Gwili Motive Power 2011

Hi all -

A quick update about upcoming Santa services... due to the unavailibility of 14901 (D9524), this weekend's services will be completely steam-worked.

(It is usually Gwili tradition to operate our 'Santas' top-and-tail with steam and diesel - mainly for operational convenience, but also to act as a banker if required).

For the weekend of 10th/11th December however, No.3879 "Haulwen" will be running the intensive 45 minute timetable solo - the first train is 1015 from Bronwydd Arms, and the final departure is at 1530. A ticket allows unlimited travel, and the stock will be steam-heated. There is also a Christmas Party train on Saturday night, departing Bronwydd Arms at 1930 - this is a private hire train, but enthusiasts and photographers may be interested to know that there will be a lot of shunting at Bronwydd Arms at around 1630, to swap the sets over (over our now award-winning level crossing). It's a busy weekend for Gwili footplate crews!

For those that are interested, I'll upload a working timetable later. Linesiders note that this will be a good opportunity to get a good, winter-y 'chimney-first' shot of "Haulwen" at Cwmdwyfran.

Hopefully see some of you there, for the unusual sight of an intensive all-steam service in the icy Gwili Valley!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

D2178 has now returned from Bristol and has been offloaded so it now faces south. It was in use on the tail end of "santas" today with Haulwen
Meanwhile Olwen's frames are now back at the railway having been returned from a private site in Swansea

 

why she ended up there?

 

Rosyth No.1 and the sentinel Swansea Vale No.1 are owned by the Railway Club of Wales. The physically active members of the group moved some time ago to the Teifi Valley Railway, taking the engines with them. Rosyth I believe needs repairs to the firebox so I don't think it will work anytime soon unfortunatley.

 

Picture of Rosyth No.1 at Teifi Valley
Teifi Valley Railway - Bestieboy's Photos

 

Nice to see the loco again . I first saw it at RAF St Athan in 1971 when it was there as backup for the diesel.

Keith