Glyn Valley Gauge change

Err, who or what is Chunks/Chunkrail?

 

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/LeightonBuzzard.html

Scroll down to Iorwerth. The man and machine. Adam (chunk) and the loco he built from scrap in his garden shed.

 

Thank God for that, common sense prevails at last, they must have read my previous posts.
The lines attracts interest due to its unique character and that includes everything, the gauge as well.

 

Those factors may well be important and attract the enthusiast but it is 'Joe Public' that really pays the bills and I don't believe he cares much whether it's 2' 4 1/2" or 2' 6". As pointed out in another post, as long as it's a steam loco, the carriages are comfortable and the toilets are clean the average customer is happy.
Just my 2p worth.
Ray.

 

Yes and no, there is a lot of 'the public know nothing' but a lot of people do have at least a passing interest. I don't know if that extends to a unique gauge, though.

I personally don't like this decision, but it's not my railway. Just think it might end up biting them.

 

Its not just about the public though, Yes they do pay for it but they are not ultimately involved in the creation and its authenticity [or not] that's down to the enthusiast and long may that continue.

 

Yes, true. As an enthusiast, I also like galas with visiting engines and stock, and co-operation between railways. This will not be possible.

 

Yes but that's quite a niche occurrence on a few railways, its not essential and its not just gauge that dictates whether its possible or not. A replica of say a L and M Kitson would not fit into the platforms at Welshpool.

 

Nope not essential, although nearly every standard gauge line does it more than once a year (on some of their more profitable days). Most established 1'11.5" gauge lines seem to do it, and the two big players in 2'3" do it, as well as hiring existing motive power out from each other or private owners. I believe that the Corris was boosted a lot by the loan of a Talyllyn loco before they had their own steam power. On a smaller scale, the NG line at Beamish uses private owner stock a lot.

 

No problems - the two different GVT societies can lend each other their locos on Gala Days

 

I was never that enthralled by the foreign locos at the Welshpool and Llanfair [ Joan Excepted ] but the sight of the Earl or Countess pulling those authentic replica coaches, well that was something... Its all about the creation of what was lost, look at the Lynton and Barnstaple they were just not satisfied with Thorpe park coaches and 'just' any old engine. Who can doubt that when you see Lew [ Lyn is on the way ] and a train of 'original' coaches in an incredibly original looking Woody Bay station. Its the stuff of dreams.

 

Yes absolutely, although a replica Dennis hauling replica GVT coaches with the only exception being 1.25" difference to the original gauge would make no difference to me. It would still be awesome to see.
Likewise if the reverse were the case, say the L&B was originally 1'10" and the 'new' L&B was 2' gauge, but they had rebuilt the coaches and replica locos to the original designs it would still look close enough to make no difference.
However, both of these lines have made heavy use of 'foreign' stock to get off the ground, and using popular gauges has worked well for them.

 

I think Ireland had the right idea (apart from 5'3" 'standard gauge'!). Just two main gauges I believe, 5'3" and 3' (and a 'monorail' of sorts!)
Disclaimer: The information was correct at the time of reading Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_gauge_in_Ireland#Different_gauges

However, I digress...
Will

 

The trouble is though the fact that common gauge material is apparently readily available this has not produced one item of rolling stock in over 38 years in the valley, the only achievement to date is some hats on ebay and a sign on Pontfadog station building.

 

To be fair, I think they have less to work with than any of the narrow gauge resurrections so far. Although, now I think about it, the Padarn Railway was in a similar position concerning lack of original material, and look how that turned out.

Jon B

 

Hi Job - to clarify, do you mean the LLR and their decision to use a 'universal gauge' and associated available stock, instead of the peculiar original 4ft gauge? They have indeed done well, although it's more of a tourist railway than a recreation of anything (not that there's anything wrong with that!).

I'm not sure what you mean. 2ft/2.5ft/3ft gauge stuff regularly crops up on tractionads and the like. Whether anyone/the society chooses to buy it or not is up to them?
http://www.tractionads.co.uk/html/narrow_gauge.htm

 

No problems about it fitting. The Austro/Hungarian stuff is just as wide. However the L&M locos at 26 tons have the same adhesive weight as S.L.R. "85" which weighs 22 tons. This means less available horsepower to haul the trains. Rather important on 1 in 29!

PH

 

Returning to GVT Trust, their plans (via the website) state that suitable steam and diesel locos (one of each) have been identified. Also a long-term plan to build a replica of one of the original locos. Okay - no visiting locos but at least some motive power is on the horizon...

 

But it was the Thorpe Park coaches and "any old engine" that generated a lot of the funds to rebuild the 'original' stuff! Ray.