The Vale of Rheidol Railway in Aberystwyth has been given the green light for European funding to allow work to start on a new station and multi-function display facility.

EU funding of £1.6m is being invested in the development through the Welsh Government’s Tourism Attractor Destination programme, led by Visit Wales, which aims to create 13 must-see destinations across Wales.

Entitled Wales to the World, it will see the current terminus at Park Avenue transformed into an authentic Great Western Railway 1930s-style station, with the creation of a multi-function display and entertainment facility and new café within the former steam locomotive shed.

Alongside these developments, a new carriage storage shed will be built, allowing the priceless collection of historic railway carriages to be stored in a protected environment and aid their long-term conservation.

Since the 1980s, the railway has been collecting steam locomotives from around the world. This collection is unrivalled, containing many locomotives which are now lost elsewhere. These locomotives have never been on public display.

Robert Gambrill, CEO Vale of Rheidol Railway, said: “This package of work is highly significant in the story of the Vale of Rheidol Railway and we hope it will see more passengers coming to visit what is a hidden gem in mid Wales."

Minister for Culture Tourism and Sport, Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas said: “Our aim through the Tourism Attractor Destination programme is to focus efforts and investment on key projects in each region so we have a real impact on Wales’ profile in this globally competitive market.

This development will provide mid Wales with a major visitor attraction, and I’m delighted that the funding is helping the team to realise a goal of bringing this unrivalled collection of heritage railway carriages together for all to see and appreciate.”