Criccieth station in North Wales has been made more welcoming with new displays of art and local heritage.

The station platform has been transformed into a vibrant community hub with a handcrafted wooden steam train installation and an exhibition about local heritage, which were unveiled on Thursday, 4th June, during Community Rail Week from 1st to 7th June.

The project was funded by the Cambrian Railway Partnership’s Railway 200 Community Grant Fund, which is supported by Transport for Wales’s Challenge Fund that supports projects celebrating 200 years of the modern railway.

The large wooden steam train was built by the Criccieth Men’s Shed, and designed by Criccieth Crafters, who also decorated the engine with hand-knitted and crocheted woollen patterns.

The heritage exhibition is titled ‘Potted Thyme Line’, and was created by Criccieth in Bloom, which worked with local school pupils and community groups.

The exhibition comprises historic photographs, press cuttings, and archive material that traces the railway coming to Criccieth between 1865 and 1869.

The Criccieth in Bloom group has also created a planter with a display of perennial flowers.

Criccieth is one of the stations in Wales that has a walk conveniently designed to start and finish at its railway station, with a map of the walk available for download from the “Guided Walks by Train” page on Transport for Wales’ website at https://tfw.wales/guided-walks-by-train.

Criccieth is also benefiting from late evening trains on the Cambrian Coast line, which were due to be withdrawn last December, but after protests from locals, the decision was reversed.

Cllr Delyth Lloyd, Criccieth Town Council Chair, commented that what makes these projects especially important is the spirit of collaboration behind them, bringing together volunteers, artists, historians, community groups and residents of all ages.

“It’s brilliant to see the community coming together to create something very special and memorable for Criccieth railway station. We’re proud our Challenge Fund could help the Cambrian Railway Partnership support these community-led projects that celebrated the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and strengthened local connections. Thanks to everyone’s incredible efforts, the station is now a more welcoming space for passengers and locals.”

Melanie Lawton, Community Rail Strategy Lead for Transport for Wales

“The Cambrian Railways Partnership’s Railway 200 Community Grant Scheme has helped promote our communities’ connections with our railway, and we have been delighted with the creativity shown in Criccieth by our community groups to celebrate the railway’s important anniversary.”

Neil Scott, Chair of the Cambrian Railway Partnership