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Gwili Railway Classic Transport Show 22/07/12 

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Posted on:
29th July 2012
Updated on: 30th July 2012 
The Gwili Railway's Classic Transport Show was a modest affair - the advertised intensive service required just one loco in steam and an 03 class diesel at the other end for some of the day-  but was nonetheless very interesting with displays of classic cars, tractors and lorries as well as the chance to see the hard work of the vintage carriage group on the railway at Llwyfan Cerrig. 
From 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:
Picture

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. 

Locomotives

The 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)
From Gwili Railway Classic Transport Show 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. 
From Gwili Railway Classic Transport Show 22/07/12

Visitor Numbers

Considering 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 money

Given 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.
Gwili Railway Classic Transport Show 22/07/12
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  • Home
  • Latest Reports
    • 2017 >
      • RHDR 90th anniversary
      • ODMRS exhibition 150117
    • 2016 >
      • DFR gala 2716
      • SDR 1960s weekend 30 May 2016
    • 2015 >
      • SDR 1960s weekend 25/05/15
    • 2014 >
      • SDR 1960s weekend 24/05/2014
    • 2013 >
      • GDSF 2013
      • Train à Vapeur des Cévennes 4/08/13
      • SVR 16/07/13
      • Mallard 75 15/07/13
      • Truckfest 06/07/13
      • Great Little Trains of Wales June-July
      • Wythall Operating day 15/06/13
      • time travel on the GWSR 11/06/13
      • EVLR steam gala 8/06/13
    • 2012 >
      • Brecon Mountain Railway 2/11/12
      • SVR Autumn Gala 22/09/12
      • Gwili Classic Transport Show 22/07/12
      • DSR Heritage Festival 8-9/06/12
      • NRM Railfest 7/06/12
      • SDR Diamond Jubilee Gala 3-5/06/12
    • 2011 >
      • Mid Hants Railway Autumn Gala 28/10/11
      • SVR Autumn Gala 24/09/11
      • Gwili Railway 30/08/11
      • St Davids Lifeboat open day 2011
      • Les Train de Mouettes 1/08/11
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Littlebrook Valley Railway
    • Motive Power
  • About
    • Links
    • Contacts