The Gwili Railway thread

They're a good bunch of people who once have the bit between their teeth get on with it (I am biased, though!). All of that has been done in the space of two weeks.

 

It's coming, after a quiet winter on the extension we have a fairly regular plan of work until the end of September at least. After that we'll see where we are but I've given up making predictions as to when it will be open....
We are now into the main running season so keeping the wheels turning and completing the extension together is a fair task but we're up for it

Regards

Matt

 

Carry on the way you're going, and you'll be at the coast come Xmas given the current momentum!!

 

Update

More activity planned this week, with tracklaying on Monday and ballast trains planned for Friday to Sunday. Hopefully a few pics if I get a chance

Regards

Matt

 

update

One 60ft panel laid today at the rail head, the rail polishing starts Friday with 3 days of ballasting on the extension. After that we should be able to get the route tamped, hopefully before the end of July.


Regards

Matt

 

Couple of pics of the ballast trains today, 300 tonnes to spread, the motive power is a Ruston 48 diesel "Abigail"

Regards

Matt

 

Update

300 tonnes now laid, the pile is no more! so we should be in a position now to get the Tamper in as the next phase.

Regards

Matt

 

Jeez, just what are you putting in the Bara Brith or the tea for that matter???

Its a serious head of steam you've got going there - 300 tonnes, just like that!!

 

Well I was getting a bit concerned about the comments re "Gwili too short" on the "Pick Five of the Best" thread so we thought we'd better get on with things...

Once you get into the rhythm with the ballasting it falls into a pattern, the team dropped over 2,000 tonnes last year so we are putting the experience to good use now. There is still nearly 1500 tonnes to spread to finish things off though although some of that will be done by JCB as base ballast for the station site before we lay track.

Things moving on though....

Regards

Matt

 

Seen a chocolate and cream Mk1 coach from Gwili (I'm pretty sure) heading east along the M4 at 1230 near Port Talbot. Any info guys?

 

Yes correct, we have just done a deal which sees BSK 35448 join the Gwili fleet with Mk1 FO 3060 going the other way (which you saw on the M4)

Sad in a way to see the FO go as it is one of the older Mk1's with lots of original features, and was the first MK1 on the Gwili in 1979 but it was beyond our means to restore.

The new BSK will give more options in terms of carriages ahead of the extension opening.

Regards

Matt

 

http://www.gwili-railway.co.uk/en/news/new-coach-arrives-at-gwili-steam-railway.aspx

Regards

Matt

 

I don't suppose the grand opening would be before the end of August would it? As I'm on holiday in the area around then - I'd still like to visit extension or not, but I might have trouble persuading the rest of the family who thought it was rather short last time!

 

Hi Flying Scotsman 123

The extension won't be open before the end of August, but the tamper machine is due to arrive on the 11th August so things are moving on, and work is due to recommence at the Abergwii Junction end this month too.

All this means that openning will not be this month but don't let that put you off visiting!

Regards


Matt

 

Oh it won't put me off, just wondering. Hopefully will visit again, it's a nice area that we all like so I might be lucky! As always, following progress with interest, thanks.

 

Evening All,
On Tuesday the final car of our three car DMU set was outshopped. Hopefully you will all agree she looks good.
http://flic.kr/p/omRmZa

http://flic.kr/p/oD5b1B

http://flic.kr/p/omRs2J

http://flic.kr/p/oD8if3

 

Just a quick extension update-

Tamper now due to arrive on Monday 18th August for work on the 1.5 miles already laid and ballasted.

Work starts on regrading the last 1/4 mile of trackbed to the platform on the 21st August - about 1000 tonnes of base ballast to be spread

If all goes well the platform link up should then be in September, but I've learned to take things one step at a time!

Regards

Matt

 

Major feature article on the railway in Railway Magazine, as well as a round-up of the Welsh Train Project.

 

Tamper has been working on the extension this week, and the track is looking good. A couple more days to go.

Work starts at the Abergwili Jtn station site tomorrow for 2 weeks, involving regrading the trackbed and laying of ballast. The plan is to complete tracklaying into the platform by the end of September.

Regards

Matt

 

Slow down, you're going too fast...................... lol!

Seriously though, its good to see the amount of progress being made. Which begs the question, are there plans afoot for the provision of larger engines, to cope with the increased demands?