The Gwili Railway thread

Update

TVR 28 is now back at the Gwili and on display at Llwyfan Cerrig

We are hoping that the final trackwork to the loop will be completed this weekend this marking a significant milestone in the extension. Next on the list a ballasting session is needed, and then we can think about the return of the tamper.

Regards

Matt

 

Hello,
would help if some photos were uploaded of TVR 28 return somewhere on the web!


Nick

 

Hi Nick

Sorry haven't made it up to the railway to get some pics yet, hopefully next week

Thanks

Matt

 

Hello Matt,
Thanks!

Nick

 

Some photos in the gloom today....

1) TVR 28 in store at Bronwydd after return from NRM

2) new TVR coach body

3) Olwen's boiler progressing towards testing

Regards

Matt

 

Just been reading the latest VNL and see that there is still a few months work left on the extension.
A few questions arise (apologies if this has been covered before - too many post to read in order to check!):
How will journeys on the line work once the extension is open? Will trains go north, then south and then back to Bronwydd? Will there be a new visitor's main station at Abergwili and Bronwydd be downgraded?
Oh, and how much more will fares be - or will there be graded fares depending on where you start and how how many stations you go thru?

 

Yes there is still a bit to do, and we only have a small volunteer workforce to carry out the work. Nevertheless progress has been good this year and there is only a small amount of track work left to finish and some ballasting, and the tamper can then return. Post tamper we are finishing off a number of smaller jobs, and a fair amount of fencing to do, but it is worth reminding how much we have done in the last 3 years including laying a mile of track, ballasting 1.75 miles, fencing, platform built, trees cleared etc.

So hopefully 2016 will be the year but that is unofficial for now!

In terms of operating, yes the intention is that Bronwydd will still in the short term be the starting point, northward trip first and then south to Carmarthen. Up departures would only pause at Bronwydd for no more than a minute or so, therefore the journey is going to be as you describe.

Fares- probably going to be the same but at least passengers will feel more VFM- the most frequent comment on our trip advisor page is that the ride is too short. We have to decide whether passengers can make a "short" trip on the extension but some if it is going to be trial and error not having extended for a while!

Some loco news too. We will welcome 0-6-0ST "Moorbarrow" next week for a 12 month stay. The lorry that delivers this loco will also transport "Welsh Guardsman" to Llangollen as some boiler work is required. Santas will probably be operated by Haulwen and the 03.

Regards

Matt

 

Just a quick update - "Haulwen" and D2178 will be working the first weekend of Santas (5th/6th Dec), top and tailed. "Haulwen" will be on the North (ie uphill) end of the train - a busy timetable with departures every 35 minutes, first train 1000 ex Bronwydd Arms.

There is a possibility that "Moorbarrow" will be in traffic from the second weekend (12th/13th Dec) onwards, top and tailing with "Haulwen". I'll do my best to keep this thread updated, if that happens.

Thanks again to all who supported us in 2015.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

A picture of the latest blue tank engine to arrive at Bronwydd (no not that one!)

Regards

Matt

 

Is 47 the same class as "Linda" (now on Ribble Railway) which used to be on the Gwili?

 

No, 47 is slightly larger I think with 17" cylinders whereas Linda is a 16"? Other detail differences too. 44 at Tanfield is the sister to 47, both ex Northumberland coalfield.

 

For those interested, the Gwili featured on "Country Focus" on BBC Radio Wales yesterday morning. You can listen again at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06rwt7y

(00:50-03:30, 09:08-10:15 and 19:20 - 21:00).

Thanks,

Phil.

 

Tentative passenger figure for the Gwili in 2015 is 35k passengers for the year including aprox 11k for the Santa specials and 24k for the rest of the year. This has smashed all previous records considering 2014 figures were just under 30k total and in 2010 we carried 23k (that was with a "Day out with Thomas event).

The challenge is to beat it this year and hopefully with the opening of the extension we have a chance of doing that....

Meanwhile work continues on the extension with the completion of the North point at Abergwili (apart from the FPL). Next on the list is completion of the loop and final ballasting before the tamper returns. Plans are in hand to complete the platform as well, I wonder how long it wil be before passengers are standing on it....

Regards

Matt

 

Hello,
Great News.

Well done


Nick

 

Just to confirm we count tickets sold rather than passenegr journeys

Thanks

Matt

 

I bet you wish it could be Christmas every day with those fugures

 

Update

Work is ongoing on the extension and this weekend should hopefully see completion of the loop. Still lots to do but we are working towards an opening as soon as possible.

Welsh Guardsman has been dismantled at Llangollen to allow the boiler work to be commenced.

Hopefully some pics of the extension next week. A few other things in the pipeline so should be more to report in the next month or so....

Regards

Matt

 

Don't forget that we are running trains for the next nine days, to coincide with half term. Trains will be running between Bronwydd Arms and Danycoed. Details are as follows:

Sat 13th - DMU - 1100, 1220, 1350 + 1515 ex Bronwydd Arms
Sun 14th - Steam - Valentines Dining Train, 1230 and 1500 ex Bronwydd Arms (pre-book only: tickets still available on 1500 ex BA)
Mon 15th - Steam - 1100, 1220, 1350 + 1515 ex Bronwydd Arms
Tues 16th - Steam - 1100, 1220, 1350 + 1515 ex Bronwydd Arms
Wed 17th - Steam - 1100, 1220, 1350 + 1515 ex Bronwydd Arms
Thurs 18th - Steam Cream Tea - 1100, 1220, 1350 + 1515 ex Bronwydd Arms (cream teas on the train)
Fri 19th - Steam - 1100, 1220, 1350 + 1515 ex Bronwydd Arms
Sat 20th - DMU - 1100, 1220, 1350 +1515 ex Bronwydd Arms
Sun 21st - DMU - 1100, 1220, 1350 + 1515 ex Bronwydd Arms.

No.3879 "Haulwen" is the booked loco for the steam services. The weekend services will be operated by the green cl.117 DMU, operating in a 2 car formation (DMS W51401 + DMBS W51347). TVR 28 will be on display at Llwyfan Cerrig - facing towards Abergwili Junction this year.

Hopefully see some of you in West Wales in 2016!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Update in the sunshine....

The loop is finished, some adjusting to do and then it will be ballasted.

There is some rail replacement to undertake further "down" the line before the tamper can return but we are on the home straight now

Regards

Matt

 

I was speaking to a structural engineer about steel frames buildings today. Apparently they make the cladding any colour now and they are relatively very cheap. A nice chocolate and cream engine shed at bronwydd?