The Gwili Railway thread

Hi all -

Just a quick note, for those that are interested - the newly arrived Dogfishes are DB983115 and DB983194, whilst the Shark is DB993898. The new arrivals (along with a Gwili Dogfish - DB993568) are being shunted onto the extension this afternoon, ready to begin running ballast trains later in the season.

The Mink 'A' Van (96302) has recently moved from Bronwydd Arms by road to Kidderminster.

A late change to this week's loco roster... D2178 will be working all trains tomorrow (4th June) and Wednesday (5th June), vice Jennifer. This isn't due to a problem with the steam loco - however we are being cautious about the size of our coal-pile, in view of the extended operations coming up, especially with a special event this weekend. "Haulwen" will be back in traffic for the Cream Tea Specials on Thursday (6th June), and also for the 1940s event this weekend. Normal (coal-fired) service should be resumed next week!

The loco roster for June is pretty straight-forward.... apart from tomorrow and Wednesday, "Haulwen" is booked to work all trains this month. We are running every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday - departures from Bronwydd Arms at 1030, 1150, 1320, 1450 and 1600. On Sunday 16th June, we are running a Dining Train for Fathers Day - departures from Bronwydd Arms at 1230 and 1400 (booking advisable). Don't forget the Cream Teas on the train every Thursday... word is getting around about these, with (probably) the tastiest cream teas in Carmarthenshire! Highly reccomended...

Don't forget the 1940s Weekend this weekend, in association with the Tin Shed Experience. Plenty going on over the weekend - including an evening dance at Llanpumpsaint Village Hall, with entertainment provided by 3 part close harmony singers "The Siren Sisters". Tickets to the dance are £10, with a cash bar available.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

A video of the latest on the extension from Bob Masterman here



Regards

Matt

 

update

More track laying in the past week or so means we have just 3 panels to go until the present end of sleepers. The newly laid section of line today saw the first train to run here since 1977 with the ruston diesel and ballast train. Ballasting of the section laid so far starts this week.

Regards

Matt

 

some pictures from today, first day of ballast trains, track now laid to the end of sleepers just before the road bridge

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwilirailway/9069954838/

regards

Matt

 

Cracking ..... Just imagine Dinmore Manor with a couple of four wheelers down there

 

I was thinking 5 x MK1's but each to their own.....

 

What about 28 and three or four TVR 4 wheelers ..... And back to the real world I come

 

Nice to see a "train's eye view" of the extension.... well done to all of you, keep up the good work.

 

the progress is daily at the moment, more photos presently on the facebook page of ballast trains (with the 03 added for more traction) and also of the start of the platform construction. The ballast team now getting into their stride and more deliveries every day this week.

Regards

Matt

 

pictures from today now on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwilirailway/9079351590/in/photostream/

regards

Matt

 

Hi Chris,

no unfortunately we didn't put one down, lesson to be learned

meanwhile here is a good view of what to expect on the last mile or so on the extension with a view from the dogfish returning to the ballast loading area.



One more day of ballast trains tomorrow by which time we will have laid and ploughed 1,000 tonnes! Platform footings being installed today too.

Regards

Matt

 

Just a thought. Surely a membrane robust enough to stop weeds coming through on a long-term basis would trap water as well; which might not be such a good thing.

 

All the memrane I have used is a very fine (and tough) mesh which allows water through but stops weeds etc coming back. Ray.

 

Membranes may be OK for stopping weeds coming back up but they are also very good at stopping debris going down... Once you get leafmould etc. in the upper ballast (and we still have a lot of trees!) the weed seeds soon find a medium to grow in whether you have a membrane or not. Either way you still have to do your (at least) annual weed kill spraying.

Alan

 

For all of you that have been asking for a view from Bridge 5:-

Looking North. Loading ballast today.

Looking South. Platform will be just around the bend in the distance

Good things come in small packages...

 

Some more photos from today here, including platform foundations

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwilirailway/9109062668/

It's been one busy week with all the work above plus the usual service on the operating line. Extension work continues next week with focus on the platform and track work.

Regards

Matt

 

Glad your ballasting is going well. I always find that very satisfying. The Shark saves a huge amount of shovelling. Be gentle with it, it's mine.

 

The last time I passed them, both wagons and van were sporting faux BR(W) labels in the clips, stating "Return Empty to Bridgnorth" - apparently signed by a Carriage and Wagon Inspector in Shrewsbury, dated 24.05.63....

I am sure that they are in good hands!

 

more activity this weekend with the down distant post for Bronwydd being erected on the extension. The platform wall is having the second layer added and work starts next week on the last 1/4 mile to the station site

photos are on facebook for those that have access to it

Regards

Matt