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NEWSLETTER issue no.27
Photo by John R Jones
Issue 5 - 2017
www.rheidolrailway.co.uk
Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year
ONTH M E H E OF T
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www.rheid
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Roaring 20s & 30s
Upcoming Events
On 16th & 17th September we have our big event of the year. Our 20’s & 30’s themed event. There will be lots to see and do throughout the day, not forgetting the jazz night in the evening.
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Halloween Trains
On 27th, 28th & 29th October we will have our halloween train running. The train departs Aberystwyth at 6:00pm, and look out for spooky events along the journey.
Vale of Rheidol Newsletter Covering news and events from July & August
Contents: Page 3 - Vale of Rheidol News Page 5 - Volunteers Update Page 6 - Preserving the Mines of the Rheidol Valley Page 9 - Things to do Page 11 - A Day in the Life Of An Apprentice Page 13 - Workshop Updates Page 15 - Pictures from the Month Page 19 - A Photo from the Archives Page 20 - Permanent Way Update Page 21 - On & Off the Tracks Page 23 - Shop Products of the Month Page 24 - Garden Railway Products of the Month Page 25 - About Our Staff Page 26 - Things to do Page 27 - Readers’ Mail & Classifieds Page 28 - Photo Competition Page 29 - Timetable Page 30 - Upcoming Events
Editorial Another couple of months have passed in the blink of an eye. During this time we have been planning and promoting our ‘Roaring 20s & 30s’ event. With the announcement of the visiting engine ‘Britomart’ and the superb historic set of fairground gallopers it will make for quite an event. A full write up of this weekend will be in the next edition. We are pleased to announce the fantastic news of the award of a grant from the Coastal Communities Fund. This grant will enable us to provide wheelchair access to our carriages for the first time. The grant will also fund two new apprenticeships, allowing us to continue developing our training programme and develop the future of both our line and the succesful applicants. If you have any feedback on our newsletter, then please let us know by sending an email to the following address: newsletter@ rheidolrailway.co.uk Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter and for giving valuable 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 the 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 VoR awarded grant from Coastal Communities Fund
The award of £250,000 is to support the new project “Views for all, accessing new markets, our past is their future”. The project will deliver the restoration of the long derelict Vista car, a carriage which hasn’t run in over 25 years. This carriage, alongside three others, will be rebuilt to provide access for wheelchair users on board our historic steam trains. In addition to the funding for the carriages, two new apprentice positions will be created, carrying on the tremendous work of training young people within the new workshop at Aberystwyth. The funding will also facilitate an improvement in the first class accommodation and bring a new level of comfort to railway visitors.This exciting project will be carried out in house and will further expand the skill base on the railway. Robert Gambrill, Vale of Rheidol CEO said: “This is one of the most important awards we have received. It will see the long term investment in young people continuing on the skills which are so vital to our survival. Add to this, the achievement of our long Page 3
term ambition of seeing access for all on our trains and this funding offers us a really strong sustainable future. We would like to thank the Coastal Communities fund for helping us with this grant. We now look forward to the challenge of delivering access to all on our railway.” The Coastal Communities Fund is funded by the Government with income from the Crown Estate’s marine assets.
Vale of Rheidol Railway News Britomart set for VoR visit
Britomart is a ‘quarry’ Hunslet engine works number 707. Built in 1899 at the Hunslet engine works in Leeds, it worked at the PenYr-Orsedd quarry in the Nantlle Vale. The locomotive was rescued for preservation in 1965 and first steamed in preservation during July 1966. Its current blue livery is based on that of the former Great Northern Railway of Ireland. Britomart will be hauling shuttle trains during the event. The 10am and 11:40am departures to Capel Bangor and the 2:30pm departure to Aberffrwd each day. For our event this year ‘Roaring 20’s & 30’s’ we have a visiting engine, normally resident on the Ffestiniog Railway.
Tickets for the shuttle trains are available for advance purchase as well as on the day. Tickets in advance can be bought here: goo.gl/Ev6sKe
First ever chance to ride in our Permaquip ‘Thunderbird 4’ During the weekend of the 16th & 17th September comes the opportunity to travel the full length of our line in our dedicated Permanent Way vehicle, ‘Thunderbird 4’.
seats are available for each trip, with one trip each day, so book to avoid disappointment.
This is the first time this has been offered to the public, and may be the only time. The permaquip received a complete overhaul at the start of the year, which included an interior refit. If your a fan of something different or rare haulage this could be for you. Call our booking office and quote: NL5 for a discount on your booking. Only seven
World renowned set of Gallopers to visit VoR completely wooden sets of Gallopers still in existence, the Gallopers have been featured on television, most recently in an advert for Marks & Spencers.
During our event over the weekend of the 16th & 17th September we will be hosting the amazing Noyce’s Gallopers. One of the few
The Galloper ride was built by Savages of Kings Lynn in 1884 for a Welsh showman John Studt. The ride was purchased by Hampshire showman James Noyce in 1950. James Noyce Senior passed away in 1974 and the ride has since been taken to many of the country’s major fairs by his two sons; Tommy and Jimmy. Today the ride is now owned by Tommy Noyce’s son Joseph and his wife Narvenka.
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Vale of Rheidol Volunteers By Clive Higgs, Railway Volunteer The watering of the flowers at Capel Bangor, Nantyronen and Aberffrwd ended during the school holidays. Rainy days weren’t at all rare during August and a lot more time was spent dead-heading the station plants. Towards the end of each session, everyone was looking at the sky for approaching showers. Many geranium flowers seem to give up the ghost at the sight of a raindrop. Luckily there were plenty of buds below, to replace them. Apart from the essential weeding, the deadheading and adding a few new plants, the volunteers postponed working at the station gardens during the main holiday period. It seemed a shame to get in the way of all the passengers.
The fencing is finished around the three shafts with two concentric fences around the open shafts. Brambles have grown over the fences in several places and it is a very prickly area. The car parks and station buildings have been tidied without evicting any swallows from their nests. Now, in the third week of August, all the swallows are flying over the fields. Their nests are empty and there is no need to clean the floors any more.
Some volunteers were away on holiday but Peter White, John Alderslade and his son Dave went to the Gothic Mine and stapled the barbed wire back to the posts above all the fencing surrounding the mine shafts. At another time the volunteers smoothed the rocky, uneven ground below the fencing to stop enthusiastic dogs burrowing underneath. Finally, two warning notices were attached to their posts by carefully leaning over the barbed wire. The post in the photograph on the right is above the open mine shaft. Hopefully the ground there is stable and will not subside down the shaft.
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At the beginning of September there will be just two trains each day. Weather permitting, the volunteers will paint the outside of the station and toilets at Devil’s Bridge before the start of the Roaring 20s & 30s weekend on September 16th and 17th. Usually the weather seems to improve when schools start, so we are hoping for some dry days. Volunteers will be busy over the Roaring weekend itself, joining in with the staff. But afterwards it is hoped to resume work on renovating the two platelayers’ huts.
Mines of the Rheidol Valley: Preservation By Ioan R Lord 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! I have been exploring the metal mines of Cwm Rheidol and the surrounding area since the age of six, but it wasn’t until about 2010 that I started along the path of preserving the remains which have survived. By preserving, I refer not only to securing walls and restoring buildings, but also to underground digs, surface excavations, archaeology and survey. I joined the Welsh Mines Preservation Trust in 2012 and am now glad to be leading three projects in Cwm Rheidol: the preservation of the Caecynon Mine gunpowder magazine, the Gwaithcoch ore-hoppers, and the restoration of old mining machinery over the hill at Llywernog, or the Silver Mountain Experience. Caecynon Mine is positioned directly across the valley from the Vale of Rheidol Railway along Alltddu, and a glimpse can be had of the gunpowder magazine from the train on entering the Horseshoe Bend. The magazine was in a ruinous state when I launched the project in 2015, but the intactness of most of the interior wooden lining makes it a unique survivor for a Welsh metal mine. The interior was lined with timber so as to avoid the risk of sparks caused by the bare stone walls. In 2016, we refurbished the roof with
fresh battens, reusing as many of the original slates as we could, replaced the rotten door lintel and rebuilt the gable end wall above it. Despite having been built in 1870 it was last roofed during the 1920s when Caecynon Mine was reopened. The interior wooden lining has yet to be preserved, and I hope to complete the restoration of the magazine over the next winter. Bargeboards, door and the fuse shelf have yet to be installed. Midway through the Caecynon magazine project another was planned over the river at Gwaithcoch below the railway, where a fine example of a double ore-hopper survives at the end of the old tramway from the Deep Adit. The ore was stored in the hopper and taken out of the bottom by women and children, who would pick over the rock with picking hammers. Both lintels of the doorways at the bottom have collapsed, and the masonry work above each is in a worrying state. My hope is to replace both lintels and rebuild the walls above them, capping the wall-tops with concrete to avoid further deterioration. Work here hasn’t started yet, but obtaining permission to do so is high on the priority list.
The newly-restored roof and rebuilt gable end of the Caecynon gunpowder magazine.
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At Llywernog, or the Silver Mountain Experience, the Trust and I have had the rare opportunity to restore Victorian mining machinery to working order, after being stored out in the weather for many decades. We have returned two 14’ x 2’ waterwheels to work, and have also redesigned the museum/ exhibition room to accommodate updated information and our modern research into the mining industry of mid-Wales. Work is ongoing at Llywernog, and we hope to return an ore jigger to working order very soon, which will be the only operating example of its kind in Wales. On an unofficial basis, as an individual and not as part of a Welsh Mines Preservation Trust undertaking, I am undergoing a longterm project to access, survey and document as much of the underground workings in Cwm Rheidol as possible. My friends and I have spent many days underground accessing lost workings, the three most recent being at Gellireirin (The Stag), Erwtomau (in the horseshoe bend) and Ystumtuen/ Cwm Rheidol Mine (opposite Rhiwfron). At Gellireirin, we spent several days digging a collapse underground which gave access to a quarter of a mile of workings which had
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not been accessed since the mine closed around 1880. We were able to preserve what we found by documenting our discoveries through photographs and surveys, thereby not disturbing the ‘time capsule’ of workings. Everything from tools to miners’ hobnail boot prints on the muddy floor was left exactly as we’d found it. The area of our dig has since blocked up again, safeguarding the artefacts beyond until, if at all, any other explorers ever manage to gain access. Erwtomau proved to be a fascinating place to explore, as we entered the mine by No. 2 Adit by the railway and used SRT (Single Rope Technique) equipment to abseil 150 feet down through the workings. We found that two of the four original wooden ladders were still intact in the manway, and we eventually managed to reach a level at the bottom which used to emerge near the bottom of Gwaithcoch, almost half a mile away. Rare artefacts from here, including a length of fuse and a tallow candle with a miner’s fingerprint still evident, were taken out of the mine and I hope to display them at some point in the future so that others can see some of the artefacts found deep underground in Cwm Rheidol.
Two waterwheels undergoing restoration at Llywernog, with a shaft cage in the foreground now preserved in the museum.
My project to explore as much of Ystumtuen or Cwm Rheidol Mine as possible is still ongoing, as this was the largest mine in the valley. We enter through the mile-long Lefel Fawr which commences from the top of the bright-orange spoil heaps on the hillside opposite the railway, through thigh-deep water full of ochre and sulphuric acid of about pH2.5. The whole mine is covered in yellow ochre, making it undoubtedly the filthiest in the area to explore. An underground waterwheel 24 feet diameter was installed about half a mile inside in 1862, and my aim is to find and record this hidden gem which hasn’t been seen since 1865. We have recently managed to open up a rise above the adit which leads vertically upwards for 100 feet, and we are currently placing bolts and ropes for us to climb to the top and hopefully be able to drop back down again into the waterwheel chamber. This point is almost half a mile from the entrance, and 500 feet below the top of the mountain. We have dug through several collapses in order to get this far, and have come across several artefacts in the newly-discovered workings including a wooden end-tipping wagon set to 1’6” gauge on tiny wheels of 8” diameter, and ammunition tins with the maker’s name and “London” printed on the lids.
All of this exploration and surveying newlyaccessed workings contributes greatly to my understanding of the mines in Cwm Rheidol, as it provides a different perspective into mining operations to just reading and studying the old reports. The mines in Cwm Rheidol are some of the best-documented in the area, and detailed weekly information of their operation through the nineteenth century is available as well as older manuscripts, such as those which refer to Ystumtuen Mine in 1698. Samples taken from Tynyfron Mine just west of Ystumtuen have been carbon-dated to over 2,100 BC, making mining in Cwm Rheidol a topic of ancient Bronze-age mining as well as Victorian. My aim is to preserve what can be preserved at each of these vastly important sites across the valley, and to access and document as many underground workings as possible through excavation and SRT. The detailed reports from each mine between 1698 and the 1920s allow me to link their information with what we are discovering on the surface and underground, giving a fascinating insight to the day-to-day operations of Cwm Rheidol’s bygone years.
Preparing to abseil 120 feet below Taylor’s Adit at Imperial Mine above Aberffrwd.
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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: An Apprentice By Caleb Lewis-Price
As apprenticeships go, I’d say this one is something special. I’m saying this, because of the fact I’m currently travelling through one of the most picturesque valleys in the whole of Wales (in my mind anyway). I’m being pulled along by a 93 year old steam engine, in carriages of a similar age, that I help with the routine maintenance of, along with fabricating specific components for, on a daily basis. Today I am doing one of my three main roles on the railway, I’m guarding. This includes preparing the carriages for the day, checking tickets and looking after our passengers, whilst travelling on the train.
from scratch, there is no better way to spend the day. Being in the workshop tasks vary from day to day. Recently I have been heavily involved with No.7, though as you can imagine, there are lots of different jobs to be done. From boiler work, which includes expanding of the tubes, working in the firebox, making sure tube ends are cleaned, and ready for the hydraulic testing which was passed first time around.
I am also a qualified fireman on the line. With firing it’s a lot more hands on. Firing is a good way of learning how the steam engine works and also I get to see the parts I’ve helped to make working. I have also been involved in the hot rivetting of the new water tanks for No.7, using heritage skills that have been passed on to us during our training.
My main and favourite role on the line is in the workshop. There is no better way to spend the day than being in there working on whatever has been set for that day, be it making a tool, fixing something in the machine shop or fabricating something Page 11
An ongoing project on our carriage fleet is to upgrade the suspension to improve ride quality. This involves swapping out the bogies from a carriage. Cleaning the bogies, stripping them down, and sandblasting them to fully inspect the integrity of the frames and anything else that may need work. Shock absorbers are mounted in addition to the springs, the bogie reasambled and with a final coat of paint it is ready to go back under a carriage.
A Day in the Life Of: An Apprentice Some of the routine maintenance tasks that us apprentices get involved in is things like boiler washouts and inspections of the carriages. This involves checking the white metal bearings, topping up the bearing oil and general inspection of the bogies. A vital check of the brake blocks is conducted, along with the condition of the wheels. If any brake blocks do need changing, then we get it done. After all seven carriages have been checked they all get thoroughly cleaned by hand, making sure that we look after the paintwork and finish.
During boiler wash outs an important job is to climb inside the firebox (no easy task for me being 6’ 6) where the firebox tubeplate, stays and brick arch are visually inspected. If any tubes are seen to be blocked then using air lances we will unblock them to improve the engines steaming and increase the airflow through the firebox. Being inside the firebox also provides a good opportunity to inspect the ash pan and parts of the firebox that you can’t normally inspect while the engine is in steam.
I have also assisted on permanent way duties in the winter when there is heavy maintenance to be undertaken and extra help is required.
The great thing about doing this apprenticeship is that whilst doing a job I enjoy, us apprentices do 4 days a week in the workshop and 1 day a week in college, doing this I have gained qualifications in mechanical engineering that have set me up for the future,along with key skills qualifications and I have also completed a first aid at work course. Being trained to operate the various heavy machines and developing the skills to use them effectively under tuition of experienced engineers, and making useful components which we then get to see keeping the steam engines operating, makes the job what it is, a great thing to be a part of. And as you can imagine, every one of the engineers has stood in my boots before, by being an apprentice. So the task of putting up with their ‘banter’ is endless, but of course to be expected. Page 12
No.7
Workshop
Locomotive No.7 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.
A lot of the larger components are starting to come together now for No.7. The boiler has passed its hydraulic test, first time, without issue, a testament to our engineers’ abilities. The boiler has been placed in the frames temporarily to test fitment of components and the new cab is being assembled and tack bolted prior to rivetting. The new side tanks have been hot rivetted, they are ready to be secured to the frames once the final fitment of the boiler is complete.
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There is still a large amount of work to be completed before the engine will be ready for traffic. The bulk of the work being to install the various pipe runs and connect them all to the appropriate places. There is also the boiler cladding and insulation to be completed. When No.7 steams hopefully later this year for the first time in 18 years, that will also be the first time in 25 years all three engines have been in steam together. Definitely something to celebrate. Follow No.7’s progress here: https://www.facebook.com/ourpastistheirfuture/
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. Talyllyn Railway No.3
Cattle Van
The frames for No.3 have been painted and the cylinders are ready for fitting to the frames.
The cattle van has been progressing since our last update. The frames are now all painted, the draw gear has been fitted and the woodwork is progressing well, with the flooring for the vehicle complete.
The driving wheels have also been painted and are ready for crank pin fitting. The next stages involve making & fitting of the side and roof timbers and canvas sheeting the roof, before final painting. Once complete the van can then take its place in our heritage goods fleet for use during charters and special events.
Watch our main Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/rheidolrailway/
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Image courtesy John R Jones
Photo courtesy John RPage Jones 16 Taken February 2017
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
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Vale of Rheidol Photo Archive By Rob Bance,VoR Archivist
In this view taken on the 20th June 1956 we see locomotive No.7 at Capel Bangor. To the left of the shot we have an onlooker parked up on the roadside in an old Vauxhall Velox. In the background the station building and carriage shed can be seen. In 1962 the carriage shed was removed and sold to a local farmer for material.
The shed had been in rough condition for many years, last being used during the Second World War to house four of the open bogie carriages. It had survived several floods and storms and for a period of time was shored up with large bulks of timber along the side walls and doors.
VoR Newsletter Advertising Price Guide
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.
Please email adverts and wording for classifieds to marketing@rheidolrailway. co.uk Price List for Adverts (inclusive of 20% VAT) Full Page Advert Half Page Advert Quarter Page Advert Eighth Page Advert Small Classified
£36 Single £24 Single £18 Single £12 Single £6 Single
£168 Annual £120 Annual £96 Annual £60 Annual £30 Annual
Artwork for adverts is to be provided by the purchaser. Wording for classifieds is to For further information or any queries be provided by the purchaser. Adverts can please contact the above email address or be sent as either PDF or JPEG documents. phone us on 01970 625819 option 3. Page 19
Permanent Way
The Track Maintenance Team
As always our permanent way team has been busy keeping our trains running by conducting regular track walks, inspections, maintenance and keeping the weeds at bay. The team has also been preparing for the programme of winter works by assembling points ready for use later in the year. Our permanent way team is also looking forward to carrying fare paying passengers for the first time in Thunderbird 4, our dedicated permanent way vehicle. This will be the first time that the railway has offered this opportunity, and it may be the only time, during our Roaring 20s & 30s event.
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On & Off the Tracks by Denis Bates
Moving locomotives and stock to and from the railway has been an important procedure since the line opened: how was it done over the years?
when he was a student here. John Davies (Abergynolwyn) thinks that the crane may have come from Oswestry, as there wasn’t one kept in Aberystwyth. It appears to be a GWR one, possibly built in the 1890s, similar to one preserved in the Didcot Railway Centre.
For many years, this was done via the mixed gauge interchange siding alongside the main line. It was probably always done on a Sunday, when there were no mainline trains until the up mail train in the early evening. Photos 1 and 2 show the transfer of both carriage bodies and a locomotive by a steam breakdown crane (probably from Crewe) in January 1964.
Richard also took Photo 4, again in the mid 60s. Two coach bodies are in the goods yard, adjacent to Park Avenue. They are painted in the “Cambrian� bronze green, with lining at waist level, but without the large VR. They are on bogie wagons (Bogie Bolster C). The new paintwork suggests that they may well have been returning to Aberystwyth, perhaps together with the hand crane whose jib just projects into the photo on the left.
With the rerouting of the line behind the mainline engine shed, and the lifting of the interchange siding, more possibilities for transfer were available. Photo 3 shows that coach bodies could be lifted by a hand crane. This shot was taken by Richard Bull in the mid 1960s, Page 21
Photos 5 and 6, from the 1st April 1971, show No.7 about to be lifted from the running track, to be railed on the other side of the crane, just outside the shed.
Eleven years later, No.9 leaves by rail, for exhibition in the York Railway Museum. However, by now the lift is accomplished by two road cranes, from Newcastle Emlyn.
In 1986 the Ffestiniog Railway’s Mountaineer visited the line – the first visitor since Palmerston, also from the Ffestiniog, in 1922. By now transport was by road vehicle, and unloading could be accomplished without the aid of a crane. In Photo 8 the road trailer has been positioned over one of the tracks leading into the shed, and a ramp built up from the track to the trailer. No.9 is here waiting to pull Mountaineer off the trailer. This type of transfer is nowadays commonplace, as steam engines are transferred between heritage railways: they are often seen on motorways.
In recent times the transfer of locomotives and rolling stock is achieved by use of a ramp built up from sleepers to load/unload from a specialist road trailer. We then use the diesel and a flat wagon to remove the locomotive, this then means that the ramp won’t need to support the weight of both engines and the wagon provides additional Braking for the move.
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The Vale of Rheidol’s Railway Shop featured products: Recently into store we have received ‘The Wantage Tramway’ published by Wild Swan Books. A much enlarged edition of the author’s 1981 book describing and illustrating the roadside tramway that ran from the Great Western main line at Wantage Road to the town of the same name. Indisputably one the most idiosyncratic and delightful of Britain’s diverse collection of light railways and tramways, this new edition contains a wonderful collection of images together with a surprisingly large number of recollections of both using and working on the line, collected over a period of years by the indomitable Chris Turner. Hopefully this will prove irresistible to followers of light railways and quaint English institutions alike! Priced at £18.95
Martin Fuller in Volume 2 of Talyllyn and Corris Steam Locomotives describes the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society’s early struggles and the programme of renewal and rebuilding that rescued the railway from near dereliction. This volume, ‘Early Preservation and Locomotive Rebuilds’ provides many personal accounts of early struggles as the railway fought to find its feet and details the rebuilding programme which improved locomotive reliability and efficiency. Priced at £45 For the railway modeller and railway enthusiast, our railway book shop has a wide selection of books available. Why not check out the selection of track plans available or a resource book to develop techniques. For more of our selection have a look over our online shop and if something catches your eye give us a call.
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Call our shop on 01970 625819 www.ebay.co.uk/usr/rheidolrailway
Garden Railway Shop IP Engineering Ezee Train Sets
The IP Engineering complete starter sets are new products mostly made of wood with all parts included. There is a wooden circle of track that is not designed for heavy work (i.e. with steam locos). This is made so it can be used indoors on a small coffee table or flat surface. The track has got a radius of 300 mm or 12 inches and locks together.
Accucraft 7/8ths Scale Bagnall
The passenger train comprises of an Albert loco kit, one passenger coach kit and a guards luggage coach kit. The goods train comprises of a Victoria loco kit, goods van kit and a guards van kit. These sets are ideal for anyone looking to make a start in the world of 16mm garden railways. The sets are priced at £90 each. lever, displacement lubricator and the gas valve which is cleverly designed to look like the hand brake column. Built to a very high quality, on the first steaming the locomotive performed faultlessly and ran for a good period of time. Comes complete with boiler and gas certificates, a set of tools and gloves.
The newest locomotive available to purchase in our Garden Railway shop is the live steam 7/8ths scale Bagnall 0-4-0 saddle tank. It’s 45mm gauge and comes painted in either Maroon, Green, Blue or Black. The locomotive has two slide valve cylinders, which are worked by a simplified Walschaerts valve gear. It has a gas fired centre flue boiler, with a working pressure of 60 psi and is fitted with a safety valve, water level gauge and small pressure gauge. Being 7/8ths scale, proportions are more generous making the cab layout spacious; controls are steam regulator, reversing
This locomotive is a faithful reproduction of the small saddle tanks once produced by the well known firm, Bagnalls of Stafford. Fortunately there are numerous examples that have made it into preservation. Specifications: • Scale: 22.5mm to 1 foot (1:13.7) • Gauge: 45mm only • Length: 320mm over buffers • Width: 125mm • Height: 190mm • Minimum Radius: 760mm (2 feet 6 inches) At the time of print the engine is available in store in green, black or maroon, priced at £1250. Call our shop for more information. Page 24
About Our Staff John Baber Having previously worked on the mainline railway, John joined the Vale of Rheidol in 1990, shortly after the line became independent from British Rail. Over the last 27 years he has served as Permanent Way Foreman, leading a team of staff responsible for the day to day maintenance of the 12 miles between Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge. As well as the track, John and his team maintain everything from culverts and fences to bridges. This invaluable job away from the public eye ensures the railway is kept in tip top condition. John can be seen regularly at the lineside with his faithful friend ‘Rollo’ by his side. If you see them out on the line, give him a wave or say hello.
Sandra Evans Sandra has been a key member of the booking office team for many years, having joined the railway in 1992. Sandra looks after the station at Devil’s Bridge for the main operating season each year and in the winter helps look after the Aberystwyth station shop. Sandra is a large part of our eBay sales management team too, preparing parcels for dispatch and liaising with our customers. If you see her during your visit then say hello.
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Where history, myth & legend collide... Tours & Experiences A choice of tours and actor-led experiences. A Miner’s Life This guided tour immerses you in the original and rare setting of a historic silver-lead mine, both above and below ground and helps you to discover the fascinating facts of mining life in bygone times as it would have been seen through the eyes of a miner. The Black Chasm Orcs, Goblins, Wraiths & other Myths. Wales’ scariest underground adventure. This experience is not for the faint hearted! Not recommended for under 10’s. A Dragon’s Tale Why risk the nightmare of The Black Chasm when you can join the search for Grotty, Silver Mountain’s mystical, secretive and shy dragon. Our actorled adventure for families. Suitable for children from the age of 4yrs.
Plus many more features to keep the whole family entertained:
Coffee Shop – Our cosy coffee shop offers fresh from-the-bean coffees, teas, delicious hot chocolate, cold drinks and ices, hot soup, paninis, toasties, sandwiches, cold snacks and tempting cakes & muffins. Gift Shop – Provides the chance to browse a fascinating and colourful display of gemstone & mineral gifts plus plenty of fun items for the kids to choose from too.
Indoor / Undercover Time Lab live show Mining Exhibition Drawing Den Fossil Dig Gem / ”gold” Panning Outdoor Miners Trail Woo Hoo Wood Tangle-foot Maze Den-building Wobbly Log & Giant’s Pan Pipes Silver River Water Play Shroomy Games Giant’s Button Puzzle Shroomy Circle Quiz Trails Miners Trail Quiz Kindling’s Quest Nature Trail Events Events throughout the season. Check out our website for details
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Readers’ Mail This section of our newsletter gives 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 for 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
Classifieds
Your Ad Here Email marketing@rheidolrailway.co.uk for details MAESGLAS UCHAF Bed & Breakfast. YSBYTY YSTWYTH, YSTRAD MEURIG, CEREDIGION. SY25 6DD 01974 282 571 www.maesglasbandb.co.uk info@maesglasbandb.co.uk Find us on TripAdvisor: Maesglas Uchaf B&B We are just 10 minutes from Devils Bridge. Page 27
Your Ad Here Email marketing@rheidolrailway.co.uk for details
Photo Competition
Would you like to have your photos featured in our newsletters? Now you can, as we launch our newsletter photo competition. If we choose your photo as our winner, you could win a family ticket for two adults and two children to travel on one of our regular service trains. Your photo could be a recent one or one from your archives. Submit your photos by email to newsletter@rheidolrailway.co.uk We will also share your photos on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/rheidolrailway/
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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.
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
OCTOBER 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
25 26 27 28 29 30 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 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
S 5 12 19 26
27 28 29 30
25 26 27 28 29 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
New Event!
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
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
Roaring 20s & 30s Event September 16th & 17th See website for special train times
Santa Trains
16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23 December Page 17 1030, 1230 and 1430 from Aberystwyth
S 3 10 17 24
Halloween Ghost Trains 27, 28, 29 October
Depart Aberystwyth 1800
GOLD DAYS Enjoy the stunning Autumn Colours You can combine your visit with a Sunday Lunch at the Hafod Hotel, Devil’s Bridge
New Event!
Music on the Train 8 October
Upcoming Events
Photo by John R Jones
www.rheidolrailway.co.uk
Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year