Vale of Rheidol Railway Newsletter - Issue 3, 2024
Photo courtesy John R Jones
It’s the spirit of the season...
Wow, what a year so far and there’s still a month to go.
So much has occurred since the last newsletter was published, it’s hard to know where to begin. As you’ll see from our news pages there have been lots of events both small and large that have taken place throughout this time, some of which brought visitors to our line for the first time. This momentum continues right up until Christmas with the railway being hired by the Polar Productions team to bring the Polar Express experience to Wales for the first time.
After all these events you’d think we’d like a rest, however, we are already planning for next year with some of the events making a return and a couple of surprises in the plans to go with them, which will all be announced in due course.
I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge Phil Budd’s contribution to our newsletter in his time as editor: thank you Phil. One feature introduced by Phil is staying. That is the article on the Brecon Mountain Railway as we work towards the joining of our two lines during 2025. This edition sees the return of the Engines from our collection article; hopefully, you’ll agree that the engines chosen are fascinating in their own right.
Sadly there is no mining article this edition as Ioan Lord is very busy working on a new book, another exciting thing to look forward to in the not too distant future. On the subject of books coming in the early part of the new year is a new title from the renowned author Mr Stephen Phillips featuring the story of our late chairman Mr Peter Rampton and the histories of the engines in our collection. Several years in the writing, this will be another epic volume and a must for enthusiasts of narrow gauge railways.
As before I end this with a question... Earlier this year we held the first model railway show in our Engine Shed display building, we want to know your thoughts and what you’d like to see more of if we hold another in 2025?
Feel free to get in touch by email via newsletter@rheidolrailway.co.uk
Vale of Rheidol Railway News
VoR to host Wales’ first ever POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Tickets Now Available For a Magical Experience at The Vale of Rheidol Railway.
The secret is out! This Christmas, Polar Productions in conjunction with Rail Events Inc. are bringing a truly magical live show to The Vale of Rheidol Railway; the same team that just last year brought you the award-winning experience of the renowned Swanage POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. This fully immersive theatre experience recreates the famous Christmas movie as it celebrates its 20th Anniversary, brought to you by the brilliant mind of Creative Director Gareth Walker. The POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride will be bringing the characters to life as it captures the joyful festive tale as well as giving families the opportunity to travel by steam train on the spectacular Vale of Rheidol Railway in the heart of Wales.
Popular with all ages, you can expect heartwarming family fun and a truly special event for all generations, set to become one of Wales’ best Christmas experiences this year! There will be singing and dancing from all your favourite characters, iconic scenes straight from the movie and a special visit from Father Christmas himself. While you enjoy a delicious hot chocolate and cookie,
courtesy of our dancing chefs, the Christmas magic and seasonal wonder will put you right in the holiday spirit!
Llyr ap Iolo, Managing Director at The Vale of Rheidol Railway said: ‘We are very excited to be hosting Wales’ first Polar Express Christmas Experience on our railway at Aberystwyth, we are working closely with the production company to deliver an unforgettable experience for all’.
Marie Gallop, Managing Director at Polar Productions added: It’s a privilege for our team to bring the Polar Express Train Ride to Wales and the historic Vale of Rheidol Railway. We are very excited to bring The Polar Express magic to all this Christmas.’
Jarrette Ireland, Vice President and General Manager Rail Events, Inc./ Rail Events Productions Inc. said: “We are excited to work with Marie Gallop and her production team to bring THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride to the stunning Vale of Rheidol Railway. This officially licensed event in Wales, set against the backdrop of such a beautiful venue and historic railway, will elevate the magic of the holiday season for all our guests.”
Trains depart from Saturday 30th November and run until Christmas Eve.
https://www.thepolarexpressaberystwyth.co.uk/
Vale of Rheidol Railway News
Gwalior Pacific to be restored to working order
A standout attraction at our steam festival was the unveiling of the Gwalior Pacific Loco No. 762. On display for the first time in over four decades, the locomotive was part of the railway’s founder Peter Rampton’s private collection.
Built in 1932, No. 762 is a rare ‘Pacific’ locomotive, named for its distinctive wheel arrangement, which once worked on the Gwalior Light Railway in India. The Gwalior line, until its closure in 2020, was the world’s longest 2-foot gauge railway.
No. 762 remains in its original ‘as withdrawn’ condition and is a fascinating time capsule of its era in India. The locomotive bears unique customizations from its time in service, including decorative flames on the smokebox—a testament to the pride Indian locomotive crews took in their engines. Known for its long-haul journeys, the locomotive’s running plate even carried a special wooden box for food and clean clothing during overnight trips. No. 762 is now set for a full restoration at the Vale of Rheidol’s workshops, honouring Peter Rampton’s foresight in rescuing it from scrappage.
The Gwalior Light Railway dates back to
the 1890s, created by Maharaji Madhava Roa Scindia initially in the grounds of his palace and private estate at the Indian Princely State of Gwalior. The Maharaji, a keen railway enthusiast who even had a model railway on his dining table to deliver condiments, later extended the line for public traffic such that by 1909 the network consisted of over 250 miles on three different lines radiating from Gwalior.
Eight of these pacific locomotives were built by Bagnall whereas nearly all previous motive power on the network had been supplied by Kerr Stuart. These locos were very modern for their time with piston valves, superheaters, Cortazzi radial axle-boxes and even a Filtrator (water-softening equipment) to help the engines cope with poor quality water.
The two engines owned by the Vale of Rheidol are works number 2457/1932 (No.765 or 38 in service) & 2460/1932 (No.762 or 41 in service). Both of these engines will be assessed and a decision made as to which engine will be the better one to restore to working order. It is likely it will take around 3 years to get one of the engines back into steam, the work being undertaken around contracted engineering jobs.
Vale of Rheidol Railway News
Rebuilt Ballast Wagon
Ex South African Railways ballast wagon was rebuilt for increased efficiency.
During the summer work was done on our ballast wagon to modify the way the ballast is dropped on the track by the wagon. In its original form the wagon could only discharge its load alongside the track, this meant a considerable number of hours of back breaking work was required from our permanent way team to hand shovel the ballast into place.
The wagon’s underside has been modified with new hopper doors which allows more control and better positioning of the ballast being dropped. It can now be placed in the middle as well as the outside and the level of control is such that less than a shovelful can be dropped at specific points as required.
Vale of Rheidol Railway News
Capel Bangor Shed Extension
Capel Bangor shed capacity to be tripled with the building of a new extension.
Our storage shed at Capel Bangor has seen a rather large extension being added to the building this year. The extension is required to provide additional undercover storage for our collection of engines and rolling stock as more of our historic collection is transferred from our Surrey site to our line over the next couple of years. This will allow for almost all of our fleet and collection to be stored under cover when not in use, helping to ensure their longevity and longer maintenance intervals.
Vale of Rheidol Railway News Steam Festival 2024
The Vale of Rheidol Railway is thrilled to announce the tremendous success of its annual Rheidol Steam Festival, held from 24th to 26th August 2024.
The event attracted nearly 1,400 passengers over the three days, marking a 27% increase in attendance compared to 2023, and generating a 60% rise in revenue—making this year’s festival the most successful in recent memory. For the first time since the 1980s, the festival featured three passenger trains running simultaneously, with 15 out of the railway’s 16 carriages in operation. A total of six locomotives were in steam, delighting visitors and offering an immersive experience within the heritage and charm of narrow-gauge steam railways.
Among the locomotives in steam were two of the Vale of Rheidol’s iconic tank engines—No. 7 ‘Owain Glyndŵr’ and No. 8 ‘Llywelyn’—alongside the mighty No. 60 ‘Drakensberg,’ a 1927 Garratt locomotive. Joining these was a special guest from the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, No.
4 ‘Palmerston,’ which spent the summer at the Vale of Rheidol undergoing a full 10-year overhaul. ‘Palmerston’ holds a deep historical connection to Aberystwyth, having been hired by the Vale of Rheidol Railway in 1912 and 1913 to handle increased traffic from the opening of the Territorial Army camp at Lovesgrove and later assisting with the transportation of timber during World War I. Adding to the interactive experience, locomotives 3114 ‘Wren’ and 605 ‘Margaret’ provided ‘Driver Experience’ opportunities, allowing members of the public to step into the shoes of an engine driver and take control of these historic engines.
The festival also saw a high footfall in the Vale of Rheidol’s museum, home to an extensive collection of locomotives and rolling stock, adding an educational dimension to the event for both railway enthusiasts and families. Commenting on the event, Llyr ap Iolo the Managing Director of the Vale of Rheidol Railway said:
“We are thrilled with the turnout for this
Photo John R Jones
Vale of Rheidol Railway News
Steam Festival 2024
year’s Steam Festival celebrating the centenary of our iconic 2-6-2 tank locomotives, and the opening of our new museum space. Seeing three passenger trains running simultaneously was a real highlight, and the passengers enjoying them. We’re especially proud to have hosted ‘Palmerston’ for the season and complete its 10 year overhaul as part of the loan agreement with the F&WHR, further cementing the historic ties between Aberystwyth and this unique locomotive. We
would like to thank everyone who joined us and supported the event, making it such a success.”
The Vale of Rheidol Railway is immensely grateful to all who attended and contributed to the success of this year’s Rheidol Steam Festival. As we look forward to future events, we remain committed to celebrating the history of steam railways and preserving their legacy for future generations.
Photo John R Jones
Photo Andrew Simmonds
Photo Andrew Simmonds
Vale of Rheidol Railway News
Aberystwyth Steampunk 2024
During the weekend of the 12th & 13th of October the railway was host for the return of the Aberystwyth Steampunk Festival.
Brought to the town by the team behind the successful annual event in Portmeirion, North Wales, the return of this event was welcomed by many after a break of a few years since the last event held in the town.
The event was held in our Engine Shed Museum building and featured competitions such as Teapot Racing, Tea Duelling, and Parasol Duelling alongside traders and roaming robots, not forgetting of course the opportunity to ride to Devil’s Bridge on our line.
The event was well attended with many visitors getting in the spirit dressing in appropriate attire. For more see here: https://aber.steampunk.wales/
Vale of Rheidol Railway News Model Railway Show 2024
Saturday the 26th of October saw the inaugural Model Railway Exhibition in our Engine Shed Display Building.
The event was well attended with a total of 17 layouts featured, along with a few trade stands and a demonstration by Tom Mallard, showing visitors his models and the techniques used to build them from scratch.
We thank all those exhibitors who supported the event to make it such a wonderful day and the visitors for joining us to enjoy it. We look forward to bringing a similar event next year with a big surprise in store for it. Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates next year.
VoR Carriage No.1 & ex-SAR Wagons
During the summer, work began on the heavy overhaul of our fleet of ex-SAR wagons. They have been fully stripped, sand blasted, repaired as necessary and repainted. So far one of our B wagons and our flat wagon have been through the works with more wagons to follow as space allows.
Work has also begun on Carriage No.1, where it is having the most comprehensive overhaul since being built.
Five of our closed carriages are receiving the treatment. Two were finished last winter, and once No.1 is complete another will be completed during the early part of next year.
The last will enter the workshop during late 2025.
UPDATE
NGG13 Garratt Maintenance
During November No.60 had work on its rod bushes and bearings to prepare the engine for its starring role at the head of our Polar Express trains. The engine has also been temporarily fitted with a bell, kindly loaned to us by Matt Hills from the Brecon Mountain Railway, for the duration of the Polar Express trains.
Elidir
The chassis from Quarry Hunslet Elidir, from the Llanberis Lake Railway, is now in our workshop undergoing an overhaul to get it to the rolling chassis stage. So far the chassis has been shot blasted and painted in primer ready for work to commence.
RHDR’s Typhoon
Work continues on Typhoon from the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway with the boiler being prepared for re-tubing and the chassis reassembly underway. The front tubeplate has also been machined.
Isle of Man Bogies
The Manx Electric Railway bogies are now all completed and work is nearing completion on the diamond bogies for Manx Northern Carriage F37 (below), currently under restoration in Staingates on the IoM.
This carriage is one of those sold back to the island from our collection of historic rolling stock as there were no others of this type existing there.
UPDATE
TR No.4 Edward Thomas
The heavy overhaul of No.4 was completed earlier this year and the engine was returned to the Talyllyn Railway where it was run in and commissioned.
TR Ballast Wagon
The ballast wagon designed by our engineering team and built from scratch in our workshop has been delivered and commissioned at the Talyllyn Railway and has been pressed into use by their Permanent Way team.
WORKSHOP
Ruston and Proctor
Work on this engine was partly started at the beginning of 2023. It was dismantled and assessed to ascertain what would be required to make the locomotive run again. The late Alan Civil had started the restoration some years before. He undertook the lengthy task of unseizing and removing the many rusted parts that had not moved or turned since the engine was last used in the 1920s.
Despite Alan’s work and to get a better idea of what was needed, the loco was again stripped down to nut and bolt level at the workshops in Surrey. The body panels were removed, then shot blasted and primed along with many other parts including the whole chassis once the engine and gearbox had been removed.
Alan had made a new rear buffer beam which had been temporarily bolted on. This was hot riveted into position, along with two spring hangers which had loose or missing rivets. The engine, is a single cylinder petrol-paraffin type with high tension ignition, started on petrol and once running switched over to the cheaper paraffin. It has no true vaporiser but relies on the rapid compression of the huge volume of air that the large bore, long stroke piston provides to ignite the heavier paraffin fuel. So, it was given a thorough inspection and was deemed to need new main, big end and small end bearings. This work was contracted out to Steve Paxton at Riverside engineering. At the same time the crank was polished and the housings in the engine bed were re-machined. A broken casting in the fuel mixing chamber was also sent for repair to Cast Iron Welding Services. While this work was going on the engine was cleaned and painted in Ruston green and maroon. The side shaft was reassembled and the rebuilt Bosch flick magneto installed and timed. To test the engine a sleeper base was made as well as a temporary fuel tank. To help with initial starting the engine was bedded-in using a flat belt off of Josh Richardson’s little grey Ferguson tractor. Later, this was also used to help start the engine. After one or two promising, but not very successful, test runs some alterations were made to the governor which works on the exhaust valve. The engine finally settled into running smoothly for the first time in possibly 100 years.
Happy with the engine we then moved onto the gearbox. The loco has two forward and two reverse gears, operated using clutches where a steel spring is in torsion around a cast iron clutch drum.Tightening the spring results in more grip and therefore more drive. The whole assembly had been cleaned, painted and then reassembled, with particular attention given to the aligning and fitting of the bronze bearing to make the shafts run as freely as possible.
This work is still ongoing. A new gear selector shaft is in the process of being made as well as many other items which are always required in a restoration such as this. There is still a little way to go before the wheels turn once again. But being only one of two known to exist it will be worth the wait!
Photo courtesy Andrew Simmonds
Picture
Photo: John R Jones
Photo: John R Jones
Photo: John R Jones
Photo: John R Jones
Photo: Andrew Simmonds
Photo: Andrew Simmonds
Photo: Andrew Simmonds
Vale of Rheidol Volunteers
By Clive Higgs with thanks to Philip Ellis.
During March and April, the volunteers enjoyed the brilliant flowers that had grown from Philip’s selection of daffodil and tulip bulbs we had planted in autumn 2023. This spring Philip bought two Whitebeam trees from Farmyard Nursery as replacements for the ones that died at Aberystwyth last year. He bought 200 cheap Dutch Geraniums and planted them either side of the Aberystwyth flower beds leading to the shop. This is generally considered risky in spring as late frosts can kill Geraniums, but we decided Aberystwyth Station is close enough to the sea to take that risk. There was no frost and these Geraniums are still flowering.
The start of May saw many colours at the entrance to Devil’s Bridge Station, with new yellow Bidens and the spectacular Chilean Flame Trees and brilliant Azaleas planted in previous years. The 800 locally grown Geranium plants Philip had ordered from a nursery at Llanarth had grown slowly due to the cold, dark weather. On May 18th we drove several trips along the coastal road to pick up these very healthy, fully acclimatised plants. We enjoyed planting them at Aberystwyth, Capel Bangor, Nantyronen and Devil’s Bridge and seeing the vivid red flowers appearing and meeting each other. We had bought the Bidens from a local grower: some bright yellow ones were also planted around the Aberystwyth shop, while reddish ones were planted around the flower beds in Aberystwyth’s new car park. Geraniums were planted with the reddish Bidens. Excellent Violas self-seeded in the Aberystwyth shop beds. Many visitors stopped and said how much they liked the flowers. The flower beds in Aberystwyth were dazzling but fortunately no visitors stumbled into them to look like the volunteers - the creatures from the brown lagoon. We were
weeding the beds after a lot of rain and storms and each time we finished we tiptoed back to our cars, leaving muddy footsteps across the car park. Sweeping the mud away was a failure as the broom became muddy as well. But more rain soon washed the mud away. At the other stations the flower beds were smaller and there were more flower troughs so there was no need to stand in mud.
The last tulips were deadheaded in early June but the mainly cold, wet weather continued into the summer. Philip selected dry days from the forecasts and volunteers met up, jolly and dry for the weeding, deadheading and occasionally watering at Aberystwyth and the other stations except at Aberffrwd Station. There, Maureen selected the plants, and built up the beautiful gardens, looking after them during the year.
We planted mint in the Aberystwyth shop bed and toilet beds, which had become a rabbit warren. During the Covid crises, the station area was overcome with rabbits and aggressive ground nesting gulls. The number of gulls declined due to bird flu and we found the mint was excellent at keeping rabbits away. They cannot stand the smell of mint leaves.
The old half barrels around the shop were mostly planted with Primulas, Pansies and Violas with some surviving Hippeastrum Lillies. Each new half barrel at the entrance to the new museum was set up with a Photinia in the centre surrounded by Geraniums with small Calibrachoa orange and red flowers below. Calibrachoas have recently been bred in Guernsey from the wild species in South America.
We also bought another Whitebeam tree at
Image: John R Jones
Llanarth and planted it in the long bed of the old car park at Aberystwyth.
Many Geraniums were planted in the Capel Bangor troughs on the platforms. A lot of care was spent tidying the beds at the gateway and beside the station.
At Nantyronen, Rudbeckias, Pansies and 2 dwarf Ceanothus were planted in the roadside bed, where the vigorous white flowered Asters are being removed to let the engine drivers keep a perfect view of road traffic.
Later, the volunteers joined trains up to Rheidol Falls and Rhiwfron halts for rushed sessions removing brambles, thistles, docks and nettles in time for the train returning from Devil’s Bridge. We meticulously wrapped all our unwieldy sharp tools and carefully passed them into the carriage. This was appreciated by the guards. ‘Batty’ congratulated us on our slowness and Ben had kindly reserved some seats for us.
In mid-October, we planted Primula plants
the Aberystwyth shop. More Narcissi should be delivered soon and in November we should be receiving many Tulip bulbs to plant.
Also in October we erected posts and fencing around 5 magnificent trees at Capel Bangor Station. An unknown strimmer enthusiast had attacked some trunks during the summer. Some of the Permanent Way Gang were evasive and blamed it on rabbits but the local rabbits are far too small to operate industrial strimmers. We have tracked down two prime suspects who blame each other but any evidence would be gratefully received! As usual the volunteers set to, putting up posts and fencing around the trees. They don’t let the grass grow under their feet!
It has been a very busy time for volunteers
Colin, Edwina, John, Katharine, Mark, Maureen, Maurice, Philip and me. If you find yourself with some spare time to enjoy, you can just ask about the volunteers at the main station in Aberystwyth. You can be sure of a warm welcome and colourful flowers if you meet up with the ‘vols’. We are a happy group.
Our volunteers meet once a week, and through their efforts our stations always look at their best no matter what the weather. If you wish to join our amazing band of volunteers helping to maintain our stations then please get in touch via email: info@rheidolrailway.co.uk
and Narcissi bulbs in the half barrels around
Image: John R Jones
Engines from our Collection
Compiled by Gareth Jones
Avonside Heisler-type 0-4-4-0T
Renishaw No.4 (2057/1931)
Renishaw No.4 was built as of one of four 2-cylinder Heisler type engines by Avonside (later Hunslet) for the Natal Sugar Estate Railways. Our example was purchased for use on the Renishaw Sugar Estate in Natal. It was the only one of its type to operate on the Renishaw system and worked until 1968 when it was withdrawn from service. The Heisler design is a type of geared locomotive which features two cylinders canted inwards at a 45-degree angle to form a ‘V-twin’ arrangement. Power then goes to a longitudinal drive shaft in the centre of the frame that drives the outboard axle on each powered truck through bevel gears in an enclosed gearcase riding on the axle between the truck frames. The inboard axle on each truck is then driven from the outboard one by external connecting rods. This engine was the first Avonside-built engine to be repatriated, returning to the UK in 1969 into the collection of our late Chairman Mr Peter Rampton.
Image: Hannes Paling Collection
Engines from our Collection
Compiled by Gareth Jones
W G Bagnall (Meyer) 0-4-4-0T
Renishaw No.5 (2545/1936)
Built in a class totalling 7 engines, Renishaw No.5 was the second to roll out of the factory, being built with a larger cylinder diameter than the class pioneer and around 5 tons heavier. This engine was more representative of the rest of the class that was to follow. The engine cost around £2,500 being ordered by A. & H. Macnay Ltd. for delivery to Crookes Brothers Ltd, at the Renishaw Sugar Estate, Natal, South Africa.In general the class of engines were largely disliked by their operators, this being due to the ‘Bull head’ boilers which were notoriously slow to build steam and other minor issues, with the exception of Renishaw No.5. The reports and feedback were that it is was popular on the estate, despite the replacement of steam and exhaust pipes as they were cracking.
The first six engines were built to the gauge of 2ft but Monarch, the last of the class, was built to the gauge of 2ft 6inches for the Bowaters railway in 1952.
Image: Hannes Paling Collection
2024 saw the return of No.4 Palmerston a decade on from the engine’s last visit. Palmerston arrived with us towards the end of February and joined our star exhibits in the Engine Shed Building for its opening, being admired by many visitors in the first few months of the new attraction being open. During June the engine moved into our workshop for planned work to return the engine to steam. The engine being
in sound mechanical condition, it only required a boiler re-tube and other minor work to bring the engine back into steam. Upon completion of this work Palmerston hauled a number of special trains on Fridays’ leading up to our Steam Festival weekend and was also featured on a specially arranged photo charter in September. It operated faultlessly throughout before returning to Porthmadog in late September.
Palmerston’s visit 2024
Photo: John R Jones
Photo: John R Jones
Photo: John R Jones
Photo: John R Jones
VoR Glassware
20% discount on any glass when purchased with a bottle of spirit.
A large range of spirits are available in our Aberystwyth store only, Penderyn whisky, Merlyn liqueur, Siddiqui rum & Five vodka, Afon Mel mead, Dyfi gin, and Celteg Country Wines. Visit our store for prices.
The railway operates a challenge 25 policy, if you we ask you for id when buying alcohol Alcohol will not be sold to Alcohol products not available
VoR Ales
£3.50 bottle
Ale gift sets available in store too.
1 bottle of ale & a pint glass - £10.50
1 bottle of ale & a beer mug - £11.50
2 bottles of ale & a pint glass - £13.50
2 bottle of ale & a beer mug - £14.50
3 bottles of ale (one of each) - £9.00
6 bottles of ale (two of each) - £18.00
look under the age of 25 please don’t be offended if alcohol products. No id means no sale. anyone under the age of 18. available for telephone or online sales.
VoR Christmas Cards
Christmas cards with No. 8 steaming through the snow designed by Rebecca Kitchin BA.
Available in either Welsh or English. Individual A5 cards or in packs of 10 A6 size cards.
This is the story of a brilliant but flawed engineer, who built a brilliant but flawed bridge.
Thomas W. Kennard is both the hero and villain of this book, a man who, in 1852, just over two decades after the Rainhill Trials, accepted a verbal contract from the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway Company to build an enormous viaduct 1,500 feet long and rising up to 200 feet above the Ebbw Valley. Constructed almost entirely of iron and completed in 1857, the finished viaduct was a thing of grace and beauty, and the pride of the Ebbw and Kendon valleys which it spanned.
The first book to be published on its subject, the complete story of how milk was transported in bulk by the railways, after the development of the milk tanker and demise of the milk churn, but before road transport took over. The book covers the arguably “happier” years before deregulation and the bullying dominance of the supermarket chains of recent years. The background and general history of the subject is covered, with the development of larger dairying companies and the formation of the Milk Marketing Board being well explained.
The acquisition of the Brecon Mountain Railway (BMR) by the Vale of Rheidol Railway (VOR) is still in progress. While the legal processes are taking longer than anticipated, ensuring everything is done correctly from the outset remains the priority.
In the workshop, we’ve seen some exciting progress. Locomotive No.1, Santa Theresa, was successfully re-tubed and has been back in action, handling all services for the latter part of the season. Meanwhile, the new-build Forney locomotive is advancing at a steady pace, with a significant milestone on the horizon as it will soon be on its wheels. To help meet growing passenger demand, the BMR has commissioned VOR to manufacture a new ‘summer car’ carriage. This addition will increase capacity, addressing the railway’s frequent sell-outs during peak times. Delivery is expected in spring, just in time for the busy season.
This period has also allowed for valuable hands-on experience with operations and planning. A major focus has been preparing for the always-popular Santa Specials, which are expected to welcome around 12,000 passengers over the course of the month. The first day of operations, Saturday, 23rd November, coincided with Storm Bert, yet the event ran smoothly despite the weather.
Overnight into Sunday, a significant landslip disrupted our services. However, our dedicated p-way team at VOR sprang into action. By first thing Monday, a six-person crew was on-site, working tirelessly to address the issue. By Wednesday, they had successfully slewed the line, enabling maintenance trains to access the affected area. Efforts are now focused on stabilising the bank, with the goal of resuming our Santa Specials from 7th December.
Permanent repairs are scheduled for the new year, ensuring the long-term safety
and reliability of the line. Looking ahead, I’m eager to officially take the reins at BMR and continue unlocking the potential of this remarkable railway. With exciting projects and challenges on
the horizon, there’s much to look forward to!
Fingers crossed for clear tracks and a successful Santa Specials season!
