The Vale of Rheidol Railway - News

Very encouraging to see all three locos in steam.
The current management, and Peter Rampton's support, have done wonders for the railway.
I note no 9 (or 1213) still has the air pump on the front, while the others have the hidden type.
They look very nice in matched livery, but personally I'd prefer a bit of variety. Can't please everyone!

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I believe the air pump on No 9 is to be hidden in the same way as the other locos at its next overhaul (due at the end of this year).

Keith

 

I was in the workshops in June and upstairs they have 1213's tanks done and ready for her refit, her right hand side tank has a slight leak near that cut out for the valve gear, these being her original ones.
John.

 

I seriously hope that never happens again I lost interest in this railway when the Locos were in odd colours with butchered buffer beams, Now they look like when they were delivered absolutely gorgeous. Don't forget the stations ( some replicated) are all in GWR colours the railway now has a more complete look for the first time in decades. Let's not encourage them to mess that up.
John

 

Personally I'd love a bit of lined BR blue livery with the cast double arrows...
But it's up to them!

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When I was there last year for a photocharter, I was told that the aim is for the railway to represent the 1920/30's, and they would like to replace some of the more modern lineside signage when funds allow.

 

It's the most interesting period of the railway and one of the few narrow gauge lines to have a 'class' of locos that were designed by the GWR but basing them quite closely on the Davies and Metcalfe originals, I think a lot of the trouble is that people who like the railway haven't read Greens book on it to really appreciate and understand its history.
The BR blue was quite logical and interesting at the time as BR's only steam line when 'everything' was blue and they did look quite nice with the lining but the carriages looked terrible and the 'pun' of that livery would be lost on younger visitors today. Apart from the 'Hogwarts loco' I can't imagine any preserved standard gauge railway taking too many liberties with their Locos.
John

 

They looked vile like that

 

It's in the eye of the beholder, of course and was unique. One thing I definitely don't miss on the VoR from BR days ..... those cushionless 2nd class (back then) seat backs, which must've been inspired by Torquemada! The whole line looks infinitely better, in every way, these days than it did in the 70s .... and those impressive locos, which were getting decidedly asthmatic back then, now sound fantastic on the 1:50.

 

Where are they hiding the air pumps?

 

Just at the very front of the LH (viewed from the front) side tank, essentially have nicked a bit of the tank to create a enclosure - if you look carefully below the running board level you can see the bottom of the pump sticking out.

 

The latest VOR newsletter has been published see https://issuu.com/rheidolrailway/do...l_Newsletter_Special_Edition&utm_medium=email

 

I don't think the loco list is 100% accurate - e.g. one of the NG15s is listed twice and I think there should be two Lawleys.

 

I stand corrected on the Lawleys - two are listed.

 

What a great read. Now perhaps some people may be more understanding of the man and his dreams and why he was indifferent to criticisms from certain elements of the enthusiast community.

 

Certainly very illuminating and his presence "In the right place at the right time" has certainly led to some remarkable survivals.
The question now I guess is what is the future for those items (not highlighted in red) that haven't passed to the VoR collection?

One thing I did pick up on however is that most published sources suggest that he purchased both of the ex Manx Northern Hurst Nelson bogies coaches F37/38 from the IOM but only F38 features on the list.
So what became of F37 I wonder?

Chris

 

Thanks for sharing. Interesting to read about the efforts made to improve the view for passengers, having made my first trip on the line this year the views between Aberffrwd and Devils Bridge are the highlight.

 

I hope the print version corrected the rather basic spelling error in the headline in the central section.

 

Not a direct answer to your question I know but Robert Gambrill’s Legacy article says the locos & carriages saved by Peter Rampton are destined for the future VoR museum. Intriguingly he also says Peter Rampton’s greatest legacy is the restoration of his 12th century home in Surrey and that “we” (presumably the Rampton/VoR charity trustees) will hopefully be able to show this to everyone in future.

 

The VoR has started work on building a carriage shed/store for some of the loco collection between the former Carmarthen bay platform at Aberystwyth (more recently, the VoR's terminus)