the vale of rheidol railway
NEWSLETTER issue no.24
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Photo by John R Jones
Issue 2 - 2017
www.rheidolrailway.co.uk
Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year
Abou Vale of Rh t the eidol Railw The Vale of ay Rhe
idol R Steam Rai lway which ailway is a historic op beautiful ra ilway runs ened in 1902. This Aberystwyt 11 h and Devil’ ¾ miles between a unique gl impse and s Bridge; providing views of th Rheidol Va e stunning lley, nestle d Mountains in the Cambrian , Wales. From the co mfo scenery an rt of your carriage w countrysid d steam passing by. atch the See the e change as yo wide open fields, woo u travel through dl mountain sc and and ru gged enery, the turning as line twistin it clings to the hillside. g and the sound locomotives of the narrow gaug Listen to e (200m) in th working hard to clim steam b e 11 ¾ mile s from Abe the 700ft rystwyth to Devil’s Bri dge. Birds of pr ey such as Red Kite an are regularl dB y valley floor seen soaring high ab uzzards and breath ove the taking view s can be enjoyed by all.
www.rheid
olrailway.c
o.uk
Upcoming Events Summer Evening Excursion ‘Driver for a Fiver’
On our green timetable days during May, July & August we will Between 29 May & 1 June and from 17 July to 31 August we be running summer evening excursion trains to Devil’s Bridge will be offering ‘Driver for a Fiver’ at our Devil’s Bridge Station where you can combine your visit with a fish & chip supper during yellow and green timetable days
Vale of Rheidol Newsletter Covering news and events from January & February
Editorial Contents: Page 3 - Vale of Rheidol News Page 5 - Volunteers Update Page 7 - The Mines of the Rheidol Valley Page 9 - Things to do Page 11 - A day in the Life Of a Fireman Page 13 - Workshop Updates Page 15 - Pictures from the Month Page 19 - History in Pictures Page 20 - Permanent Way Update Page 21 - The Harbour Branch Page 23 - Shop Product of the Month Page 24 - Garden Railway Product of the Month Page 25 - About Our Staff Page 26 - Roaring 20’s & 30’s Gala Poster Page 27 - Readers’ Mail & Classifieds Page 28 - Upcoming Events Page 29 - Timetable Page 30 - Ever wanted to charter a train?
It’s been a busy time since our last newsletter was published. We have been working towards getting everything ready for the start of our 2017 season. Our skilled workshop team have been busy delivering the winter maintenance schedule for our engines. Our expert paintshop team have repainted and lined out two of our carriages, as well as refreshing signage around the railway. Our office staff have been busy too, getting our booking offices ready to open and booking the various shows we will be attending throughout the year, not forgetting all the design work required to produce our timetables and all the various posters we display on our stations. The new style of newsletter has been received with great feedback, and we will look to build on this throughout the year, to keep all our readers informed of what goes on behind the scenes, as well as a few history articles too. If you have any feedback on our newsletter then please do let us know by dropping us an email at the following address: newsletter@ rheidolrailway.co.uk Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter and for giving us feedback on your opinions, our readers’ input is an integral part of improving our newsletter. We all look forward to seeing those of you who visit us throughout this coming year and hope you enjoy reading this edition of our newsletter. Gareth Jones Newsletter Editor
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Vale of Rheidol Railway News By Gareth Jones
“THUNDERBIRD 4” IS GO!
TheVale of Rheidol Railway’s unique narrow gauge “Permaquip” personnel carrier, (known as Thunderbird 4), has recently completed a heavy overhaul in the railway workshops at Aberystwyth It is more than fair to say the engineers in our workshop have done a F.A.B. job of the overhaul.
The interior has been altered to accommodate changes in working practices, to better provide for the crews working from the vehicle. In order to achieve this, the interior has been redesigned and rewired, together with a new wiring harness developed and fitted by our workshop team.
Purchased by British Rail and delivered new to the line in 1986, the Permaquip No. DX68804 has been a regular performer on The interior has been re upholstered and the line for the last 30 years, clocking up painted, with low energy LED lighting fitted. a phenomenal mileage in almost daily use. The position of the forward facing lights After so many years of continuous service, on the permaquip has been altered, moving the bodywork was showing signs of age, so the lighting from the lower panels below, to it was withdrawn for overhaul. In those a position above the windows, increasing 30 years, it is estimated to have clocked up visibility whilst propelling the dedicated 350,000 miles, the equivalent of 14 trips trailer up the line. around the equator. Additional storage space has been created Whilst not as glamorous as our steam by modifying the existing equipment locomotives, this rugged and reliable lockers. The trailer has been enhanced vehicle has been a pivotal part of the with the addition of an underslung storage track maintenance team for many years, box, increasing the operational flexibility of seeing service at least 5 days a week on the vehicle. maintenance and inspection trains. As well as acting as a vehicle for moving around the railway, its cab has been a warm refuge for track gangs working on the line in all weathers. The track maintenance staff undertake a wide variety of tasks along the line; ranging from maintaining bridges, culverts, fencing and level crossings, as well as re-sleepering the track, ballasting and greasing fishplates. Page 3
Vale of Rheidol Railway News
During February Vale of Rheidol staff have been in London promoting the Great Little Trains of Wales. Ffestiniog Railway’s “Palmerston” was the star attraction on the concourse at Kings Cross.
Palmerston has visited the Vale of Rheidol several times over the years. Built in 1863 it is of the oldest working locomotives in the UK and was built 30 years after “The Rocket”
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Vale of Rheidol Volunteers By Clive Higgs, Railway Volunteer Maurice is away until March and has old locomotive shed and have put bedding escaped some rather mixed weather. After plants into the wooden barrels. The last a couple of sleety sessions, the volunteers bulbs have been planted outside the have been working indoors and outdoors entrance and above the northern bank at Devil’s Bridge. Gardens and troughs at according to the weather. Capel Bangor, Nantyronen, Aberffrwd and Everyone had a fine soaking when putting Devil’s Bridge have been weeded ready for bulbs into the water troughs that Maurice the spring display and the planting. The car mentioned in the last newsletter. After park at Aberystwyth has been regularly they were painted indoors, their drainage tidied with its gardens weeded and litter holes were thoroughly tested on an removed. extremely wet installation day. John and the Permanent Way team brought two troughs A volunteer has been visiting the Welsh to Aberffrwd Station and moved them into National Library to check the thousands of position and filled them with compost. photographs by Arthur Lewis, a professional Then they installed and filled two more at photographer who was very active Capel Bangor. The volunteers very quickly around Aberystwyth from the opening planted daffodil and tulip bulbs into the of the railway until 1945. There are also troughs. The shoots are now starting to spectacular colour postcards of the preappear but a rogue jay seems to be pulling 1910 trains at Nant-ar-fynwg, near Devil’s up some tulip bulbs at Aberffrwd despite Bridge. The sender of one wrote “Just to remind you of three pleasant hours..” on their deep planting! September 8th 1908. If anyone has old On the same day the PW team dropped photographs of the railway, we would be off 70 fence posts and 150 yards of fencing very grateful for any free scanned images to allow the volunteers to fence off the 3 emailed to newsletter@rheidolrailway. mine shafts below. These are part of the co.uk with “Newsletter Editor” in the Gothic Mine, mentioned in Ioan’s article subject line. in the last newsletter. The shafts are in the railway’s wood, between Aberffrwd Station There are many volunteer jobs in the and Rheidol Falls Halt. One shaft is open pipeline. Last October we removed ivy, and is very deep – it goes hundreds of feet willows, brambles and birch covering the below the River Rheidol. The other two railway’s two platelayers’ huts. One is 150 are blocked at the top. There is a rusty yards west of Nantyronen Halt. fence around each shaft but many posts have rotted and fallen trees have flattened the fences in several areas. For safety’s sake it was decided to re-fence all three shafts in case the blocked shafts only have an old wooden floor at the top. The volunteers moved away the material near the shafts and have knocked in almost all the posts. The second soaking was at the last session. We are about to finish the post-knocking and will erect and pull the fencing strictly in dry weather! There have been quite a few tidying and sprucing-up sessions ready for the 2017 steam train season. At Aberystwyth the volunteers have painted two coats of white paint in the inspection pit of the Page 5
The other is nearer Aberystwyth, about 30 yards east of the 5¾ mile post. The base of the Nantyronen hut’s chimney had moved 3 inches away from the building and was leaning against it.
original GWR concrete post and wire fencing directly below the station. After nearly 100 years the wires look a bit rusty and may have snapped where some posts have subsided. The ongoing re-painting of the stations is planned to start at Devils Bridge and will include painting the lamp posts, fences and entrance gates. Then Nantyronen and either Rhiwfron Halt or Rheidol Falls Halt. The remaining stations can be painted after 2017 to avoid painting every station in one year. The paintwork does not last many years in the valley. After winter storms there is sea salt on the windows at Aberffrwd.
The PW team used the digger to lift the chimney in one piece and lower it to a more vertical position. We shall mortar the chimney after finishing the lead mine fencing. The other hut’s chimney is fine but each hut needs minor repairs, a new roof and a drainage pipe “chimney pot”, as in the past. The railway recently bought some woods adjacent to Aberffrwd Station to restore the views over the valley from the station. The volunteers will repair the wood’s boundary fence and will also restore the
The die-cast “period” train operating signage has arrived and is awaiting the manufacture of the rail support posts. The volunteers will then assemble the signs and posts ready for the PW team to erect them at the stations, hopefully during the operating season. 560 geraniums have been bought, ready for planting in April and May, after the frosts and the tidying of the daffodil and tulip plants. Some “Aberffrwd” sign white pebbles have dropped in the frost and need replacing. Welcome to new volunteers Maureen, wife of John the volunteer and Geoff, nextdoor neighbour to Harm. Hopefully they’ll have a very happy, un-muddy time with the railway!
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Mines of the Rheidol Valley: Gellireirin By Ioan R Lord
N.B. This mine is on Private property and entry is forbidden unless by prior arrangement. Mines in the Valley are very dangerous owing to the vertical shafts and the potential for them to be hidden within woodland. Exploration should only be undertaken by experienced persons!
was fed by a leat from Rheidol Falls. A large waterwheel drove the ore crusher and its related machinery, whilst the ore was conveyed to the floors by an impressive and unusual method. Three long, cast-iron ore-chutes were built, descending 530 feet down the mountain. The first dropped 150 feet to Bonsall’s Adit from ‘The Stag’ tips, Mining had started at Gellireirin by 1744, which, in the mid-nineteenth century, were when it was known as Y Ddôl Fawr. Open- fed to the dressing floor to be retreated. cuts and trenches were sunk in the wooded hillside at 500 feet above sea level, along the outcrop of the lead lode. Sir Thomas Bonsall of Fronfraith, near Llanbadarn, purchased the mine around 1787, and started his workings much higher on the mountain than where the lode had previously been exploited. It is the tips from these higher works that form ‘The Stag’, and Bonsall soon discovered that deeper drainage was necessary in order to obtain further profits from the rich lode. He drove an adit – Bonsall’s Adit – into the hillside, located at what appears to be the fore foot of ‘The Stag’, which intersected the lode at 320 feet below surface. Sir Thomas gained a small fortune from Gellireirin, which was closed when he died in 1808. Gellireirin, or Gelli, is one of the most obvious mines to see from the Vale of Rheidol Railway. It lies on the opposite hillside between Aberffrwd and Rheidol Falls, and one of the large mine tips has gained the nickname ‘The Stag’, from the animal which its shape resembles.
A pile of bridge rails in Francis’ Adit.
Initials dated 1789 in Bonsall’s workings at ‘The Stag’.
A new adit called Francis’ was started in 1835, which eventually became a quarter of a mile long, and exploited the lode at 600 feet below surface. A shaft was sunk to connect both Bonsall’s and Francis’ Adits, from which four intermediate levels were driven at various depths to extract the ore. An ore-dressing floor was constructed beside the Cwm Rheidol lane below Francis’s Adit, which Page 7
The second chute led from Bonsall’s Adit to Francis’ Adit, a height difference of 250 feet, and a third dropped the remaining 130 feet from Francis’ Adit to the dressing floor. The rock from both adits and ‘The Stag’ was shovelled into the chutes, and slid directly to the ore crusher. After a brief reopening under the name of Dolfawr in 1880, the mine closed for the last time. It had produced a recorded amount of 766 tons of lead-ore, and 1,037 ounces of silver.
However, these figures are far from complete, as the great output of Gellireirin under Sir Thomas Bonsall is not recorded. Francis’ Adit remains open in the woods above the Cwm Rheidol lane, but was blocked by a collapse about 200 feet in. In February 2016, my two friends and I spent several days digging through this collapse of large boulders, and managed to gain access to a quarter of a mile of workings beyond. This section hadn’t been accessed since around 1880, and the floor was a mass of old miners’ hobnail boot prints. There was also a wooden bench with tools scattered nearby, and a pile of bridge-rails which had been lifted from the sleepers on the floor, and stacked in an alcove. We also abseiled down the shaft which connected Bonsall’s and Francis’ Adits, and accessed two of the four intermediate levels. One of these contained a miner’s hobnail boot, and an original wooden ladder was still bolted to the shaft wall.
Accessing lost workings in Francis’ Adit in February 2016.
An old postcard of ‘The Stag’, showing the tip from Bonsall’s Adit below its fore foot, 1930. Page 8
TWO HOOTS TEA ROOM
A family run Tea Room, set in Devil’s Bridge near Aberystwyth, with indoor and covered outdoor seating areas, good food and friendly staff. A 5 minute walk from the mythical set of the story with the devil, with waterfalls nearby. Part of a good day out on the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Tel: 07779 450 735 Email: shanjinks52@hotmail.com
Rheidol Visitor Centre Set in idyllic surroundings with beautiful walks and stunning views, come and see our exciting exhibition, interactive displays about Rheidol Hydro power station and other renewable energies. Visit the café for something nice to eat and drink. Open 10:30 – 4:15 daily, Easter Bank holiday weekend and then May 1st until 30th September. Group tours of the Hydro power station are available all year round by prior appointment only.
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Rheidol Visitor Centre, Cwm Rheidol, Aberystwyth, SY23 3NF
Tel: 01970 880667
To visit the 300ft Waterfalls, Punchbowl and 3 Bridges built one on top of the other, turn left from the train station and walk down the hill past the Hafod hotel (approx 5 minutes). The Nature Trail circular walk includes views of the waterfalls, 3 Bridges, Robbers Cave and Jacobs Ladder (A steep flight of 100 continuous steps). It takes roughly 45 minutes and is a challenging walk with 675 steep steps. It is not suitable for pushchairs and those with walking difficulties. Adult £3.75 Child £2.00 20% discount on Nature trail walk by showing this advert to the attendant.
Not enough time for the long walk? Too many steps? To view just the 3 Bridges and the Devil’s Punchbowl enter through the coin operated turnstile. Only £1.00 per person Recommended time 10 minutes.
CARAVAN PARK 01970 890233
Looking for somewhere to stay near the train station at Devil’s Bridge? Call our friendly staff and enquire about our 2 bedroom self catering bungalow or Gypsy Pod. Alternatively pitch a tent or bring your touring van or motor home. We are situated just 10 minutes walk from the train station and 5 minutes walk from the waterfalls and Hafod Hotel & Brasserie. enquiries@woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk
www.woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk
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A Day in the Life Of: A Fireman by Jac Smith
At Nantyronen, we stop to take on water. I replenish the engine’s water tanks ready for the big climb up to the summit, reaching 680 feet above sea level. Upon arrival at Devil’s Bridge, we pass the water tower in the cutting.There, the loco’s tanks are replenished on the run round, just before our return journey. The passengers disembark and mull around the engine, whilst the Driver and I wipe down the loco and answer people’s questions...Time for a well deserved cup of tea! For me, I get to relax on the return journey with less shovelling, and take in the views as it is all down hill as far as Capel Bangor. We stop at Aberffrwd and Capel Bangor, where I exchange tokens again to continue the rest of our journey. On peak services There’s a lot of preparation to carry out. during the summer, we cross paths with I start by checking the boiler water level, other trains. as there are passing loops at state of the firebox from the previous day these two stations. and then the smoke box. Then I set about lighting the fire, by adding a fresh layer of When we arrive back into Aberystwyth coal with oily rags and wood. Then with the Station, the passengers disembark. I strike of a match, the fire is lit starting life uncouple the loco from the train for the loco to run round, ready to be serviced for into the engine. the afternoon trip. At this moment, the Driver oils round the motion. I begin to polish up the brass At the end of the day, I assist the Driver in and paint-work, ready for our passengers propelling the coaches back into the shed. I to take photographs and admire the loco. fill the coal bunkers on the engine ready for Whilst the cleaning is carried out, steam is the next day, rake the fire through into the raised slowly, taking about an hour to reach ashpan before emptying. Once the engine is full working pressure, when the engine is put away for the night, I can then look back and appreciate an enjoyable day’s work! warm from the previous day. I book on at 8.30am ready for a day’s work on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, today I’m rostered on No.1213 (No.9) named ‘Prince of Wales’.
Before we couple up to the awaiting coaches in the platform, the engine is positioned at the water tower and filled with 520 gallons of water, for our journey up to Devil’s Bridge. The passengers board and we are ready for another exciting 12 mile trip through the beautiful Rheidol Valley. During each round trip to Devil’s Bridge, I shovel about a quarter tonne of coal, whilst injecting water into the boiler, whilst vigilantly keep a constant eye on the track ahead. I exchange tokens at Capel Bangor and Aberffrwd stations, to give us authority to continue our journey. Page 11
Don’t forget to help Vale of Rheidol Railway Limited raise free donations. Remember easyfundraising.org.uk every time you shop online.
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Find out more and join here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/valeofrheidolrailwaylimited
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No.7 “Owain Glyndwr”
Locomotive No.7 “Owain Glyndwr” is undergoing a major overhaul. The locomotive was withdrawn from traffic in 1998 and dismantled. Over recent months, major progress has been made and a return to steam is forecast for 2017.
Workshop No.8 “Llywelyn”
Beading the ends of the new boiler tubes Drilling the pilot holes for the stays
Sandblasting the cab to remove the old paint ready for a new coat Cutting the firehole door
Drilling the holes for the stays Page 13
The boiler is reunited with the frames
Update
Other workshop projects
Within the workshop, the team work on repairing and maintaining the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s rolling stock as well as taking on other contract work.
Paintshop
Lining Carriage No.5 by hand
First coat of green on No.8’s Cab
Gilding the GWR crest with gold leaf
No.8’s cab interior gets a fresh coat
Applying the crest to the carriage
No.8’s Tanks are primed ready to be placed on the frames Page 14
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Image courtesy John R Jones Page2017 16 Taken February
Pictures from the Month By John R Jones, International Travel Photographer
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Pictures from the Month By John R Jones, International Travel Photographer
Vale of Rheidol Photo Archive
By Rob Bance,VoR Archivist Here is a view that can no longer be seen Visible is one of the two McKenzie and today, looking from the level crossing Holland signals which had been relocated in Park Avenue along the line where the from its original position at the original original Aberystwyth station was situated. terminus. To the left we see the Crosville Taken on the 14th June 1950, we see the Bus depot. Just over 18 years after this siding complete with a mixture of empty photograph was taken the train crossed Park Avenue for the last time. summer cars and closed carriages.
VoR Newsletter Advertising
Your Advertisement could be here. There are six newsletters produced per year. The newsletters are made available in printed form and are also emailed out to our subscribers. Currently the printed version is available in our railway gift shop to all our customers. The emailed version currently has a subscription of 4,178 people globally and this number grows throughout the year with new subscribers.
classifieds to marketing@rheidolrailway. co.uk Price List for Adverts (inclusive of 20% VAT)
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Permanent Way
The Track Maintenance Team
Our p-way team as always have been working through whatever the weather can throw at them. Since Christmas they have been working on two large projects alongside the regular list of tasks. The team has been re-aligning the approaches to Aberystwyth yard and
station. This has been completed to prepare for further work later in the year. The team has also rebuilt a retaining wall in the upper part of the valley. It was an old retaining wall that was due for renewal. This involved removing the rotten timber sleeper wall and replacing it with concrete sleepers. This will ensure it lasts for many years to come. Page 20
The VoR Harbour Branch by Geraint Roberts
An early 20th century postcard showing a railway wagon (centre) and red buffer beam at the end of the quayside
Recently, Garry Davies, the grandson of one of the original drivers (Jack ‘Bach’ Davies) showed us a copy of his grandfather’s notes regarding the early life of the line. ‘The line’ he said, ‘was built from Aberystwyth Harbour to Devil’s Bridge.’ This may seem a strange concept to modern travellers, given that we operate from Aberystwyth railway station. so to explain, we must delve deeper into the railway’s origins. The railway was promoted in its initial years as a freight line. The chief parties of interest being the lead mines in the Rheidol and surrounding valleys and the foundries in the town that supplied them with equipment. After that, another interested party was the Hafod Estate, looking to transport its timber. There was interest in the tourist potential of Devil’s Bridge and also other local commercial passenger and goods traffic, but the chief drivers for the line were for transporting heavy freight to and from the harbour at Aberystwyth. Page 21
The municipal car park next to the football ground is the actual site of the original station. The route having curved around the football ground, under the Carmarthen line, joining the current railway line close to the modern day Welsh Assembly building. This car park is now a small ‘T’ shape. This reflects the railway line curving away past the football ground and the engine sheds that were sited opposite. On the riverside of the shed, on what is now an embankment by the Millennium Bridge, is the start of the harbour branch.
Looking towards the harbour branch and Trefechan Bridge
The branch followed the riverside through what is now residential land and under the town-side arch of Trefechan Bridge. The line then curved around the part known as ‘the Gap’ and up onto the quayside itself, running in a straight line to just past the harbour buildings. The route from the bridge is now a footpath.
The line does not seem to have been a revenue earner and was in constant need of repair, possibly a situation caused by the tidal harbour water. In very lean years, to keep the running rights, an engine was despatched just to run up and down a few times. Pretty soon, the railway was relying on the tourist trade and by 1930, freight traffic had ceased on the line. The railway instead capitalised on the stunning views of the valley and the Mynach falls.
The Harbour Branch headed off to the left
There was no formal buffer stop, yet there was also no record of anyone overshooting the rails. Neither was there a loop, all trains were delivered up and down the line without the engine running around. All shunting took place close by the engine shed. The Harbour Branch used to run around the edge of this basin ‘the gap’ below the harbour wall
The only engine cleared for the harbour branch was ‘Rheidol’, so the little Bagnall engine had a job that none of its sisters could fulfil. After ‘Rheidol’’s demise in 1924, to the GWR scrap yards of Swindon, the line was kept open by a single truck being conveyed up and down the line once a year. This was pulled by a horse or a couple of unlucky platelayers would push the truck along. The task must have been awkward for the men, particularly as the route from the Gap to the quayside included a gradient of 1 in 30.
A modern day view of the quayside
The branch was finally abandoned and the rails lifted in 1930. The sleepers were left in the ground to rot. The last remaining part of the line was at the engine shed, where it became a small siding, until the railway moved in 1969. Page 22
The Vale of Rheidol’s Railway Shop featured products:
have been occupied from way back into pre-historical times. It also sits astride a field of oil-bearing shale, some 75 square miles in area, which was to effect Scotland’s first oil boom, as well as rich measures of quality coal, limestone, fireclay and ironstone, these latter being in everincreasing demand by the burgeoning iron and steel industry of the late 1800s. Inevitably, these mineral riches required dependable transportation to the users and customers, and railways were to provide the means. By the early 1900s, the county, with some twenty oil works and refineries, was to be criss-crossed by four main lines of railways, a myriad of branch lines and sidings connected thereto, and a network of both private standard gauge Vanished Railways of West Lothian and narrow gauge railways serving both the mining operations and the finished Harry Knox products based on these mineral riches. 256 pages. 275x215mm. Printed on gloss This book examines the growth, the zenith art paper, casebound with printed board and the inexorable decline of these lines and is illustrated with over 300 mostly covers. previously unpublished photographs, plus West Lothian (Linlithgowshire), despite maps and route diagrams. being one of Scotland’s smaller counties and compact in area, lies on lands that Price: £25 Post free if bought via telephone
Creating Cameo Layouts “A well crafted miniature in a complimentary setting” is the sense in which Cameo is being considered here, or as Iain goes on to say; a layout that does not require a dedicated site, is easy to move and store, doesn’t look out of place in a domestic setting and is a breeze to take to exhibitions. Rather more than the arguably overdone “shunting plank” in a new suit of
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MDF, these small self contained layouts really can offer an objective in their own right, and need not be mere substitutes for something bigger. I think Iain argues his case very convicingly, backing up his concept with a wealth of practical experience and numerous useful techniques and ideas, all properly set into the context of finescale modelling since the mid 1980s. As a reader I really felt I “owned” this book and as am now highly motivated to create my own interpretation of a cameo. I hope this book will make other readers feel the same and maybe even result in some of us creating satisfying model railways which will deliver heavily in the fruits of success and enjoyment. This perhaps instead of pursuing grandiose schemes, which are in reality unlikely to produce many crates of lemons for the amount of effort they may well involve... Price: £24.95 softback
Call our shop on 01970 625819 www.ebay.co.uk/usr/rheidolrailway
Garden Railway Review We have recently taken a stock of a new series of 3D printed 16mm locomotive kits in 32mm gauge from PDF models. The kits are moulded in plastic, with metal motor, wheels, bearings and bolts. The modeller provides their own glue, paint and decals. Instructions are provided via youtube videos and website,
so this is not a beginner’s kit. However, it does provide a cheap way of adding some iconic narrow gauge engines to your fleet. As a starter, we have chosen two models which have relevance to our railway.
Firstly the open cabbed Quarry Hunslet, which is priced at £115. This can be combined with a cab roof, if you want the closed cab variant, for an additional £15.
Secondly, a Kerr Stuart Wren, which is priced at £170.
Newsl 20
FREE CAR STICKER with this voucher
Postcode:__________________________ Email:_____________________________ ____________________________________ Disclaimer: This voucher entitles the bearer to one free car sticker when details completed.
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About Our Staff Andrew Foulds known as ‘Ted’ is Lead Engineer of our highly skilled workshop team and looks after our apprentices within our workshop, Ted is also a qualified driver on our line. Ted has been with the VoR since the beginning of 2014, and came to us from a background of skilled engineering. Since arriving at the railway, he has been a key person involved with the development of our workshop and has been involved in all the restoration work, on both our own engines and those for use on other railways.
so that in years to come they can still be seen at work.
His engineering expertise proves invaluable as he teaches the next generation of engineers, in our apprentices, the skills to maintain and restore steam engines
In his spare time Ted volunteers on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, volunteering as both an engineer and a driver.
Pete Smith is a Driver on our line, during the winter months he becomes a key member of our permanent way team. Pete is the longest serving member of the current Vale of Rheidol Team, having joined the railway in April 1989. In 2014 Pete was awarded a long service medal by the railway in recognition of his years of service. Pete regularly crews the footplate with his son Jac who also works on the railway as a Fireman and Guard, providing us with a father and son footplate team Page 25
Pete is a face that is regularly seen on the engine by our passengers as they head to board our trains.
Readers’ Mail This is a new section to our newsletter giving you our readers the chance to offer feedback on both the railway in general and our newsletter. A Prize of a Family ticket for two Adults and two Children will be offered each edition to the best letter or email we receive. You can write us a letter and post it to the address on this card. Or alternatively write us an email newsletter@rheidolrailway.co.uk please put Newsletter Editor in the subject line.
Newsletter Editor Vale of Rheidol Railway Park Avenue Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 1PG
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Upcoming Events Summer Evening Excursions
Driver for a Fiver
On selected dates during May, June, July & August we will have our quarry hunslet ‘Margaret’ offering a ‘Driver for a Fiver’ experiences in our Devil’s Bridge station. On green timetable days during May, July & August we have an evening excursion train that leaves Aberystwyth at 6:00pm for an evening trip through the valley.
If you or someone you know would like to live those childhood dreams of driving a steam engine then come visit and have a go.
You could combine your evening visit to Devil’s Bridge with a fish & chip supper. (Alternatives to fish are available).
It is £5 to drive and £3 for a footplate ride. There are no age limits either so even children can have the chance to drive a steam engine or ride on the footplate, definitely something for them to tell their friends about afterwards. Page 28
2017 Timetable 1. Pick your day of travel from the calendar. 2. Match the colour to the relevant timetable below. Please note there are no services on white days. JANUARY 2017 M T W T F S
Aberystwyth Gift Shop is open Mon-Fri
FEBRUARY 2017 M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28
S 5 12 19 26
MAY 2017 W T F 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 31
JUNE 2017 M T W T F S 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30
S 4 11 18 25
S
There are no train services this month
M 1 8 15 22 29
T 2 9 16 23 30
S 6 13 20 27
S 7 14 21 28
SEPTEMBER 2017 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
MARCH 2017 M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31
S 5 12 19 26
JULY 2017 M T W T F S 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31
S 2 9 16 23 30
AUGUST 2017 M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31
S 5 12 19 26
DECEMBER 2017 M T W T F S 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23
OCTOBER 2017 M T W T F S
NOVEMBER 2017 M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
27 28 29 30
S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Aberystwyth Capel Bangor Aberffrwd Devil’s Bridge Devil’s Bridge Aberffrwd Capel Bangor Aberystwyth
dep: dep: dep: arr: dep: dep: dep: arr:
ORANGE 10:30 2:00 10:50 2:20 11:10 2:40 11:30 3:00 12:30 4:15 12:50 4:35 1:10 4:55 1:30 5:15
Aberystwyth Capel Bangor Aberffrwd Devil’s Bridge Devil’s Bridge Aberffrwd Capel Bangor Aberystwyth
dep: dep: dep: arr: dep: dep: dep: arr:
10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30
Santa Trains
16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23 December Page 17 1030, 1230 and 1430 from Aberystwyth
12:15 12:35 12:55 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15
10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30 GREEN 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:00 4:20 4:40 5:00
YELLOW 12:15 2:00 12:35 2:20 12:55 2:40 1:15 3:00 2:15 4:00 2:35 4:20 2:55 4:40 3:15 5:00 3:45 4:05 4:25 4:45 5:45 6:05 6:25 6:45
6:00 6:20 6:40 7:00 8:00 8:20 8:40 9:00
Halloween Ghost Trains 27, 28, 29 October
Depart Aberystwyth 1800
APRIL 2017 M T W T F S 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29
S 2 9 16 23 30
S 6 13 20 27
S 3 10 17 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
3:45 4:05 4:25 4:45 5:45 6:05 6:25 6:45 GOLD 11:00 11:20 11:40 12:00 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00
GOLD DAYS Enjoy the stunning Autumn Colours You can combine your visit with a Sunday Lunch at the Hafod Hotel, Devil’s Bridge
Music on the Train 31 May & 8 October
Have you ever considered chartering a private train? Here at the Vale of Rheidol Railway it is possible to hire a train specifically for an event you have coming up. So whether it is a wedding, a work function or you just want to do something different why not get in touch with us and see what we can do. You may even like to consider linking in with one of the venues in Devil’s Bridge like the Hafod Hotel or the Tynrhyd Retreat. The Hafod Hotel shot to fame as a filming
venue for the cult television series ‘Hinterland’. It has recently been taken over by new owners, who are able to provide a venue which can cater for a range of function types. The Tynrhyd Retreat is a popular venue for weddings nestled in the beautiful countryside on the outskirts of the village of Devil’s Bridge. For more information please get in touch with us by email (info@rheidolrailway.co.uk) or by phone (01970 625819) and ask to speak to our marketing team.
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www.rheidolrailway.co.uk
Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year