Teifi Valley Railway

You could say the same about the Brecon MR which seems to be successful despite no obvious affinity.

 

The impression I got from the BMR was that it reflected the owners interest in the Maine two footers with stock & loco's to match

 

BMR is (for me) a unique delight, in that I can ride behind genuine Baldwin locomotives, through some enchanting scenery, with the locomotive really getting some excercise. OK, now that Lyn is a reality its not totally unique, but BMR gives me my US narrow gauge fix.
The "quarry Hunslet on former standard gauge line" model works very well at Launceston, which had no prior link to narrow gauge, as well as at Bala and Llanberis.
As a parent, I can assure you it is a very good format for family enjoyment. The locomotives are small and not scary for small children. The trains are short, and often open sided, so you can hear the engine at work. The report from my research team compared riding the veranda at Launceston behind the DHR 19B, with sitting in a Mk1, behind an inaudible West Country on the WSR. Launceston was the winner.
The TVR can be a winner too. It is in a very lovely part of Wales. Carmarthenshire needs to publicise its tourist potential better, but there needs to be attractions to advertise. The TVR, to make itself a proper attraction, needs a two mile run, with STEAM on the front. Do that, and the public will come.

 

Couldn't the same be said of Brecon Mountain, and outside Wales, Launceston, Lappa Valley, Seaton Tramway - I'm sure there are others. Sometimes a railway can just be there to provide a tourist attraction, and not have a story of its own to tell.
As it happens, I believe the TVR society were formed to preserve the Newcastle Emlyn branch when it was a newly abandoned and still standard gauge, but went NG because the rails were lifted by BR, and it was a cheaper way to accomplish at least some of their aims.

John

 

Yes and no. Carmarthenshire certainly has a lot going for it. Apparently it is rapidly becoming 'the new Cornwall' because Cornwall itself is becoming overcrowded. But the TVR is a little bit isolated from the main tourist centres, most of which are on the coast. So I think it will have to sell itself if it is to entice the visitors in.

From the enthusiasts' point of view the TVR doesn't have any particular USP, and as I recall the scenery isn't spectacular. So I suspect it is the family market they will mostly want to aim for. With targeted marketing and some investment in children's activities (even simple things like trails/quizzes will do) then it should be achievable.


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The TVR is the brainchild of one man, Dr George Penn of Whitland, who was incensed by the closure of railways in South Wales and conducted various campaigns to save them. See the attached report. There was a conscious decision to run narrow gauge because standard gauge was a) too expensive and b) too heavy for the bridges and embankments. Since his death the railway has been run by several different groups with varying success.

 

That is an interesting snippet, Elizabeth. Is there more? I'd be interested to read more.
I think it a pity that several really good, big schemes, in industry, heritage, commerce, have very little record of their actual origins- the "Genesis" chapter. It sometimes seems that a company(or similar), realising it has been going for almost 50 years, decides some sort of commemoration is called for. "Where did it all start?" and then someone goes off to the old folks home to see what old Bernard can remember, because he's the only surviving employee from those days. Except old Bernard was young Bernard, who swept the floor, kept the glue pots, and made tea, and knew nothing then except the gossip he heard round the workshop. So the interesting "early days of the company" is about half a page until 1958, when a board was formed and a company secretary appointed. Then there's just minutes for ten years or so until in 1970, when someone bought a camera.....

 

thanks for that, very interesting. I believe it was the state of the river bridge near Newcastle Emlyn that was the main concern. The original TVR was formed to save the whole 38 miles of track from Carmarthen to Newcastle Emlyn in standard gauge. This scheme relied heavily on local authority support and a lack of appetite in that quarter plus the valuation slapped on the line by BR meant that the preservation of a long stretch was out of the question.

It is interesting to note the snippet provided, in 1974 the track was still in place and already suggestions about using the trackbed as road schemes. The notes also record the split of the TVR into the two groups, one of which became the Gwili and the other the Teifi.

Dr Penn was a well known local railway supporter, he practiced as a GP in Whitland and regretted the fall of the “Cardi Bach”, and had a hand in saving the Pembroke/Tenby line which survived Beeching but was severely run down during the period was at risk of closure in the early 70’s (similar to Swanage).

While Light Railway Orders were “easier” to obtain at the time, I believe the Teifi Order involved a lot of protracted negotiations and it was due to the perseverance of a few such as Dr Penn that it was eventually granted. It would be a real shame to see all that work go to waste and one hopes the Teifi can come through the present troubles and revert to steam haulage over a couple of miles through the scenic valley.

Regards

Matt

 

It’s annoying what happened. Hopefully someone like Dr pen is able to help get it back up again and going all the way. I hope they can get hollycomb standard guage back again too.

 

To answer A Non: the Dyfed Railway Company purchased the branch line and obtained the Light Railway Order. When the county "Dyfed" was abolished the name was changed to Teifi Valley Railway. Some time after this I found that the name "Dyfed Railway Company" was available for use by anyone who cared to take it over. For sentimental reasons I took it and have maintained it as a dormant Company ever since. It has no function.

 

Although the website has not been updated the Facebook page had an update yesterday
"John , and his wife (Sheila) are working on the footpath down to the waterfall at Pont. In readiness for the re- opening of Pont. Station, which should happen in August."
Plus some photos. So seems some progess is slowly being made?

 

Those fenceposts were set in cement about 20 years ago and we each carved our initials in the cement before it set.

 

Picture from Facebook of the Pont station waterfall path being cleared. Will be a big thing in August (if the reopening happens?) for the little railway after the Pont station being closed for 6 years.

 

And also from Facebook the Sargent Murphy cat on the frame of the Sargent Murphy steam loco, which could be back in operation 2021?

 

Thanks for some pictures of some positive progress.

 

I just reposted the Facebook photo links.
Would be good to have someone currently involved with the railway posting updates here?

 

Peter Thornhill: the opposite is true. The track from Pont towards the plantation was badly damaged by the timber felling lorries crushing the ends of all the sleepers as they drove astride the track. Then at the plantation they reversed across the track completely destroying the rail and sleepers. The undisturbed track doesn't come until past the plantation, quite a distance away.