The Gwili Railway thread

Visited the Gwili for the first time in some years last week.

A fantastic little railway with lots of potential.

I do agree with Matt that to realise the potential it needs to get to Conwyl and provide adequate parking and good visitor facilities at Abergwili. Abergwili is just a gravel platform with no facilities at present, - see pictures below. Having said that the scenery is superb, and the potential north of Dan y Coed is clear to see - the journey in due course from Abergwili to Conwyl will start in a pleasent river valley (shades of the river parts of the South Devon) and transitions into very steep mountain country vying with the river to find space to pass through, probably overstating it to compare it to the Aberglaslyn Pass but it's that kind of scenery and comparable (IMO).

Dan y Coed is just a platform again with no shel;ter and no access - Conwyl is still a good mile from it's village but at least it will offer some access and I would repeat that the scenery is going to make the journey worthwhile.

Also an inspired idea to have the signal box open between trains. Very friendly Staff.

Llyfan Cerrig offers some added interest with the miniature railway, Carriage Works and TPO - hopefully the carriage being converted into a tea room will offer some refreshement opportunities at least in the high season as once you have boarded the train there is no where to get a snack until you arrive back at Bronwydd - definately a problem with the 13.00 departure.

Anyway good luck guys and keep it up - the Gwili's scenery is one of Preservation's hidden gems

David R

 

Hi David
It's either Conwil in English or Cynwyl in Welsh
The Conwyl spelling is found but is neither fish nor fowl!

 

A video from the recent Classic Transport day with some footage of the extension



Regards

Matt

 

And with my surname (Rhydderch) I should have known that!

David R (aka David Rhydderch)

 

Impressed by what is happening here and updates. I wonder if some pagoda shelters could be built fairly quickly and cheaply. Helston Railway has built one which is about to be erected. Next extension to Conwil seems a winner.

 

Hi all,

Just a quick reminder of the Gwili Railway's annual gala, which is coming up on Saturday 7th October - 2 months away today! This will be the first gala to use the extension to Abergwili Junction.

Further details will follow shortly - however, outline details are:

- Intensive timetable, with all available traction being used
- Demonstration goods train
- Carriage & Wagon open at Llwyfan Cerrig
- Society display stands at Bronwydd Arms

There will also be a bus link to the nearby Bronwydd Village Hall, where a model railway exhibition (organised by the West Wales 'O' Gauge Group) will be underway.

More details to follow soon.

Thanks,

Phil.

 

I can't beleive they're spending another 300K on this. A full feasibility study into reopening the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/one-wales-abandoned-historic-railway-13529809

What a waste of money

David R

 

Considering electrification from Cardiff to Swansea is now "off" you'd have to suspect that there just isn't the money.

Regards

Matt

 

As I understand it the infrastructure of the rail network in Wales is still the responsibility of Westminster.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.wa...cs/uk-government-slams-door-shut-12821960.amp

I would have thought that as long as this remains the case then funding Carmarthen-Aber is a non-starter, and in fact the Assembley would only have the cash to initiate a study without in reality being able to do anything about it?

Regards

Matt

 

They've funded other upgrades and extensions to the network, it's the lack of any conceivable business case that makes this a non-starter.

 

And indeed, if they had that sort of money electrification Cardiff to Swansea and more re-opening in the Valleys (Aberdare to Hirwaun, Abertillery come to mind) would seem to be a greater priority and offer a much better return

David R

 

Hi all,

More details about the gala on October 7th are below - hope to see some of you there. Timetable etc (and further details) will follow, closer to the event.

Thanks,

Phil.

-------------
On Saturday October 7th 2017, the Gwili Steam Railway will be holding it’s annual Gala Day. This year, the event will be themed around the opening of the new extension to Abergwili Junction.

A busy timetable of passenger and demonstration goods trains will be running throughout the day, as well as the diesel railcar (alongside other side attractions), providing plenty to see and do.

What’s on - Bronwydd Arms...

- Intensive timetable - lots of movements to see!
- Photo display about the extension project
- S&T Museum (at the far end of the carpark, in the old signalbox from Fairfach)
- Routemaster RM308 on display, outside the signalbox.
- Cafe open all day (in two restored ex-Taff Vale Railway coaches, located next to the signalbox)
- Trade and display stands in the carpark (weather permitting), as follows:


- Mainline and Maritime - specialist railway booksellers and publishers

- Garw Valley Railway Society

- Dean Forest Railway

- Rhondda Tunnel Society

- Gwili Railway Preservation Society

- Pembrokeshire Portable Track club


The ‘Pembrokeshire Portable Track’ club will be running a portable (3.5/5” gauge) passenger-carrying track at the North end of the car-park. Rides will be available for a small charge, using both steam and battery electric locomotives.

There will also be a bus-link to the model railway exhibition (organised by the West Wales ‘O’ Gauge group) in Bronwydd Village Hall - see below.

At Llwyfan Cerrig...

- TVR No.28 on static display in the yard - available for ‘cabbing’.
- Carriage & Wagon workshop - view progress on rolling stock currently ‘in the shops’.
- Travelling Post Office - TPO coach open and available to visit.
- Display stands from the Welsh Train Project (TVR 28) and the Gwili Vintage Carriage Group (GVCG).

The 7.25” gauge Llwyfan Cerrig Miniature Railway will be running throughout the day, with trains hauled by resident Roanoke 0-4-0PH “Ben” (2003) and S/O 0-6-0PH “Bill” (1997, rebuilt 2017).

Model Railway Exhibition
The West Wales ‘O’ Gauge group will be holding a model railway exhibition in Bronwydd Village Hall - around 15 minutes walk from the station. A free mini-bus shuttle will run between the two during the day.

The show will feature 6 layouts, 3 traders and a number of demonstrations. Please note that there is a separate entrance charge for the exhibition.

Timetable
An intensive timetable of passenger and goods trains will be in operation throughout the day, with trains crossing at both Bronwydd Arms and Llwyfan Cerrig. Some trains will be double-headed.

A copy of the working timetable will be available on this website closer to the event.

Parking
At Bronwydd Arms station, there will be limited car-parking (on a first come, first serve basis).

An overflow carpark will be provided at Bronwydd Village Hall (SA33 6BE), with a regular shuttle-bus providing a link to the railway all day. The village hall car-park is located on the B4301, half a mile North of Bronwydd Arms station - turn left out of the station, over the level crossing, and keep going for half a mile.

Reserved disabled parking will be available for blue-badge holders at Bronwydd Arms station.

 

Hi all,

Time for a quick gala update...

We're really pleased that specialist railway bookseller (and publisher) 'Mainline & Maritime' will be attending our gala on October 7th. They will have an extensive range of both railway and maritime books on sale throughout the day, from their stand in the carpark at Bronwydd Arms.

Have a browse through their book-lists online, to see if there's anything you fancy - and maybe come to the gala, armed with a list of things to buy....

Further information at: www.mainlineandmaritime.co.uk
Further gala information at: http://www.gwili-railway.co.uk/en/events/autumn-gala.aspx

Thanks,

Phil.

 

BTW how is the new extention being recieved by Joe Public, or is it too early doors to know how next year may pan out?....

 

Still a bit early for long-term results but we are pleased with the general reaction since opening. Passenger figures for the month of August were up 23% compared to 2016. There have been numerous compliments about the new line, some online (Facebook/TA/this forum) and some made known on the railway.

Consensus seems to be that it certainly adds a new dimension both in terms of length and scenery. We have also enjoyed a good summer in terms of loco reliability which always helps.

Plenty going on in the background as well as we plan the next stages of the railway's development.

Regards

Matt

 

23% up in a short space of time is nothing to be sniffed at!

 

This is probably old news to some, but still interesting that the company intends to make hast to the town/station that no one knows how to spell correctly (chuckles) "Conwil".

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/steam-railway-uk/20170324/282969629889691
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/steam-railway-expansion-opens-bosses-13280088

What's disheartening is, there's no intention to go beyond Llanpumpsaint, along the intact track-bed, through the tunnel (with the rather curious 'emergency exit' into someone's garden!) to the absolute limit, Pencader. But still, an extension of this magnitude is encouraging nonetheless, and will put Gwili on the map proper.

If each bridge is going to cost 100k though, that's 300k to get to Conwil. I haven't heard anything about any fundraiser.

 

Give them a chance for goodness sake, they've only just finished their latest extension! Heritage railway development isn't just about extensions you know, and it would be foolish to plough everything into extending to the detriment of what they've got.

 

Chill.

Its the company that have announced this. Not me.