Station on the Bay
Yesterday was memorable for many good reasons: the sun shone on the crowds gathered to welcome the first day of passenger services at Fishguard and Goodwick for 48 years. The band played, the plaque was unveiled and we greeted the many partners, official and unofficial, who made this all come true in less time than anyone dared imagine. It was a fine send-off for our new station.
Today was the first serious test. After all the celebrations, how would the service do on its first ordinary working day?
14 trains a day
Fishguard Trains took the 9:59 to Carmarthen.
The train sign on the platform displays the next three trains, and a digital speaker announces the imminent train. (Guess what Clunderwen is in Digital?)
like in Switzerland
At 9:58 and 28 seconds, the 9:59 appeared round the bend. Nice one. What a shame it couldn’t be this punctual for BBC Wales’ live cameras last night.
just the ticket
A ticket to keep in our scrapbook. The first week for a half-century that you can buy tickets to and from Fishguard and Goodwick. (Sadly, someone in a back office has entered May 21 as the date to start selling F&G tickets, at booking offices and online. So if you can get hold of an F&G ticket dated for this week, you’ve beaten the system.)
one town, two stations
A good day’s work in Carmarthen, and it’s time to head home.
The platform indicator still comes as a surprise – we really are a town with two stations.
smiles better
The smiles say it all – people are getting off the train in Fishguard and Goodwick, and the sun’s still shining. All over Wales, Britain and the world, people are doing the same thing this evening – another day’s work done, the shopping, the visiting and the busying. And now we’re back home again, off the train and (hopefully) time to unwind. What could be more normal?
welcome home
And here’s the best sight of all. Six cars in the station car park to meet evening travellers. We have a Park and Ride station!
Fishguard Trains was particularly pleased to see a car driven by a good neighbour who only a year ago doubted that anyone would use the new services.
Welcome on board.
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