The Gwili Railway thread

Hi John

Yes fingers crossed for next year, the extension is worth a trip.

We hope that Olwen may be back by Christmas but subject to usual caveats. Colour scheme will be GWR green.

The 03 isn't one of the Gwendraeth ones so doesn't have a cut down cab

Regards

Matt

 

No, our 03 is full height, but naturally a cut-down version would be eminently suitable from an historic perspective... 03s don't necessarily grow on trees, though, and we have the extension to finish off by October (grant-funding deadline) before we can focus on other things.

One key area is the need to develop a long-term strategy for the development of Abergwili Junction, for at the moment, its essentially a virgin site with a platform, with operations very much still centred upon Bronwydd. Whilst a run-around loop is in the picture in the short-term, just about everything else that needs to be done requires pre-planning and large quantities of cash. A lot of the decisions will be of the 'chicken or egg' type; do we concentrate on developing a car park, station facilities, carriage/MPD etc.?

This isn't intended to sound as negative as it seems, the extension provides plenty of exciting opportunities for the railway to develop. What this post does intend to suggest, however, is that the new station will take several years to reach its basic 'turn up and ride' form, and much grant-chasing and fundraising will need to take place before then. As such, we would welcome any donation to help us on our way...

In the round, the Gwili is doing well, with a good future ahead of it. We have just finished repainting our three-car DMU in BR bronze green, and it looks an absolute beaut. We have a dedicated team of C&W volunteers who are undertaking a rolling programme of maintenance on the running fleet, whilst also undertaking work on the vintage carriages when they have a slot in the carriage shed. We now have a new BSK that will improve operation of the dining train, and has allowed us to withdraw our old BSK for some much-needed maintenance in the short-term. Other projects include the return of Olwen, S&T, repainting of Bronwydd, the development of Llwyfan Cerrig as a 'period' station on the Lampeter, New Quay and Aberayron Light Railway and much more besides. So there's a lot going on...

 

On our visit recently, first week in August, it seemed a bit of a joke, same person rushing around doing everything from shop, tickets, platform then cooking at halt half way back down line. His explanation was they are so desperately short of dedicated working volunteers he was only one available for lot and just as well the extension isn't ready as no way to run/man it. A bit different to descriptions on this thread. Obviously I cannot confirm his story but from what we saw see no reason to disbelieve him.We went as we hadn't seen the GWR loco on display up line, but the rest?
There was three decorators or builders working on platform, but multi tasking wasn't their forte. The train was full, in fact when the coach party turned up, there was insufficient room for rest of passengers. The Guard de regulated first class and we were lucky to get one compartment for our group of 7 with family members, but 1st class was still be sold in shop so they had no chance of seats on that train, despite the moans of people in their seats they eventually left, don't know where, perhaps waiting for next train. The DMU looked good with one unit in shed and other outside beside the static steam engine exhibit.
Not a bad day, but seemed very poorly managed re resources. A nice cup of coffee in wheeless cafe coach.
The timetable and leaflets both advertised the extension would be open so that was wishful thinking in someone getting them printed so early.

 

I won't disagree at times we have become victims of our own success. We are still learning how to deal with 250-300 in a day. We are also unable to run longer train due to loop restrictions on the north end of the line.
I do hope your experience wouldn't put you off coming back again but you comments are valuable.

 

Appreciate your comments. I think whoever you spoke to was slightly misinformed however, opening the extension is not going to create any additional staffing requirements, it is simply another two miles of line. We still need the same amount of staff to run it and no more. When he says we are desperately short of volunteers it is true that we can always do with more, but like many railways we have a dedicated core and have operated on every advertised day this year bar a couple.

James is right in that we have some days which are very busy now due to booked coach parties etc. Having 2-300 on some days is good in many ways but yes it as it becomes the norm we need to cater for demand better.

I believe that lots of people come to us and enjoy the trip, but we do have things that can be improved on which of course we are looking to do.

I can't see anything on the thread that has been exaggerated, there is generally much good work being done on the extension and elsewhere. It's all good for the future but we have to remember the here and now as well.

Regards

Matt

 

I visited the week before 4MT and noticed similar staffing challenges. I have visited just over sixty heritage railways in the last three years and one gets a feel for when things are not going completely to plan. People did seem to be doing more than one job and there was some running around. The timetable seemed to be an aspiration rather than a factual document as I think only one train seemed to follow it all day. It wasn't helped by the fact that the very friendly and knowledgable signalman had injured his arm and wasn't able to successfully pull all of the levers so was really in need of an assistant but there wasn't always someone available.

On the upside, I have to say that I felt very welcome and had not appreciated until I got there what great scenery there is at the north of the Gwili line and there can be little doubt that in the future once they get the extension sorted, some better buildings and a few more loco's it is going to be a great place to visit. I loved the little signalling museum as well, and to actually get to press all the different signal bells for real was something that I have always wanted to do. Congrats are also in order to the people who clean the carriages, as I don't think I have seen heritage carriages smell so clean and look so spick-and-span before. I will be back again in a couple of years.

 

again, than you Pesmo for your honest feedback. I think you have summed things up pretty well, there is a lot of potential about the railway and we are close to unlocking it. That doesn't mean we get everything right. We are one of the smaller SG preserved railways and that is the reality, but we are nevertheless proud of some of the achievements over the past few years, including progressing a two mile extension to the point of opening, and the overhaul of Welsh Guardsman. These are pretty major things for us, and that is why the thread has generally been positive.

We are in an area which has been the poor relation for heritage railways, (see Swansea Vale/Teifi Valley etc) so running the amount of steam days we do (c.150) and offering the variety of services (Cream teas, Fish and Chip, Dining, Classic Car Show, 1940's etc) is something to be pleased with. There is always the problem of stretching ourselves too much with the result that on some days we have a shortage of non-operating staff with the results described above. Not sure what the answer is, a bigger operation will generate more volunteers and passengers, but we have to get there somehow!

As Tom said above, the chicken and egg situation is that we really need every passenger and every penny at the moment so we can invest in making the visitor experience better. I am only too aware of this, we took a ride last weekend with my daughter and my Wife wants to email the Chairman with a list of suggestions and improvements!

Regards

Matt

 

South Wales should have good potential - large centres of population on the doorstep, plenty of engineering and industrial skills among that population and nice scenery. Perhaps in the shadow of the Mid and North Wales 'Great Little Trains'? If all efforts are concentrated on the Gwili Rly, and there is already much to be proud of, the future should be bright. I've enjoyed my visits in the past, both steam and diesel, just love Austerities and even dmus. Getting to the edge of Carmarthen will help greatly.

John

 

Hi,

Has the tamper returned? If so is the station area going to be done by hand?

Going off topic, I went to scolton manor yesterday. The loco Margaret is in a very sorry state and the base of the signal box has been dismantled. There was a sign stating it's possible relocation. I cannot think of anywhere appropriate for it apart from with the welsh train project on the Gwili. With my forever the optimist head on the rarity and historical importance of the stock in the welsh train project has got to make a strong case for a shed to put it all in. Whatever the fate of Margaret I hope it's positive! It's a cracking loco with a lot of history working in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

It's so good to see the extension progressing, now it's been aligned have you thought of taking a steam special down a stretch of it?

Regards

Tom

 

Hi Tom

Tamper has just finished 4 days. The first 1/4 mile south of Bronwydd was not tamped and the last 1/4 mile has to be laid first, so the plan is for the Tamper to return at a later date.

Contractor is due to complete his work at the station site next week, which then allows us to commence track laying. Hopefully get some pics soon.

We are not going to take a steam special to Carmarthen at this stage, the DMU is likely to be the first train into the new platform once the track has been laid.

Re Margaret I think the railway exhibition is being rearranged. The loco itself seems unlikely to leave Scolton anytime soon.

Regards

Matt

 

Thanks for your reply Matt it's really appreciated the time you take to inform this thread

The sign in scoltonsuggested they were in discussion with various parties to relocate to hopefully restore in the future.

If you look on this website you can see the state it's in, the rear buffed is on a 45 degree angle!

http://www.existing-gwr-locos.co.uk/loco.aspx?[GWR_Number]=1378.

Cheers Tom

 

From what I understand, Margaret will be relocated to the main entrance of the Scolton Manor site, with the possibility of cosmetic overhaul. Evidently, Sarnau signal box is being de-accessioned. Sarnau is in Carmarthenshire, so it has relatively little relevance to Pembrokeshire, which is essentially what the museum is supposed to be about. However, the locomotive is staying. The condition of the buffer suggests a rather ham-fisted attempt at moving it, athough it looks easily repairable if funds are available, and the damage was probably accentuated by the rotten buffer beam (it is made of wood with protective metal outer sheet that ironically retains moisture and causes the rot). I think the plan is to extend the main building up to the stable block, which meant that the box would inevitably be dismantled.

 

Shame about the Sarnau box, it was erected by the late John Farley, a well respected Gwili and WSR volunteer. The box is identical to the signal box at Bronwydd Arms (ex Llandybie), although looks to be in worse condition.

As for the loco, well it would be a pattern for a replica....

Regards

Matt

 

Cheers! I'm just a dreamer.

Well if the sarnau box is spare mount it on the platform at Abergwili as a temporary waiting room?

That will be gwilis 4th signal box.

Tom

 

Ha well if we are counting at the Gwili we have/had the following boxes at various stages-(mainly ex Central Wales)

Llandybie (BA signal box)
Llandovery no.2 signal box (now converted into BA station building)
Cilyrychen (was at Conwil, sold to private buyer)
Caedu (dismantled but lever frame retained)
Felinfach(now the museum at BA)
Aberaeron (now awaiting relocation at Llwyfan Cerrig)
Kings Dock Jtn (93 levers!) stored in containers at Abergwili Jtn

Oh yes and one of our members has the Llanwrtyd Wells SB in his garden!

Regards

Matt

 

Yes, Felin Fach was the L,NQ&ALR box that got away!

 

Update

The contractor has now completed the grading work at Abergwili Jtn, 550 tonnes of base ballast laid and the formation is now ready for the rails!

Tracklaying planned to start on the 20th September

Will hopefully get some pics this week

Regards

Matt

 

Excellent. Due to write a press release about now, so a handy heads-up. Llwyfan also starting to look a lot tidier with signage beginning to be made uniform in appearance.