Great Western Bristol 2-Hours Express, c.1930 - Tuck's Oilette Postcard
Great Western Bristol 2-Hours Express, c.1930 - Tuck's Oilette Postcard
FAIRIES LAND IN SWANSEA: Magical statue unveiled at station to bring Gower legend to life
The eye-catching installation, unveiled by Great Western Railway (GWR), brings to life the legendary Faeries of Pennard Castle — a haunting tale rooted deep in Gower folklore.
From Gower legend to city centre spectacle
The striking sculpture shows a winged faery perched among bright yellow flowers — a nod to the ancient story of how magical beings punished a cruel lord by burying his lands beneath sand dunes near Pennard.
Now, that legend has been transported from the windswept Gower coast straight into the heart of Swansea, as part of a wider campaign to get families exploring the stories behind the region.
GWR says the move is about turning everyday journeys into adventures — encouraging passengers to step off the train and discover the landscapes behind Wales’ most famous myths.
“Step into the stories”
The Swansea statue is part of a wider rollout linked to a new book, The Line to Legend Land, which retells traditional tales from across Wales and the South West.
A spokesperson for GWR said the aim is to “bring legends to life” and inspire a new generation to connect with the places around them.
And Swansea’s faery isn’t alone.
A giant red dragon has also appeared at Cardiff Central railway station — representing the iconic national symbol of Wales.
A striking red dragon statue now greets passengers at Cardiff Central as part of a Wales-wide myths and legends campaign.Boost for Swansea footfall?
The installation could also prove a boost for the city centre, with the station acting as a gateway for visitors heading to Swansea and the Gower.
With its mix of local heritage, family appeal and Instagram-ready visuals, the statue is already drawing attention from passers-by and travellers alike.
More than just a statue
The campaign is also supporting a children’s charity founded by author Michael Morpurgo, with hundreds of books being distributed to schools across the rail network.
But for Swansea, the focus is firmly local — shining a spotlight on one of Gower’s most enduring legends and putting it right in front of thousands of commuters every day.
And if GWR gets its way, this could be just the start — with more people swapping routine journeys for myth-filled adventures across South Wales.
#familyDaysOutWales #Gower #GreatWesternRailway #GWR #localAttractions #PennardCastle #SouthWalesNews #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaNews #SwanseaRailwayStation #thingsToDoSwansea #tourismWales #WalesNews #WelshLegendsDer Verlag Graswurzelrevolution und die zeitung Graswurzelrevolution sind auf der Leipziger Buchmesse in Halle 5, Stand K 406 zu finden. Mit dabei die zwei Neuerscheinungen „Kriegsuntüchtigkeit als Chance“ und „Anarchistisches Recht“
💚 Pannier Tanks
#trains #steamtrains #steamrailway #britishrailways #greatwesternrailway #gwr
11th March:
1V39 08:17 #Reigate to #DorkingDeepdene: 4 minutes late.
1O80 18:31 #DorkingDeepdene to #Reigate: On time.
#GWR delays: 41 minutes.
#Southern delays: 10 minutes.
#GreatNorthern delays: 3 minutes
#Thameslink delays: 1 minutes.
#SouthEastern delays: 3 minutes.
Total delays: 58 minutes.
#GWR On time: 5.
#Thameslink On time: 2.
#GreatNorthern On time: 1.
#Southern On time: 1.
#LondonOverground On time: 1.
#GWR Cancellations: 2 (2 full Cancellation).
Total On time: 10 / 30 trains.
2025 Stats:
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2024 stats:
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2023 stats:
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2022 stats:
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2021 stats:
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4th March:
2V38 07:39 #Reigate to #DorkingDeepdene: On time.
1O80 18:31 #DorkingDeepdene to #Reigate: On time.
#GWR delays: 37 minutes.
#Southern delays: 10 minutes.
#GreatNorthern delays: 3 minutes
#Thameslink delays: 1 minutes.
#SouthEastern delays: 3 minutes.
Total delays: 54 minutes.
#GWR On time: 4.
#Thameslink On time: 2.
#GreatNorthern On time: 1.
#Southern On time: 1.
#LondonOverground On time: 1.
#GWR Cancellations: 2 (2 full Cancellation).
Total On time: 9 / 28 trains.
2025 Stats:
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2024 stats:
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2023 stats:
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2022 stats:
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2021 stats:
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17th February:
2V38 07:39 #Reigate to #DorkingDeepdene: 1 minute late.
1O79 17:59 #DorkingDeepdene to #Reigate: 10 minutes late.
#GWR delays: 37 minutes.
#Southern delays: 10 minutes.
#GreatNorthern delays: 3 minutes
#Thameslink delays: 1 minutes.
#SouthEastern delays: 3 minutes.
Total delays: 54 minutes.
#GWR On time: 2.
#Thameslink On time: 2.
#GreatNorthern On time: 1.
#Southern On time: 1.
#LondonOverground On time: 1.
#GWR Cancellations: 2 (2 full Cancellation).
Total On time: 7 / 26 trains.
2025 Stats:
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2024 stats:
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2023 stats:
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2022 stats:
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2021 stats:
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9th February:
1O61 09:39 #Reigate to #Redhill: 3 minutes late.
1R17 10:10 #Redhill to #ClaphamJunction: 1 minute late.
1F24 12:01 #ClaphamJunction to #EastCroydon: 1 minute late.
9J25 12:17 #EastCroydon to #Redhill: On time.
1V48 12:40 #Redhill to #Reigate: On time.
#GWR delays: 26 minutes.
#Southern delays: 10 minutes.
#GreatNorthern delays: 3 minutes
#Thameslink delays: 1 minutes.
#SouthEastern delays: 3 minutes.
Total delays: 43 minutes.
#GWR On time: 2.
#Thameslink On time: 2.
#GreatNorthern On time: 1.
#Southern On time: 1.
#LondonOverground On time: 1.
#GWR Cancellations: 2 (2 full Cancellation).
Total On time: 7 / 24 trains.
2025 Stats:
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2024 stats:
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2023 stats:
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2022 stats:
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2021 stats:
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4th February:
1V39 08:17 #Reigate to #DorkingDeepdene: 5 minutes late.
1O81 18:58 #DorkingDeepdene to #Reigate: 1 minute late.
#GWR delays: 23 minutes.
#Southern delays: 8 minutes.
#GreatNorthern delays: 3 minutes
#Thameslink delays: 1 minutes.
#SouthEastern delays: 3 minutes.
Total delays: 38 minutes.
#GWR On time: 1.
#Thameslink On time: 1.
#GreatNorthern On time: 1.
#Southern On time: 1.
#LondonOverground On time: 1.
#GWR Cancellations: 2 (2 full Cancellation).
Total On time: 5 / 20 trains.
2025 Stats:
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2024 stats:
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2023 stats:
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2022 stats:
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2021 stats:
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21st January:
2V38 07:39 #Reigate to #DorkingDeepdene: 3 minutes late.
2I46 18:02 #Leatherhead to #Dorking (Main): 4 minutes late.
1st attempt:
1O80 18:31 #DorkingDeepdene to #Reigate: Cancelled: A broken down train.
2nd attempt:
1O81 18:58 #DorkingDeepdene to #Reigate: 3 minutes late.
#GWR delays: 17 minutes.
#Southern delays: 8 minutes.
#GreatNorthern delays: 3 minutes
#Thameslink delays: 1 minutes.
#SouthEastern delays: 3 minutes.
Total delays: 32 minutes.
#GWR On time: 1.
#Thameslink On time: 1.
#GreatNorthern On time: 1.
#Southern On time: 1.
#LondonOverground: 1.
#GWR Cancellations: 2 (2 full Cancellation).
Total On time: 5 / 18 trains.
2025 Stats:
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2024 stats:
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2023 stats:
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2022 stats:
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2021 stats:
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