VoR Newsletter Issue 3 2018

no.31

Rheidol Review Newsletter

Photo by John R Jones

Issue 3 - 2018

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year

Welcome

Spring is upon us, and the summer fast approaches

A

nother couple of months has passed and May is with us already. Our workshop has been as busy as ever, with the completion of Talyllyn Railway’s No.3 and the engines subsequent return to its home line.

Progress has been made towards the overhaul of our No.7. Also the carriage project is developing, by the time the next issue is published our first accessibility carriage will have been launched into traffic, along with the grand opening of the Pine Marten Den in the restored weighbridge building at Devil’s Bridge Station.

We have also welcomed two new members of staff to join our team. During the last week of May we welcome the return of our ‘Driver for a Fiver’ experience at our Devil’s Bridge station, where those childhood dreams can be re-lived when you get your hands on the controls of our Quarry Hunslet ‘Margaret’.

During May half term we host our first ‘Summer Evening Excursion’ of this year, where you can combine an evening journey experience with a fish and chip supper. A chance to view the valley as the sun sets from the comfort of our carriages.

On a fun note, a few of us staff were having a chat the other day about which engines they

C O N T E N T S

would love to see hauling trains to Devil’s Bridge on our line. The only caveat being the engine had to be 2ft gauge. I wonder what our readers thoughts on this would be?

If any of our readers have anything they would like to see featured in our newsletter then please do get in touch at newsletter@rheidolrailway. co.uk, we are always looking for new ideas to improve our newsletter or if any budding writers have something they have been working on we would welcome you to share it with us.

We hope you enjoy reading this edition and as always keep an eye on future editions for updates on our railway.

Gareth D Jones Editor

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The Pine Marten returns to the Rheidol Valley

Page 21 Aberystwyth University

Page 5

Vale of Rheidol News

Page 23 Railway Reviews

Page 9

Workshop Updates

Page 24 Our Staff

Page 11 Mines of the Rheidol Valley

Page 25 Shop Products

Page 14 An image from the Archive

Page 27 Garden Railway Products

Page 15 Picture Gallery

Page 29 Timetable

Page 19 Volunteers

Page 30 Upcoming Events

Page 20 Fire & Smoke

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New Exhibition Opening 12th June 2018

The Pine Marten returns to the Rheidol Valley

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By Hilary Macmillan, Communications Manager, The Vincent Wildlife Trust

new Information Centre ‘The Pine Marten Den’, located in the Rheidol Railway car park, tells the story of a remarkable project- the return of the native pine marten to mid Wales.

The Pine Marten is a cat-sized mammal related to the polecat, stoat and weasel. It has a rich chestnut coat, darker in summer, with a striking apricot yellow ‘bib’. Martens like to den in trees and are agile climbers. They are largely active at night and have a particular taste for small mammals and fruit.

The Pine Marten was once widespread across the woodlands of Wales, but by the middle of the last century, it was on the brink of extinction in both Wales and England.

For several decades, The Vincent Wildlife Trust, a mammal conservation charity, has been studying Pine Martens in Britain, looking for evidence of their survival. When it became clear that they were largely extinct across southern Britain, the Trust decided that a course of action was needed.

In 2015, after careful research and planning,

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together with regular engagement with the local community, the Trust began a programme to restore this native mammal to mid Wales, by bringing martens from Scotland to bolster any local relict Marten population. And it worked! Today, in mid-Wales, including the Rheidol Valley, there is once again a breeding pine marten population.

The Trust carefully selected suitable habitat, and each autumn released a number of animals and then monitored them daily using radio-tracking

New Exhibition Opening 12th June 2018

technology. A total of 51 Martens were relocated from Scotland. For the last two years several of the female Martens have given birth and this has been incredibly exciting for the team and a real sign of success. We hope this year to see further breeding success.

To ensure the long-term goal of a self-sustaining pine marten population, the VWT is continuing to monitor the now radio-collarless martens with the help of local volunteers. The Trust is also working with local community groups, landowners, schools and universities, and businesses with a link to

ecotourism.

“We have had an amazing core group of local volunteers over the last few years who have been integral to the success of the translocation. They have been out radio-tracking with us every day (in all weathers!), have built release pens, raised our morale in the middle of the night whilst we’re struggling to find Martens, and even lent us their dogs to help detect marten scats. Over the next few years we are hoping to really expand our volunteer base and get many more people out there and trained to look for martens through scat surveys, camera traps and den box surveys” Josie Bridges, Community Engagement Officer.

To tell the story of the return of this native mammal, The Vincent Wildlife Trust and the Vale of Rheidol Railway have teamed up and developed a new Visitor Centre at Devil’s Bridge station called ‘The Pine Marten Den’. Here visitors can find out more about the project, pick up leaflets, check out the pine marten trails, find out about local marten events and any volunteering opportunities.

You can also find out more about the Trust’s Pine Marten Recovery Project at www.pine-martenrecovery-project.org.uk or email josiebridges@ vwt.org.uk.

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Vale of Rheidol Railway News

New Team Members Alecia Jackson

Booking Office Clerk

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licia is a student at Aberystwyth University and is currently studying towards a Fine Art Masters Degree in Illustration.

In her spare time she is a volunteer instructor with the Aberystwyth Air Cadets.

Alicia also plays Ice Hockey for the Royal Air Force in the role of goalie, playing for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Upon completion of her degree Alecia plans to join the RAF as an Intelligence Linguist.

Simon Pearson

Accounts Department

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S

imon is from Manchester where he worked in various finance roles.

He decided to go back to college which led him to Aberystwyth University in 2001 and was awarded a degree in English. He loved Aberystwyth so much he hung on and studied a PGCE in Education and says ‘I still seem to be here’.

He spent the last 10 years working at Dulas Ltd in Machynlleth as a stock controller. He’s a huge Manchester City fan and season ticket holder so goes back to Sunny Manchester for most home games. He is also a Wigan Warriors Fan (Rugby League) and watches them, if it does not clash with City.

He played football for years back in Manchester and spent a year in Canada Coaching football. He commented ‘Unfortunately old age has caught up with me and the old legs have gone, so I hung up my boots about 10 years ago’.

Vale of Rheidol Railway News No.3 ‘Sir Haydn’ back home Talyllyn Railway No.3 has returned to Tywyn, following an overhaul in the VoR workshop in Aberystwyth. The engine arrived at the Vale of Rheidol during Oct 2015, and has been stripped to the frames before being reassembled and repainted.

Margaret heads to her Devil’s Bridge Shed On the 16th May ‘Margaret’ was in steam for a light engine move to Devil’s Bridge. Our permanent way team temporarily connected the demonstraion line at Devil’s Bridge to the main track to allow ‘Margaret’ to be driven onto the Demonstration Line, before disconnecting it and resetting the main track. Margaret will be providing our Driver for a Fiver experience on yellow and green timetable days throughout the last week of May and from the 16th July to the 30th August this year.

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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

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www.woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk

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WORKSHOP

No.7

W

ith the completion of Talyllyn Railway’s Loco No.3, our next priority is working on our engine No.7.

The cab is approaching completion having been fabricated from new metalwork. The old cab was beyond viable restoration, though components have been salvaged for use with the newly fabricated cab. The sunroof has been fitted and work continues on finishing the beading and detail.

The top flootplating is being fitted, the metal sheets used are individually shaped to fit.

The engine has also received its numberplates, these being attached to the outsides of the bunkers.

The spectacle plates have also beeen test fitted and are safely stored ready for fitting at a later date.

The next big job is the pipework, fitting and plumbing in the air pump, along with fabricating the door that conceals the air pump within the water tank.

Page Page 5 9

UPDATE Carriage Project

T

he restoration of carriage No.15 is in its final stages and will by the time this issue is printed be ready for it’s launch in June.

Carriage 15 has been restored to near its original appearance as a summer car, featuring modifications to accept wheelchairs directly onto our trains for the first time.

This work has been made possible by a grant from the coastal communities fund. Much of the work to overhaul this carriage has been completed by the projects two apprentices.

A start has been made on the carriage that will become our second accessibility carriage, No.14.

It has already been carefully dismantled by the carriage project’s carpenter and apprentices with all reusable components being saved.

Following dismantling, the frames and metal components including the bogies have been sand blasted and primed.

Steps have been taken towards begining the reconstruction of the carriage too.

Carriage 15

Carriage 14 Page 10

Miners’ hobnail boot prints, dating from the 1860s.

Mines of the Rheidol Valley Breakthroughs and Discoveries at Nantglas Mine, nr. Rheidol Falls. By Ioan Lord

M

y latest project in Cwm Rheidol to access and document workings not seen in over a century has taken place at Nantglas Mine, situated directly above the railway at milepost 9¼ directly after Rheidol Falls Halt and Oliver Veltom’s Curve. The mine could be accessed by three adits – Nantglas Isaf situated directly beside the railway at a foot crossing, and Nantglas Uchaf on the hillside above.

The third is much older, driven in about 1785 by hand tools only and called the 20 Fathom Adit. Nantglas Uchaf contains a large chamber on the edge of an underground shaft, which formerly accommodated a whim or gin: a wooden drum fixed on a vertical axle anchored in the roof and floor of the chamber, around which a horse would walk attached to a wooden beam which operated the drum and wound buckets of ore up the shaft. Seeing horses being led up the side of the valley every day to spend between nine and ten hours underground at Nantglas above the railway is difficult Page 11

to imagine today, but it was once common practice across mid-Wales.

My project focused on the workings between Nantglas Uchaf and Isaf adits. Leading off from the underground shaft, which connected the two adits, are four additional levels shown on an old 1871 plan and also mentioned in old reports. These were measured in fathoms from the top of the shaft in Nantglas Uchaf, and named the 5, 10, 15 and 20 Fathom Levels. Before focusing on these workings, late last year, I was concentrating on the next mine to the west, called Foxpath Adit. During our project at Foxpath, my friends and I noticed a strong draught blowing through what we thought to be a dead-end level. At the end of the level was a large pile of rubble which we thought to have been left there by the last miners: this is probably correct, but what we did not consider was that the level might carry on the other side. Three or four hours of digging found us breaking

through into the previously unknown continuation of the Foxpath Adit. Nobody had stood in here since the 1860s when this part of the mine was at work, and I crawled through our newly opened hole into the level beyond. It led a short distance to a vertical shaft with remains of the ladderway at its head, and a very well-preserved oil can which would have been used to lubricate the winch which was used to haul stuff up the shaft. The shaft evidently led to further workings since there was a strong draught coming up, and the only workings in this direction were those at Nantglas, over 700 feet away. My friend and I descended the shaft on ropes, and found at the bottom we had made a connection to the Nantglas 10 Fathom Level, which nobody had stood in for 155 years. The hobnail boot prints of the last miners covered the muddy floor, as if they had been created only minutes ago. These spectacular footprints continued along the length of the level, which led a considerable 700 feet to the main underground shaft connecting Nantglas Uchaf and Isaf adits. Several candles made of tallow and set in lumps of clay could be seen on the walls, with remains of explosives tins and long chisels. Half way along was a shaft leading up through the roof, which we assumed would lead to the next level up, the 5 Fathom Level.

Having discovered this significant underground connection between Foxpath and Nantglas mines – the 10 Fathom Level which runs parallel and 100 feet above the Vale of Rheidol Railway roughly between Rheidol Falls Halt and Nantglas Isaf foot crossing – we later returned to explore the shaft which led above the level. We carried with us a 30-foot maypole,

which enabled us to tie a rope to its top, place it in the shaft and climb up the attached rope. I clambered to the top of the maypole and found a level at the top of the shaft – we had arrived at the Nantglas 5 Fathom Level, 30 feet above the 10 Fathom Level and only 30 feet below Nantglas Uchaf Adit (see plan). This level seemed older, and had probably not been accessed for 160 years until now. It also led to the main underground shaft, via a large ‘stoped’ area where the ore had been extracted for a height of 40 feet above the level.

Pictured above: Miner’s oil can, not seen in 155 years.

We decided not to abseil further down the main shaft towards the 15 and 20 Fathom Levels, since they were only reported to have been driven a few yards only, and not worth the effort of accessing. We have however accessed every significant section of Nantglas, and surveyed and recorded our findings.

The mine worked in conjunction with the rest of the Rheidol United Mines (Gwaithcoch, Foxpath, Erwtomau and Alltddu) during its operational years, and its output was recorded along with those of its neighbours.

Altogether, the five mines returned an impressive 7,045 tons of zinc and 735 tons of lead-ore.

Longitudinal section of Nantglas Mine looking along the vein, showing all workings accessed and surveyed in the project. ‘X’ denotes where a level has been driven from the surface into the vein.

N.B. These mines are 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!

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Vale of Rheidol Photo Archive

By Rob Bance,VoR Archivist

Old Loco Sheds

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he above photograph was taken from the old Manchester and Milford Railway Bridge and shows the original Vale of Rheidol Locomotive shed as well as the route of the original VOR mainline.

To the right hand side we can see the football stadium, which has some sheep quietly grazing around the grand stand. To the left of the track is the main river. In the siding near the loco shed a single carriage and guards van can be seen. The date of the above photo is 18th November 1955.

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Photo: John R Jones

Picture Gallery

Page 17

Platform Posters

By Debbie Morgan, Marketing Manager

T

he roaring twenties were a time of great prosperity, as the economy boomed after World War I. The nation was intent on having fun; a jazz obsession swept the nation, and prohibition did little to dampen the national spirit. Advertising at the time reflected the wealth of the nation, and a naivete and optimism that science was on the precipice of a golden age.

The 1920s were a strange time full of wacky fads, and too much trust in unproven science.

Advertisers were beginning to figure out what worked and what didn’t, and their enthusiastic ad copy would attempt to sway even the most incredulous purchasers.

The art deco style was seen as elegant and refined… the peak of modernity. Ads from this time period are actively sought by collectors because of their distinctive look.

This year we have invited local businesses to advertise on our platform in the style of 1920’s adverts. These posters will be A1 size on aluminium boards so will be hard wearing and weather proof.

Historically the stations were a key area to advertise and we look forward to seeing our stations in full use.

Below are some of the adverts that we have designed in readiness for our platforms. If you are a business that would benefit from over 60,000 visitors seeing your poster, then please get in contact with Debbie on 01970 625819 or debbie@rheidolrailway.co.uk for further information.

A ROOM with a VIEW

Gwesty’r Marine Hotel

Promenade, Aberystwyth

Freshly cooked Carvery every Sunday from 12.30pm to 2pm

To book call

01970 612444

www.gwestymarinehotel.co.uk

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Vale of Rheidol Volunteers

By Clive Higgs, Railway Volunteer

T

he volunteers have been busy spring cleaning the stations ready for the summer season. Harm and Philip have weeded the station gardens and the daffodils’ dead foliage has been removed from the troughs.

The tulip flowers were dead-headed and the team are ready to remove their leaves and plant the summer bedding plants when the night frosts end.

Most of the tidying has been at Devil’s Bridge. Mark, Harm and Maurice creosoted the platform lattice fence. They made careful efforts to avoid painting anyone or anyone’s dogs, even the Dalmatians. Philip planted flowers in the narrow troughs at the entrance and mentioned the name of the flowers to the other volunteers. But the volunteers’ star reporter could only tell me that they were probably yellow flowers. The entrance to Devil’s Bridge station has been spruced up with John re-painting the frame of the information notice board and Philip re-painting the signs.

Watering of the station gardens has started by mid-May and the 560 geranium plants are nearly ready for planting out after being potted and grown since mid-March.

In past years Norah grew most or all of

the geraniums for the station troughs and gardens. Over the last six months Norah has developed motor neurone disease but still managed to pot 72 plants from the wheelchair.

John, Maureen and Wilf the Spaniel have grown 100 of the “Parade” geraniums this year, instead of last year’s 100 “Fire Queen”s. The other poor geraniums are fighting begonias, runner beans and Susie the Spaniel in our greenhouse.

Pete has been in Sussex for a few weeks and Norah’s illness has stopped me working at the lower platelayers’ hut near the 5¾ mile milepost. Before that, we managed to pull the hut upright and John and Pete rebuilt the lower (western) wall of sleepers.

Philip has planned the gardens and will be getting the other plants.

Everyone is keen to plant the bedding plants. It hasn’t been decided yet but the volunteers may temporarily re-paint the black and white sign on the Devil’s Bridge gate and the station signs at Devil’s Bridge and Nantyronen, before the experts in the paint shop have time for that.

With the special events coming up, the next month should be very busy and exciting as the station gardens flourish.

Vale of Rheidol Volunteers

Fire andSmoke

By Philip Ellis, Railway Volunteer

F

ive years ago we planned the gardens at the halts and stations to tie in with our programme of station restoration.

As the railway has been in operation since it opened in 1902, with only temporary closure during the war years, we thought we wouldn’t try and take it back to what a stationmaster might choose in the early 1900s, but what might have been chosen when we had station masters at any time in the last century; affordable, reliable and colourful plants.

I immediately thought, on the other hand, what about fire trees and smoke bushes so we planted Cotinus ‘Grace’ in Aberystwyth, only just getting old enough to produce its fluffy flowers which look a bit like smoke from a distance, and Chilean Fire trees, Embothrium Lanceolatum at Capel Bangor, Nantyronen, Aberffrwd and Devil’s Bridge. Those at Nantyronen didn’t like the soil, or lack of it, but the others have set a few flame coloured flowers this year.

Fire Trees like Wales with its acidic soils but are notoriously tricky to establish. Unexpectedly, a good dose of fertiliser at the planting stage will kill them. Ours, without any fertiliser, should now grow to 20 or 30 feet and be covered in their scarlet flowers in the years ahead.

We were fortunate to get advice from the President of the Cardiganshire Horticultural Society, John Corfield, on some of our schemes but he has also given us surplus azaleas and other shrubs as they outgrow his small garden.

They now make a blaze of colour at the entrance to Devil’s Bridge station.

We have learned that it is hard to establish good perennials at the halts, but that bulbs make a fine display in Spring, and that geraniums ( polygonums) make a great show in Summer regardless of the weather. We also learned that rabbits pour across the line at Aberffrwd to eat anything that is not on the very useful NHS list of rabbit proof plants.

Our generous volunteers have now brought on hundreds of geraniums which will be planted out once we are reasonably sure they won’t be killed by a late frost.

Page 20

Aberystwyth University - the beginning

by Ben Brotherwood

The Old College

T

he purchase of the Castle Hotel in 1867 from noted railway engineer, Thomas Savin for ÂŁ10,000 in 1867, marks the start of Aberystwyth University.

By 1872, work was complete and the University opened its doors to the first 26 students. The University now boasts multiple campuses and research facilities across Wales and an international presence in Mauritius.

Copyright William Michael Clarke

The Old College being built 1864 Page 21

The University’s success has placed the remote town of Aberystwyth firmly on the world map.

The Castle Hotel was quickly expanded to suit the needs of a University, and is now known as the Old College. Despite its age, the Old College is still used by research students and is also open to the public during the weekday. Art exhibitions are held throughout the year and are free to access. Visitors to the railway who have some spare time will find it is roughly a ten minute walk from our Aberystwyth terminus.

The northern skyline on the approach to Aberystwyth by train is dominated by the National Library of Wales. Those who possess sharp vision may also be able to spot a bell

tower behind the Library.

This bell tower is part of the University’s Penglais Campus, the current main centre of teaching.

The campus has grown steadily since the 1950s after the completion of Pantycelyn halls.

Nestled into the northern treeline of Llanbadarn is the Llanbadarn Centre, currently home to the Business and Law schools; also visible to the sharp eyed travelling on the train.

Pantycelyn Hall has been labelled as a centre for the Welsh language, housing generations of people who speak or are learning Welsh until its recent closure for renovation. The present Prince of Wales stayed in the hall during his time at Aberystwyth University. The completion of the hall in 1951 marked the beginning of the Universities move away from the sea front to the

current presence on top of Penglais Hill.

The International Politics Department is the most well-known of the University’s institutions.

A generous donation of £20,000 by David Davies allowed for the formation of the world’s first Chair in International Politics. One of the most important texts concerning the nature of International Relations, The Twenty Year’s Crisis, was written by the 4th Chair member, Professor E.H. Carr. David Davies was the grandson of the famous industrialist of the same name, responsible for shaping much of Mid and South Wales industrial history and building multiple railways, including the Manchester and Milford between Pencader and Aberystwyth.

Edward Davies Museum

Professor E.H. Carr

The Vale of Rheidol’s Aberystwyth terminus uses part of the remaining Manchester and Milford platform and track bed. The Davies family built upon this success and continue to support the International Politics department and other organisations to this day.

Peering over the trees above Aberystwyth Station is the entrance arch and spire of the Edward Davies museum, flanked by the roofs of the building’s two wings. The building was originally used by the Chemistry department until 1988. It now houses the University’s School of Art and hosts student exhibitions at certain points of the year.

Although by nature a very different organisation to the Vale of Rheidol Railway, the success of the University much like the railways has played a large part in shaping Aberystwyth’s history. The town and local area would be very different without them.

Page 22

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Page 23

About our staff About Our Staff Barney Rampton Fireman, Guard & Permanent Way Barney is from Portsmouth, and has recently moved from our surrey workshops to the Ops team on our line.

He has a passion for steam engines, and has loved this line since his first visit at age 10.

In his spare time Barney collects and restores railway lamps and signs, purchased during his travels to various preserved railways and shows.

He also has an interest in vintage lorries and machinery.

James Corbett Engine Driver, Draughtsman/Designer James works primarily in our workshops doing the detailed drawings of our rolling stock and infrastructure, along with helping develop future plans for our line. He can also be found on the footplate of our engines.

James has worked on the oil rigs as a MLWD Engineer.

Page 24

THE SHREWSBURY & WELSHPOOL RAILWAY

by Bob Yate The story told here is of a modest line, overcoming several rival schemes and extensions, and with a surprisingly complex pattern of workings – all of which took place in a delightful corner of the Welsh Borders. By the mid 1850s, Shrewsbury had become an important railway centre and several proposals were made to link the county town to the Welsh coast. In addition to passenger traffic, the coal, lead and stone mining district to the west of Shrewsbury, whilst not large, offered steady traffic, and so a railway from Shrewsbury to Welshpool was promoted locally.

£12.00 FIRST GENERATION EASTERN AND NORTH EASTERN REGION DIESELS IN COLOUR

by David Dunn A well-balanced selection of first generation diesels throughout the former Eastern and North Eastern regions of British Railways, nearly all in varying shades of green. Many photographs appear courtesy of the Armstrong Railway Photographic Trust

£25.00 EM1 & EM2: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, WATH ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES - 76s & 77s

£12.95

by John Hooper This book is a historical review of one of the most iconic ‘modern’ locomotives, the Manchester, Sheffield, Wath Electric Locomotives EM1 & EM2 class 76s & 77s. The book contains hundreds of photographs, a mixture of black & white and colour images, cumenting the locomotives both in and out of action

THE GREAT TRAINS OF WALES EXPLORED

by Arfon Haines Davies Arfon Haines Davies has always been a locomotive fan. His interest in the steam railways of his country has tied in with his talent to communicate with his public as a broadcaster. Having presented many programmes on Welsh Heritage Railways, he is the ideal person to guide us around the tracks with interest and appreciation.Photographic Trust

Call in or phone our shop on 01970 625819 Page 25

£5.95

IFOR HIGGON’S CAMBRIAN DIARY

by Gwyn Briwnant Jones

Ifor Higgon was born in 1908 and lived for the greater part of his life in Arthog, Merioneth, within a stone’s throw of Barmouth Junction station.

He used the trains on a daily basis from a young age and took a great interest in them. As a result, during the years between 1924 and 1967, he produced over 1,000 railway images, mostly featuring the Cambrian line in the area around his home but later extending further afield to Mid Wales and to some of the narrow gauge systems. This volume presents a small selection of some of Ifor’s best work, by way of a tribute to a modest man who was a true railway enthusiast and talented photographer.

£10.00 GWR HOTELS RECREATIONS DINING SET

This quality range is inspired by tableware used by The Great Western Railway Company in the 1930’s.

Sold individually - please see our ebay and model railway shop website for details

Prices vary per item VINTAGE STYLE VALE OF RHEIDOL 2018 TIMETABLE POSTER (LIMITED EDITION) A0 size (glossy)

£20.00

Image of original painting by Ag Cain©

D A I LY T H R O U G H O U T T H E Y E A R STATIONS

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

BOX 1

2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:15 4:35 4:55 5:15

10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30

BOX 1 - February 10th - 25th. Weekends in March, 19th March - 2nd November 2018 BOX 2 - March 27th, 28th, 29th and 31st.

April 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th.

May 28th, 29th and 31st.

June 19th, 20th, 21st, 26th, 27th and 28th.

PARK AVENUE, ABERYSTWYTH, SY23 1PG

BOX 2

12:10 12:30 12:50 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15

2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:00 4:20 4:40 5:00

3:45 4:05 4:25 4:45 5:45 6:05 6:25 6:45

10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30

12:10 12:30 12:50 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15

July 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th and 31st.

August 2nd, 6th, 7th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th.

September 4th, 5th and 6th.

BOX 3

2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:00 4:20 4:40 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

BOX 4

11:00 11:20 11:40 12:00 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00

BOX 3 - May 30th, August 1st, 4th, 8th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 22nd and 25th.

BOX 4 - November 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.

WWW.RHEIDOLRAILWAY.CO.UK

VARIOUS TEA TOWELS D A I LY T H R O U G H O U T T H E Y E A R STATIONS Aberystwyth Capel Bangor Aberffrwd Devil’s Bridge Devil’s Bridge Aberffrwd Capel Bangor Aberystwyth

dep: 10:30 dep: 10:50 dep: 11:10 arr: 11:30 dep: 12:30 dep: 12:50 dep: 1:10 arr: 1:30

BOX 1

2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:15 4:35 4:55 5:15

10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30

BOX 2

12:10 12:30 12:50 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15

2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:00 4:20 4:40 5:00

3:45 4:05 4:25 4:45 5:45 6:05 6:25 6:45

10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30

12:10 12:30 12:50 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15

BOX 3

2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:00 4:20 4:40 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

BOX 4

11:00 11:20 11:40 12:00 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00

Box numbers refer to the different train times during the season. Please refer to booking office for further details

PARK AVENUE, ABERYSTWYTH, SY23 1PG

WWW.RHEIDOLRAILWAY.CO.UK

From £4

visit our online shop https://stores.ebay.co.uk/valeofrheidolrailway Page 26

Garden Railway Shop IP Engineering End of Line Offers FREELANCE COLONIAL RAILCAR KIT

£95.00

The kit is made up from laser cut high quality ply which is cut out so no sanding to size is required and 3D printed parts like the luggage rack, gearbox etc. It has a cast metal bonnet and the kit includes all that is required to finish the model powered by a powerful 280 motor running through around heavy duty 30:1 gears onto steel wheels all seating is included Dimensions Length 275 mm Height 145 mm Width 100 mm Avaliable in 32 mm gauge or 45 mm gauge

WICKHAM RAILCAR KIT

This kit builds into the classic British Railways personal carrier type No 27A; although these were mainly used on the standard gauge several were converted to narrow gauge and still survive to this day.

The kit is designed for use on 32mm or 45mm narrow gauge to a scale of 16mm to the foot.

£82.00 16MM SCALE WELSH HIGHLAND GLASLYN 0-4-0 LOCO KIT

Our 16 mm scale Ruston Glaslyn loco is a model of the loco that is used to this day on the Welsh Highland Railway at Porthmadog in north Wales. Our model is complete and made from CNC machined sheet and metal castings to give it a feel of quality and substance.

Dimensions Length 185 mm Height 150 mm Width 105 mm Available in 32 mm or 45 mm gauge

£140.00

PDF MODELS 16MM SCALE TOM ROLT KIT

This kit comes complete with the necessary 3D printed parts, along with wheels, motor & gears. Also included are all the metal parts required for axle bearings, slide-bars, etc.

Together with all the screws, nuts and bolts need to complete your model. Fits 32mm gauge only

£260.00 Page 27

N I W

Accucraft Live Steam 16mm Hunslet 2-6-2 Locomotive

ÂŁ2 p Raffl er e Tic ket Sierra Leone Government Railways Hunslet 2-6-2T locomotive No.14. Fitted with an internal gas fired boiler and slide valve cylinders which are operated by a simplified Walschaerts valve gear. Manual control and gauge adjustable.

Buy your Raffle Ticket Today!

Buy online through our website or call 01970 625819 All proceeds from the raffle go to the VoR Carriage Fund.

Go online for our model and garden rail shop

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk Page 28

2018 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.

M 4 11 18 25

JUNE 2018 T W T F S 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30

JULY 2018 M T W T F S

S 3 10 17 24

SEPTEMBER 2018 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

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

M 1 8 15 22 29

OCTOBER 2018 T W T F S 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 30 31

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

Page 17

12:10 12:30 12:50 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

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

7 14 21 28

S 1 8 15 22 29

M 6 13 20 27

S 7 14 21 28

M 5 12 19 26

YELLOW 12:10 2:00 12:30 2:20 12:50 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

AUGUST 2018 T W T F S 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 31

S 5 12 19 26

NOVEMBER 2018 T W T F S 1 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30

S 4 11 18 25

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

20’s’s 1920

19 ighhtt JJaazzzzNNig oltel dohte doh

af afo eehh th aattth & SaAUtGU4STAUGUST l4th AY ri Ap RD Sat 2Sa8tUth

2018 EVENTS

RollRoll back tothe the backthe theclock clock to Roaring 1920s! steam Roaring 1920s!Take Take aa steam train trip from Aberystwyth train trip from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge.

Devil’s Bridge. at the Buffet & to entertainment BuffetHafod & entertainment Hotel. at the Hotel.a must!

VintageHafod costume VintageHERE costume a must!

CLICK TO FIND OUT MORE

SUMMER EVENING EXCURSIONS Why don’t you join us for dinner?

Departs Aberystwyth at 6:00pm, arriving back at 9:00pm.

For other times and dates see our Green Timetable

REAL DRIVE A GINE? EN STEAM

Upgrade your ticket to include

O PEEN OP NING INGINSO AP

ON RIL

FISH AND CHIPS at Devil’s Bridge.

Extra £6.00 for Adults, £4.00 for Children

Station ’s Bridge our Devil et office Only at ck at the Ti Enquire

£5

pp

AT THE DEVIL’S BRI DGE STATION

MONSTER's BALL 27 OCTOBER 2018 A Halloween event just for the adults... a spooky train ride and a Halloween ball at the Hafod Hotel, Devil’s Bridge.

NEW FOR 2018

Halloween Ghost Train 29, 30 & 31 OCTOBER 2018 Dare you take the ghost train to Devil’s Bridge?

You will travel from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge, with some spooks along the way...

SUNDAY LUNCH SPECIALS Boo

Park Avenue, SY23 1PG Telephone : 01970 625 819 info@rheidolrailway.co.uk

kin

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ent

ial

4, 11, 18 & 25 November 2018

End your weekend with an extra special trip to Devils Bridge, taking in the ever changing stunning scenery and stop at the Hafod Hotel for a sumptious roast before heading back

Charity No 1076037

w w w. r h e i d o l r a i l w a y. c o . u k

Events Poster Double royal.indd 1

06/02/2018 10:54:01

Page 30

Photo by Rob Bance

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year