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The Gwili Railway thread

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

  1. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    Many thanks Matt.

    Nick
     
  2. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Extension update

    The south turnout at Abergwili is progressing well with the basic components assembled, this means that the trackwork on the extension is now virtually complete.

    Platform work is ongoing and the snagging list needs to be tackled as well as the return of the tamper to finush matters.

    Hopefully some pictures next week

    Regards

    Matt
     
  3. JamesR92

    JamesR92 New Member

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    Anyone at a loose end in South West Wales on Saturday 5th Sept? Why not come down and have a go at our Taster Day. See the attached poster for details
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Update

    The south point is progressing at Abergwili and preparations are being made to complete the casting of the platform ramps.

    Regards


    Matt
     

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  5. Phil_Guard

    Phil_Guard Member

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    Hi all,

    Just a quick reminder about the upcoming Gwili Gala on Saturday October 10th. 'Haulwen', 'Welsh Guardsman', D2178 and the DMU will be operating an intensive timetable, with a mixture of passenger, goods and railcar workings. There will also be brakevan rides (within station limits at Bronwydd Arms), opportunities for 'Driver for a Fiver', and a real ale bar at Llwyfan Cerrig.

    Hope to see you there - a working timetable (with further details of the event) will be available soon.

    Cheers,

    Phil.
     
  6. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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  7. Insider

    Insider New Member

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    Ok, so anyone know when is it opening
     
  8. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    As soon as it's ready and the inspector is happy...

    Remember this is all volunteer work, we have no permanent P Way, S&T or lineside staff and no rich benefactor with deep pockets to pay for lots of contractors.

    The situation is that the track is all but finished with just the final fitting of the run-around pointwork and a few rails to be replaced. There are a couple of 750mm culverts that need work, both need clearing and one needs the banks of the stream it carries reinforcing on the upstream side to stop erosion filling it up again plus some ditching on the downstream side of both.

    S&T have the signal posts in place, the arms need fitting and cables connected but this will mean changes to the current signalling at Bronwydd Arms station and cannot be started until Santa's been (at the earliest).

    There are all the smaller jobs the inspector picked up on his first visit; Hand rails, fencing, anti-treapass grids, safe walking routes - where the trackbed is only 6 foot wide in places with steep drops either side - are a problem... (how on earth did they lay the original broad gauge along here???) Then there are all the new risk assessments, changes to the SMS and rule book, operating procedures, retraining for the signalmen, route learning for the crews etc. etc.

    So there is quite a lot to do still and other works keep cropping up... Since we have been running engineering trains down the line we have found that the level crossing at Bronwydd is subsiding, so first job in the new year is to close the road, dig it up and completely re-lay it. Work and an expense we could have done without but something that must be done before we can even think of running a service. At least we will get some decent ducting installed for the S&T and 'phone cables etc.

    So if there is anyone out there that's got pots of money and nothing to spend it on, or anyone owning a rail franchise that would like to sponsor a complete new station complex, car park etc.... (well you never know, and if you don't ask... and we are near the West Coast and used to be Main Line..)

    Failing that, if you'd like an antidote to all the turkey and mince pies at Christmas you could always come and join the road gang in January. We can guarantee the weather (wet, cold & 'orrible - guaranteed!) but it will be fun - perhaps.

    Alan
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2015
  9. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Next on the job list is completion of the points and loop, a ballasting session and the return of the tamper. Once the final track levels are set much of the work described above can be addressed.

    Regards

    Matt
     
  10. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    Oops, yes. I forgot to mention the ballasting & tamping...
     
  11. Phil_Guard

    Phil_Guard Member

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    Hi all,

    A copy of the public timetable for the Gwili Gala (on Saturday October 10th) is attached. This is the first time we've run such an intensive timetable - three passenger train sets out (two loco-hauled, plus a DMU), plus a steam-hauled goods. It will certainly be busy!

    Other attractions at the event include...

    Bronwydd Arms
    - Intensive timetable - lots of movements to see! Including trains shunting across the crossing, onto the new Southern extension.
    - S&T Musuem open, in the old signalbox from Ffairfach (Central Wales line).
    - Trade and display stands from local interest groups and railway societies (weather permitting) in Bronwydd carpark.
    - Brakevan rides (departing from outside the shop, to the section signal and back) at 1048-1100, 1202-1215 and 1452-1505.
    - Vintage bus rides (departing from outside the signalbox) at 1130, 1245, 1400 and 1530 - short (approx. twenty minute) rides around the town.
    - Café open all day (in two restored ex-Taff Vale Railway coaches, located next to the signalbox).

    Llwyfan Cerrig

    - 'Pop-up' licensed bar in the station building and waiting room (ex Felin Fach, built in 1911).
    - Carriage & Wagon workshop open - view progress on DMU centre-car TCL W59508, which is currently 'in the shops'.
    - Diesel-hauled shuttles to Danycoed, with cl.03 D2178.
    - 7.25" gauge miniature railway in operation, with resident 0-4-0PH Roanoke ‘Ben’.
    - Travelling Post Office - TPO coach open and available to visit.
    - Find out more about the Gwili Vintage Carriage Group, who will have a stand present.

    A steam-hauled demonstration goods train will depart Bronwydd Arms at 1400, travelling to Llwyfan Cerrig. It will return from Llwyfan Cerrig at 1420, arriving back at Bronwydd Arms at 1429. Please note that it is not possible for passengers to travel on this train.

    The final train of the day (1550 ex Bronwydd Arms) will be double-headed by both Austerities.

    Hope to see you there! If you have any questions, just ask.

    Cheers,

    Phil.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Phil_Guard

    Phil_Guard Member

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    Hi all,

    In preparation for the gala this Saturday, D2178 paid a visit to Bridge 5 (just short of Abergwili Junction) last Saturday morning. The purpose of the visit was to retrieve the Loriot 'B' wagon (42155) from the extension, to be shunted into the gala goods.

    Attached are two pictures. Hope to see some of you on Saturday at the gala!

    Cheers,

    Phil.
     

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  13. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Nice pics Phil, hope you enjoyed the trip?!
     
  14. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Well the gala was a great success and all concerned had a most enjoyable day. Modest maybe compared to other offerings at this time of year but we have to start somewhere....

    The extension continues to progress and work is ongoing to compete the platform and run around loop after much work over the summer. We have a ballasting session planned and then work may slow down for the reminder of the year with the visit of a certain person on the horizon in December. However we are planning behind the scenes to get "all the little jobs" done. 2016? I hope so......

    In other news the DMU centre car is currently in the shed and GWR 216 continues to progress steadily.

    Oh yes and TVR28 returns next week....

    Regards

    Matt
     
  15. Matt78

    Matt78 Well-Known Member

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    Further update

    Taff Vale body no.48 was delivered last week. This is a mixed/first second class compartment carriage, identical to 31 and 52 which currently serve as the Bronwydd tea rooms. The coach has been received via the National Museum of Wales.

    The delivery takes the number of TVR carriages at the Gwili to 6. Only one, TVR 220 is likely to return to passenger use in the short term.

    There are no immediate plans to restore no.48, it joins the vintage train queue behind GWR216, TVR220 and GWR no.8, all of which are at least on wheels....

    Total number of vintage carriages/bodies at the Gwili now 9, being 6 TVR and 3 GWR. Guess we won't be idle on this front for a while then...

    In the latest restoration update GWR216 edges towards the finish line with most interior mahogany planks below the droplights fitted to the doors. Work is also ongoing to fit the beading around the droplight themselves. It looks increasingly likeley that this carriage will debut in 2016.....

    Regards

    Matt
     
  16. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    Hello,
    Has TVR 48 been deassessioned?
    In other words has the vehicle been given to the Gwili?

    Nick
     
  17. JWKB

    JWKB Member

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    It is now in the ownership of the gvcg.
     
  18. Phil_Guard

    Phil_Guard Member

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    I certainly did! It was a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning - with the morning mist just rising off the river. The extension to Abergwili Junction produces some very different views (not possible from the nearby road) - the best comparison I can think of is of the SDR, winding alongside the Dart near Totnes. Hopefully the picture conveys something of it...

    (Belated) thanks to those who attended the gala - it was good to talk to a few people who post on here, and put faces to names. A lot of people (both passengers and volunteers) commented on the friendly atmosphere of the day, with plenty of train movements to ride and photograph. Visitor numbers were 'up', the event made money, everyone was smiling - and we ran 'right time' all day.

    Suggestions welcomed for next year...!

    Phil.
     
  19. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    Hello,
    Any photos of TVR 48?
    I see that GWR 801/810 is also available from the National Museum of Wales.



    Nick
     
  20. JWKB

    JWKB Member

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    Nick,
    The GWR coach is little more than spares. About 85% of its frame is either missing or beyond repair, I think the guys at Didcot have it lined up for spares possibly.
     

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