Garw Valley Railway and the VGR

I thought I would take the opportunity to provide an update as the the Garw Valley Railway and the move of the Vale of Glamorgan Railway to the GVR's Pontycymer base. This is taken from the latest press release...

The "new-generation" Garw Valley Railway in South Wales received a major boost recently when a 2-car Class 108 Diesel Multiple Unit belonging to the Barry Railcar Project moved to the line in readiness for the first trains. The unit comprises DMBS 51919 and DMS 52048. The two vehicles moved to the railway's Pontycymer base on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th June, causing much interest amongst the residents of the former mining valley. The 4.5 mile line is situated in Bridgend County Borough and runs from Pontycymer at the head of the steeply-graded and picturesque valley, to a point at Brynmenyn close to Tondu station on the Maesteg Branch. The current operating base of the line is located at the site of the former Pontycymer station where the two-road locomotive works houses the rolling stock.

The GVR received a further boost in January 2009 when, following agreement with the GVR board, the Vale of Glamorgan Railway decided to relocate to the line following their eviction from Barry. The Vale of Glamorgan Railway retains its own identity, but works as members of the GVR in their aims to reopen the branch. It is hoped that the line will partially reopen either late in 2009 or early 2010 along a section of the line. Services will run initially with the DMU, but steam and diesel locomotive operations have not been ruled out in the future. To this end, RSH 0-4-0ST 7705, owned by a consortium of VGR members, will move to Pontycymer for restoration and use. The GVR continues to see a steady rise in membership.

The line closed in 1997 when the final freight service left Pontycymer and has remained largely intact since. The lower section of the branch, still owned by Network Rail recently saw a visit from the Cwm and Go(ne) railtour hauled by 60024 and 37401.

The line has recently launched its own Yahoo group which can be found at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/B-V-R/

The Bridgend Valleys Railway Co (trading as the Garw Valley Railway) held its AGM yesterday and 5 VGR members were voted onto the board of directors. The line fits well into local development plans and is a integral part of the local tourism strategy. So, in summary all very positive and the future looks good!

Cheers,

 

Sounds very intresting, will definatly visit when you start running trains. Can I just ask what is happening to Pamela (or 68070 in its livery)? Is it moving to Pontycymmer or is it going else where. Nice to hear a update though and looking forward to visiting :smt001 .

Jamie

 

Pamela is still at the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway on hire. No firm plans as yet for its future but it might well appear at Pontycymer at some stage! 7705 (RSH 0-4-0ST) is the next loco to move onto the GVR (probably).

 

Thanks for the information :smt001 Any plans on the other stock currently at Barry?

Sorry to keep asking questions,

Jamie

 

All the stock at Barry is moving out, but 2 DMU's and the 47 are privately owned along with the 08 and the 20.

 

Thanks for that, looking forward to when you open,

Jamie

 

This is the first I have heard about your eviction from Barry, What happens to the shed, barry engines, line and goods shed/station ect?
At least there seems to be a happy ending in your move.
BTW how long is this new line potentially?
thanks

 

Well, its a long story! Basically, the council decided to enter into a bidding process in 2008 for a new operator to run the Barry Island Railway and although we submitted a bid, we were unsuccessful. The new operator now controls all the buildings, sheds and track inc the Barry Ten/Nine/Eight. All the VGR stock has to leave and we have very nearly achieved this aim.

As for our new home on the Garw, the length (as governed by the Transport & Works Act) is currently 4.5 miles to the NR limit but potentially this could extend a mile or so further to Tondu if such an extension was feasible. This would provide a link to NR and close proximity to Tondu station. It is mostly intact with two lengths of track lifted along the length. The initial plan seeks to reinstate services between Pontycymer to an (as yet undetermined) point down the valley. Late 2009/early 2010 is the aim.

Its a lovely line, similar to the K&WVR. It goes from river meadows in the south, to the steep sided and winding, narrow mining valley in the north. A few mining relics remain but the local history group are seeking to provide an historic trail down the valley. The line has a "community route" adjacent for most of its length.

Oh and we have sheep. [-X

Hope this helps?

Nick.

 

Good stuff, hope you the best for the future. Sounds like a nice line with lots of potential

 

Hi Nick, how is the restoration going with this loco. Many moons ago we had it on the Gwili for a season, way before my time (1983). Think it was one of the locos under the care of the National Museum of Wales, it also spent some time at Caerphilly and was previously named 'Tomos'.

I understand the boiler is at the Severn Valley awaiting repair, but it seems from past photos that the frames are coming on well. Be nice to see this engine up and running again, it is identical to our own 'Olwen', which has proved itself on our railway hauling a couple of Mk's on the gradients. It would be a good 'starter' steam engine for the Garw, you can always put it on the front of the DMU!

 

7705 is now owned by a consortium, the "7705 Group" but as far as I am aware the loco is now a rolling chassis with some work needed to the saddle tank and cab. The boiler is still at the SVR as far as I know but the group are in a better position to comment than me. I used to work on the loco at Caerphilly many moons ago (and could also fit into the firebox of TVR 28 but that is just a distant memory!) so it will be ideal, as you say, for the Garw. Interesting times ahead!

 

RSH 0-4-0ST 7705 has now moved to the Garw Valley Railway. The boiler still remains at the Severn Valley but the restoration will continue at Pontycymer shed overseen by the 7705 loco group. Once work to the boiler is complete, the loco will be assembled at Pontycymer in readiness for operations.

 

A further update; following the arrival of 7705 last week, a flat wagon, coal shovel, Lister autotruck, trailer and an electric platform tug have now arrived at Pontycymer. The shed is now almost filled to bursting! The VGR are now close to finally vacating Barry Island.

It is hoped that in the spirit of supporting the local tourism strategy, the GVR will be putting on a display at the Garw Carnival in August, perhaps even a presence in the actual parade, followed a few weeks later by an Open Day at the locomotive works. Plans are progressing well for the works extension which will provide a larger 3-road facility with workshops, office and amenities. This week saw the track sprayed by a weedkilling machine which has made a huge visual difference to the line.

More updates soon.

 

Is anything still going on at The Garw? It seems to have gone quiet lately, or I have been looking in the wrong place.....

Regards,
Ian

 

yes the Garw Valley Railway is still going (as a regular working member I know) for progress and updates please visit Welcome to the Garw Valley Railway, to contact see the "Contact Us" section (though Julia Gilbert is not the membership Secretary so please don't go emailing her)

 

This looks a really worthwhile project; I remember Pontycymmer from railtours in 1974 and 1986 as classic Valleys landscape. Railways were such a vital part of the Valleys' mining history that a preservation project here is a great idea as a part of the national heritage. If I still lived in Wales, I'd help now that I've retired. Are there open days; I see that in 2009 there was an involvement with the local carnival? Even with just an industrial loco doing some shunting, it would be interesting to see this project and it would generate publicity.

 

yes there are still open days, though none this year SO FAR for various reasons, though while that means that little attention is attracted it does however provide us volunteers some extra days to do proper work there. As you say about locos turning heads, our Planet 4006 did just that on its short test run as seen in the photographs on the website.