The Gwili Railway thread

Will Jennifer be working any weekends before it leaves the railway? Last year it only seemed to work in the week with diesels at weekends so I couldn't get down to sample it.

 

Hi James -

I'll be posting the loco roster for each month on here (subject to the usual caveats). I believe the plan is to alternate "Haulwen" and "Jennifer" dependant on washout requirements, so you should be able to manage a trip behind it, when we get into the main operating season.

Hopefully by putting the loco roster online, it'll tempt a few to come and sample a trip on the Gwili.

Incidentally "Haulwen" is booked for the upcoming DOWT event, alongside "Thomas" and D2178.

Cheers,

Phil.

PS Thought for the day... Browsing through an old WSR Journal this evening, I found reference to 'Jennifer' working out of Minehead, sometime in 1982. It was sharing duties with Victor and Vulcan, on a six coach 60 mile diagram (MD-BL-MD, then MD-WT-MD).

 

No class 14 for DOWT?

Regards Tom

 

The Gwili 2012 Thread

Cheers Phil, I know I badgered you about Jennifer last year, hopefully the roster will be kinder this year or you'll force me to take a day off work!!

James

 

No problem James - we'll keep you updated. More news to follow...

The cl.14 will be on standby at Bronwydd Arms for the event.

"Thomas" and D2178 will top and tail the passenger train, between Cwmdwyfran Halt and Llwyfan Cerrig. (The DMU will be in use as hauled stock - plenty of doors, so great for quick turn-arounds when people-moving in large numbers).

"Haulwen" will be in action at Llwyfan Cerrig for various performances, alongside cameo appearances by Rhodri the Roadrailer. It's a pretty intensive timetable, with plenty going on!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Have they started the TVR cafe in bronwydd?
regards Tom

 

The Gwili Vintage Carriage Group website has an update for February showing good progress on GWR 216. Missing beading has been manufactured and is now being attached to the sides of the coach. There are still a few bits left to make, but things are progressing well.

Taff Vale Railway No.220 continues to progress as well, the 8 doors are being repaired and we are still hopeful that both coaches will make an entry into service later this year.

Gwili Vintage Carriage Group » News

Meanwhile the two "Taff Vale" carriage bodies have now been craned into their final position at Bronwydd ready for fitting out as the cafe.

Regards

Matt

 

What great weather! I bet this is helping the railway get ready for the operating season.

 

According to a post on Facebook a few minutes ago, Thomas has just been seen on the back of a lorry in South Wales, en route to Bronwydd Arms. If you're out and about on the M4 tonight, keep your eyes peeled.

Fingers crossed for good weather for the Easter Weekend!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Thomas touched down at the Gwili this afternoon folks!

 

I have an old stock list of the gwili from about 1989 and its amazing how much stock has changed! An 0-4-0 Merlyn is listed an 0-6-0 no. 1 listed as on permanent loan a tunnel van and a gwr "monster" converted for use by Churchill Eisenhower and Montgomery's mobile headquarters. Also the book shows a picture of Conwil with two wagons and it has all been tidied up. It says some work carried out in readiness for reopening the line. It looks like maybe a little optimistic! Ambitions good though! haha The stock situation seems to have improved greatly! Very interesting!
Regards Tom

 

Another video from Bob Masterman, featuring the arrival of Thomas. There are some other items of interest including the newly painted kitchen car, the signal box repaint and a glimpse of the new cafe carriages.

'Thomas' arrives at The Gwili 30/03/2012 - YouTube

Regards

Matt

 

Another update on GWR 216
Gwili Vintage Carriage Group » News
The middle photo features forum members Bullied Pacific and Matt78 busy at work....
Services this week are Wednesday and Thursday with a Tuesday Wednesday Thursday pattern for the rest of April. I believe Haulwen is rostered.
Regards
Matt

 

Was the day out with Thomas event* successful? Regards Tom

 

All 4 days seemed very busy, monday was wet but still the car park looked full when going past on the footplate.

 

There seems to be a lot of stock leaving for cynheidre are there any other Neath railway items? I'm glad to hear the Thomas event was a success. I bet it's not long until work on the extension commences? Regards Tom

 

A Ruston 88 Diesel and GWR pooley type van have gone to Cynheidre, joining "Sir John" (Ex Mountain Ash). We are working to rationalise stock, as like many railways we have too much especially with limited siding space.

We are still planning that work on the extension will recommence next month, will post more news when available.

In the meantime we are operating in April Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Regards
Matt

 

Oh, dear, oh dear, oh dear.... 100 lines: "I before E, except in Bulleid..."

 

oops, I must have been thinking of the stick you get as a Southern fan lol

 

some photo updates from here
Bronwydd Arms Signal Box | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

new additions include the newly repainted signal box, the newly repainted kichen car (with interior views of the bar coach and kitchen car) and the taff vale coach bodies being lifted into position to form a new tearoom outlet.

Regards

Matt