to this proud little country.
Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “I am delighted that The Great Little Trains of Wales is one of 17 national winners across Britain in our Heritage and Community Railways competition. This new guide for visitors and tourists is a great way of showing the best that Britain has to offer. I look forward to seeing the scheme thrive and be of real benefit to tourists visiting Wales.”
In May, a £67,000 UK Government funding boost was awarded to the Great Little Train of Wales (GLTW) from the Department for Transport (DfT) to work together with Arriva Trains Wales to attract tourists from London to Wales.
GLTW, which represents 11 railways across Wales, put together an entry for the DfT Heritage and Community Rail Tourism Innovation Competition and secured the grant to implement the plan.
GLTW have not let the grass grow under their wheels – the pilot edition of their guide and website is being launched at King’s Cross station from noon on August 2. Traveller and storyteller, Gavin Young, will be telling stories found during his family’s visit to Mid Wales. The exhibition will remain in place until August 7 for people to collect their guide.  Newly appointed North Wales Tourism chair, Clare Britton, said: “We are very pleased indeed to be working closely with GLTW and Arriva Trains Wales to promote this excellent venture. It is great to see all the railways working together and we are impressed to see the guide out this summer so the tourism business in Wales can benefit this year.
“We, at North Wales Tourism, firmly believe that joint working and bringing related products together to make planning easier for visitors is the way forward for a stronger tourism offer in Wales.”
Alongside the printed guidebook, a new website is being set up on which it will be possible to read the guide online or to download it. This can be previewed at http://bigtrainlittletrain.owenf.info The permanent address will be www.bigtrainlittletrain.com which should go live in the next few days. Copies of the printed guide are available on request from gltw@ffwhr.com
The GLTW promises Bala Lake, Brecon Mountain, Fairbourne, Ffestiniog, Llanberis Lake, Snowdon Mountain, Talyllyn, Vale of Rheidol, Welsh Highland, Welsh Highland Heritage and Welshpool and Llanfair Railways. |
