The Vale of Rheidol Railway - News

Apparently its going into BR blue too.

 

I wish

Early plain please

 

I would love to see that, as would a lot of other people.

 

I thought Peter Rampton hated the VoR locos in BR blue. He will be spinning in his grave!

Personally I don't mind as it brings a bit of variety.

 

In April 1971 the engines I photographed were black with a green cab sides and tender with white lining. As per the photograph of 760 above. I understand NG World will feature the Gwalior in the August issue.

 

I had some correspondence with him some time ago, and he said he wanted to rebuild the L&BR in Devon, but the local councils were opposed to his idea at the time, which makes you wonder what could have happened if things had been different

 

Also the restoration of Bagnall 0-6-0 Diesel loco no. 3124. Press release: https://vor.wales/blog/proactive-st...lway-responds-to-climate-and-coal-challenges/

 

Bloody hell, that oil tank seems a tad out of gauge!

 

Here’s a video of, amongst other things, No. 9 turning blue.

 

As a rail blue era diehard, this is wonderful news

 

https://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/pr...0_tJn5wkf-EC5JFNZo_aem_w54p-QrU40zW89zTdxB_5g



*Pre-Order* Due in stock Mid-October.

Special September Pre-order price £70.00, RRP £80.00.

Narrow Gauge Enigma – The Story of Peter Rampton and his Collection X

This book tells the remarkable story of Peter John Rampton. Bringing together information and photographs from Peter’s own private archives, together with interviews with people who knew and worked with and for Peter, the story of this very private and passionate collector of narrow gauge locomotives is described in great detail.
Born in 1934 in Surbiton, Peter grew up in a family which had founded the successful Freemans mail order business. From 1948-1952 Peter boarded at Malvern College before returning to Surrey. After a few years working in the family business in Clapham, Peter changed career in the early 1960s and became a farmer, running three large farms in Surrey.
He began collecting narrow gauge locomotives in 1968 and added to the collection until his passing in 2019. He established, with his sister Ann, the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust in 1985. He was instrumental in establishing the Brecon Mountain Railway with Tony Hills, and buying the Vale of Rheidol Railway from British Rail in 1989.
As well as his passion for railways, Peter also collected and restored AC Cars and his friend Derek Hurlock, Chairman of AC Cars, became a trustee of the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust.
While all this was happening Peter found time to restore ‘Markwick’, his early 16th century Surrey hall house, a labour of love.
Presented here for the first time, this book forms a complete record of his collection, and details the life of this unique, enigmatic and very private man.

Hardback, 416 Pages.

 

Yes, I am looking forward to this book. I have mine on order; hopefully, there will be a bit about Peter's attempt to revive the Lynton and Barnstaple as well, which took place before he was able to buy the Vale of Rheidol Railway.

 

I'm sure this is a worthy tome... but that price tag! Sorry, can't justify that.

 

Same here. Want to go halves?

 

I did think that when they released the Bagnall Book, but when you look at such books and the amount of information they contain, I felt at the time that it was worth it. I honestly believe that this book will answer a lot of questions about Collection X that people have only guessed at and got wrong.

It has been hinted that there will be a lot of information about things that didn't happen, which might have changed a lot of things that we have now.

 

I thought the Bagnall book was expensive at £100 when it first came out. However, I was surprised to find new copies on sale at Aberystwyth (VoR) a couple of years ago for just £5. I bought one. This new book must have a limited audience so the same might well happen with this in a couple of years if you can wait.

 

On the other hand there are books with limited print runs and higher prices which sold out completely, and are now extremely pricey for copies in good condition. Try finding a copy of Lynton and Barnstaple Measured and Drawn!

 

When I first saw it advertised it was saying 230 in stock, so I'm guessing the print run isn't much more than that. A lot of book runs are in the hundreds these days, especially more specialised ones. Saying that, Colin Gifford's "Transition" was 1200 copies and sold out pretty quickly. Incidentally, his colour book should be out shortly too.

 

Yes, I have that one; however, a recent visit from my building contents insurer frightened me when he told me to catalogue all the books I have, he said I will be surprised at what the total value will be. He was not wrong.

I am getting to that point in life when I need to be thinking about what I would like to see happen to my book collection. I have always fancied setting up a private library/research centre, where other books can be added after I am no longer here.

While there is a general move towards social media, I don't think you can beat a book with the knowledge it contains from the author. I think it is very important that the next generation of railway enthusiasts/historians and engineers have access to this knowledge, and that is the direction I hope to take.

I tend to buy the sort of book which interests me, and I do have more than a few. The one book I have been after for a couple of years has been Phil Girdleston's book Camels and Cadillaces. I have seen it on both Amazon and eBay for well over £150.00, but finally I got a very good condition copy for just £30.00 the other week.

Again, it was a limited print run, and most copies have gone to people who are interested in Advanced Steam Technology. I have to admit I am not disappointed by it. Having missed out on a few other books in the past, I tend to look for the number in the print run and think accordingly.

Not only do I have an Interest in Railways, but thanks to my Mum and Dad, I have also inherited books on WW2 and various social and political backgrounds since the end of WW2. Some of them make for fascinating reading.