The Gwili Railway thread

Evening Tom

yes it’s been a decent season down west, just finished the main season today with the gala (Saturday) and Halloween/Christmas to come.

Danycoed loop can fit a 5 car set which we have generally run this year albeit the 5th coach is normally the (non passenger carrying) kitchen car.

Coaches is a currently a live issue with our gradually working through the operational coaches we have to ensure they are fit for the next 20 years and some hire options in there too. We are always on the look out for more carriages as well…

Compartments are still in favour although open seats are also popular and we have a current split of 11 compartments in the CK and BSK and 2 x TSO’s for open.

regards

Matt

 

Treforest footbridge being lifted out at the Valley Lines station ahead of movement to a new bome at Abergwili Junction.

 

6430 at our annual gala yesterday posing as classmate 6418.

 

The pics and videos of the gala look great. Were passenger trains crossing at bronwydd? I can't remember that happening before the galas I can remember the coaches were shunted into the loop for the train to pass but cool to see them passing. Also nice seeing the loop at llwyfan being used, must have been a first in a while. Looks like a great day.

Cheers,
Tom

 

Treforest footbridge arrives at its new home.

 

In a recent letter to Steam Railway Magazine it was suggested that Hudswell Clark 544 from Blaenavon would be a perfect engine to completely TVR 28 in the Gwili’s home fleet if restored. Obviously (presumably?) this isn’t on the cards but does anyone know what it’s performance would be like? As an 18” presumably quite decent?

 

Haulwen is coming together nicely and the photo shows the last of the big motion parts now refitted to the frames and the boiler after the application of silver paint.

 

I guess it would have the power but be on the limit of water capacity. Older less efficient than an austerity that would cost vast amounts to restore as it has been stored outside. I think the current mix of an industrial and a pannier or prairie from the south devon fleet, and eventually tvr 28 are pretty well suited and very applicable to the history of Welsh railways. Haulwen representing the industry of Wales and a pannier representing typical local passenger services. TVR 28 is something really special I am not sure 544 has quite the same allure.

 

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with regular 5 car sets at the moment these lend themselves to an Austerity type/Moorbarrow or pannier/prairie as most suited to present needs.


regards

Matt

 

Haulwen’s boiler being lagged and clasded.

 

We managed to get the lights on platform one positioned and connected just in time for Halloween.

Haulwen continues to progress towards completion, with brake gear and reverser fitted. The ashram is also undergoing repairs and modification.

Elsewhere the brake van of Taff Vale 220 is starting to look good.

Regards

Matt

 

Templates on one side finished…production next

 

Has there been any movement on a bus service from Carmarthen past Abergwili Junction, please?

As I don't drive and it's a fairly long walk from the current bus stop near the hospital, it would be very useful! I had to take a taxi both ways when I visited earlier this year, and I would like to return next year.

I see that the web site (which I ought to have checked before posting(!) says the following:
"Please note that our Abergwili Junction station is currently only accessible by road so anyone joining us by public transport will need to use a taxi from central Carmarthen. We are actively working on developing and improving this."

This is the same as before my previous visit, so there's been no change to the situation. I'll check again next year.

Thanks.

 

there is now footpath access to the Abergwili site which can be accessed via a walk along the footpath at the south end of Glangwili Hospital (one exit on Abergwili Road and one on Dolgwili Road)

 

Taff Vale 220 coming on with the guards van being painted and the body sides being sanded for painting. Meanwhile the chassis of Haulwen is now at the south end of the shed ahead of some further activity this weekend.

 

Ah, thanks - is there a link from the path to the station now? I looked at that route before my previous visit, and it didn't seem as if you could get off it and into the station, which is why I didn't try to use it. It's not mentioned on the Railway's web site either.

 

I’ve attached a picture of the site. The pedestrian access is on the left hand site of the photo at the south end of platform 2 (just above the container in GWR light stone)

 

Ah, that's excellent, thank you.

 

A milestone as Haulwen’s boiler and cab are returned to the frames.