Glyn Valley Tramway restoration.

[D6130]

Yesterday, while waiting for a train at Chirk/Y Waun, I was looking at the former GVT side of the station, where a short length of narrow gauge track has been laid and two pairs of points were awaiting installation. Can anyone tell me more about this scheme? (e.g. How much of the line do the presrvation group intend to relay; what locos and stock they intend to use and do they have any funding from local or Welsh national government).

 

[341o2]

Website here https://glynvalleytramwaytrust.co.uk

Ultimate aim is to rebuild the railway

The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust ("GVTT") is a registered charity (Charity number: 1121437) and has been established with the primary objective of reinstating the Glyn Valley Tramway as a steam heritage tramway, replicating accurately the narrow gauge line that ran between Chirk and Hendre Quarry near Glyn Ceiriog between 1873 and 1935. The Trust also wishes to work with other organisations to deliver a viable project and provide benefits to the local economy.

The GVTT has already been granted planning consent for the reinstatement of the first section of the tramway from Chirk Station to a temporary station at Pontfaen (a distance of approximately one mile) and much site clearance has been undertaken. This has been achieved with the generous ad hoc agreement of local landowners to allow access to the former trackbed prior to the formal grant of long leases which will permit the construction of the Tramway itself. Detailed negotiations in respect of the first 700 metres are in progress and will be concluded shortly, with the assistance of our legal team

 

[D6130]

Website here https://glynvalleytramwaytrust.co.uk

Ultimate aim is to rebuild the railway

Thanks. That's very interesting. Further research on my part indicates that the original line was built to the unique gauge of 2ft 4 1/2ins (723 mm), but that the restored line will be 2ft 3ins (686 mm) to enable exchange of track, locos and rolling stock with the Talyllyn Railway - which already operates a couple of restored ex-GVT coaches.

 

[Llanigraham]

Thanks. That's very interesting. Further research on my part indicates that the original line was built to the unique gauge of 2ft 4 1/2ins (723 mm), but that the restored line will be 2ft 3ins (686 mm) to enable exchange of track, locos and rolling stock with the Talyllyn Railway - which already operates a couple of restored ex-GVT coaches.

Cough!!! And the Corris Railway!

I understand there has already been discussion between the 3 of them.

 

[John Luxton]

There are actually two groups working on the line the Chirk based one which has been quite busy of late going from their Facebook and shown in the posted link and the other group based at the Glyn Ceiriog locomotive depot which is a museum

https://glynvalleytramway.org.uk/

I have only viewed the developments at Chirk from over the fence between 2020 and 2022 and at Glyn Ceiriog a couple of years earlier - but arrived late after the museum had closed.

There appears to be some rivalry and possibly historical discord between the two groups from what I can gather the Glyn Ceiriog group favours using the original gauge rather than 2ft3in.

Using 2ft3in makes sense given the proximity to Corris and Talyllyn as it could result in some interesting photo opportunities if stock gets moved around.

Perhaps someone knows more and can fill everyone in?

 

[Trainlog]

Judging by the other resurrections of narrow gauge lines in the past 30 years i can assume that they would contract Alan Keef to manufacture a new Beyer Peacock tram loco and then Boston lodge for some new coaches for that line. I like the aspect that the plans for its resurrection is that it can share gauges with the Corris and Talyllyn so that they can host galas as lets be fair they are building from scratch and as there is no surviving locos and the original coaches are converted to Talyllyn/Corris gauge.

The thing i like about this project is that it went from a slow moving project which felt like it might never get done apart from a small tourist centre on it to actually having a strong and serious plan behind it with the restoration of Chirk and being keen to promote their line as they even have a 16mm layout they bring to shows to promote their project. Providing its done right with the restoration to recreate the feel and look of the Glyn valley tramway, plus the design of the replica loco is accommodated for it, is anyone really phased the track a little shorter in gauge in exchange for its potential benefits going forward?