GWR 1450 to visit Gwili for Santa Specials

I am pleased to advise that we have secured the loan of GWR 1450 for the duration of our Santa services. This arrangement was made following the failure of the rostered Santa loco (Olwen) a few weeks ago.

1450 will not be present this coming weekend, but is now due to work santa services on the 11th,12th,18th,19th 22nd,23rd and 24th December topping and tailing with Class 03 D2178.

We would like to record our appreciation and thanks to the Dean Forest Railway and 1450's owner for agreeing the loan at short notice and I would also like to thank other railways that we have been in touch with when searching for a replacement engine for their time and assistance.

We may be able to squeeze in a photo charter before 1450 is due to leave, unfortunatley our two GWR 4- wheel carriages are not quite in the state we would like for this purpose.

Regards,
Matt Bowen
Gwili Railway

 

Let us know about a charter. I am sure you can put a short freight together with the toad?

 

Im very much looking forward to my turn on the 22nd December now

 

Are pay on the day / non santa rover tickets available? Am quite tempted, be a rare chance indeed to hear a 14xx worked properly!

 

If you come on the 22nd there is a friendly fireman on

 

Does that mean you are starting to get withdrawal symptoms, Matt? Congratulations, by the way!

 

So, is it possible to travel on the trains as a non Santa punter, ie just on a normal fare or are we reliant on a friendly fireman happening to be working?

 

I shall enquire for you jamesd

 

Thanks. I'll pop over to see it anyway but it would be nice to have a ride too, I wouldn't even need a seat!

 

Santa Adult fare is £9.50, but that includes Mince Pies!
Not sure if it will be practical to offer a 'reduced fare' and if trains are busy only one trip will be permitted, but anybody who wants to come down and see it in action will be most welcome.
Regards
Matt

 

Hmm, west Wales might be a bit far to go for one trip :-/... Not a complaint, obviously Santas are a huge earner and the families come first at these events! Might wait and see if owt comes of this charter idea

 

We are hoping for a charter but still looking into a date.

 

1450 has now touched down at Bronwydd

 

First day of operation for 1450 is Saturday, likely to be a test run tomorrow while "Haulwen" is out on a couple of Schools Specials Thursday/Friday.

 

Matt -

Are you still guard on one of the school specials? If so, don't forget your camera...the thought of a train top-and-tailed by "Haulwen" and the 14xx is tempting!

Do get some pics if you can...

Cheers,

Phil.

PS Is this our (belated) tribute to GW175? :lol:

 

well im bringing a western crest on a disc down with me like the one that vintage trains use along with some lamps and another surprise

 

Hi Phil,

Haulwen and the 03 are working the Schools, 1450 will not be out until Saturday now. Of course I'm on Friday hoping that I'd catch a turn behind the 14! (Can't do any other date due to the new arrival....)

Rather thought we were missing out on GWR 175 (apart from sending 1144 to the GWSR) so 1450's visit is an unexpected bonus. The icing on the cake would have been to run it with the vintage carriages but that isn't going to be possible as various doors and other bits are being worked on ATM. Still investigating a date for Photo Charters but we are looking at 1450 on a goods train with 'flat' wagons and a toad at this stage.

Hope to take my camera sunday to sneak a ride, and no doubt Bob Masterman will be putting some of his efforts on YouTube as well, so there should be some pics soon.

 

You going to come along on the 22nd aswell Matt? bring the new arrival to see santa

 

Why has 1450 been hired if Haulwen is working ok?

 

Was wondering that myself :lol: