Gwili Railway - 30/08/11
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Posted on: 4th September 2011 Updated on: 05 September, 2011
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It seems that smaller lines such as the Gwili tend to fall off many enthusiast's radar simply because they don't have a 'proper' engine, i.e: not ex BR! This is really an unfair judgement on these lines, they often offer great value for money and provide something for all the family. (Left:Hudswell Clarke & Co 0-6-0T S Fox & Co LTD No:20 'Jennifer' drifts into Bronwydd Arms)
Main Attractions
Bronwydd Arms, the railway's HQ, is a charming little station on the old line from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth. The station boasts a well stocked shop, a marvellous museum and the only signal box on the line. In common with many preserved line the majority of the building were moved brick by brick by volunteers to create the country station atmosphere Bronwydd Arms carries off so well.
The line is prehaps unusual in that the signal box is close to public areas and visitors are allowed inside - on many other lines the signalbox is something of a 'secret world'. We were treated to a most interesting talk from the signalman and he also demonstrated the basics of semaphore signaling. Visitors wishing to have alook in the 'box were invited to make a small donation toward its upkeep. The museum, although admitedly small, was most informative but also mainly dealt with signalling with a selection of different bells, tokens and signal types on display.
Our train, prehaps unsuprisingly, was formed of the ubiquitous BR MK1 carriages however, it must be said that these were smartly turned out and the seats were nice and comfy! (Right: No:20 'Jennifer' runs around at Bronwydd Arms)
A Journey Described
On departing Bronwydd Arms 'Jennifer' had to work quite hard up the gradient which after a time steepened to 1 in 60 for some distance before the railway came alongside it's namesake River Gwili, which is crossed no less than seven times on the 6miles of line not yet re-opened.
On the approaches to Llwyfan Cerrig the line crosses the River Gwili on the longest railway overbridge restored entirely by volunteers at 120ft. Llwyfan Cerrig was at one time the northern terminus of the line before the extention to Dannycoed Halt opened in 2001. The station boasts some sidings, as with most preserved lines, filled with quietly rusting stock awaiting restoration! Llwyfan Cerrig is also the home of a short minature railway which runs next to its full size equivalent for a time, hauled by a small diesel locomotive. Our train only stopped here for a moment on the down (yes I know it was uphill, but, trains headed away from London are said to 'down' trains!) journey before continuing up the remaining gradient for 3/4 a mile to Dannycoed Halt where 'Jennifer' ran around its train. You wouldn't know it to look at the station, but Dannycoed Halt has only ever actually exisited in preservation - testament to the careful research and restoration by the Gwili Railway's dedicated volunteers. On the return journey our train stopped at Llwyfan Cerrig for a time to allow people time to have a ride on minature railway and listen to the recording of a 'real' booking office clark with a strong welsh accent (of course) to hark back to what it used to be like in the 'old days'.
Now, on our train there was a very enthusiastic(?) young chap who appeared to have been taken to the Gwili Railway by his Grandparents. I mention this because it will neatly illustrate the friendly and helpful attitude of the Gwili's volunteers. The driver of S.Fox & Co LTD No:20 'Jennifer' was kindly explaining to this lad how it all worked. However, the lad seemed to think that he knew it all - he attempted to pre-empt the driver on what each lever or gauge in the cab did. Annoying! Part of the exchange when something like this:
Driver (indicating reverser): "Now, what do you thing this lever does? A lot of people think it is some kind of brake."
Young lad (eagerly): "Is it like some kind of emergency brake, like?"
The driver went on very patiently to explain what the reverser did do - his grandparents seemed to have their hands full!
(Left: Hunslet 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST 'Haulwen' recieves some attention at Bronwydd Arms)
Locomotives
The Gwili Railway is home to a variety of both steam and diesel locos however, the engine that pulled our train was a Hudswell Clarke & Co 0-6-0T, built in their Leeds factory in 1942, that spent it's working life with S.Fox & Co LTD as their No:20 'Jennifer'. No:20's home line is the Llangollen railway. Steam locos based at Bronwydd Arms shed includes two Hunslet 'austerities' - 0-6-0ST 'Haulwen' who was visible in the yard on the occasion of our visit, and'Welsh Guardsman', who we did not see, but was listed in their excellent, informative and full colour guide book, available from the shop at Bronwydd Arms. Another home based loco is the line's diminutive flagship 'Olwen' which Totally-transport.co.uk saw at the GWSR's GWR 175th Cotswold Festival of Steam in May last year resplendent in BR black. 'Olwen' is now sadly out of traffic awaiting an overhaul. (Right: 'Olwen', but not as you know it! She is masquerading as BR No:1144 which spent time shunting at Swansea. 'Olwen' is in the garden at Gotherington station on 29/05/10)
Conclusions
Overall, the Gwili Railway offers a marvellous, attractively priced day out for all the family. It should be praised for it's kind, friendly and polite volunteers and the way in which it is possible to visit some areas such as the signal box that on other lines the public cannot normally see inside. One very minor gripe is that in neither direction on our jouney were our tickets checked by a TTI (Traveling Ticket Inspector) or any other volunteer, and, whilst it doesn't really matter, this would add something to the experience and help the railway to protect it's revenue.
Main Attractions
Bronwydd Arms, the railway's HQ, is a charming little station on the old line from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth. The station boasts a well stocked shop, a marvellous museum and the only signal box on the line. In common with many preserved line the majority of the building were moved brick by brick by volunteers to create the country station atmosphere Bronwydd Arms carries off so well.
The line is prehaps unusual in that the signal box is close to public areas and visitors are allowed inside - on many other lines the signalbox is something of a 'secret world'. We were treated to a most interesting talk from the signalman and he also demonstrated the basics of semaphore signaling. Visitors wishing to have alook in the 'box were invited to make a small donation toward its upkeep. The museum, although admitedly small, was most informative but also mainly dealt with signalling with a selection of different bells, tokens and signal types on display.
Our train, prehaps unsuprisingly, was formed of the ubiquitous BR MK1 carriages however, it must be said that these were smartly turned out and the seats were nice and comfy! (Right: No:20 'Jennifer' runs around at Bronwydd Arms)
A Journey Described
On departing Bronwydd Arms 'Jennifer' had to work quite hard up the gradient which after a time steepened to 1 in 60 for some distance before the railway came alongside it's namesake River Gwili, which is crossed no less than seven times on the 6miles of line not yet re-opened.
On the approaches to Llwyfan Cerrig the line crosses the River Gwili on the longest railway overbridge restored entirely by volunteers at 120ft. Llwyfan Cerrig was at one time the northern terminus of the line before the extention to Dannycoed Halt opened in 2001. The station boasts some sidings, as with most preserved lines, filled with quietly rusting stock awaiting restoration! Llwyfan Cerrig is also the home of a short minature railway which runs next to its full size equivalent for a time, hauled by a small diesel locomotive. Our train only stopped here for a moment on the down (yes I know it was uphill, but, trains headed away from London are said to 'down' trains!) journey before continuing up the remaining gradient for 3/4 a mile to Dannycoed Halt where 'Jennifer' ran around its train. You wouldn't know it to look at the station, but Dannycoed Halt has only ever actually exisited in preservation - testament to the careful research and restoration by the Gwili Railway's dedicated volunteers. On the return journey our train stopped at Llwyfan Cerrig for a time to allow people time to have a ride on minature railway and listen to the recording of a 'real' booking office clark with a strong welsh accent (of course) to hark back to what it used to be like in the 'old days'.
Now, on our train there was a very enthusiastic(?) young chap who appeared to have been taken to the Gwili Railway by his Grandparents. I mention this because it will neatly illustrate the friendly and helpful attitude of the Gwili's volunteers. The driver of S.Fox & Co LTD No:20 'Jennifer' was kindly explaining to this lad how it all worked. However, the lad seemed to think that he knew it all - he attempted to pre-empt the driver on what each lever or gauge in the cab did. Annoying! Part of the exchange when something like this:
Driver (indicating reverser): "Now, what do you thing this lever does? A lot of people think it is some kind of brake."
Young lad (eagerly): "Is it like some kind of emergency brake, like?"
The driver went on very patiently to explain what the reverser did do - his grandparents seemed to have their hands full!
(Left: Hunslet 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST 'Haulwen' recieves some attention at Bronwydd Arms)
Locomotives
The Gwili Railway is home to a variety of both steam and diesel locos however, the engine that pulled our train was a Hudswell Clarke & Co 0-6-0T, built in their Leeds factory in 1942, that spent it's working life with S.Fox & Co LTD as their No:20 'Jennifer'. No:20's home line is the Llangollen railway. Steam locos based at Bronwydd Arms shed includes two Hunslet 'austerities' - 0-6-0ST 'Haulwen' who was visible in the yard on the occasion of our visit, and'Welsh Guardsman', who we did not see, but was listed in their excellent, informative and full colour guide book, available from the shop at Bronwydd Arms. Another home based loco is the line's diminutive flagship 'Olwen' which Totally-transport.co.uk saw at the GWSR's GWR 175th Cotswold Festival of Steam in May last year resplendent in BR black. 'Olwen' is now sadly out of traffic awaiting an overhaul. (Right: 'Olwen', but not as you know it! She is masquerading as BR No:1144 which spent time shunting at Swansea. 'Olwen' is in the garden at Gotherington station on 29/05/10)
Conclusions
Overall, the Gwili Railway offers a marvellous, attractively priced day out for all the family. It should be praised for it's kind, friendly and polite volunteers and the way in which it is possible to visit some areas such as the signal box that on other lines the public cannot normally see inside. One very minor gripe is that in neither direction on our jouney were our tickets checked by a TTI (Traveling Ticket Inspector) or any other volunteer, and, whilst it doesn't really matter, this would add something to the experience and help the railway to protect it's revenue.