The Great Little Trains of Wales (GLTW) has won a funding package from the Department for Transport (DfT) to work together with Arriva Trains 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 has secured an award of £67,000 to implement the plan.
Using the message ‘Use the Big Train to see the Little Trains’, the first step will be to produce a new guide for tourists, inspired by the Bradshaw’s Guides of years gone by, that suggests a range of trips by train to make it easier for the novice public transport user or overseas tourist to get around.
Rail Minister Claire Perry said: "We want to show the best of British to our visitors and Heritage and Community Railways are part of that package. I am delighted that the Great Little Trains of Wales is one of 17 national winners across Britain. I look forward to seeing the scheme develop, providing another great reason to visit Wales."
GLTW chairman Charles Spencer said: "We were very pleased indeed to win this funding against stiff competition. We have a tough challenge in getting the pilot edition of our new guide out this summer so the tourism business in Wales can benefit this year, but we believe it will give a valuable boost to the Great Little Trains of Wales brand which is well known around the world."
It is hoped to launch the guide – which will be supported by a dedicated website - at a major London station at the beginning of August.
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A short video file can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Fg1urk-IY&feature=youtu.be
For further information contact Charles Spencer at charles.spencer@wllr.org.uk or Andrew Thomas at Welsh Highland Railway on Tel: 01766 566072 athomas@ffwhr.com
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