There was great excitement in Saundersfoot over the weekend when passengers were able to climb aboard for the first day of the seaside village’s new land-train.

Saundersfoot Bay Heritage Land Train ‘Rosalind’, named after the last engine to bring men and materials to the harbour from the local mines, made it’s first public outing last Saturday.

Waves and smiles greeted the train as it blew it’s whistle and chugged its way up to the top of St Brides Hill, around the village and over to Coppet Hall, where people were able to get on and off, before returning to the Harbour where it started its journey.

The Land Train, brought to the bay by the Saundersfoot Village Working Party (a partnership of Saundersfoot Community Council, Saundersfoot Chamber for Toursim, the Hean Castle Estate and the Harbour Commission), carries up to 20 people at time on its 30-minute journey.

Anyone wishing to take a journey will be able to listen out for it’s distinctive ‘Toot toot’ as it climbs up and around the hills of the village, operating Saturday and Sundays until July 13, then daily from July 20 to Sunday, September 1.

The accompanying commentary (written by Alan Jones and read by Eric Mullins) provides a charming and informative historical story of Saundersfoot during the mining era through word, poetry and song.

Local residents, Audrey Hilling and Peter Williams give very moving personal recollections of life in those times which together with rousing songs from Tenby Male Choir while enjoying the wonderful views make this an experience not to be missed.

The train will start at the Harbour (just outside the Sailing Club) and make its way up Stammers Road, back along Sandy Hill Road and down St Bride’s Hill before following the one way system up to the school, down Frances Road and stopping at Coppet Hall before returning to the Harbour via Wogan Terrace.

Tickets are £4 for adults and £2 for children (5-11yrs) and can be bought when boarding the train. For more information see visitsaundersfootbay.com.