Taff Vale railway No 28

It is worth noting that this is the first step in the project and whilst it is only a small one it is the start of the journey. The aim of the three way partnership is not only to secure the future of 28 in the short term but instead to lay down the foundations for the long term care and preservation of the engine here in Wales.

It is also worth noting that it is our long term aim of providing a Welsh train consisting of not just TVR 28 but 3 or 4 victorian 4 wheelers all from the same era and company. This is the most comprehensive plans put forward to date by any organisation in Wales for telling the story of pre-grouping railway companies and the role they played in the industrial revolution.

So hopefully you will see it isn't a cope out or rubbishing the work of others. Instead it is a group of liked minded Welsh railways coming together with all the necessary skills to see the project through its various stages to completion.

The small steps are just us walking before we run.

 

Err, not so! 28 had a Ramsbottom Safety valve. At least, it did when I performed boiler work on it, which included the annual inspections & washouts!

Ian

 

We've made a good start on fundraising, but if you'd like to see 28 back in one piece (as we do!), more is needed. The critics from the magazines are sadly silent thus far on the matter...

 

When restored 28 was fitted with second hand Ramsbottom valves as being closer in appearance to the originals than the Swindon safety valves. These are of the typical type with the valves set on the top of a casting comprising a pair of columns branching at the base from a single fitting. The TVR variant of the Ramsbottom type of valve comprised a pair of valves set just above the boiler with tubes leading up to nearly cab roof level enclosing rods connecting with the balance lever connected to the spring, the release lever extending back into the cab through the spectacle plate. On the earlier passenger locos these tubes were polished brass (like the dome covers), but I think its fair to presume that those on the O1s would be painted black (steel?). I once had a copy of a GA drawing which makes what I am trying to explain clearer, if I can find it I'll put it online with a link to it.

The other incongruity is the very deep buffer beams fitted by the NCB, presumably in 1955 (if you think this is descending to the levels of rivet counting ... perhaps I could point out that the welded tanks are totally lacking any!).

Mike

 

Some very interesting details there. Rest assured we are taking note, but as Anthony says, more money is needed to get to first base.

 

Just trying to keep this thread alive!

 

Great, let's keep it going!

 

You're doing a great job, Lester Brown, and we thank you for your support in this regard.

 

The GVCG/TVR28 team will be attending the Llangollen Spring Gala this coming weekend (19-21 April). Why not pop over for a chat? More details on where and when to follow...

 

Just been informed by our man on the ground that we'll be setting up our stall at Glyndyfrdwy tomorrow. We have also obtained the remaining stock of 'The Last Survivor', a book detailing the history of No. 28. They are being sold at £3 per book, whilst stocks last. Hope to see you there...

 

Well the first day of the Llangollen gala yielded good weather and we managed to meet a few of you. Below are a few photos showing the cab and bunker of TVR 28 in storage at Llangollen.

Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

A fine day at Glyndyfrdwy yesterday, and we managed to raise some money towards the restoration of No. 28. It was a great opportunity to begin 'learning the ropes' of active (rather than reactive) fundraising, and to chat to like-minded people, and the experience also raised a few ideas for future displays and fundraising initiatives. One thing was clear, there was definitely a determination to see the locomotive in one piece again, so here's hoping this determination equates to both financial and physical assistance in completing this phase of the project. We are considering the next event to set up our display, so please keep checking for future announcements in this regard.

 

I stopped off to have a look at the 28 stand on Sunday. The Gwili guys seemed switched on and are in for the long haul. I like the idea of the taff loco and carriages doing a circuit of heritage railways just like the Railmotor. They got a few quid out of me and deserve a lot more. Maybe Nat Pres readers?

 

Thanks for the positive remarks, Insider. I was on the stand on Saturday; we very much enjoyed our time there, and we were made very welcome by the Llangollen Railway, so our profound thanks go to them for putting up with us! We were pleasantly surprised at how many people knew about the project, and how many people were supportive of our aims. As mentioned in my previous post, we left with much food for thought as to how to improve our display (it is a steep learning curve when starting from nearly nothing), and we were very happy with the amount we managed to raise... as a well-known retailer used to say, "Every little helps!" We definitely intend to attend more events in future (if other railways and exhibitions will have us!), so watch this space!

 

We're on page 22 in the current edition of Steam Railway, which gives details of a surprise boost in fundraising.

 

Don't let the lack of updates over the last few months put you off... as with most projects of this type, there is a lot of administrative work going on! However, we are pleased to announce that we have just about reached the half-way mark for the money required to begin the cosmetic restoration of No. 28 at Llangollen. However, that means the pressure is now on to raise a further £2,500, and following completion, a further sum will be required to fund transportation to the Gwili (we are looking into the possibility of bringing the locomotive to the Gwili via a rather more circuitous route to raise the profile of the project- nothing set in concrete yet, though) and any money left over will be used to kick-start phase two of the project. So exciting times!

If anyone is interested in assisting the project, whether via donation or spreading the word, we would like to refer you to our webpage:

http://gvcg.co.uk/appeal/

Any assistance would be gratefully appreciated, and would hasten No. 28's return to public display for the first time in two decades. Suffice to say, the hard work will begin once we reach that point!

 

A bit late, but there's still one day to go! The TVR 28 stand is at Hampton Loade station during the SVR gala, so if you are thinking of attending the gala, why not pop over to say hello and find out a bit more about the scheme?

We are also in a position to give an estimated cost breakdown of phase one of the scheme, which comprises the initial cosmetic restoration of No. 28 for public display.

1. Repair bunker, cab and roof platework £750.00
2. Repair both water tanks £1,150.00
3. Fit tanks, cab etc. to frames £500.00
4. Supply & form temp. cladding sheets to cover boiler top £1,100.00
5. Fit coupling rods, con-rods and complete outside motion £700.00
6. Paint locomotive £1,250.00

Total: £5,450

With c.£2,500 already raised, the project is gradually moving forward, and any help will be most gratefully received, and would speed the commencement of the restoration at the Llangollen Railway. Following this, money will need to be raised to fund the transportation of the locomotive from Llangollen to the Gwili Railway, although other funding options will be looked into once the restoration is sufficiently advanced. Once back at the Gwili and safely on display, phase two of the project will begin: the hard work of sourcing and securing grant-funding and administering an appeal for a future return to steam!

For further information, please email taffvale28@gmail.com or write to us at:

GVCG c/o Gwili Steam Railway,
Bronwydd Arms Railway Station,
Bronwydd Arms,
Carmarthen,
Dyfed
SA33 6HT.

 

Seeing how much of the cost is due to the loco never being stored under cover in preservation what are the plans for its accommodation at the Gwili?

 

Hi Lester,
When 28 is returned to the Gwili it will be placed on promint display at Llywfan Cerrig . This unfortunately will not be under cover however we will contine to work on the engine to keep it in pristine condition. We are also looking at all options to keep the engine under cover as much as possible.

 

Lester - much of the worst rot dates from open storage in bits. The chimney will be capped and other precautions taken to ensure the rot does not begin again. There is a long term plan and having the engine in one piece is hopefully just the start.