A historic west Wales railway line that closed 59 years ago has featured in a documentary.

The line, which opened in 1860, connected Aberystwyth to Carmarthen and was an important link for the communities and industries.

It was shut in 1964, but now it will be put under the spotlight in a new Channel 4 documentary, Abandoned Railways From Above, which aired on October 12.

The Carmarthen line was a challenging project of the Victorian age, requiring large amounts of rock to be cut away for its construction.

The documentary begins its journey in the coastal town of Aberystwyth, where former railway worker John Davies shares his memories.

He tells the programme: "The Carmarthen line was unique, really.

"It was a way of life and work. It was relaxed, compared with mainline services.

"It was a country life, so it was a slower pace."

Mr Davies started his railway career in 1952 as an engine cleaner before becoming a fitter, responsible for maintaining and repairing the trains.

By 1953, he had become a fireman, tasked with keeping the fire burning on the trains to provide the necessary steam power.

This was a particularly tough job on the Carmarthen line because the line was 'always uphill' and featured 'very severe gradients.'

The Carmarthen line also played a significant role in Mr Davies's personal life, as he met his wife of 66 years while working there.

He says: "We used to go to the refreshment rooms for a cup of tea.

"As we arrived there, the driver said, 'go to that office and make a date with that nice little girl in there.'

"He was stern so I had to go – I couldn’t say no to him.

"I went to the window office and said, 'I’m on rest day tomorrow – how about a date?'

"This week, we’ll have been together for 66 years."

The documentary takes viewers along the scenic route from Aberystwyth to Strata Florida station, passing the ruins of a 12th-century abbey, which is the burial site for 11 Welsh princes.

It continues to Pont Llanio, home to the decaying remnants of a once-thriving milk factory.

The factory, alongside the Carmarthen line, was integral in transporting gallons of milk as far as London.

At Pencader, an abandoned tunnel – the longest in West Wales – stands as a symbol of hope for the line's potential reopening.

The journey continues into the Teifi Valley and the Elvet Woollen Mill, an area that was once the heart of a booming textile industry made possible by the Carmarthen line.

The last stop is the Gwili Valley before the route ends at Carmarthen station.

Abandoned Railways From Above is a six-part series co-produced by Rumpus Media and High Rock Media for Channel 4.

Each episode explores a different lost railway line, revealing the industries that once thrived along its route, the ambitious engineering that went into its construction, and the profound impact it had on the lives of people in the cities, towns, and villages it served.

Abandoned Railways From Above aired on Channel 4 at 8.20pm on October 12 and will be available on Channel 4's streaming service.