The Vale of Rheidol Railway - News

It isn't really needed. Because of the loop lengths it can only take one more coach than one of the tanks, at a significant increase in cost too. So try not to think too hard about what it is actually for. Think of it more like running Bullied Pacific when you have a Pannier Tank that will do the same job.

Tim

 

Variety is the spice of life

 

As and when conditions permit, the old VoR had some weird and wonderful kit.

 

The latest book on the railway confirms that the NG13 was brought to the line as a private purchase but in part as a back up in case of failure of the two tanks (in ticket at the time). The situation is similar in 2022 with No9 out of ticket. Unfortunately ( or fortunately for us traditionalists who just like to see the VoR with purely original stock)) there are not many locomotives than can maintain both the loading and service that the line requires - 6 or 7 carriages seem to be the norm theses days. The Garratt indeed probably has too much grunt but what else would adequately serve as a replacement?
If you have the loco then you might as well use it particularly if it brings in additional custom that would otherwise not ride. I do question whether we will see it as a regular long term rostered loco - as identified in previous comments, it is a greater cost to use than a Rheidol tank and if it can only take an additional carriage the economies do not seem to make it worth while to run.

 

I know what WOULDN'T .... and that's an unduly faithfully recreated D&M 2-6-2T.

 

There’s quite a few locos that could potentially be useful on the Rheidol - K1, Lyd, Fiji from Statfold or one of the Brecon mountain locos. In terms of availability though, the Garratt clearly ticked the box at the right time.

 

There is at least one very suitable in the Rampton collection...
https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/rampton-trust-sotillos.1007120/

 

I gather K1 can be a bit hard on the track though, so maybe not ideal? And I'm not sure whether Lyd or Fiji would be beefy enough to stand up to regular use on such a demanding route. Would be great to see any of them visit for a gala, though! Ditto Russell...

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Legend has it that D&M perused the Manning Wardle drawings for the L&B ahead of producing the two original VoR locos. Beefynesswise, the VoR oughtn't to be much tougher than the L&B, though the MWs were limited to 5 carriages unaided on their home line, certainly less than the Collett Rheidol Tanks .... though the D&M originals were often photographed on heavier trains with No.3 (Bagnall 2-4-0T) piloting.

Surprised no-one's mentioned regauging Monarch yet!

 

Peter Ramptons collection possessed a 2ft version (Bagnall 2545 Renishaw No. 5) so regauging of Monarch could be an uneccesary exercise - assuming of course the former ended up at the VoR.
Given it was designed for a railway with gradients of 1 in 27 and curves of 99ft, the K1 would seem ably suited (acknowledging the impact upon the tracks mentioned earlier). I had forgotten about the Baldwins on the BMR. They probably have similar grunt to the K1 and may therefore more than match a Rheidol tank. Not sure about the economics of running any of these thought. The added weight (if you take account of a loaded tender) is likely to be more than a carriage would probably mean that they may less effective than what they have now. That said, the BMR seem to be able to run the baldwins financially so I am probably trying to locate an issue when one would not exist.
I don’t know the details of Fiji (Hudswell Clarke) but am aware it’s about 10 tonnes lighter than a Rheidol tank. I would therefore wonder if it’s too light on its feet to manage a fully loaded train up to Devils Bridge. Alco “Mountaineer” had this problem back in the 80’s and had to shorten the train length in order to maintain the timetable and it’s about 2 tonnes heavier than Fiji. Now Mountaineers tractive effort is similar to an L&B 2-6-2t but the later is heavier. However as pointed out the D&M locos were an improvement on the L&B locos. I read somewhere that Lyd, with its improvements was intended to only work on lighter trains on the WHR, ie 5 carriages. I have seen photos showing it pulling 6 but one of those vehicles is a Hudson toast rack so again, whilst I could see it being useful on the VoR it probably could not be a regular performer. Would still love to see it there though.
Sabero Nr 7 would also seem useful; would it run rough without a front pony track on the flats as the train gets to up to speed. If we are truly looking at anything in the VoR collection either of the two Pacifics would be my preference. But here we come to other constraints, not just the grunt. Like many similar lines, the VoR has a number of sharp curves circa 3 chain. Would such a loco be able to traverse the route. As an example the DHR Pacific’s effectively became hard shunters when the Kishenganj extension shut as they were unable to reach Darjeeling. I think in this instance the Gwalior Pacific’s may be acceptable as I believe they had Cortazzi axle boxes which would give a greater degree of lateral play. But my point is, many of the locomotives we aspire to see running on different lines were designed and built for a specific purpose and therefore may not be suitable for other lines. I may make suggestions but even assuming I was an expert, it is only after testing the locomotive on the railway could a decision be made. It’s still nice to have ideas though.

 

Be it known that mentioning Monarch wansn't exactly the most serious suggestion I've ever made! I think the DHR 'pacifics' can be ruled out for any number of reasons, but mainly because they were designed for the (now regauged) 'plains' section of the line ..... not the surviving interesting bit!

Beyond any odd restoration from the Rampton collection, which is a matter for the Trust and them alone, if the impending centenary of Mr.Collett's rather splendid locos did mean there was any thought of them taking more of a backseat, IMO the VoR could do an awful lot worse than looking at their drawings alongside a set from rebuilt BVR No.9.

 

was never read as a serious suggestion. I just thought I’d add my tuppence worth (which is probably not worth alot anyway)

As a slight deviation from this subject it is interesting to determine whether the Collett tanks have been performing as well as they have without access to Welsh Steam Coal (following the closure if the mine earlier this year). It sort of demonstrates how a locomotive is designed for a particular railway and based upon certain assumptions. I know recently the VoR has been using ovoids (also in part because of the Russian situation?). From my own observations walking along the line it seems to have required the occasional stop at Rhiwfron station to raise steam for the final stretch ( I assume because this is the safest spot to it). To the great credit of the loco staff this does not appear to impact the timetable to any degree. I suppose I am contradicting my own point in so far as, even with inferior coal the locos are very much fit for purpose!

 

Have the wheels of NG60 now got the same 'back to back' dimensions as the other VoR locos? As it would be nice for it be a guest on the WHR one day.
I think that it is this dimension that prevents their locos visiting other railways. But of course those VoR locos are overall, very wide as well, which would also stop them from going to a lot of railways of a similar gauge.

 

According to June Heritage Railway page 10, the Suspension of lump Coal to the Heritage Railways now lifted temporarily until around November which is when the remaining coal currently being worked will be finished and Ffos-Y-Fran closes permanently.

 

When chatting to the crew during a recent visit their comment was that the locos were “coping” with ovoids but the fire needed more careful management and the margin for error was a lot smaller. Consumption was also somewhat higher.
They actually had a bunker of the real stuff that day and said that they were looking forward to a more relaxing trip than with the ovoids during the earlier part of the week!

Chris

 

People seem to have forgotten 'Russell' on the WHHR... an ideal 'hire in' loco if needed, and all ready air braked.

 

The VOR loco roster for August and 1st - 4th September has been uploaded. No. 60 will be hauling the 10:30 & 14:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.

 

Newsletter time! Lots to catch up on. So much that it's almost invidious to mention a highlight ..... So you'll just have to did out the info on the spectacular 1st class carriages and the wonderful (and well designed) mood lighting at Capel Bangor and Aberffrwd for yourselves. Something on "that collection" too:

https://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/news/rheidol-review-vale-of-rheidol-railway-newsletter/

 

Well, it looks as if money is being spent to keep the railway in excellent condition and bringing in business

 

Not to mention giving The Mighty Blodge a run for their money when it comes to proper artisan grade carpentry.

Good to see the report of the IoM contracts underway at Aberystwyth (even if someone has evidently getting their Manx and English spellings of the mainland's name in a knot!)