Gwili Motive Power 2011

Hi all -

For the benefit of any diesel enthusiasts reading this...

D2178 will work passenger trains tomorrow (Thurs 15th Sept). Departures from Bronwydd Arms are at the usual times (see posts above) - normal fares apply.

This is expected to be D2178's final running day this season - please do come and support us if you can. The Gwili Valley is a spectacular place to be in Autumn, so do bring the family - all the usual attractions (miniature railway, TPO coach, catering, musuem etc etc) will be open.

Loco roster for the rest of the month will follow imminently.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

This weekend's services....

Saturday daytime: "Jennifer"
Saturday evening: "Jennifer (Swper 'Wedi 8' Dinex - Casino Royale theme)
Sunday - DMU.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDU5CzCa6_w

Video of Welsh Guardsman departing for Llangollen and restoration.

 

Latest update on Haulwen is that all the new tubes have now been fitted and expanded, the moment of truth still to come, cold and steam tests...

 

Some good news- Haulwen's repairs are complete and the loco is back in traffic!
Repairs to the Class 14 are underway and it shouldn't be too long before this returns either.
With Haulwen's return Jennifer will now become the standby steam engine, she is not due to leave until next year but will now only be in action if Haulwen is unavailable for any reason.
Similarly the 03 is withdrawn for the winter, with the standy "Diesel" being the DMU until the 14 returns.
regards
Matt

 

Hi all -

Time for another update....

With "Haulwen" now back in traffic, this will form the bulk of the steam operations between now and Christmas. As Matt said, No.1731 "Jennifer" is still on the railway, and will act as 'standby' loco if "Haulwen" is not available.

Note that this month is predominantly steam operation - although 14901 (D9524) does get two running days, on October 19th & 20th. We are running Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays this month, as well as Sun-Thurs in half-term.

In addition to these workings, there are also various midweek trains - namely steam-hauled school specials (1940s Evacuee Experience) and Driver Experience trips. I've left these off the loco-roster to avoid confusion (as public cannot ride these trains), however if you are in the area and are interested in photographing them, drop me a line by PM and I'll send you timings.

Finally, don't forget "Santa's Magical Steamings" in December, for which bookings are filling up fast - ring the railway on 01267 238 213 to book your seat. "Haulwen" and 14901 will be doing the honours.

As ever, the loco roster is provided in good faith, so please use it as a guide only - the railway cannot be held responsible for any loss caused by change of motive power, with or without prior notice.

If a particular loco is important to you, we advise that you ring the Booking Office (01267 238 213) on the morning of your visit, to ensure that you won't be disappointed.

October
Sun 3rd - "Haulwen" - 1940s Day (Special Timetable)
Wed 5th - "Haulwen"
Thurs 6th - "Haulwen"
Sat 8th (evening) - "Haulwen" (Dining Train 1930 ex BA)
Sun 9th - "Haulwen"
Wed 12th - "Haulwen"
Thurs 13th - "Haulwen"
Sun 16th - "Haulwen" - Sunday Lunch Train
Wed 19th - 14901
Thurs 20th - 14901
Sat 22nd (evening) - "Haulwen" - Murder Mystery (1930 ex BA)
Sun 23rd - "Haulwen"
Mon 23rd - "Haulwen"
Tues 24th - "Haulwen"
Wed 25th - "Haulwen"
Thurs 26th - "Haulwen"
Sun 30th - "Haulwen"

 

Hi all -

Forgot to add - don't forget the 1940s Day coming up this Sunday (2nd October).

A special hourly timetable will run from 1030 onwards, with No.3879 "Haulwen" providing the motive power.

To get a flavour of the day, have a look at these excellent pics of the Glamorgan Home Guard at last year's event... http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldmiwl/sets/72157625010421435/

Cheers,

Phil.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldmiwl/6212463082/in/photostream/

Some pics from 1940's day with Haulwen

 

A brief update, now that Haulwen is back in action the MPD staff are wasting no time in getting stuck in to one of our next projects, Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST "Victory". The photo shows the engine in the early stages of dismantling, the loco last worked in 2003 but initial investigation of the boiler is now taking place with a view to a return to steam.

 

Hi all -

Quick update on the loco-roster...

With regret, 14901's turns this week (19th/20th Oct) will now be worked by cl.117 DMU. Apologies to anyone who was planning to travel to West Wales specifically for the cl.14.

14901's next outing will be for the "Santa's Magical Steamings' trains on 3rd/4th, 10th/11th, 17th/18th and 23rd/24th December. These trains will be top-and-tailed (expected to be with No.3879 "Haulwen"), and will operate every 45 minutes from Bronwydd Arms to Llwyfan Cerrig. First train each day is 1015.

The loco roster for the rest of the month remains unchanged - don't forget our half-term running! Do come and visit us if you can - we can promise you a friendly welcome.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Hi all -

Just a quick reminder of the Gwili's loco-roster for November - "Haulwen" is rostered to work all Sundays this month.

Trains depart Bronwydd Arms at 1030, 1150, 1320, 1450 and 1605 ex BA - all the usual attractions open, normal fares apply. Come and enjoy an afternoon out in steam-heated stock in the Gwili Valley, before 'Santa' season hits...

Meanwhile in other news, the body of TVR 145 arrived on the railway on Tuesday morning. It was moved by rail to Llwyfan Cerrig, hauled by cl.03 D2178.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Steam-starved this November? Fed up of waiting to photograph next month's Santas? Bored of Sunday afternoon telly?

Don't forget that the Gwili Railway are running steam every Sunday in November. No.3879 "Haulwen" is the rostered loco, and trains depart Bronwydd Arms at 1030, 1150, 1320, 1450 and 1605.

The Gwili Valley in late Autumn is a very special place to be: it has a totally different 'feel' to in the Summer months. Travel on our warm steam-heated trains to enjoy the views (look out for the buzzards), or maybe try some photography around the public lineside areas at Cwmdwyfran. (With the steam hanging in the cold air, you may be in for some unique and unusual photos to send to the magazines).

This is also an opportunity to see the body of TVR coach No.145 perched on a Loriot (well-wagon) at Llwyfan Cerrig, where it waits for a crane-driver to be available, to lift it to it's new temporary position. This could make a unique picture - shades of Mallingford, anyone......?

"Left for Titfield...."

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Updates...
Welsh Guardsman is progressing nicley at Llangollen, the frames are currently next to the new build "The Unknown Warrier" receiving degreasing and painting. The cylinder block will be taken apart shortly as the liners are worn. Horn guides are also being repaired. A decision will shortly be made on how to repair the boiler.

Haulwen continues in service since repair with no major problems and is the rostered steam for santas.

The Class 03 is awaiting a trip on the lorry for tyre turning

The Class 14 is another welcome returnee and will be on the tail end of the Santa Specials

Jennifer is winterised and not anticipated to be used but it's there if we need it....

The boiler of Olwen has been returned to site and we await the return of the frames and tank

Victory (0-4-0ST) is awaiting the Boiler inspector


Lots planned over the winter- repairs and improvements, external repaint of Kitchen Car in Southern Green, repair of our MK1 FO coach and return to traffic, a new cafe at Bronwydd Arms, repairs to our 0-4-0ST's, ongoing repairs to the Vintage Carriages GWR 216 and TVR 220, a point replacement at Bronwydd, all this pre Easter when it starts all over again!

Thanks for your support this year and if you wish to travel on the santas then 01267 238213 is the number

Regards

Matt

 

Hi all -

Quick update...

If you are driving on the M4 today, look out for D2178, which is off to Bristol by road today for tyre turning. The loco should be back in West Wales by the end of the week. When was the last time a BR Green class 03 was on St Phillips Marsh shed...?

"Haulwen" and 14901 saw service last weekend on the Santas, and will continue to do so for the rest of the month: departures every 45 mins from Bronwydd Arms, from 1015 until 1530. Steam is operating on the 'uphill' end of the train, ie leading out of Bronwydd Arms.

The DMU has no more booked running days this year, and is currently stabled South of the crossing at Bronwydd Arms. It will see service on a number of special 'DMU days' and 'Evening Nature Trains' in 2012.

North British No.27914 is in action, acting as yard pilot at Bronwydd MPD.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Some really great news, we have been awarded the first prize in the volunteers section in the National Railway Heritage Awards for our installation of the new level crossing gates at Bronwydd. A great achievement for a small railway like ours.

We have received other good news this month, we have been awarded a small grant to convert two Taff Vale railway carriages into a cafe for Bronwydd, and 250 tonnes of ballast delivered for use on both the running line and the extension. Christmas has come early!

 

The two TVR coaches concerned are 7 compartment composites,no's 31 and 52, being about 36ft long with no underframes and would have been bogie coaches. They are longer than the other vehicles in the collection. They may one day return to passenger use, structurally they are pretty good and in the interim they will serve a useful and novel purpose whilst being protected and maintained.

At the moment the focus is on getting two vintage carriages into use for 2012 ; these are Taff Vale Railway brake No.220 and GWR 5 compartment No. 216 (both on underframes). They are each 28ft long and will be turned out in GWR livery so will complement each other well. Quite a few jobs left to do but the light is at the end of the tunnel!

Looking further ahead we have two identical TVR 3rd class bodies,nos. 145 and 153, and one GWR 5 Compartment coach, No. 793. All these are in store for long term restoration. These coaches do not have suitable underframes so are longer term jobs.

So the total number of vinatge vehicles we have is 7- (2 of GWR and 5 of TVR).
We hope that two will be up and running next year,and then we'll pause for breath and see what's next!
Regards
Matt

 

What happened to the Barclay tank which pulled my train back in the late 1990's when I visited the line with my family. It was green thats all I can remember!!!

 

That would be Rosyth No.1 now stored at the Teifi Valley Railway