The Gwili Railway thread

Good to hear, though perhaps it's a shame this wasn't mentioned a few posts back?
Any chance of seeing these proposals online?

 

Unlikely, yes. But you have pols from 3 of the 4 main parties in the Senedd committed to this (to various extents), and you have devolved government which is getting increased powers. I wouldn't count anything out.

 

Apart from all the other obstacles, the main problem and probably the most expensive single item is getting back into Aberystwyth Station. The cutting at Trefechan has been filled and built on and the route before and after the Rheidol crossing also built on with the bridge and mid span pier removed. There are also major problems at Llanfarian. So as nice as it would be to have the line reinstated, even if they started today it would take many years to accomplish and all sorts of things could have changed by then, not least the political will.

 

The new bridge over the river Towy at Carmarthen would also be a significant cost. On the whole however most of the route remains relatively development free. Part of the route at the North end is a cycle track and of course the south end has been well protected being within the ownership of the Gwili. As per above though we should be bypassed.......

 

The report will find it is Not viable. A dual carraigeway in this instance is far more viable. In fact a bus running up a dual carraigeway would be quicker than the train! Topography is so difficult for such a sparse population and still no answer to a quick North South rail service.

 

Not a hope of that either.

 

Alas, and especially with the WA's abysmal record regarding healthcare. The local Hywel Dda health board is a joke, with various general hospitals in the area being downgraded. The result is that everything is being centred on Glangwili in Carmarthen (I suppose this might be a case for the line- Bronglais hospital in Aberystwyth has lost some of its services to Glangwili). Yet the WA seems happy to spend money on vanity projects in and around south east Wales, deciding that the rural areas of west Wales are fair game for funding cuts (A40 trunk route desperately needs dualling west of St. Clears), and subsequently blame Westminster when they run into difficulties. If the Scottish believe there is a 'Westminster Problem' in Britain, then there's certainly a 'Cardiff Problem' in Wales...

 

And that's before you end up behind a tractor... It would be funny if it wasn't so frustrating, as Fishguard ferry traffic gets caught behind them in the mid-late morning causing chaos. Bring back Motorail!

 

I drive 'home' from York to visit the family every three months, and after around 310 miles, the serious driving starts at St. Clears (I go via the M42-M5-M50-A40-A449-M4-A48-A40 as I can't stand the A487, nor heading west via Brecon/Llandovery, either!)...

 

Wales is looking rather enviously at Scotland at the moment, both in a railway context (the re-opening of the Waverley is cited as an example for the re-instalment of Carmarthen to Aber), and also in general political terms following the General election. Plaid Cymru do not enjoy anything like the dominance in Wales that the SNP achieved in Scotland. However the economies of Wales and Scotland simply don't match with the North Sea Oil a massive trump card for the Scots. Scotland are talking independence whereas the best Wales can hope for is more devolution of power from Westminister. Still it's not all bad, we have a chance of qualifying for Euro 2016 and we might just make it out of our pool in the Rugby World Cup!

Regards

Matt

 

Or maybe not at current prices, and following the discovery of a fairly hefty reserve near Gatwick...

 

Update

At Abergwili work is ongoing on the loop, after some groundworks the North end point is due to be connected up this weekend all being well. The picture shows the gap looking north.

The south end turnout work is due to start after this, new point timbers hopefully arriving Monday.

In other news GWR 216 is progressing well (see Heritage Carriages thread for pictures), and the bar coach (MK1 TSO conversion) is having a full repaint. Llwyfan Cerrig station building is also undergoing full repairs and a repaint into GWR colours aside from the usual operations at this time of year.

Regards

Matt

 

WAG TRAWS scoping study

The Welsh Assembly Government has now appointed the consultants for the Scoping Study into reopening the Carmarthen-Aberystwyth line. This is the first stage in reconnecting the Caernarfon-Carmarthen Cambrian Coast route to provide a North Wales-South Wales route. TRAWS volunteers are fully included in the study and have already input much information, maps etc. The study should be concluded by mid-September. This is the preliminary stage prior to getting a full feasibility study.

 

brief update-

work is ongoing on the connection of the loop to the north point at Abergwili, and new crossing timbers have arrived onsite in anticipation of the construction of the south turnout. Pictures next week hopefully...

regards

Matt

 

Progress.....

Work continues at the North end of the loop with a catch point now installed, link up should be today and then it's onto the south end to commence construction of that turnout....

Other work planned in the next month includes finishing off jobs on the platform as we work towards completion of the outstanding job list.

Regards

Matt

 

Anyone in South Wales at a loose end on Saturday 5th September ever wanted to drive a steam loco? The Gwili are running an all new 'Taster' experience, if you're interested in finding out more follow the link to the website here - http://www.gwili-railway.co.uk/en/events/taster-footplate-experience.aspx or phone the office on 01267-238213