Gwili Railway Classic Transport Show 22/07/12
|
Related Links:
Photos - 6 high quality photographs Video (HD, 8:38) Gwili Railway official site Gwili Vintage Carriage Group Report on visit 30/08/11 Key Information: Locomotives: Home: No:5272 'Haulwen' D2178 Prices: Adults £8 Verdict: 
|
Main Attractions
Although the line up of classic vehicles is what might, if you have been to several such events, call average; a collection of various old tractors including the perhaps ubiquitous 'grey fergie', a selection of classic cars of all shapes and sizes and one or two lorries as well. But really calling a line up 'average' is very unfair; the fact that any of the vehicles presented at the show are in the excellent condition they were, or indeed survived at all is most remarkable. The rally itself took place in a field roughly equidistant between Bronwydd Arms and Llwyfan Cerrig where, as well as visitors car parking the vehicle line up and a burger van, a scaffold platform was provided to allow visitors to join the train there. The entrance price included rides on the roughly hourly one train service with Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST 'Haulwen' providing the motive power. With things slipping behind schedule slightly later in the day, the railway's class 03 diesel D2178 was attached to the rear of the train to save time running round at Dannycoed Halt, the present terminus of the line's operations.
At the middle station, Llwyfan Cerrig, which trains ran though non-stop on the outward journey, stopping only on the way back down to Bronwydd, there were a number of extra attractions including a diesel hauled miniature railway, and rather more interestingly, the opportunity to see the fascinating and sadly often unrecognised work of the vintage carriage group at the Gwili Railway (click here to see their blog). It was great to be able to chat to some of the really friendly and enthusiastic band of volunteers about their work and look at some of the hard work involved in restoring these Victorian vehicles back to their former glory from past lives as homes and sheds in the Welsh countryside. In fact, one of the carriages now in their care is the oldest surviving standard gauge coach from a Welsh railway company.
At the middle station, Llwyfan Cerrig, which trains ran though non-stop on the outward journey, stopping only on the way back down to Bronwydd, there were a number of extra attractions including a diesel hauled miniature railway, and rather more interestingly, the opportunity to see the fascinating and sadly often unrecognised work of the vintage carriage group at the Gwili Railway (click here to see their blog). It was great to be able to chat to some of the really friendly and enthusiastic band of volunteers about their work and look at some of the hard work involved in restoring these Victorian vehicles back to their former glory from past lives as homes and sheds in the Welsh countryside. In fact, one of the carriages now in their care is the oldest surviving standard gauge coach from a Welsh railway company.
LocomotivesThe one steam locomotive in operation, Hunslet 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST No:5272 'Haulwen' is a most interesting creature, despite belonging to the bracket of locomotives that, although hard-worked backbones of many a preserved line's fleet of steam fleet, are all too often maligned by enthusiasts as not being 'proper' steam. No:5272 was built by Vulcan Foundry in Newcastle for the War Department in 1945 and later spent time with the National Coal Board being re-built by Hunslet in Leeds in 1961 and eventually found its way into preservation at Bronwydd Arms. (Right: Haulwen runs around at Dannycoed Halt on 22/07/12)
|
BR class 03 shunter D2178 also ran during the day. This early diesel shunter was built at Swindon in the late 1950s. Withdrawn by BR in 1969 the 03 was then sold into industrial use and found employment in various establishments before being purchased by the National Coal Board. She was preserved by the Caerphilly Railway Society in 1983.
Visitor NumbersConsidering that this was not a gala event, but also that the weather was of that exceedingly rare real summer variety (sun and cloudless blue skys!)the visitor numbers appeared very good indeed and it could be said that the railway was close to its full 'comfortable' capacity with the trains certainly appearing well filled.
(Left: Class 03 shunter D2178 rumbles into Llwfan Cerrig) Value for moneyGiven that most classic vehicle shows do not also offer standard gauge train rides and also that the entry prices were the same as
|
on a normal running day, this event offered excellent value for money. The only minor issue, not for this writer, but it clearly was for some other visitors, was the provision of refreshments; there was a burger van and an ice cream stall at the rally site. However, other than that there were no other refreshments available anywhere else on the railway which perhaps meant some did not get the full enjoyment they might have done out of the day.
Conclusions
Overall a very enjoyable little event offering that bit more than a normal running day and making our visit all the more interesting for us, especially the vintage carriage restoration at Llwyfan Cerrig
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all the volunteers and organisers who gave up their time to make the event happen. Without them there would be no gala.
Thank you for taking the time to read this report, watch the video, and take a look at the photos, hope you enjoy them, and if you were able to go they will bring back happy memories and if you weren't able to go, well, you can see what you missed.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all the volunteers and organisers who gave up their time to make the event happen. Without them there would be no gala.
Thank you for taking the time to read this report, watch the video, and take a look at the photos, hope you enjoy them, and if you were able to go they will bring back happy memories and if you weren't able to go, well, you can see what you missed.
