CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating victory after their calls for a new evening railway service to stop at all stations north of Barmouth to Porthmadog was successful.

Earlier this year the Cambrian News reported that the Cambrian Railway Group has been inundated with complaints that the new 8pm train northward from Barmouth only stopped at Harlech, Porthmadog, Criccieth, with request stops at Abererch and Penychain before ending in Pwllheli.

However, campaigners said the service, dubbed ‘the ghost train’, and run by Arriva Trains Wales, should stop at the smaller stations of Talybont, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Llanbedr, Pensarn, Llandanwg, Tygwyn, Talsarnau and Penrhyndeudraeth.

Assembly Member Joyce Watson backed campaigners in their calls for change on the service and delivered a 384-signature petition, collected by Harlech resident Rosy Berry, to the Assembly.

The cause was also taken up with Arriva Trains Wales and the transport minister.

Following consultation with Network Rail, Arriva announced that from Monday, 12 September the service would now stop at all stations on request.

A long-time campaigner for the service, Mrs Berry said: “This is fantastic news, shows what people power can really do!”

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News, in shops now or by clicking on Digital Editions above