Swansea Vale Railway moves to Gwili

after many months of non action, the first moves are afoot.

While not coming direct from Swansea, a 3 car DMU recently purchased by members of the 'Llanelli and District Railway Society' (DMU owners at the Swansea Vale) will be arriving at the Gwili this week.

The Unit is a Class 117 in Blue/grey and until recently was in use on the Nene Valley. It is likely to be used on its first outing at the Gwili's Thomas event over Easter.

The original Class 117 DMU 3 car unit at Swansea were unfortunatley burnt out by the locals to the extent that they were no longer considered restorable. Therefore the Llanelli group have aquired the blue/grey unit as a replacement.

Not all the items at Swansea will go to the Gwili, but the main transfer of assets/volunteer support will be/has been in this direction.

(So far Class 03 Diesel 03141 and 0-6-0ST Llantarnam Abbey have been relocated to the Pontypool and Blaenavon, and an ex Midland Railway signal box has been sold to Peak Rail).

Behind the scenes arrangements are in hand to move other items to the Gwili, more details and maybe a few photos as things happen.

 

Any news on whether the 225hp NBL is heading that way, or ideas of its intended new home?

 

The destination of the NB is unknown at the moment, it might be Gwili, might not be (sorry I can't be more accurate!)

When there is some definite news I'll post it here

 

It's intended to use the Midland box at Matlock eventually, it will have a good home and be a bit nearer its birthplace!

Dave

 

Matt, i am wondering if you could tell me whether it wll be steam running or the DMU in operation over the summer runing period?

 

All listed days in the timetable will be worked by steam (subject to the usual caveats re availability of locos etc)

This year's main loco will be Haulwen, with Olwen as a back up. Welsh Guardsman remains out of service at present for replacement of firebox lap joint rivets and a re-tube so it probably won't be out in 2009. There are no plans for a repeat of 4566 glories with another hire this year [-( but we'll see for 2010.

We will in due course sit down and discuss with the DMU owners whether any further days can be incorporated into the timetable which could be DMU days.

It might be the case that the DMU is hauld by a steam engine as passenger stock though to allow flexbility in Mk1 maintainence.

 

DMU should be on its way having left Wansford yesterday, well the centre car i think?

 

Looking forward to it!

Will it be running on the Thomas event, or static?

The idea of it being hauled by "Haulwen" sounds fantastic - it'll be great for passengers to have some 'observation saloon' style views of the valley from the rear of the train \/

 

will be used as loco hauled stock instead of the usual Mk1 set, well that's the plan!

 

nice, thanks for the info matt, was just wondering because ive booked a week on the footplate. might even see you about!

 

The DMU has now arrived and was being tested today

Before it enters service some adjustments are needed to footboards, the Gwili isn't built to continental clearances like the NVR!

 

The photo shows the first item of stock to arrive from Swansea, a BR Mk1 GUV which will be used for storage.

At Swansea the vandalised DMU's have now been scrapped, and arrangements will now be made to commence the task of dismantling, tracklifting etc over the next few months.

 

The photo of the GUV was interesting. Not often you see one sat on commonwealth bogies! :-k

 

Hi Matt

Sorry to "slightly" bump up this thread but i suppose its a general question about the Swansea Vale and i thought you might know a lot more on the recent developments....

Just a curious question really on what will happen to the infrastructure of the line i.e. rails/sleepers/points where possible?
Will most of the parts be collected and stored for future use on the gwili line or sold off if possible to other railways/groups?

Thanks in advance
Regards

Adam.

 

yes, most Swansea Vale infrastructure is presently earmarked for future Gwili use. To give you an idea, the trackwork required to complete the Gwili Carmarthen extension amounts to about 1 1/4 miles, about the exact amount located at Swansea so there probably won't be much 'spare'.

 

Bit of an update here, major dismantling work is progressing at Swansea with 40 lengths of rail due to be delivered to the Gwili this coming week. They will be transported by rail 'up' the extension for relaying over the next couple of months. The rolling stock is due to arrive in the next couple of weeks, this is now to include the North British Diesel for those of you who asked earlier. Lots of other bits to follow over the next few months, pictures to follow.....

 

Yes folks, it's all go on the Gwili at the moment, we have 4 days of stock movements pencilled in this week from the SVR to the Gwili. First loads arriving tomorrow afternoon and continuing throught the week execpt for wednesday when we are operating!

Items to arrive include Pecket steam loco (non working), Toad brakevan, LMS Handcrane, North British Diesel, GWR box vans, dogfish hopper and a few others besides. Hopefully I will remember my camera.

 

Hi Matt
I'd appreciate any I/d's on your new items when you find out what they are?
Cheers
Steve

 

Got off to a slow start today, these two wagons (I think!) were delivered

http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org ... p?Ref=2001

http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org ... p?Ref=2007

More to follow tomorrow, including the GWR Toad brakevan

 

Cheers Matt
My Father & to a lesser extant myself, are currently updating the wagon survey at the VCT so if you can keep us updated with what has moved it'll be appreciated.
First picture is an unidentified LNER Lowfit. Next is a BR Single Bolster B915761 which was in use as a runner for the LMS Hand Crane, and also an ex internal user 060977. Is the crane following?
The Toad hopefully will be 114762.
Steve