The Gwili Railway thread

I quite agree Matt. The shame is that we have to use any site other than the railway's own website to publish our news.

On the funding front, great news, except that means I now have about 150 metres of 3 metre high embankment wall to clear of 50 years growth... Anybody out there want any well established Ivy, Moss or various ferns? Minimum order quantity 25 kilo bag!!!

Spot the wall! (Where's Indiana Jones when you need him? Must be a Welsh man with a name like that...)

 

Small but significant progress made on the vintage coaches this weekend. The repaired vacuum cylinder of GWR 216 was successful refitted . This means that we are now in a position to test the brakes and make final adjustments. So yet another job ticked off the list!

 

Yes, jolly good fun, and the first bit of GVCG work I had done in a while. Shame I couldn't find the router to further the repair to AYSB door, though...

 

good stuff James, I might even manage a day on GWR 216 this week!
Seems a long time ago now that we started repairing the BR horsebox underframe for use under the body (2002) and only now the last bits are going back on!
Coach restoration not for the faint hearted.

Regards

Matt

 

ten years sounds about right for a restoration from a grounded body coach. I think only the Isle of Wight do it a little quicker but only a little. You must be really proud.

 

Yeah we will be when it's done Just at that stage where lots of fiddley little bits to do but where getting there.

 

We are learning on the job so the next time we repair an S9 diagram GWR 4 wheeler we'll know exactly what do do....oh hang on....

Seriously though it is pleasing to get to the final stages, seeing passengers in them will make it all worthwhile, hopefully in the not too distant future anyway.

Regards

Matt

 

More progress on vintage coaches.

GWR 216
All 10 wooden beading bits fitted between the seat and picture frames screwed in place
The fourth lamp screwed to the ceiling
The recently overhauled vacuum cylinder has been re-attached to the vehicle
Vacuum cylinder to brake trunion linkages fitted
Brake pull rods attached and fitted with new pins then washers and split-pins
Vacuum cylinder piston rod covered with canvas sock
Vacuum cylinder and brake linkage tested and adjusted ready for rolling test run
Some running boards refitted more work to follow this weekend.

 

Was down Carmarthern way and popped and saw some of the extension work - really amazing how far you guys have come along in the last few years.

I noticed a large amount of tree clearance at Llampusaint - I guess that was not some top secret dual extension, but pure coincidence/a business at work?

Regardless, top work and as always I follow Gwili's progress with great interest.

 

Thanks Swiper, we have got our act together a bit more in the last couple of years and hopefully we are on the verge of good things, with the extension, the return of Welsh Guardsman and other bits like the vintage carriages and Taff Vale 28.

The Llanpumsaint tree clearance is part of our management of the land we own, not a secret extension just yet but we are always open to offers!

Regards

Matt

 

http://railways.national-preservati...263-taff-vale-railway-no-28-a.html#post535504

Surprised there no mention of TV28 on here, your website or Facebook...

 

Fair enough although it does have it own topic on here. We are incredibly excited about this as a project. On a personal note having been involved with the project for the last 14 months it is great to see it out in the public domain. We now just need to knuckle down and raise the money, it may only be 10k but I am not taking that lightly. However the prospect of a summers day at Llwyfan seeing TVR 28 and 220 coupled together for the first time since TVR open day in 1991 is the stuff of dreams!

 

The best news I have EVER heard....

 

And we hope you all decide to support the project in whatever way you can! However, to keep things easy to find, please bear in mind that TVR 28 has its own thread, and it makes it easier for me to address queries as the GVCG press bod on the subject: http://railways.national-preservati...263-taff-vale-railway-no-28-a.html#post535504

Thanks.

 

Update

The season starts today with the Mothering Sunday Diner, Haulwen doing the honours. Jennifer is still with us for the time being and the return of a fully overhauled Welsh Guardsman is eagerly anticipated (sometime in the next few months we hope).

Extension work has paused for a bit due to the need to get everything ready for operations, but work is due to start in earnest after Easter again with another 1/4 mile to be laid.

Regards

Matt

 

For those interested, the loco roster for the next few weeks is below. Please note (as ever) that this is posted in good faith, however plans do sometimes change - so if you're travelling to ride behind a specific locomotive, it is best to ring the railway in advance (01267 238 213) to doublecheck.

24th March - Haulwen (Sunday Lunch Train)
29th March - Jennifer / D2178 / Haulwen
30th March - Jennifer / D2178 / Haulwen
31st March - Jennifer / D2178 / Haulwen
1st April - Jennifer / D2178 / Haulwen
2nd April - Haulwen
3rd April - Haulwen
4th April - Haulwen
5th April - Haulwen
6th April - Haulwen
7th April - Haulwen (Sunday Lunch train)
10th April - Haulwen
11th April - Haulwen (Cream Tea trains)
14th April - Haulwen

On normal service days, trains depart Bronwydd Arms at 1030, 1150, 1320 and 1450. On days when a Sunday Lunch train is operating, departures are at 1230 and 1400.

29th March - 1st April is the new 'Driver Bob' childrens event - see the website for details. For those interested, each day will be a 45 minute service from Bronwydd Arms to Llwyfan Cerrig (first departure 1030), top and tailed by Jennifer and D2178. Haulwen will be in steam at Llwyfan Cerrig, giving short rides in station limits (alongside appearing in the live theatre).

If anyone has any questions, do let us know.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Update

Welsh Guardsman progressing well at Llangollen, boiler back in frames and being retubed, not long now!

Olwen's boiler is also offsite having the foundation ring replaced

Haulwen and Jennifer are ready to start the season

The Class 14 leaves tonight for Peak Rail, after a 2 year hire.

03 diesel and DMU also available for traffic

Extension work will hopefully restart next week, next 1/4 mile of tracklaying!

Regards

Matt

 

Extension update-

the heavy plant is back onsite now with the next 1/4 mile to be laid, rails to be paired up and then sleepers down ready for the team to insert the rail. This next strech will take us right up to the main Carmarthen -Lampeter road bridge with the new station site firmly in view.

Jennifer and Haulwen in action for "Driver Bob" this weekend.

regards

Matt

 

some photos from yesterday, Jennifer and Haulwen in action for the "Driver Bob" event. The event marked the return to use of Taff Vale Railway coach No.220, albeit not carrying passengers just yet.

Gwili Steam Railway, Carmarthen | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Extension work is also ongoing this weekend, hope to get some pictures soon!

Regards

Matt

 

Well ladies and gents, after a busy easter weekend we have around 25 panelsworth of sleepers laid rady for the rails to be inserted. This takes us nearly up to "Bridge 5" ( seen in one of the photos, which is the bridge carrying the main Carmarthen to Lampeter road over the railway trackbed). From the bridge it is less than 1/4 mile to the station site.

The plan is to insert the rails w/c Monday 8th April, so by the end of the month we will be less than 1/4 mile from our goal.

It was a cracking day down on site when I nipped over lunchtime, somehow I got a bit of a glare on the camera but they give you an idea of what's going on....

Regards

Matt