The Gwili Railway thread

Great to hear of progress updates, one day I will make it across from Lincoln to see what you've done. Sounds marvellous.

 

All done...

Regards

Matt

 

Is there any possible scope for extending the gwili once carmarthen is reached? Wikipedia notes that there was plans many years ago to extend to Llanpumsaint but that the number of missing bridges had made that virtually impossible.

 

Hi

The bridges aren't missing, they need repair to various degrees. There are three before the next stop (Conwil) and a further 4 before the one after that (Llanpumsaint). If you click back a few pages on the thread there are some pictures of a few of the bridges.

Regards

Matt

 

Thanks matt, do the gwili have any plans once the current extension is finished or is that it? Also are there any future projects in the pipeline within any of the other departments at gwili?

 

Hi Luke

There are many potential projects in the wings which relate to locos, carriages and infrastructure. Examples include completion of the vintage carriages, expansion of the carriage workshop, overhaul of Haulwen, a new cafe at Llwyfan Cerrig, car park at Abergwili and extension northwards. There is also the hope that as we expand we may finally host an ex-BR loco in the fleet.

Key to all of these are labour and finance, it never stops and if the railway is to keep moving forward then we have to continue building on what has been done so far.

Regards

Matt

 

This photo is from quite a few years ago now but it is one of my personal favourites, and does illustrate the potential of the railway. Taken on the current extension, heading south towards Abergwili Jtn . Ah yes the Vintage Carriages look very complete from a distance...

regards

Matt

 

any news of the extension opening? I'm coming over in two or three weeks

 

Hi,

No news yet other than most of the work on the line is completed, and we are now at the stage of checking all the paperwork, which we are doing with some external help. As of now we don't have a date but once the feedback is received on the paperwork (should be shortly) we will then in all probability announce a date. So not long now....

Regards

Matt

 

would it help if I told you the exact date I'd be there? I wouldn't like you to have to sort a special train for me without warning....

 

Update

The latest sign to be erected, as we near completion of this aspect as well.

Regads

Matt

 

It's brilliant to hear that the gwili have got plans in place to extend northwards as well, although I don't envy them as it'll be an absolutely mammoth task. What's the situation atm with the resident steam fleet & signalling?

I've never been to the gwili yet so don't know what resident steam there is or the current signalling setup.

 

Hi Luke

Current steam locos in service are "Welsh Guardsman" and "Moorbarrow" , both 0-6-0 saddle tanks. Welsh Guardsman is resident and Moorbarrow is on long-term hire from Llangollen.

The signalling set up is that our main station, Bronwydd Arms, is fully signalled with BR(W) lower quadrants, controlled from the GWR Bronwydd Arms box, and the signalling has been expanded in this style to include the extension south to Abergwili.

Regards

Matt

 

Cool thanks for you're reply, soon as i've got a motor again gwili is on my to visit list for this year i'm hoping.

 

update

some pics from the test run today with Moorbarrow. Enjoy.

Not long now (he says with gritted teeth...)

Regards

Matt

 

I'm booked for a fortnights time, do what you can!

 

At the moment we are finishing off all the jobs, today we ticked off the last major job which was the replacement of three point timbers. The final fencing is being done next week and we have just erected the final "SW" sign as well as a "safety points" sign of some vintage. The paperwork is also being completed before being checked by those assisting us externally.

Taking all this into account the extension will more than likely be open in June now but the exact date is TBC.

Regards

Matt

 

June? Ah! Birthday time!

 

Update

We are still plugging away at those final jobs, final fencing now done, just two signs left to erect, levelling off the walkways, tidying up and of course paperwork. This last item is a fairly major undertaking, if anyone thinks that extensions are "easy" then the paperwork runs to 16 sections with over 250 individual assessments, photos and plans etc. Date is still TBC but I hope that we will have some news very soon.

Regards

Matt