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The Gwili Railway thread

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Matt78, Jan 28, 2012.

  1. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Don't worry Tom, it is only a natural reaction to want to claim everything GW for other regions......lol

    Back to the news, this article appeared in the South Wales press recently. As you will note we have firm plans in place to restart tracklaying on the extension in May, with the aim to complete the "tracking" aspect of the extension by the end of the year. All materials are to hand (well- rail/sleepers at least so here's hoping for some good progress).

    Full steam ahead for railway boost | This is South Wales

    Regards
    Matt
     
  2. thb17

    thb17 Member

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    It's all go! There's nothing better than local paper coverage! Carmarthen citizens definatly seem to want it! Will you build the temporary platform on
    The other side of the loop so basically a platform 2 so you can build the platform 1 unhindered? The park and ride is a great idea as it will push the council to wards helping the access road! Any old railway buildings available for the Carmarthen north set up? Regards Tom
     
  3. NUTSPLITTER2

    NUTSPLITTER2 New Member

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    " If a heritage railway uses only ex-industrial engines does it have any street cred?" .... please discuss. ( marks will be deducted for poor spelling and punctuation).
     
  4. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Austerities have their place in preservation. On a line of up to about 5 miles or so, they are perfectly suitable, and nothing to be ashamed of!
     
  5. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    It depends in what context. If we are talking about a Heritage Railway that has roots in industry, (such as Tanfield or Foxfield) then ex-industrial engines are highly appropriate.

    As this thred is specifically Gwili related, I presume you are asking a specific question about the Gwili. The answer is that we probably don't have as much street cred (among enthusiasts- the general public not being that bothered about what's on the front). Of course we do have a class 03/14/DMU- all ex-BR diesels but I again assume that the question was meant in relation to steam.

    I wouldn't say we have no "street cred" - we might not be in the premier league overall, but there are certain things that we have that are premier league material- National award for crossing gates/Dining Train/Vintage Carriage restoration/around 200 operating days per year/fully functional signalling system/scenery/gradients to name a few. I can only leave others to define what the term "street cred" should mean- I guess it is a highly subjective term anyway.

    In short yes the Gwili could do with an ex- BR loco- and that would improve our street cred - but we would like to think that there is enough going for us regardless.....
     
  6. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    That should be a new thread. This thread is to highlight activities on the Gwilli in 2012.
     
  7. thb17

    thb17 Member

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    A class 37 would be nice I believe they use to run along the line. Maybe a little large, in regard to a steam locomotive for me it has, to be tvr 28 from the national collection once it's up and running again! It's the perfect size and look. Historically it won't have run over the line but it would look fantastic with a tvr train! There is nothing wrong with austerities! They sound as good as anything on a gradient, a pannier would also be nice.
    a shed would need to be built for loco groups to be interested. I think the Carmarthen north site is easy to access the loco has a good chance of running so it would be appealing!
    Regards Tom
     
  8. Gwenllian2001

    Gwenllian2001 Member

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    A Hymek would be better. They were regulars on the milk trains.
     
  9. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Your message is hard to read with all those exclamation marks. Could you perhaps try to use full stops and commas next time - it would give your message more meaning.

    Thanks

    Keith
     
  10. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    ...and on Carmarthen-Aberystwyth passengers.

    David
     
  11. thb17

    thb17 Member

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    Not many Hymeks about, would look great through the Gwili valley.

    In reply to Keith I know I wrote it on my phone and the full stop and the rest of the punctuation is on the other page of a touch screen. I was in a rush so therefore made no attempt and just used the exclamation mark. I shall only post from my computer from now on then. I have re-edited the post for your reading.

    Back to the Gwili getting to Carmarthen has to be the priority. It just would be lovely to see a loco owning group joining the railway. What happened to the BR class 02 Nellie?
    regards Tom.
     
  12. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    A pannier would be perfect for the Gwili but the days of picking up cheap engines are long gone.
     
  13. Jark91

    Jark91 Member

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    I would imagine the railway would be better off trying to attract an owning group than buying their own ex-BR loco no? The problem being the lack of maintenance facilities at present. Are there any plans to build a shed in the near future? Presumably all available funding will be channeled into getting a station built at Carmarthen North?
     
  14. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    The line from Carmarthen through Bronwydd Arms to Lampeter and Newcastle Emlyn was open for goods until 1973; by this time class 37s had replaced Hymeks in West Wales, so a Class 37 would be historically accurate on the Gwili Railway. Personally, I prefer steam, whether an industrial or a pannier tank (the latter perhaps on loan, with a couple of charters pre-arranged to ensure income to cover the cost!).
     
  15. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Well this is turning into a popular thread....

    If I was a loco owner looking for somewhere to base an engine I would want the following

    -suitable steaming fee
    -a decent number of days running
    -undercover accomodation
    -suitable staff to look after the engine (in the absence of a regular "team" with the engine)
    - a decent length of line
    - maybe some suitable coaches to run with

    As far as we are concerned, we now have full time MPD staff, a number of running days and you could say that with the extension a decent run. So I reckon we are some of the way to becoming a more attractive prospect for loco owners particularly with 2 GWR 4 wheel coaches almost ready, but yes, we probably do need the shed. What comes first- shed or extension.....answers on a postcard.

    2 Hymek diesels hauled the last passenger train in Feb 1965. Class 37's were regulars in the late 60's and one hauled the last freight and another the demolition train.

    Nellie was sold to RMS Locotec some years ago.

    Regards
    Matt
     
  16. thb17

    thb17 Member

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    DB Schenker have 6 class 37 loco's and 2 class 58's for sale. I wonder how much their reserves are? We can dream! Would be amazing to have a 37 the last loco over the Gwili and a 37 the first loco on the new extension. Blank cheque anyone? haha I wonder if a business would fund it if you painted it in their livery like a massive bill board. Would be nice!

    Any news on Olwen, Welsh Guardsman and Victorys progress?

    Regards Tom
     
  17. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    37's are pretty sizeable machines, nice as it would be I think it might be a bit too big for us at present.

    News update-

    Welsh Guardsman - new firebox being built at South Devon, Cylinder block work ongoing at Llangollen, cab, tank and frames all painted ready for reassembly. Still hopeful it will be back in July

    Olwen- boiler in Somerset, work on foundation ring and outer firebox patch. Minor work on frames ongoing at Bronwydd. No predicted date for return yet.

    Victory- Boiler has been painted, foundation ring riverts being removed. This is the " fill in" work at the moment. No predicated date for return.

    Jennifer and Haulwen ready for the start of the season. No dates for Jennifer yet,Haulwen will be in use over Easter (DOWT)

    03 and 14 also serviceable.

    Kitchen Car- has now been painted Southern Green and will be lined out in "Felinfoel Red"

    GWR 216 has had replacement beading fitted in the last week.

    Interior of Signal Box has been completley repainted, work has commenced on woodwork repairs on the outside.

    Much improvement work at Llwyfan Cerrig with lanscaping, tree clearance forming a very pleasant setting.

    Regards
    Matt
     
  18. thb17

    thb17 Member

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    Its all go again! Can you see Olwen making a 2012 appearance?

    I dont think the Gwili needs anymore of its own loco's maybe a medium sized diesel for when the 14 returns as the 03's I understand struggle to cope with 3 mark1's. Its changed so much I remember Matt a loco from when I was a child called gumby? I am going back a little while I think I must have been about 7 at the time, any ideas if its a figure of my imagination? haha

    So is that the four coach Felinfoel set almost complete? Would love to see crazy golf at Llwyfan Cerrig haha. Regards Tom
     
  19. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Olwen - is a possible for 2012 but it depends on lots of things.

    Yes we did play host to Gunby from about 1994 to 2003ish-it left for the Swindon and Cricklade where it remains today. It was one of the austerity prototypes.

    Dining train is all in green now (3 coach set) work is ongoing on a 4th carriage to be added probably next year.
    Regards
    Matt
     
  20. thb17

    thb17 Member

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    With the rising price of coal and diesel the gwili's line when 4 miles will not overly add to the running costs but will improve an already very good line!. How do heritage railways like the gwili afford to run loco's. Let alone paid staff the overhauls. Are heritage railways aloud to use red diesel? Regards Tom
     

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