The Gwili Railway thread

Update

Crane in action on the extension today moving some of the heavy gear. Tidy up time!

Regards

Matt

 

Good morning readers of Natpres,

Please find pasted below an official press release- great news!

GWILI RAILWAY EXTENSION OPENING

The Gwili Railway Company are delighted to announce the opening of the Abergwili Junction Extension. The first public day of service on the extension will be Sunday 2nd July. From this date the new line will be open to the public on every operating day through the summer.

The new line is 1.75 miles long and will see the line expand to a total of 4 miles, the extension adding to the present 2.5 mile run from Bronwydd Arms to Danycoed.

The extension is the biggest so far in the 40- year history of the line and the first since 2001.

The route travels south from Bronwydd Arms over the GWR level crossing to a new platform at AbergwiliJunction, passing the spectacular "Gwili Falls" along the way, sure to be a much-admired feature.

The project has been 17 years in the making and has cost in money terms over £500,000 with much track material donated from the former Swansea Vale Railway in 2009.

Matt Bowen, extension director commented "the opening of the extension sees route mileage grow by 70% of the existing length. We are proud of all of the hard work by our volunteers, staff, members and shareholders in making the project happen. We are also grateful to the assistance and support of both local businesses and those in the railway industry that have contributed. We look forward to a new chapter in the history of the railway".

 

Well Done Gwili!

 

Update

After the big announcement those finishing jobs are still being done, the first picture shows the extended walkway alongside the track at Abergwili Junction. The white line on the platform has also received another coat of paint, and the crossing gates are receiving a coat of white gloss after the repairs this winter.

The signal box windows are being overhauled as some of them are on their last legs...

Also the second picture shows that we are getting closer to the inside of the shed...construction of the pit inside it will start soon.

Up at Carriage and Wagon the GUV is in the final stages of its repairs and repaint into maroon with Taff Vale No.220 due into the shed next.

Regards

Matt

 

One of the finishing touches - a totem in welsh at Abergwili Junction, BR(W) style.

Meanwhile the gang were tackling a couple of replacement rails in the station at Bronwydd in between trains to eliminate a dipped joint.

The crossing gates are looking much better after repairs and are now being painted gloss white, while the signal box is also getting some TLC for the opening with replacement windows and a repaint.

At Llwyfan the GUV has emerged in maroon and Taff Vale 220 is now in the shed and next in line for attention.


Regards

Matt

 

I saw the GUV getting it's finishing touches and very smart it looked, not often a GUV gets painted at all. Mind you I thought the finish on one side was better than the other . Great collection of pricless coach projects which seem to be making progress.

 

The GUV does look good and I think the guys in C&W cant wait to crack on with the other side in a couple of years time. The Taff brake is now in the shed for some major work and reskinning. So hopefully it will be back in service at some point in the autumn followed swiftly by GWR 216 in the spring of next year.

 

Update

Some pictures of crew training turns just to wet your appetite...

Regards

Matt

 

Update

With the countdown to opening those final jobs are getting done, trimming growth for signal sighting, spreading the ballast around the walkways, weedkilling and crew training, final paperwork.

The headboard for the openning has been ordered and is due to arrive next week, tickets can now be booked on the website so why not come and join us for this very special weekend?

Meanwhile in other news Taff Vale 220 is in the shed at Llwyfan. Lots of work to be done, including a full repaint and door work.

Regards

Matt

 

The countdown has well and truly begun, this is the last weekend before we open! Those final jobs are in hand, the last SW board was erected yesterday, a few more signs to be positioned tomorrow and thanks to our friends at Procast the all-important headboard is nearing completion. Watch out for a sneak peek next week.


Regards

Matt

 

Will the peak timetable of trains at - 10.30, 12.05, 13.55, 15.30 - be the usual timetable over the summer? How does this work, are these departures towards Danycoed and then the train will do a full round trip of the line, with a layover at LC?

 

Hi Josh

Yes that's right, the train times will be as per above. Trains depart to Danycoed first and then through Bronwydd to Abergwili Jtn on the return trip. The stop at Llwyfan Cerrig is reduced as a result but will still allow passengers time to travel on the miniature railway if they wish.

Regards

Matt

 

Thanks Matt. Do trains stop at Bronwydd en-route to Abergwili as well?

 

Yes, briefly as the crossing gates will need to be closed before the signal can be cleared.

Regards

Matt

 

Is there pedestrian access at Abergwili as I'll come up on the train soon?

 

Hi Anne C-B

Unfortunately no public access at the Abergwili end for now. If you are coming by train then you should be able to catch the bus from Carmatthen to Bronwydd - Bus service 215/441/460.

Hope to see you soon!

Regards

Matt

 

Update

The new signalling at Bronwydd Arms, covering the southern extension, has today been brought into official use. The new signalling consists of the following-

- down distant (fixed)
- down home (motor worked)
-down bracket signal
- up starter

All BR(W) lower quadrants.

Another milestone as we head towards the weekend....

EDIT - pictures on the Facebook page (open access)

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...3&set=pcb.1394470853967173&source=48&refid=13


Regards

Matt

 

Exciting times

 

Little teaser for the weekend....

Regards

Matt

 

Update

The bunting is out, and Moorbarrow is being prepped ready for the big weekend... come and join the celebrations on Sunday and ride on the new extension.

Regards

Matt