Garw Valley Railway Group

[anthony263]

The Bridgend valley railway now has its own facebook group.


http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1094361877159&mbox_pos=0#/group.php?gid=113430326512

 

[D107]

RSH 0-4-ST 7705 has arrived at the GVR. The locomotive, an 0-4-0 saddle tank built by Robert, Stephenson and Hawthorn in their Newcastle upon Tyne works, used to operate at the former Ely Paper Mills in Cardiff and is now owned by a consortium of Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company members, the 7705 Locomotive Group. The locomotive is part way through an extensive rebuild by the group who are also members of the Bridgend Valleys Railway Company.

It is intended to restore the locomotive for use on the line and it is hoped that the project will enable volunteers to gain new skills and experience in heritage engineering. Most of the fabrication work and all of the assembly will be performed by railway members. The boiler is being restored off-site and will be delivered to Pontycymer Locomotive works for final assembly. Once completed, the locomotive will be able to operate short trains on the line as well as possibly offering opportunities for "footplate experience" courses.

 

[anthony263]

Nice to know that there is now a steam engine at Pontycymmer, Maybe a press release should be sent to the local newspaper

 

[D107]

Already done!

 

[TGVDUDE]

great to hear this fantastic news I can't wait to ride the rail up the Garw!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
when is the next meeting in Sarn?

 

[D107]

We've only just had the AGM so it might be a while yet. I'll post something when a date is fixed, or you could sign up to the B-V-R yahoo group for gen?

If anyone feels like getting actively involved, the Yahoo group describes all work parties.

More volunteers - the quicker we get the line ready to open!

 

[anthony263]

Hopefully now that uni is finished til september and i have a lot of free time i will try to pop up to pontycymmer one weekend

 

[D107]

Hopefully now that uni is finished til september and i have a lot of free time i will try to pop up to pontycymmer one weekend

Plenty of time until Sept to get your hands dirty then..!

 

[D107]

In addition to 0-4-0ST 7705, a flat wagon and the coal shovel which arrived last week, today saw the arrival of a Lister autotruck and trailer and an electric platform tug. Both were unloaded successfully and were driven into the shed, which is now almost at bursting stage!

 

[TGVDUDE]

all is good to hear, how can we (the public) see these things out and working and when, my uncle is starting to get exicted about this now >< any news for a meeting?

 

[D107]

There is some considerable work to be done before anything can run, but it is hoped that subject to HMRI discussions, a short length of the line could be used by late summer. Failing that, it will be Spring 2010 as planned.

It is the intention to have a presence at the Garw Carnival on Aug 22nd with the 10.25" portable line, a presence in the actual Carnival procession and a viewing of the shed. There will be an open day at Pontycymer a couple of weeks later (date TBA but will be advertised).

Hope this helps?

 

[TGVDUDE]

yes it does thank you

 

[TGVDUDE]

i hope to see something at the Carnival if it happens!

 

[TGVDUDE]

i missed the carnival cause i'm stupid! lol, any news?

 

[anthony263]

Not much news at all at the moment

 

[TGVDUDE]

oh well, hope all is well

 

[D107]

Not much news at all at the moment

Quite the contrary actually. Meetings are underway regarding the proposed shed extension, the miniature railway appeared at the carnival, work is underway (as I speak) on 7705, a lot of work has been done on the shed doors and a new website is being designed.

So all is definitely well, with large working parties at the weekends and steep growth in membership.

 

[D107]

(Also posted to NatPres)

I just thought I would take a few minutes of your time and give you a bit of an update as to progress on the GVR.

We are regularly achieving work parties of 20+ each Saturday and last weekend managed to shunt the entire shed at Pontycymer to allow a vehicle to be loaded for departure. The resident Planet shunters took a rare trip into the daylight to assist in the shunt.

We are currently focussing on a shed extension, then will be addressing a track renewal issue. Most of the line is flat bottomed rail on concrete sleepers, but a mile is bullhead on wooden sleepers and needs replacement prior to seeking HMRI approval to operate.

At the Garw Carnival, we ran our 10 1/4" miniature line and held a display which attracted much attention and support from the locals. As you may know, a Class 108 DMU is available for traffic and a small team are currently re-upholstering the seating.

A website is also under construction http://www.garw-railway.co.uk/ but this is still being adjusted to suit!

The RSH 0-4-0ST 7705 is under restoration by its owner group, with the boiler currently being readied for retubing and the saddle tank is ready for re-welding. A Shark brakevan is being restored by the ARC group (Assisted Recovery in the Community) and the woodwork is close to completion.

In terms of starting to run, we are looking hopefully towards 2010, if only as a rail centre initially but supported by the 10 1/4 " and 5" gauge lines. The line is integral to the Regional Development Plan and is regarded as having a pivotal role in the regeneration of the valley.

Thanks for taking time to read the post,

Regards,

Nick.

 

[TGVDUDE]

thanks for that update! great to hear such positive things!

 

[D107]

RSH 0-4-0ST 7705 of 1952 is receiving attention to the smokebox where both the left and right hand sides of plate have been removed due to wasting around the saddle tank brackets. New plate will be riveted into place.

The "Shark" brakevan is being restored as a joint project by the GVR and the local Assisted Recovery in the Community (ARC) group. Wooden timbers on the van have been replaced and painted. Attention has now moved to the roof where the old felt is being removed and the roof timbers beneath rubbed back and prepared for paint, caulking and re-roofing. Attention is also being given to the underframes and plough equipment.... Read more

The Class 108 DMU is having the seating renovated and re-upholstered. In a rolling programme, the flooring in the DMBS vehicle is also being replaced.

Maintenance work has been carried out on the coal shovel as well as on one of the diesel mechanical "Planet" shunters.

On the exterior front, the main shed doors and the entrance door have been de-rusted and given a new coat of blue paint. (We would like to thank everyone who contributed paint to the project.)

The concrete floor of the shed is also being painted once work has finished each week. We extend a warm welcome to anyone who wishes to call into the shed any Saturday to see what is going on. Work parties take place from around 0930 until 1600 each Saturday.

 

[Celtic Crusader]

Great to hear the Barry boys are joining you up in Pontycymer Nick!

I've already taken the liberty of improving the Wikipedia article by adding a map (btw I'd really like to update the Gwili article but those photos clutter it at the moment and I don't want to delete them) so more people can acknowledge your presence in the valleys and, hopefully, contribute.

When the line opens in 2010 and after you reach Pontyrhyl, are there any plans in the works to reopen the Port Talbot Railway section of the line to Bettws (Llangeinor)? Or has recent housing development prevented this ambition?

 

[D107]

Great to hear the Barry boys are joining you up in Pontycymer Nick!

I've already taken the liberty of improving the Wikipedia article by adding a map (btw I'd really like to update the Gwili article but those photos clutter it at the moment and I don't want to delete them) so more people can acknowledge your presence in the valleys and, hopefully, contribute.

When the line opens in 2010 and after you reach Pontyrhyl, are there any plans in the works to reopen the Port Talbot Railway section of the line to Bettws (Llangeinor)? Or has recent housing development prevented this ambition?

Yes the Barry crew are nicely settled in to Pontycymer and feeling well at home!

No plans as far as I am aware regarding the line to Bettws. I'm not familiar with that section of line but I might mention it over the weekend and just see how much is left out of curiosity. The lease we hold doesn't cover any of the PTR line of course, only the line down to Brynmenyn.

 

[anthony263]

Yes the Barry crew are nicely settled in to Pontycymer and feeling well at home!

No plans as far as I am aware regarding the line to Bettws. I'm not familiar with that section of line but I might mention it over the weekend and just see how much is left out of curiosity. The lease we hold doesn't cover any of the PTR line of course, only the line down to Brynmenyn.

I think the trackbed is still intact as far as bettws

i will have a look next time i drive a bus past there

 

[D107]

Just to advise folk that we are opening Pontycymer Loco Shed to the public on Sat 12th December between 1300hrs and 1530hrs. This is a low-key affair but we hope that the 10.25" gauge miniature will be running as well as allowing visitors to have a look around, view the stock and chat to the members.

We intend to do the same on Sat 19th December if you are interested.

Thanks,

 

[TGVDUDE]

i'll be attending tommorrow!

 

[Celtic Crusader]

Yes the Barry crew are nicely settled in to Pontycymer and feeling well at home!

No plans as far as I am aware regarding the line to Bettws. I'm not familiar with that section of line but I might mention it over the weekend and just see how much is left out of curiosity. The lease we hold doesn't cover any of the PTR line of course, only the line down to Brynmenyn.

That's great to hear!

I'm very glad you've got the lease for the entire line down to Brynmenyn, this way it'll ensure future extensions will eventually become a reality, and not just merely an ambition.

Its a shame in this country we didn't incorporate laws on railway land and the protection of trackbeds using a system similar to the US Rail Bank scheme for possible future use, this would have protected the valleys line through Blackmill right up to Llanharan!

 

[TGVDUDE]

yea!
it would be a preserved Network not line! lol

 

[D107]

Thanks to everyone who attended on Sat 12th December and made the event a success. The shed is next open on Sat Dec 19th between 1300 and 1530. Come and see the stock, restoration progress and plans for the future.

 

[TGVDUDE]

i went on the 12th, was very good!

 

[D107]

i went on the 12th, was very good!

Glad you enjoyed it! We are open again on Sat 19th of course.