Brecon

Are they new build?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brecon_Mountain_Railway

I know Wikipedia should be taken with a pinch of salt but this suggests there are already three large Baldwins on the BMR:

Baldwin 4-6-2 61269 (currently operational)
Baldwin 2-6-2 15511 is this the former Ffestiniog Railway resident?
Baldwin 4-6-2 ?????? No, 23 (under restoration).

There is also an SAR NG15 too,

 

deleted

 

Woops

 

My apologies to the moderators - the message was on another forum.
In my defence it was about 3am when I read it!


Keith

 

Brecon Mountain Railway has only ever had two Baldwins - 4-6-2 works number 61269 and 2-6-2 wks no 15511. Their website does say "We are also building two new locomotives from the original Baldwin drawings" but how far they got is unclear - I have seen no first hand report to confirm their existence. On another discusion group is a recent post that says the two new locos have been abandoned.

 

There's a thread running on "another forum" with an update of the parlous state of the BMR's finances.

It appears that Tony Hills has had to lay off the two most skilled of the workshop staff and all work on the Baldwins, old & new, has stopped.
It could be that the writing is on the wall. Apparently morale amongst the remaining staff is very low. They are probably totally reliant on a good tourist season this year. If not who knows?

There is no chance of the Torpantau extension opening for the immediate future and I believe that the Railway Inspectorate may have insisted on work being done on the Pant to Pontsticill track. Oh dear! Let's hope that this isn't going to be the end of this attractive little line.

Ian

 

What forum is this on, Dumphrey?

 

Shhh! Narrow Gauge Heaven.

 

We have a diesel at the farm (gelerts) they could use.

 

Not a bad idea that!

I think all the Welsh narrow gauge railways should get together and help out the Brecon! Just my thoughts...

 

In the spirit of preservation perhaps, but with buisiness these days it strikes me that there are too many.

If I were Joe Bloggs and on holiday in Llandrindod Wells and fancied a trip, I'd go for the Brecon or the VoRh, or perhaps the Teifi (but I dont know where it is!)

If I was in Machynlleth and fancied a trip, I'd go to the Vof Rh or the Tal Y Llyn.

If I were on holiday in Porthmadoc, I'd do the FR or the WHR if I had rooks of money and a day to waste, or the nice lot at Gelerts farm if I hadn't

If I were on holiday in Barmouth I'd have the choice of the TR or Fairbourne.

What I'm trying to say is joe bloggs will generally have one day of his holiday on a nice little train, currently there is choice. And if all is to be believed, many of these railways are doing not so well. If the choice was reduced by the removal of some of the chaff, the others might do a little better......

 

Joe Bloggs could also call in on the Welshpool & Llanfair whilst either driving to or from his holiday destination as the most direct entry to Mid Wales is via the A458 that runs parallel to the line - Most W&L customers are either day trippers or using it to break up their journey to/from the coast.

 

Mid Wales' oldest narrow gauge railway is nearer to Machynlleth than either of the two you mention, and nearer by road to Barmouth than the TR as well. 150 years young this year !

Richard

 

Holidaying in Llandrindod 8-[

 

Agreed. We're firmly of the opinion that it is quite likely it was written by one of the "main engineering craftsmen" that were laid off in Jan 07. The Baldwin's firebox is not an impossible situation to be recovered and James Evans reports that the trackwork seemed in fair enough condition when he was there 2 or 3 years ago, which would probably, at most, have required some spot sleeper replacement. Time will tell if Brecon falls apart due to "financial difficulties" or if it will continue to soldier on.

Perhaps one of the biggest shames though is that Hunslet "Sybil" has been left to rust away in a shed at Pontsticill.....

 

Hmm,

Im not so sure, the description of the firebox problem over there reads like the firebox has moved following stay removal.

If it really has, surely the foundation ring must be made of bubble gum?

I suggest the poster has less engineering knowledge than he thinks he does.

 

Just because its not working dosn't mean its rusting away, from what i've seen its kept undercover and in pritty good condition. Forgotten yes, rusting way i think not.

Tim