The Gwili Railway thread

Awesome, looking forward to the announcement!

 

Great to know Abergwili developments are on-going.

Is this visitor for the whole season?

 

At present the visitor will be from March to July.

regards

Matt

 

Another “milestone” day as the engine shed floor is concreted. What luxury...

This marks the final stage of the engine shed project for the time being and we can now look forward to both our own and visiting engines getting attention in the new facility.

regards

Matt

 

Update

Shed floor after the concrete has set plus work starts on the site for the carriage shed.

regards

Matt

 

Yes we do have a visitor lined up, can’t confirm yet but should be able to do so shortly.

regards

Matt

 

Update

the earth starts moving for the new carriage shed site...

regards

Matt

 

Hi Matt, Looks like you have had to lift the headshunt and southern points for the run-around loop at Abergwili. Is the plan to reinstate the headshunt up to the boundary (as the councils requirement to keep the original alignment clear) and build the shed next to this - possibly with the 'car port' roof over the headshunt itself as additional sheltered space as was discussed many years ago?

Hopefully you'll be able to the hedshunt and runaround loop back in place before Feb. half term.

Alan

 

Hi Alan

The plan is to reinstate the head-shunt to the boundary. We will have plenty of width at the site now after the earthworks. We aren’t obliged to leave a route south (unlikely as it would be that we would extend south) but it has been factored into planning.

edit - pictures of today now on Facebook (no subscription required)

https://m.facebook.com/TheGwiliSteamRailway/?locale2=en_GB

regards

Matt

 

Update

the contractors have finished and the transformation is eye opening. Photos looking back from the site of the carriage shed towards the platform and then looking to the south and towards Carmarthen.

Also included is the engine shed floor after being painted.

All good progress, hopefully more to come!

Regards

Matt

 

Update

2 panels replaced on the running line with new ballast and concrete sleepers and the first loco in the completed shed - D2178 for injector repairs

regards

Matt

 

Awesome stuff. I am eagerly anticipating the announcement of the visitor! I feel so much is happening at the railway I cant believe how much you have achieved in the last few years.

 

certainly a good bit of momentum at the moment, hopefully we will keep it going....

regards

Matt

 

Llanpumsaint here we come... is there any chance of being donated a couple of old bridges from network rail replacements in west wales or are these no good?

Tom

 

100%, but I'm guessing axle loadings have different requirements. I know reading remodelling released 2 bridges for the great central. I'm trying to think outside the box as there are so many bridges between danycoed and llanpumsaint,

 

we have been offered a couple but the next bridge that needs to be replaced (Bridge 10) is a wrought iron structure with 17m beams. We’d have to have an exact match in dimensions for a bridge to be any use, also the isolated location does not make getting a new bridge in any easier.

the most suitable solution appears to be that the old girders are moved outwards and a new concrete bridge constructed in between (see Nursery Pool Bridge SDR)

regards

Matt

 

Are many of the bridges iron? I know there are a couple of stone bridges on the route. It's a shame bridges are so hugely expensive.

Tom

 

bridge 9 (currently in use) is wrought iron albeit rebuilt after WW1

bridge 10 is wrought iron, suspected as being original

bridges 11,12,13,14, 16 all single span brick arch

bridge 15 is wrought iron again suspected rebuilt after WW1

all bridges were repaired in 1955 when the royal train visited the line

Most of the stone ones are in good condition, the decks of 10 and 15 have long since deteriorated beyond repair and the girders of B10 (being original) are life expired.

Regards

Matt