The Gwili Railway thread

I always like seeing a Bucket returned to service!

 

Abergwili Junction has been shortlisted for the Infrastructure prize in the HRA awards.

https://www.hra.uk.com/news/shortlist-announced-for-biggest-hra-awards-ever

Wishing all NatPre readers a happy new year, plenty to look forward to in this quarter in 2025.

regards

Matt

 

Coming together

 

I have just finished reading the RCTS Railway Observer for February 2025, in particular the "Nostalgia Corner". This covers items from magazines 50 years previously, so in this case they were from February 1975.

It contains an article saying that the Teifi Valley Railway Preservation Society had abandoned their plans to re-open the Pencader to Newcastle Emlyn branch on cost grounds. However, they now proposed to operate passenger services over a two mile stretch from Abergwili Junction to Bronwydd Arms. The article also says that a link to the BR station at Carmarthen would be physically possible in the future.

As we know, of course, the line now runs north from Abergwili Junction to Bronwydd Arms and beyond, but I was surprised to see the reference to a southern extension to Carmarthen station. I thought that the river bridge outside the station was demolished when the line was closed in the 1960s ... is this right or am I wrong, please? Thanks.

 

There is an extension into Carmarthen, but not to the BR station, for the reason you have stated.

 

the GR Co purchased the land from Abergwili Junction to Llanpumsaint in 1977. It was not possible to purchase the tracked south to Carmarthen station due to the proposals for the Carmarthen Eastern Bypass at that time which in the event did not get constructed until the 1990’s.

the river bridge over the Towy at Carmarthen remained in situ until 1986 when it was demolished. In the end the building of the bypass allowed enough room to reinstate the railway in future but this must rank as highly improbable (from a GR perspective at least) for several reasons including the need to obtain a Transport and Works Order and the cost of replacing the Towy bridge at Carmarthen.

regards

Matt

 

Thank you; see below.

Thank you; I hadn't realised that the bridge lasted until then. I understand that a new line is very unlikely, though.

 

Announced this afternoon that 7812 “Erlstoke Manor” will be visiting for the gala next month.

big thanks to the EMF, SVR and Fox and Edwards events for helping to make this happen.

https://m.facebook.com/TheGwiliSteamRailway/

 

First tender engine to run on the line in preservation? I know 7828 was at Bronwydd but I don’t believe it ever ran? Excellent news

 

7828 did operate on the railway 37 years ago so it’s been a while…

 

This is another level! Well done all involved.

 

Going north past llanpumsaint will be awesome, stayed near there a couple of years back. Had a trip on the gwili railway as well.

Winding it's way through the valleys was quite peaceful. Overall a very friendly excellent railway.

 

The railway doesn’t own the trackbed ‘north past Llanpumsaint’ so you wouldn’t be getting a train there!
You should read back in this this thread, to understand fully the reasons why it seems unlikely that the railway will be extending Northwards any time soon.

 

The railway will aim to keep expanding, as of course expansion doesn't necessarily mean further route length! There is a current project to refurbish the MK1 fleet to a high standard with external contractors for example, and plans in the wings to extend the engine shed and a station building would also be desired. So lots to do but never say never….

 

I think conwil although expensive could happen one very expensive and 3 expensive bridge refurbishments.

What abergwili is now was a total dream a few years ago and look at it now, so never say never.

 

Haulwen’s back head coming together. Externally the dome cover has now been fitted and the rods are next.

 

Yes my only ever trip on the line was behind 7828 in early 1988.

 

L150 has arrived ahead of the gala.

 

Is the black bufferbeam undercoat or is it going wasp stripes?!

 

Two western locos together on the railway for the first time in 37 years.