A forecast of dry weather and the monthly visit of an HST-powered NR test train is enough to persuade me to pay another return visit to Pembrey & Burry Port on 12 February 2025, at the start of what is claimed by Network Rail (NR) will be the final year for its semaphore signals.
At the time of a previous visit to West Wales in October 2024, I had been told by the infrastructure owner that its aim was to have the over-running Port Talbot West 2 (PTW2) re-signalling project completed “by the end of 2025” although there is still very little evidence of work taking place.
On a day when I had seen photos of newly-installed “lollipop” colour light signals between Ferryside and Carmarthen, it was clear that nothing had been done at Pembrey in terms of the re-signalling project since my last visit.
It was also interesting to see that the previous generation of passenger rolling stock is still in evidence, despite Transport for Wales (TfW) boasting about the number of its new trains now in service.
Having expected to see all regional services worked by Class 197 “Marvins” it was notable on 12 February that 150258 was working 2B57 from Cardiff Central to Carmarthen, returning with 2B60 (12.34 from Carmarthen) and 1B38 from Cardiff (10.06) to Fishguard Harbour was formed by 153926/320.
But the day’s star turn was provided by Colas Rail-owned HST power cars 43303/357 forming NR test train 1Q16, which had worked from Landore to Fishguard and Milford Haven before returning late morning and passing Pembrey at 11.33 on its journey to Derby RTC via Worcester and Great Malvern.
A reminder for anyone yet to appreciate Burry Port – Pembrey is actually some distance from the station – that there are a total of five lower quadrant semaphores, controlled from an 83-lever frame in the substantial 1907-vintage Great Western Railway signal box, which stands some 300 yards east of the station platforms.
That quintet of semaphores comprises three in the down (westbound) direction, home signal PY7 on a bracket east of the level crossing (seen above), starter PY9 standing between the two running lines and section signal PY10 around 200 yards west of the station.
In the up direction are an outer home PY82, standing at the end of platform 1 close to some new signalling equipment and inner home PY81 (minus finial), close to the signal box and protecting the level crossing.
My two vantage points for the signals and passing trains were once again a footbridge just east of the railway station and then taking a 20-minute walk down to the signal box and over the level crossing before heading to a bridge on the town’s by-pass called New Road Tunnel (228m 40ch).
When it is finally completed, PTW2 will see control of the route from Swansea West Loop (215m 14ch) to Whitland (250m 0ch) pass to the signalling centre at Port Talbot, with closure of the four signal boxes at Pembrey, Kidwelly, Ferryside and Carmarthen Junction.
As ever, no visit to Burry Port would be complete without a call at the rather noisy and popular Portobello Inn, right outside the station, where I was once again delighted to discover that an excellent pint of Felinfoel Brewery’s Double Dragon still costs just £2.50.
RailwayWorld.net 
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