Vale of Glamorgan Railway

Many thanks. Just found the SVR (Swansea...)website from 2002 and the identity of the loco. Did it in the wrong order!
Cheers

46118

 

47768 belongs to a private owner. The GatEx is owned by Cambrian Transport who also have custody of 73118. It is still owned by Eurostar but is "on loan". The loco is RA6 but the BIR is RA5...... #-o

 

73133 at Taunton also belongs to Cambrian Transport I believe.

A Ha, that jolly old bridge. [-X

 

With all the turmoil surround the Vale group, have there been any annoucements from the CR group about what they actually intend to do? There seems to have been an absence of "brave new start" type annoucements.

 

It seems a bit odd to me that it was taken to the BIR in the first place. Or; didn't anyone realise the incompatibility of the loco's and railway's Route Availability?

 

No, it was well known that the 73 cannot run over the causeway viaduct as we had 73133 in for repainting on a previous visit.

 

Can you not work with Cambien Transport,for the good of the railway

 

Looks a bit difficult with this kind of attitude & action from the poli's at the council:

 

We have tried, but the shed accomodation offered to us was insufficient to hold our stock and the conditions applicable to that offer were not conducive to running a railway without us sustaining significant financial losses. We no longer have access to any station buildings including shop, buffet and toilets. The revenue from the retail aspect was a major source of revenue. Not even having access to the toilets casues its own problems.

I may have some positive news next week......................... :-$

 

ITV Wales are featuring the VGR on "Wales this Week", a news programme to be shown 8pm on Monday 2nd Feb. It's only available (AFAIK) within the Welsh region but for those living within the area, the show should be interesting viewing..... 8-[

Nick.

 

Sadly your month's notice is presumably now up. It's been posted where some locos & rolling stock have gone, but any definite new homes yet please for the two 08s, the pair of 20s, the 47 and 73 please?

Just a thought and I realise it's prob too late in the day, but would it do any good to have the local MP bring this situation up for discussion at the Welsh Parliament? After all, it's an area blighted by unemployment, the railway helps attract visitors who spend money in the area, not just on the railway etc.....

 

We've contacted MP's, AM's and also councillors about our plight - on a regular basis. Tourism in the Barry area is not too high on the agenda sadly, despite the hit TV series "Gavin & Stacey" attracting much attention in the town.

As for the locos, the 2 x 08's are not owned by the VGR, they are owned by Traditional Traction (TT). One 20 (D8137) left for the G&WR 2 weeks back. 20228 is owned by a partner in TT and remains at Barry - they have a lease on the wheel lift shed. The 73 is in the custody of the new operator, being on loan from Eurostar. The 47 is still at Barry for the time being.

Hope this helps?

Nick.

 

No wonder Butlins left!

 

I still dont get it,you have a problem with the council,why cant you TALK to Cambien transport ?,they seem to be stuck in the middle here,do they not want the locos, your group on site?

Pete

 

Funny you mention Butlins, the VGR came to Barry at the request of the council to provide a tourism facility that would "replace" the former Butlins. The concept was that the railway would link a "necklace of attractions" around the regenerated docks area. All sounds good, however, the "necklace" never appeared. No attractions have ever been created, unless you count KFC, Morrisons and a small retail park.

The closest cinema, 10 pin bowling centre, ice rink and swimming pool are all in Cardiff.

Nick.

 

This is the latest press release...

VGR press release – 01/02/2009

The Vale of Glamorgan Railway are delighted to report that after weeks of uncertainty following the decision of the Vale of Glamorgan Council to evict the railway from its Barry Island home, the VGR co has negotiated a new home on the Garw Valley Railway. It is intended that the VGR will retain its identity whilst being based at Pontycymmer in Bridgend County Borough.

The VGR has approximately 300 members, of which around 50 are active volunteers. It has been at Barry Island since 1996, to where it moved from its former Bute Road base in Cardiff Bay where it was known as the Butetown Historic Railway Society.

Both the VGR and the Garw Valley Railway will now work together to establish a working railway along the 5 miles of the line, closed to passengers in 1953 and to freight traffic in 1997. The VGR is unlikely to bring its entire range of rolling stock to Pontycymmer as some will be sold off prior to the move.

Hunslet 0-6-0ST “Pamela” has moved to the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway “on hire” and will also receive an overhaul. D9521, Hunslet 0-4-0DM 6688 of 1968 and a VDA van have moved to the Dean Forest Railway for a period. RSH 0-4-0ST 7705 has been bought by a consortium and will move to Pontycymmer to finalise its restoration.

In the interim, it is planned to use a Diesel Multiple Unit to run operations along the initial stretch of line between Pontycymmer and Llangeinor. The line is expected to open for passenger services by late 2009.

The Garw Valley Railway is based on the former Pontycymmer to Tondu branch to the north of Bridgend which was curtailed to Pontycymer after 1997. Most of the track remains “in situ”, with two short lengths having been lifted. The line is single track, with potential station sites at Pontycymmer, Pontyrhyl, Llangeinor and Brynmenyn. The closest national rail station is Tondu on the Maesteg Branch. Pontycymmer is a 15 minute drive from the M4 at junction 36. (END)

Hope this explains the latest situation? In reality, I think Pontycymmer to just south of Pontyrhyl will be the first section to reopen. (Pontyrhyl = village in a steep sided valley, forestry, river, railway & a pub. =D> )

The above will be sent to the heritage press ASAP. Happy to answer any questions! The line is very picturesque and worth a visit, especially in the sunny months (if we ever get any...)

A blue 108 back in its natural habitat..... \/

Regards,

Nick.

 

For those who don't live in Wales....

http://www.itvlocal.com/wales/programme ... oid=282400

 

Sounds good.

Well done.

=D>

 

Thanks for the positive comment. Still lots to sort out but the line has great potential. Google Earth does a good job of showing the line.

Nick.

 

Glad to hear that some positive news is coming from all of this Nick, and im sure the Garw Valley Railway will prosper with the added knowledge and experience from the members of the VOG to successfully run the line.

Can still remember the line back in 1995/6 with Slug4 from Pontycymmer to Briton Ferry coal workings.

All the best in the future guys

Regards

Adam