The Gwili Railway thread

Well at the moment we have both Welsh Guardsman and Haulwen available, with Olwen on the way back. The latter is too small for regular/main season use on the extended line.

Looking to the future we will need additions to the fleet, we have an appeal just launched for the third Austerity (ex SwVR) and of course TVR28 might be an option for the future too. However in the absence of these coming on stream in the near future we will need something else which is at least 6-coupled.

Part of the plan is that we need an engine shed and we are working on this aspect at the moment.

So the answer is that yes we will need more options, even better if they are of a GWR/BR variety. We could really do with a powerful diesel back up too as we just have the 03 at the moment.

Regards

Matt

 

No to big and complicated. What we need is another 03 and set them up for Multi working as per the ex landore ones.

 

I'm sure there must be stuff out there........ even if they maybe out off traffic or rusting hulks, be it steam or diesel - just a case of persuading them to relocate.........

 

Dinmore Manor ...

 

Just a quick update inbetween the loco discussions!

The tamper eluded me today but I did get a shot of the works at Abergwili, the first photo taken from the road over bridge looking north.

The second photo is of the station building at Bronwydd Arms which has received repairs and a repaint

Regards

Matt

 

No it's all part of a cunning plan
3 Austerities which all have communality of parts.
The DMU and the 03 share the same drive systems...
Sees simple to maintain ... Or so the thinking goes

 

Michael Portillo visited the railway this morning as part of his new series of "Great Railway Journeys" with a focus on the extension as well as a trip along the line. Not sure when it is due to air but I'll probably avoid watching it seeing as I got interviewed....

Regards

Matt

 

That's good news!

It will certainly raise the railways profile with Joe Public.

I think it will air in January next year, IIRC the last series aired in Jan this year........ it would interesting to see if the "Portillo Effect" produces a significant uplift in passengers numbers, as he only ever seems to paint Heritage Lines in a good light!

You'll have to watch it when it does air - you never know, you might get edited out!

 

Certainly featuring on the telly isn't going to do you any harm publicity wise (not even you Matt ) You ought to try and get the BBC to base a series there, we've managed to get Father Brown again, I'm sure the BBC will do a welsh drama with lots of mumbling soon like that Cornish one a while ago! Never really looked at Portillo's shows before as I didn't realise he did heritage railways too, I shall look lout for it, perhaps put a reminder here if you get told when it airs?

 

Well some of the railway scenes for Hinterland were shot on the Gwili plus we have done some other bigger stuff in the past. We must be one of the few Heritage railways to make it in to Hello! magazine

 

How on earth did you manage to get into Hello! magazine?

 

The Gwili is a great line with some fabulous scenery, especially in the autumn. The extension to Carmarthen should really put it in the public eye as it's next to the main road and nothing makes people stop and stare than a vintage train just waiting for the next passengers! It's probably a shame that the southern extension wasn't progressed years back but thats history now and this represents a new chapter. If there was chance of the Teifi Valley relocating to the Gwili and being able to offer a narrow gauge experience in the vicinity of the line it would be unique I'm sure.

 

Portillo's programmes usually air in January-February. Interesting development.

 

Long story... In essence it was a result of one lucky volunteer getting a kiss on the cheek from Sienna Miller, whilst her and Kiera knightly were filming on the railway.

 

Lucky bugga........

I bet not much got done with those two distractions around!

 

Sadly unless you were one of the select few involved in the ops everyone else was turned away by the security ppl

 

No wonder you lot are on the hurry up!

All that down time, just because two fine fillies are parading about the place!

 

Erm....moving the discussion on! I had a couple more photos to post of progress

The first one shows the new GWR style running in board posts for Abergwili Jtn Station

The second shows the progress on Olwen's boiler with fitting of side stays.

Tamper has finished today, by all accounts the track is looking good. Work continues at Abergwili Jtn.

Regards

Matt

 

I had been hoping to add this line, as extended and the new bit looks scenic, to my schedule for my annual Welsh steam bash this autumn. Well, there's always next year! Is Olwen likely to be in action then?

Is the 03 one of the cut down cab variety (Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley line)?

John