Gwili Railway
Encyclopedia
The Gwili Steam Railway (Welsh
: Rheilffordd Ager y Gwili) operates a standard gauge preserved railway
from Abergwili
Junction (near Carmarthen
) in South Wales
along a short section of the former Carmarthen to Aberystwyth
railway that closed for passenger traffic in 1965, the track being lifted in 1975.
The Gwili Railway was formed in 1974 and, by 1978, had purchased and rescued about eight miles of track and was running an initial steam-hauled service on a one-mile section of it. The Gwili Railway has the distinction of becoming the first standard-gauge preserved railway to operate in Wales when it re-opened the one-mile section of the Carmarthen-Newcastle Emlyn route from its base at Bronwydd Arms, three miles north of Carmarthen
. Since then, the railway has expanded to Danycoed and the company continues to hope to expand to Llanpumpsaint. Currently, the railway is working south towards Carmarthen
to a new station called Carmarthen North built at the old Abergwili junction. The locomotive stock of the Gwili Railway is unusual in that it mostly represents local industrial and wartime operations rather than mainline services. In an interview with Steam Railway Magazine, it was stated that railway intends to obtain a larger loco or locos for passenger service.
(CCR), which fell in and out of insolvency until it was eventually absorbed by the Great Western Railway
. Despite hostility from GWR, the line never reached Cardigan
any further than Newcastle Emlyn.
The Manchester and Milford Railway made a junction with the CCR at Pencader, making a through route to Lampeter which, in turn, later extended to Aberystwyth
. In 1872, the line became the last in Wales to be converted from Brunel's gauge to standard gauge.
In its early days, the line thrived by serving the local farming and wool industries though, in the years following the First World War, this traffic gradually declined. The Second World War brought another lease of life as a relief route carrying heavy ammunition trains between South and North Wales.
Between the wars, the GWR
sought to encourage traffic, opened several new halts along the route and provided camping coach
es at several stations.
The route earned a reputation as a meandering rural branch; where trains trundled along, often flagged down by market-bound farmers' wives making their way across the fields to board the carriages. In fact, nearly three hours was permitted for the 56 mile journey between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.
In the post-war years, closure of the spurs off the main line began. The Branches to Aberaeron and Newcastle Emlyn closed in 1952 which left only the route between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth open to traffic. The line enjoyed a brief resurgence in the 1950s, when the Royal Train traversed the route and other new traffic included Butlins
through-specials taking holidaymakers to the new camp in Pwllheli
.
However, declining passenger figures meant that the Beeching Axe
was inevitable. In the end however, it was nature that struck the first blow. Heavy flooding severed the line six miles from Aberystwyth in December 1964, this taking place in the same weekend that storms that caused the Ruabon to Barmouth Line to suffer a similar washout. The last passenger train ran along the truncated route on 22 February 1965, two Hymek diesels providing the motive power. The line remained open for freight using Hymek locomotives until around 1970, then by Class 37
locomotives. The freight traffic that kept the remainder of the line open was dominated mainly by milk traffic between Carmarthen and Lampeter where traffic was routed to both the last remaining part of the main line to Aberystwyth
as far as the milk creamery at Pont Llanio (near Llanddewi-Brefi which survived until 1970, plus the Aberaeron
branch as far as the milk creamery at Green Grove near Felin Fach which continued in service until discontinued in 1973. This resulted in the final closure of the line. Track was left in place until the summer of 1975.
Two years after its closure, the Gwili Railway Company was formed with the ambition to preserve eight miles of the route, from Abergwili Junction up to Llanpumpsaint.
Track lifting had already started by the time of the formation of the new Company and, as a result, only a mile of track north of Bronwydd Arms was left in situ, the Company being able to acquire the full eight-mile stretch of trackbed from Abergwili to Llanpumsaint for rebuilding. Over time, the Railway has extended the operational length from one mile to 2½ miles, as well as reconstructing original features at Bronwydd Arms station and amassing a collection of locomotives and rolling stock.
where the replica GWR station is dominated by a Signal Box saved from Llandybie railway station
on the Heart of Wales Line
. The Signal box, which is open to the public, was built in 1885 and has been restored to operate signalling within the station area.
Typical features on the line include the gradients such as the 1 in 60 on the bank immediately north of Bronwydd Arms, the meandering River Gwili
and the A484 road which are never far away and the wooded forests and sharp curves as the railway twists its way through the valley.
From Bronwydd, the line climbs between rural hills and meadows alongside the river River Gwili
past the site of the first terminus of the newly opened Gwili Railway next to the old mill at Cwmdwyfran. From here, the line continues climbing until it passes under a rusticated brick bridge at the second terminus at Penybont station. The line carries over a redecked bridge crossing the River Gwili. This expansion was achieved in time for its 10th anniversary celebrations in 1988. At the same time, the new terminus of Llwyfan Cerrig
was opened to the public. In 2001, a further half mile extension built by volunteer labour was opened to a new station at Danycoed.
Llwyfan Cerrig (in English, Stone Platform) was a former quarrymen's halt and the Gwili has created a nature trail which winds through the old quarry and emerges above the stock sheds. The station building, which originally stood at Felin Fach on the Aberaeron
branch and dates from 1911, was dismantled by volunteers and re-erected in the early 1990s. It has been restored and furnished to an authentic 1950s style.
From the platform, a path leads to a picnic area on the bank of the Gwili River where kingfishers and heron can sometimes be glimpsed. A miniature railway runs from this station and refreshments can be bought.
From Llwyfan Cerrig, the line runs uphill for another ¾ mile with the River Gwili on one side and a rock face on the other, until it reaches the present end of the line at Danycoed (English translation being 'foot of the wood') where a typical GWR
rural halt has been recreated.
Operationally, the railway is normally run on a 'one engine in steam' basis although the facility exists to pass trains at Llwyfan Cerrig at busy periods such as Day Out With Thomas
events. In recent years, the Railway has expanded the portfolio of events on offer with Dining Trains, Driver Experience days and Jazz and other themed nights now being part of the annual timetable.
constantly being hindered by the number of bridges en-route. There are a total of seven bridges to overcome, all of which are in poor condition and need refurbishment to be worthy for rail traffic once more. There were several attempts to extend the railway to Cynwyl Elfed station in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The current situation of only being able to raise enough funds to expand to relatively nowhere, coupled with the financial difficulties involved in trying to reach Cynwyl Elfed station alone became all too apparent.
However, now that the recent half-mile extension to Danycoed is completed, the society has focused its attention to a southward extension towards Carmarthen
. Since the preservation society owns the trackbed as far as Abergwili Junction, two miles south of Bronwydd Arms, this will allow for the construction of a new station which will be built alongside the new Carmarthen Eastern by-pass. This will, hopefully, greatly improve visibility of the railway to passing traffic on the busy Carmarthen East by-pass compared with the somewhat hidden Bronwydd Arms station.
However, Reconnection with Carmarthen railway station
is now currently impossible as the railway bridge that once carried the line over the River Towy was removed in the 1980s and is no longer in existence.Although there is hope one day funding could be made within the next couple of years to reconstruct a new one once agreements could be reached with Network Rail, (This could happen, maybe after both the currently proposed Camarthen North and Llanpumsaint extensions approach completion by the year 2026).
The closure of the Swansea Vale Railway
in 2007 resulted in a merger of that society with the Gwili. This has provided a boost to the southern extension with track materials, a footbridge, water tanks/cranes and signalling equipment from Swansea now earmarked for use on the extension.
As of 2011, over a mile of track has been laid on the extension and work is ongoing to improve signalling and the level crossing
at Bronwydd Arms
for future passenger operation.
As of Mid-2011, Tracklaying has re-commenced, and certain other works will be undertaken, such as the removal of a small bridge (Bridge 6 on the above plan) and replacement with infill, the construction of a siding and signalling work.
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
: Rheilffordd Ager y Gwili) operates a standard gauge preserved railway
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
from Abergwili
Abergwili
Abergwili is a village in Carmarthenshire, West Wales, lying near to the junction of River Towy and River Gwili.- Bishop's Palace :It is known for its Bishop's Palace, home to the Bishop of St David's since 1542, when Bishop William Barlow transferred his palace from St David's to Abergwili,...
Junction (near Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
) in South Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
along a short section of the former Carmarthen to Aberystwyth
Carmarthen to Aberystwyth Line
The Carmarthen to Aberystwyth Line was a 4 ft 8½-in standard-gauge branch line of the Great Western Railway in Wales, connecting Carmarthen and Aberystwyth....
railway that closed for passenger traffic in 1965, the track being lifted in 1975.
The Gwili Railway was formed in 1974 and, by 1978, had purchased and rescued about eight miles of track and was running an initial steam-hauled service on a one-mile section of it. The Gwili Railway has the distinction of becoming the first standard-gauge preserved railway to operate in Wales when it re-opened the one-mile section of the Carmarthen-Newcastle Emlyn route from its base at Bronwydd Arms, three miles north of Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
. Since then, the railway has expanded to Danycoed and the company continues to hope to expand to Llanpumpsaint. Currently, the railway is working south towards Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
to a new station called Carmarthen North built at the old Abergwili junction. The locomotive stock of the Gwili Railway is unusual in that it mostly represents local industrial and wartime operations rather than mainline services. In an interview with Steam Railway Magazine, it was stated that railway intends to obtain a larger loco or locos for passenger service.
History of the line
The broad-gauge railway was opened in 1860 from Carmarthen to Conwil by the ill-fated Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway CompanyCarmarthen and Cardigan Railway
The Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway was a broad gauge railway from Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, to Newcastle Emlyn, Wales. Part of the route is now used by the Teifi Valley Railway and the Gwili Railway.Despite the name, the line never reached Cardigan...
(CCR), which fell in and out of insolvency until it was eventually absorbed by the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
. Despite hostility from GWR, the line never reached Cardigan
Cardigan, Ceredigion
Cardigan is a town in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. It lies on the estuary of the River Teifi at the point where Ceredigion meets Pembrokeshire. It was the county town of the pre-1974 county of Cardiganshire. It is the second largest town in Ceredigion. The town's population was 4,203...
any further than Newcastle Emlyn.
The Manchester and Milford Railway made a junction with the CCR at Pencader, making a through route to Lampeter which, in turn, later extended to Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
. In 1872, the line became the last in Wales to be converted from Brunel's gauge to standard gauge.
In its early days, the line thrived by serving the local farming and wool industries though, in the years following the First World War, this traffic gradually declined. The Second World War brought another lease of life as a relief route carrying heavy ammunition trains between South and North Wales.
Between the wars, the GWR
GWR
GWR is an acronym that can stand for:* Great Western Railway , the name of several different railway operators* The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway — a heritage railway that has taken the initials of the former Great Western Railway Company* Great Whipsnade Railway* GWR Group, former...
sought to encourage traffic, opened several new halts along the route and provided camping coach
Camping coach
Camping coaches were offered by many railway companies in the United Kingdom as accommodation for holiday makers in rural or coastal areas.The coaches were old passenger vehicles no longer suitable for use in trains, which were converted to provide basic sleeping and living space at static locations...
es at several stations.
The route earned a reputation as a meandering rural branch; where trains trundled along, often flagged down by market-bound farmers' wives making their way across the fields to board the carriages. In fact, nearly three hours was permitted for the 56 mile journey between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.
In the post-war years, closure of the spurs off the main line began. The Branches to Aberaeron and Newcastle Emlyn closed in 1952 which left only the route between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth open to traffic. The line enjoyed a brief resurgence in the 1950s, when the Royal Train traversed the route and other new traffic included Butlins
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
through-specials taking holidaymakers to the new camp in Pwllheli
Pwllheli
Pwllheli is a community and the main market town of the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-western Wales. It has a population of 3,861, of which a large proportion, 81 per cent, are Welsh speaking. Pwllheli is the place where Plaid Cymru was founded. It is the birthplace of Albert Evans-Jones -...
.
However, declining passenger figures meant that the Beeching Axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
was inevitable. In the end however, it was nature that struck the first blow. Heavy flooding severed the line six miles from Aberystwyth in December 1964, this taking place in the same weekend that storms that caused the Ruabon to Barmouth Line to suffer a similar washout. The last passenger train ran along the truncated route on 22 February 1965, two Hymek diesels providing the motive power. The line remained open for freight using Hymek locomotives until around 1970, then by Class 37
Class 37
Class 37 may refer to:*British Rail Class 37, a British diesel locomotive* DRG Class 37, a class of German steam locomotives with 2-6-0 wheel arrangements operated by the Deutsche Reichsbahn:** Class 37.0-1: Prussian P 6** Class 37.1-2: PKP Class Oi1...
locomotives. The freight traffic that kept the remainder of the line open was dominated mainly by milk traffic between Carmarthen and Lampeter where traffic was routed to both the last remaining part of the main line to Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
as far as the milk creamery at Pont Llanio (near Llanddewi-Brefi which survived until 1970, plus the Aberaeron
Aberaeron
Aberaeron |Aeron]] being a Welsh god of war) is a seaside resort town in Ceredigion, Wales. Situated between Aberystwyth and Cardigan, it is home to the headquarters of Ceredigion County Council. The population was 1520 in 2001.-History and design:...
branch as far as the milk creamery at Green Grove near Felin Fach which continued in service until discontinued in 1973. This resulted in the final closure of the line. Track was left in place until the summer of 1975.
Two years after its closure, the Gwili Railway Company was formed with the ambition to preserve eight miles of the route, from Abergwili Junction up to Llanpumpsaint.
Track lifting had already started by the time of the formation of the new Company and, as a result, only a mile of track north of Bronwydd Arms was left in situ, the Company being able to acquire the full eight-mile stretch of trackbed from Abergwili to Llanpumsaint for rebuilding. Over time, the Railway has extended the operational length from one mile to 2½ miles, as well as reconstructing original features at Bronwydd Arms station and amassing a collection of locomotives and rolling stock.
Visitor attraction
Trains on the Gwili start from Bronwydd ArmsBronwydd Arms railway station
Bronwydd Arms railway station is currently the southern terminus of the Gwili Railway and formerly a stop on the now closed Carmarthen to Aberystwyth Line....
where the replica GWR station is dominated by a Signal Box saved from Llandybie railway station
Llandybie railway station
Llandybie railway station serves the village of Llandybie near Ammanford, West Wales. The railway station is located below street level just off Kings Road. This is a convenient stop for Glynhir Estate and Glynhir Falls. Two miles from the station is the Llandybie 18-hole golf course.All trains...
on the Heart of Wales Line
Heart of Wales Line
The Heart of Wales Line is a railway line running from Craven Arms in Shropshire to Llanelli in South Wales. It runs, as the name suggests, through some of the heartlands of Wales. It serves a number of rural centres en route, including several once fashionable spa towns, including Llandrindod Wells...
. The Signal box, which is open to the public, was built in 1885 and has been restored to operate signalling within the station area.
Typical features on the line include the gradients such as the 1 in 60 on the bank immediately north of Bronwydd Arms, the meandering River Gwili
River Gwili
The River Gwili is a river in Carmarthenshire, Wales. A tributary of Wales' largest river, the River Towy, it's headwater is found east of Llanllawddog, in the Brechfa Forest. It runs west, through Llanpumsaint, to its confluence with the River Duad, just south of Cynwyl Elfed village...
and the A484 road which are never far away and the wooded forests and sharp curves as the railway twists its way through the valley.
From Bronwydd, the line climbs between rural hills and meadows alongside the river River Gwili
River Gwili
The River Gwili is a river in Carmarthenshire, Wales. A tributary of Wales' largest river, the River Towy, it's headwater is found east of Llanllawddog, in the Brechfa Forest. It runs west, through Llanpumsaint, to its confluence with the River Duad, just south of Cynwyl Elfed village...
past the site of the first terminus of the newly opened Gwili Railway next to the old mill at Cwmdwyfran. From here, the line continues climbing until it passes under a rusticated brick bridge at the second terminus at Penybont station. The line carries over a redecked bridge crossing the River Gwili. This expansion was achieved in time for its 10th anniversary celebrations in 1988. At the same time, the new terminus of Llwyfan Cerrig
Llwyfan Cerrig railway station
Llwyfan Cerrig is a railway station on the Gwili Railway. The station did not exist before the closure of the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth Line in 1965 and was constructed and opened in 1987 by the Gwili Railway. The station building has been relocated from on the Aberaeron branch, while the signal...
was opened to the public. In 2001, a further half mile extension built by volunteer labour was opened to a new station at Danycoed.
Llwyfan Cerrig (in English, Stone Platform) was a former quarrymen's halt and the Gwili has created a nature trail which winds through the old quarry and emerges above the stock sheds. The station building, which originally stood at Felin Fach on the Aberaeron
Aberaeron
Aberaeron |Aeron]] being a Welsh god of war) is a seaside resort town in Ceredigion, Wales. Situated between Aberystwyth and Cardigan, it is home to the headquarters of Ceredigion County Council. The population was 1520 in 2001.-History and design:...
branch and dates from 1911, was dismantled by volunteers and re-erected in the early 1990s. It has been restored and furnished to an authentic 1950s style.
From the platform, a path leads to a picnic area on the bank of the Gwili River where kingfishers and heron can sometimes be glimpsed. A miniature railway runs from this station and refreshments can be bought.
From Llwyfan Cerrig, the line runs uphill for another ¾ mile with the River Gwili on one side and a rock face on the other, until it reaches the present end of the line at Danycoed (English translation being 'foot of the wood') where a typical GWR
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
rural halt has been recreated.
Operationally, the railway is normally run on a 'one engine in steam' basis although the facility exists to pass trains at Llwyfan Cerrig at busy periods such as Day Out With Thomas
Day out with Thomas
Day Out With Thomas is a trade name, licensed by HiT Entertainment, for tourist events that take place on heritage railways and feature one or more trains decorated to look like characters from the children's TV series, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends....
events. In recent years, the Railway has expanded the portfolio of events on offer with Dining Trains, Driver Experience days and Jazz and other themed nights now being part of the annual timetable.
Future expansion
Restoring the line northwards has proven to be more difficult than initially anticipated, volunteers' high hopes of reaching LlanpumsaintLlanpumsaint
Llanpumsaint is a village and community in Carmarthenshire, West Wales. In the 2001 UK Census, Llanpumsaint community had a population of 595...
constantly being hindered by the number of bridges en-route. There are a total of seven bridges to overcome, all of which are in poor condition and need refurbishment to be worthy for rail traffic once more. There were several attempts to extend the railway to Cynwyl Elfed station in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The current situation of only being able to raise enough funds to expand to relatively nowhere, coupled with the financial difficulties involved in trying to reach Cynwyl Elfed station alone became all too apparent.
However, now that the recent half-mile extension to Danycoed is completed, the society has focused its attention to a southward extension towards Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
. Since the preservation society owns the trackbed as far as Abergwili Junction, two miles south of Bronwydd Arms, this will allow for the construction of a new station which will be built alongside the new Carmarthen Eastern by-pass. This will, hopefully, greatly improve visibility of the railway to passing traffic on the busy Carmarthen East by-pass compared with the somewhat hidden Bronwydd Arms station.
However, Reconnection with Carmarthen railway station
Carmarthen railway station
Carmarthen railway station is situated south of the River Towy on the edge of the town of Carmarthen. It is located on the West Wales Line and is managed by Arriva Trains Wales, who operate most of the passenger trains serving it...
is now currently impossible as the railway bridge that once carried the line over the River Towy was removed in the 1980s and is no longer in existence.Although there is hope one day funding could be made within the next couple of years to reconstruct a new one once agreements could be reached with Network Rail, (This could happen, maybe after both the currently proposed Camarthen North and Llanpumsaint extensions approach completion by the year 2026).
The closure of the Swansea Vale Railway
Swansea Vale Railway
|-|colspan="2" width="320"|-History:First opened in 1816 as a tramroad for conveying coal from Scott's Pit, near Birchgrove, to wharves on the River Tawe nearly four miles to the south, the Swansea Vale route grew to become a feeder railway for several mines and metal-working industries in the...
in 2007 resulted in a merger of that society with the Gwili. This has provided a boost to the southern extension with track materials, a footbridge, water tanks/cranes and signalling equipment from Swansea now earmarked for use on the extension.
As of 2011, over a mile of track has been laid on the extension and work is ongoing to improve signalling and the level crossing
Level crossing
A level crossing occurs where a railway line is intersected by a road or path onone level, without recourse to a bridge or tunnel. It is a type of at-grade intersection. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion...
at Bronwydd Arms
Bronwydd Arms railway station
Bronwydd Arms railway station is currently the southern terminus of the Gwili Railway and formerly a stop on the now closed Carmarthen to Aberystwyth Line....
for future passenger operation.
As of Mid-2011, Tracklaying has re-commenced, and certain other works will be undertaken, such as the removal of a small bridge (Bridge 6 on the above plan) and replacement with infill, the construction of a siding and signalling work.
Steam locomotives
- 1914 Avonside Engine CompanyAvonside Engine CompanyThe Avonside Engine Company was a locomotive manufacturer in Avon Street, St. Philip's, Bristol, England between 1864 and 1934. However the business originated with an earlier enterprise Henry Stothert and Company.-Origins:...
colliery engine built in 1914 and a long term restoration project. Works number 1680. Named "SIR JOHN" - 2201 Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 saddle tank built in 1945. Carries name VICTORY Stored awaiting Overhaul.
- 3879 Vulcan FoundryVulcan FoundryVulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
-built AusterityHunslet Austerity 0-6-0STThe Hunslet Engine Company Austerity 0-6-0ST is a steam locomotive designed for shunting. The class became the standard British shunting locomotive during the Second World War, and production continued until 1964 at various locomotive manufacturers....
locomotive built in 1945 (works number 5272). Rebuilt in 1961 by Hunslet LtdHunslet Engine CompanyThe Hunslet Engine Company is a British locomotive-building company founded in 1864 at Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England by John Towlerton Leather, a civil engineering contractor, who appointed James Campbell as his Works Manager.In 1871, James Campbell bought the company for...
(works number 3879). Operational on passenger trains. Named HAULWEN.- 7058 Robert Stephenson and HawthornsRobert Stephenson and HawthornsRobert Stephenson and Hawthorns Ltd was a locomotive builder with works in North East England.-History:The company was formed in September 1937 when Robert Stephenson and Company, which was based in Darlington took over the locomotive building department of Hawthorn Leslie and Company, based in...
0-4-0 saddle tank built in 1942. Named OLWEN. Used as PercyPercy the Small EnginePercy the Small Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic steam engine from The Railway Series of children's books written by the Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry...
for Thomas the Tank EngineThomas the Tank EngineThomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
Events. - 71516 War DepartmentWar Department (UK)The War Department was the United Kingdom government department responsible for the supply of equipment to the armed forces of the United Kingdom and the pursuance of military activity. In 1857 it became the War Office...
0-6-0 saddle tank built in 1944 by Robert Stevenson Hawthorns (works number 7170). Under repair. Named WELSH GUARDSMAN. - 3829 HunsletHunsletHunslet is an inner-city area in south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is south east of the city centre and has an industrial past.Hunslet had many engineering companies based in the district, such as John Fowler & Co...
austerity locomotive built in 1955. Ex- Swansea Vale RailwaySwansea Vale Railway|-|colspan="2" width="320"|-History:First opened in 1816 as a tramroad for conveying coal from Scott's Pit, near Birchgrove, to wharves on the River Tawe nearly four miles to the south, the Swansea Vale route grew to become a feeder railway for several mines and metal-working industries in the...
. Stored at Bronwydd Arms pending boiler overhaul - 1345 Peckett Mond Nickel No.1. Ex Swansea Vale RailwaySwansea Vale Railway|-|colspan="2" width="320"|-History:First opened in 1816 as a tramroad for conveying coal from Scott's Pit, near Birchgrove, to wharves on the River Tawe nearly four miles to the south, the Swansea Vale route grew to become a feeder railway for several mines and metal-working industries in the...
. Stored at Bronwydd Arms, firebox repairs required.
0-6-0T Jennifer from the Llangollen RailwayLlangollen RailwayThe Llangollen Railway is a volunteer-run preserved railway in Denbighshire, Wales, which operates between Llangollen and Carrog; at long, it is the longest preserved standard gauge line in Wales and operates daily in Summer as well as weekends throughout the Winter months using a wide variety of...
will be visiting for the 2011 season
Diesel locomotives
- BR Class 117 3 car DMU Nos 51347 / 59508 / 51401
- D2178 British RailBritish RailBritish Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
Class 03British Rail Class 03The British Rail Class 03 locomotive is, together with Class 04, one of BR's most successful smaller 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. The class, numbering 230 examples, was built by British Railways' Swindon and Doncaster works in 1957-1962 and numbered D2000-D2199 and D2370-D2399...
shunter. Operational. (Unnumbered) - 14901 British Rail Class 14British Rail Class 14The British Rail Class 14 is a type of small diesel-hydraulic locomotive built in the mid-1960s. Twenty-six of these 0-6-0 locomotives were ordered in January 1963, to be built at British Railways Swindon Works. The anticipated work for this class was yard shunting, trip work and short distance...
. On loan for 2011 and 2012 - 27658 North British Locomotive CompanyNorth British Locomotive CompanyThe North British Locomotive Company was created in 1903 through the merger of three Glasgow locomotive manufacturing companies; Sharp Stewart and Company , Neilson, Reid and Company and Dübs and Company , creating the largest locomotive manufacturing company in Europe.Its main factories were...
shunting engine built for British SteelBritish SteelBritish Steel was a major British steel producer. It originated as a nationalised industry, the British Steel Corporation , formed in 1967. This was converted to a public limited company, British Steel PLC, and privatised in 1988. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index...
LandoreLandoreLandore is the name of an electoral ward, a community in the City and County of Swansea, Wales, UK. The community does not have a community council.... - 27878 North British Locomotive Company shunting engine built for British Steel's East Moor steelworks and later at the tinplate works at FelindreFelindreFelindre is a rural village in south Wales. The village can be found in the far north of Swansea, in the electoral ward of Mawr.The nearby Lower Lliw Reservoirs are a popular venue for walking and fishing. The water mill in the village was working until the late 1960s, there was also an abbatoir...
near SwanseaSwanseaSwansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands... - 207103 Ruston and HornsbyRuston (engine builder)Ruston & Hornsby, later known as Ruston, was an industrial equipment manufacturer in Lincoln, England, the company's history going back to 1840. The company is best known as a manufacturer of narrow and standard gauge diesel locomotives and also of steam shovels. Other products included cars, steam...
industrial engine used at BedwasBedwasBedwas is a town two miles north-east of Caerphilly, south Wales, situated in the Caerphilly county borough, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire....
coke ovens by British Benzol - 393302 Ruston and Hornsby industrial engine built in 1955 and used at the Aluminium Wire and Cable Company in SwanseaSwanseaSwansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
Vintage coaches
The Gwili Railway has a fine collection of Vintage Coaches from various railway operators and historic companies.
- TVRTaff Vale RailwayThe Taff Vale Railway is a railway in Glamorgan, South Wales, and is one of the oldest in Wales. It operated as an independent company from 1836 until 1922, when it became a constituent company of the Great Western Railway...
No.145 - (built 1874) The oldest standard gauge coach surviving from a Welsh railway company. Recovered in late 2006 and returned to WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It is now in storage pending a decision on how best to proceed with its restoration. An initial examination suggests that the remaining ten doors, most of the floor, all the glazing and the external paneling on one side will need replacing. - TVRTaff Vale RailwayThe Taff Vale Railway is a railway in Glamorgan, South Wales, and is one of the oldest in Wales. It operated as an independent company from 1836 until 1922, when it became a constituent company of the Great Western Railway...
No.220 - (Built 1891) Undergoing a repaint, expected to return to serive in 2011 - GWRGreat Western RailwayThe Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
No.216 - (Built 1888) Restoration ongoing, expected to be in service late 2011 - TVRTaff Vale RailwayThe Taff Vale Railway is a railway in Glamorgan, South Wales, and is one of the oldest in Wales. It operated as an independent company from 1836 until 1922, when it became a constituent company of the Great Western Railway...
No.153 - (Built 1874) In store pending restoration. - GWRGreat Western RailwayThe Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
No.793 - (Built 1881) Offered to the group in 1991. No repair work can be done on this vehicle until coach No.216 is nearing completion.
External links
- 7058 Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns