D9521 on Photo-Charter; 21st August - Gwili Railway

Hi All -

The Gwili Railway are offering a unique chance to photograph visiting cl.14 D9521 on August 21st 2010, when it will operate a photo-charter for visiting photographers.

Have you ever wanted to join a photo-charter, but never moved in the right 'circles'? This is your chance to come and join in; subject to prebooking, all are welcome on this charter. All we ask is that you are relatively fit and able-bodied (to permit climbing in and out of the Toad), and that you are over 18.

The formation of this will be cl.14, bogie bolster, crane and Toad; seeking to recreate a demolition train, simulating a branch closure on a sleepy West Wales byway in the '60s. It is anticipated that BR Green cl.03 D2178 (newly outshopped with correct BR numbers and BR roundel) will also be used at various points throughout the day, to create posed cameos at specific locations.

In line with our Gwili policy of 'giving that bit extra', plenty of additional bonuses will be available throughout the day; for instance free tea and coffee will be available throughout the day, as well as free bacon rolls from the outlet at Llwyfan Cerrig. We also anticipate providing photo opportunities of the locos stabled on MPD (including rare NSE-liveried visitor 08 631) during the lunchbreak, whilst there will also be opportunities to photograph the blue/grey 117 DMU, which will be running passenger services that day. Subject to confirmation, we will also be running a raffle on the day, to allow a footplate ride out on the line.

We expect the day to start by 0845, and be finished by no later than 1930; maximising the use of the light at various locations throughout the railway. We will also be taking the train down the little-used Southern extension (which is currently not open to passengers), which, following recent tree-fellings, contains many 'new' locations. Running alongside the fast-flowing River Gwili, this extension is certainly picturesque; come and be the first to photograph trains on it. Further down, the line is surrounded by weeds and undergrowth (think Parkend branch in the early 90s...), which, with the addition of a demolition train, should certainly recreate the spirit of the 1960s!

Price will be confirmed very soon, but will be in the £20-£25 bracket. (NB: if sufficient interest is shown in this charter, the railway have offered us the chance to repeat it (perhaps with a different rake of stock) on the Sunday 22nd too - NSE 08 on our ex-Margam TPOs, anyone...?)

Anyone who is interested, please get in contact via PM or via email (phil.budd@yahoo.com) to register your interest, and recieve details for booking. Closing date for booking is Friday 30th July.

Hopefully see you there!

Cheers,

Phil.

PS We gratefully acknowledge the help of both the loco owners group (The D9521 Group) and Railway Herald magazine (for kindly sponsoring the road-move of the loco) in their help in making this charter possible.

 

Phil,

Sounds a good event and you are certainly offering a good day out that is very tempting.

Just a couple of questions. Will D9521 have proper headcode blinds installed for the event? Recently it has been running with different versions including fixed with 1P12. Also can you post a picture of the crane? Rather than the 08 wouldn't the 03 look nice on a mixed freight?

Will work on a pass...

Regards,

David

 

Hi David -

Thanks for the positive comments. Re the headcode blinds, the honest answer is I don't know if they're permanently fixed at '1P12' or not; however, I've asked the question to one of the owning group. More news to follow.

The thinking behind offering the cl.08 (instead of the cl.03) was that 08 631 is only with us until the end of the Summer (it is acting as stand-by locomotive, for the season); whereas D2178 will be with us next year, and beyond. If however, there is a market for putting on a charter with D2178, then we will do it. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

The crane can be seen in this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV8yqT1KLbQ) at around the 1:40 mark, and again at 2:32. You'll note that matt78 (off this forum) guest-stars in this video, as shunter! Hollywood appearances now beckon....

We have a 'can-do' attitude at the Gwili, and do our best to please our punters. Within reason, if anyone have any suggestions for what they would like to photograph over the weekend of August 21st/22nd, then please do 'chip in'. Potential options include variations of D2178 + D9521 (both in green) on the crane/bolster/toad, or possibly a short mixed freight. 08 631 is also possible, either on the ex-Margam TPOs (shades of NSE days?), or anything else you want to put behind it! Suggestions welcome...

Meanwhile, bookings are still open for D9521 + crane + bogie bolster + Toad on 21st August; please get in touch via PM or email (phil.budd@yahoo.com) if you're interested in joining us for the day. Price is to be confirmed this week (when I've spoken to our finance director!), but will be around the £20-£25 mark.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

David,

Phil did email me last night about this. D9521 doesn't have proper headcode blinds as yet, the ones in the photos are made of paper but do/did represent actual workings (I think?) in the South Wales area.

These were taken out last month but we can easily fit something similar and as a result, I've emailed the rest of the "D9521 Massive" to see what we can put together. If you do want something specific please let Phil, the Gwili guys or me know and let's try and please the photographers. Like Phil and the gang, we are keen to help (but please don't ask us to paint the loco in Railfreight Grey....!)

I'm looking forward to the event, particularly as it's reasonably close to my home and I used to be be a Signalman/S&T linesman at Bronwydd in the mid 90's!

Regards,

 

Why do it on a saturday i have NO chance of getting off from work lol! have to organise a steam one!

 

Hi All -

Just a quick update, to say that bookings are coming in nicely for this event - but more are always welcome! For £25, you can have a day photographing your very own charter freight, in a beautiful green Welsh valley....with a unique train-formation that certainly isn't likely to be repeated in the future. Hopefully see you there...?

Don't forget as well that we will be taking the stock down the Southern extension towards Carmarthen North - your only chance this year to photograph trains on this scenic section of line. Come and be one of the first to photograph trains over Philipps Farm Crossing! We will be making the best use of the light available there, as well as on the currently operational stretch of track to Dan-Y-Coed, throughout the day.

The Gwili's famous bacon rolls at Llwyfan Cerrig will also be available, throughout the day. Surely worth coming for in themselves...

Booking details and further enquires are available via email from myself, at phil.budd@yahoo.com - feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. Looking forward to putting a few names to faces during the charter!

Cheers,

Phil.