The Vale of Rheidol Railway - News

A selection of photos taken the Thursday before the festival including Margaret departing withthe first loaded test passenger train can be found at http://paulsimpson.zenfolio.com/p761596563

 

Great pictures, very picturesque landscape.

While on the subject of the VOR, does anyone on here know if there are any GA drawings of 'Diana' in any books or elsewhere?

Ben


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Ever been interested in going on the VoR's Autumn Colours trains? Heres a chance for free tickets. The VoR is running a facebook competition to give away 4 packages of 2 adult returns and 2 sunday carvery at the Hafod Hotel during November 15. Click here to be linked to our facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/rheidolrai...302842602/1203545449661144/?type=3&permPage=1

 

Evening All,

Another batch of pictures from the Festival of Steam Gala weekend is now on Flickr. There are 15 pictures and if anyone would like to have a look, this is the first one in the Photostream :

RD12407. DIANA and SYBIL MARY. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

Hope they're of interest.

 

Afternoon All,

I have added yet more pictures on the Festival of Steam Gala to my Flickr site. There's a couple of dozen and, if anyone would like to see them, this is the first one in the Photostream :

RD12202. DIANA. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

Hope they're of interest.

 

Another batch of pictures from last September has now been added to Flickr. This is the first one in the Photostream for those interested to see them :

RD12360. No.9 at Pontarfynach (Devil's Bridge). by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

Hope they're still of interest even though they are now a few months old.

 

Glad to see that Prince of Wales has had the buffer beams put back to the original shape, they were a real mess before, somebody had attacked them with an angle grinder before and ruined their shape. She looks a lot better now.

 

Just need to remove that air pump now

 

In an ideal world yes, but I'm happy with additions like that for good reason, rather than any butchery, Its a shame nobody makes a smaller air pump for narrow gauge locos.

 

Tallylyn Air Pumps are much smaller

Why didn't they just stay with vac brakes?

 

The VoR management have done some great things in recent years and have some very exciting ideas for the future.
Let's make sure they hear at least as much support and encouragement as griping.
For the person on the receiving end "this is great, but..." just sounds like criticism.

 

I thought this was a discussion group?

 

A couple of things to throw into the discussion. The sections were cut out of the buffer beams to provide a lifting point for when these locomotives are lifted using our four post jacks. These gaps still remain, however fill-in pieces have been created to plug the gap when the locomotive is in traffic so the buffer beam profile looks correct.

25 years ago the railway took a decision to move from vacuum to air braking. This was owing to the deplorable condition of all the vacuum equipment which was fitted to the locos and stock when the new company took over from British Rail. Those who crewed these locos during the 80s and early 90s would talk of problems with the vacuum equipment which was sometimes so ineffective it necessitated doing all the braking using the locomotive handbrake. Replacing this equipment would have been cost prohibitive so the decision was made to fit twin line air brakes. This has been very successful indeed and is an effective, safe and cost effective method of providing continuous braking.

 

Clearly air braking is superior to vacuum, and I like an engine with an air pump myself. But then I'm not trying to pretend, sorry recreate a lost era, I'm just enjoying what we have now for its own sake...
Anyhow, I think the locos are currently in GWR green and GWR black with shirtbutton liveries. Any changes planned for 2016? And any projected return for No 7?

 

RAILWAY TRACKING DOWN LONG LOST NUMBER PLATES

The Vale of Rheidol Railway has launched an appeal to track down a missing part of its history. From construction in 1924 until nationalisation in 1948, the locomotive now known as No 9 “Prince of Wales,” ran with the number 1213. It is unknown what happened to the number plates fitted to the locomotive bunker sides.

Railway manager, Llŷr ap Iolo commented, “we’ve often wondered what happened to the 1213 numberplates, perhaps they were sold on to a collector. Hopefully someone out there knows something, and we’d be really interested to hear from them.”

After the grouping in 1923, the GWR invested heavily in its newly acquired narrow gauge line. GWR board had only authorised the construction of two locomotives, to replace the existing Davies and Metcalfe built machines which had operated the railway from 1902 onwards.

An unknown individual at Swindon works managed to ‘fiddle the books’ which resulted in a third full set of parts being manufactured. A year later these were assembled to form the locomotive we now know as No 9. It had been given the number 1213 to disguise the creative accountancy.

The railway would be very interested to speak to anybody with any information should contact the railway – email info@rheidolrailway.co.uk – call 01970 625819 or write to Vale of Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, SY23 1PG

 

Can anyone give me an idea of the plans for 2016?
E.g. what's happening with No 7?
And any more of the "museum" collection under restoration?

 

No.7 is still under restoration in the workshop with hopes to be completed in 2017. If you follow the Railway's Newsletter there are often updates on the workshop progress, including progress on the Talyllyn locomotive No.3. April's Newsletter can be found here: http://eepurl.com/b05V_D

Also, there is a facebook page specifically for following the progression of No.7 here: https://www.facebook.com/ourpastistheirfuture/?fref=ts

 

Thank you - exciting times at the VoR!

 

Thanks for posting the links - very interesting

Steve B

 

It is quite obvious No.9 was an 'accountants' rebuild and was not a rebuild at all but a new locomotive. This has been very well documented. I do not understand the request for 'new' information.

Cheers,
Julian