£1.8m steam railway plan to revive valley EXCITING new plans to bring steam trains back to the Amman Valley were announced last week. And railway campaigners who want to bring steam and diesel engines back to the area believe the £1.8million scheme will bring a sense of community pride and jobs to the area. "It is something we need to grasp before it is too late," Councillor Kevin Madge told a meeting at the Amman Centre last week. "The potential is there for reopening this line - we have got the infrastructure potential in place. "The vision to take this forward is there and if we grasp it it will make a big difference to the young and for their future." Amman Valley Railway Society want to re-open the Amman Valley Line, which branches off from the Heart of Wales line at Pantyffynnon. They have drawn up a business plan which could see trains back in the valley initially going up to Tairgwaith. In addition to an army of volunteers the employment opportunies could see three people in full time employment as early as next year. The figure rises to six by 2006, 15 in 2007 and peaking at 22 by 2009. But they have longer term plans to go to Pontardawe. The track is still in place but needs repairing to bring it up to standard. Society chairman Simon Shepherd: "This is an exciting, rewarding and challenging project. "Imagine what we could do with a railway that could offer a full passenger service to Rhydyfro." He said that a similar railway between Minehead and Taunton has brought £6million into the local economy.. And the society's public relations officer Mr John Lloyd said: "We must not let this opportunity pass and perhaps at the same time give something back to the valley." Executive Secretary Mike Smith was pleased with the turnout - every seat at the Amman Centre was taken including representatives and officers from both Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot Councils, the Heart of Wales line and a number of other organisations. "We have DMUs and carriages already available to go - within 18 months we could have a working, practical service," Mr Smith added. "We have an achievable 10-year plan." The plan would open up the valley to tourists visiting the Black Mountain and the Brecon Beacons beyond and provide residents with a commuter service that could connect them with the Heart of Wales line, Swansea and beyond. "If we could run six trains a day we would re-create the service of 1924," he told the meeting. The Great Welsh Railway could bring pride back to the valley, he said. The plan will be more commercially viable if the East Pit extension gets the go-ahead when the decision is announced next month. In the meantime the Society are to hold talks with Network Rail, who own the line, to discuss upgrading it. A steering group made up of both local authorities, society members and other interested groups will now be set up to take the scheme forward. They will be approaching the Assembly to investigate funding and to ask the Welsh Government to underwrite the insurance. give something back to the valley." Executive Secretary Mike Smith was pleased with the turnout - every seat at the Amman Centre was taken including representatives and officers from both Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot Councils, the Heart of Wales line and a number of other organisations. "We have DMUs and carriages already available to go - within 18 months we could have a working, practical service," Mr Smith added. "We have an achievable 10-year plan." The plan would open up the valley to tourists visiting the Black Mountain and the Brecon Beacons beyond and provide residents with a commuter service that could connect them with the Heart of Wales line, Swansea and beyond. "If we could run six trains a day we would re-create the service of 1924," he told the meeting. The Great Welsh Railway could bring pride back to the valley, he said. The plan will be more commercially viable if the East Pit extension gets the go-ahead when the decision is announced next month. Meantime, the Society are to hold talks with Network Rail, who own the line, to discuss upgrading it. A steering group made up of both local authorities, society members and other interested groups will now be set up to take the scheme forward. They will be approaching the Assembly to investigate funding and to ask the Welsh Government to underwrite the insurance costs.