The Vale of Rheidol Railway - News

Two IOMR carriages are also now back on the isle, F37 and F38, I think they are

 

I was surprised to read this on the U.S. based Narrow Gauge Discussion Group https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,481156,481528#msg-481528
Is there any truth in this? Perhaps someone at the VoR can comment?
Ray.

 

Markings on the tender identify the loco as belonging to the Beacon Mountain Railway. Not the VoR

 

@marshall5 means the replica Forney being built, not the two operational Baldwins.

 

Actually, the quote #682 refers to another replica, of a SR&RL 2-6-2 No. 23; it's at a less advanced stage but is (I think)~ actually slightly bigger than either of the two operational Baldwins. I, for one, hope that they do actually decide to finish it, but, failing that, I hope that it winds up at the WW&F in the USA as the next best option.

 

The VoR now owns the BMR, the acquisition funded from Peter Rampton’s legacy. Statutory authority passed to the VoR via a Transport & Works Act (Transfer) Order made by the Welsh Gov in June ‘25.

 

Why would they want to sell it, unless the long-term plan is to run some of the larger Collection X locomotives on the Brecon Mountain Railway?

 

I think I've seen an article recently that says the Forney will give them three engines and they don't ever envisage needing more than one loco at a time on a regular basis, so perhaps selling 23 would give them a welcome cash boost - and now that they are one with the VoR presumably there's a reserve of locos there that they could call on if desperate in future.

 

Purely speculative from the original poster I think! Nice idea though.

You'll find some recent updates on the progress with the Forney loco construction on the BMR YouTube channel.

Whilst the T&WO was granted in 2025, the two lines remain separate entities at the moment. The intention is to bring both railways under unified management at the earliest opportunity but at the time of writing this has not yet been finalised.

Will
Vale of Rheidol

 

This sounds very exciting:

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2026/0...IfLN-UyfMupk-yRqnE_aem_bUF_82j0xZR2vQZS8bmTsQ

Guessing the "Collection X Bagnall locomotive" is one of the Gwalior pacifics? And sign me up for a behind the scenes tour.

 

It refers to diesel No 3124 ex Rustenburg Platinum Mines which is under overhaul to provide a powerful passenger diesel locomotive. No works have started on the Gwalior locos as yet.
https://vor.wales/locomotives/
https://vor.wales/blog/proactive-st...lway-responds-to-climate-and-coal-challenges/

Will
VoR

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FLnQSdFY8/

No. 9 having test runs today with its new oil firing system fitted. Hopefully it'll be ready soon as all services are currently diesel hauled due to fire risk.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2pn2y12ypo

 

Edit - double post because the forum is being slow again!

 

What diesel loco is working at the moment?

 

BR Blue & Oil Fired!! Very retro back to the days of my youth

 

No. 10.

 

And after a successful test run, straight into service on the 14.00!

 

Another Collection X gem has appeared out in the open! It's the Borsig, "Sotillos", late of the Sabero Railway.
In related news - and full disclosure - I have recently joined the Vale of Rheidol Railway company (part time, it's a 6 hour commute) as the Head of Collection Development. Expect more news on other former Collection X objects once plans are confirmed. Cheers! Tim

https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/new...omotive-goes-on-display-in-aberystwyth-925055

 

I guess the question everyone is thinking about is whether "Sotillos" is another candidate for restoration to working order?

 

Could be! Never say never at the Rheidol. It does have similar power to our 2-6-2Ts - but frankly there isn't a need for it to be restored. There's already a lot of backup - including a hefty Garratt.
There are two Collection X locos in the queue for working order resto first - the Rustenburg Mines diesel is already in the workshop and work has been underway sporadically. That and the Gwalior will keep the guys occupied for the next few years.