There's a Welsh song about going down to Aberystwyth on "the excursion train". Very bumpity-bumpity kinda tune.

On the admin side of things ... there used to be a jazz train from Carmarthen to Milford Haven - jazz on the way down, then a gig in a pub. And the line from Llanelli to Shrewsbury used to have County & Western evenings between the Ammanford and Llanwrtyd Wells stops. Llanwrtyd was the place where the upgoing and the downcoming trains passed within 5 minutes of each other, so the performers and audience had to jump off one train, cross the platform and load on t' other in 5 minutes.

I don't know anyone involved in the C&W, but might find a contact for the jazz, if needed.

Also, I've spoken with someone involved in Sustainable Tourism Transport Wales who might have some details re: funding. I'll send you details if it's of use. He says that you should also find out if you're in an area which qualifies for European Structural Funds - there might be relevant categories for this kind of development.

Also, check with whichever company holds the rail franchise for the area. Some of the newer franchisees, or old ones desperate to hold on to their contracts, are looking at funding Community Managers to develop new 'product' - ie entertainment trains, et al. I know that one of the companies tendering for the new all-Wales franchise is doing this - particularly on lines designated as 'deep rural' and 'rural.

OK - that's all very boring, but it might make the difference between being paid in beer or bank notes!

sian