The Gwili Railway thread

Managed to squeeze in a visit on the 30th, as per @Matt78 post it was very damp indeed...however, the train was warm and the lights sparkled! Hope the wet weather hasn't left any lasting damage, seemed to be a bit of concern with water crossing the track just outside of Abergwili and the river was er... Wild!
Huge, positive changes in just 12 months, the facilities at Abergwili are already a game changer in terms of accessibility and the shed will make life so much easier for those who maintain the stock in this Aquatic climate. Best wishes for 2024!

 

The platform wall continues to progress at Abergwili. The Dan Do shed is having electrical fit-out at the moment.

meanwhile the CK carriage has now moved into the shed at Cranmore for work to the ends and roof. At Bronwydd the BSK is also undergoing refurbishment with new seats for Easter.

On the loco front the class 03 is nearing the end of a refurbishment and should leave the shed shortly with final painting to follow.

on the steam front we have “Moorbarrow” available and will have a further announcement about a visiting loco for 2024 shortly. Haulwen is also in the works although no firm date for return to steam yet.

regards

Matt

 

D2178’s overhaul is now mechanically complete.
Still a fair bit of cosmetic attention required but getting there!

the focus will now switch to reassembly of Haulwen.

regards

Matt

 

Looking good! Now Nellie, olwyn and Welsh guardsman gone, I think the 03 is the flag bearer of the home fleet! It's been a fantastic engine, and will be good to have haulwen back to join it... hopefully this year?. How is the new platform progressing Matt?

Cheers Tom

 

What about Moorbarrow - does that not count? Or does it not have the same history?

 

The new platform, platform 1, the UP platform, is progressing well.

 

Although a lovely loco... the 03 has seen 2 extensions and for a long time was the only working diesel on the line. So much great service. Moorbarrow is relatively recent and I believe on a hire agreement.

Cheers,
Tom

 

Does the ORR not frown on new platforms on curves?

 

yes the platform is on a curve, but it will have a number of enhanced safety features including tactile paving, appropriate height and length for the trains, a proper surface, better lighting and closer proximity of staff and better crowd control/CCTV. Yes the gap risk has to be managed as it does on every platform .

regards

Matt

 

Non-preferred but it would depend on practicality. They don’t like level crossings, either but it hasn’t stopped the RVR. . All subject to the inevitable risk assessment.

 

Also I don't think the picture gives a really accurate depiction. In reality the curve is subtle as can be seen on Google maps satellite images.

Cheers,
Tom

 

This is the best example of the platform curve that I can find in my records. It's taken from what is now the track bed, looking south from the north end of the existing platform which ends just past the pipe bridge that can be seen in the distance. So yes, visibility is going to be an issue, even for 3 coach trains. I would think that whenever the platform is busy a dispatcher would be needed halfway between the guard and loco for safety's sake.

Is that really 10 years ago? I can still remember the freezing rain and gales blowing snow horizontally while we were tracklaying with a gang of only 3 plus the road-railer! Lovely Welsh weather .

 

Yes, the telephoto lens does distort the image somewhat. The curve is more subtle, to quote Tom, than it looks in the photo.

 

The platform progresses.

 

An overall view of the site. Note that the bank is being removed so our passengers will enjoy an unhindered view of the new platform (up side) when they arrive.

the cafe (in the two taff vale carriages) will also open this year and in the distance the Dan Do shed nears completion.

 

It looks great!

 

6430’s stay extended

https://m.facebook.com/TheGwiliSteamRailway

 

To open without having to have a farcebook account simply remove the 'm.' in the link

 

Latest on the platform, the wall and concrete base now complete. Next stage is to build the base for the copers.

Also two panels of track have been renewed at Bronwydd Arms with a further three panels now dug out ready for concretes. There are pretty much the last wood panels in the main line apart from the river bridge and turnouts.