Newsletter May & June 2016

the vale of rheidol railway

NEWSLETTER issue no.20

£1.5

Plea se

pay

at co u

0

nter

Taken by John R Jones, during May 2016, showing a view of the Rheidol Valley

MAY & JUNE 2016

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 train E OF T

QUOT

is ISE - Th PARADailway is simply H G U O R EY THR at rivals Rheidol “JOURNon the Vale of ular scenery th e world.” journey issable. Spectac anywhere in th s ee unm you will 016 g in h t y an dvisor, 2

- Tripa

Abou Vale of Rh t the eidol Railw The Vale of ay Rhe

idol Railway Steam Rai is a hist lway beautiful ra which opened in 19 oric ilw ay r un s 12 miles 02. This Aberystwyt be h a unique gl and Devil’s Bridge; tween impse and pr views of th oviding Rheidol Va e st lley, nestle d in the Cam unning Mountains brian , Wales.

From the co mfo scenery an rt of your carriage w countrysid d steam passing by. atch the See the e change as yo wide open fields, woo u travel through dland and mountain sc rugged enery, the turning as line twistin it clings to the hillside. g and the sound locomotives of the narrow gaug Listen to e (200m) in th working hard to clim steam b e 11 ¾ mile s from Abe the 700ft rystwyth to Devil’s Bri dge.

Birds of pr ey such as Red Kite an are regularl dB y valley floor seen soaring high ab uzzards and breath ove the taki enjoyed by ng views can be all.

www.rheid

olrailway.c

o.uk

Upcoming Events

12th July - 1st Sept. 2016

Driver for a Fiver

27th July 2016

Summer Evening Excursion

Departing at 6pm, Drive our Quarry Hunslet Locomotive “Marga- Enjoy an evening journey ret” at Devil’s Bridge for through the Rheidol Val£5. Open to all ages, child ley. Upgrade your ticket will need to be accompa- to include Fish and Chips at Devil’s Bridge. nied by an adult.

27th July 2016

Music on the Train Join us for a stunning train ride through the Rheidol Valley accompanied by 5 local Artists!

3rd,10th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 24th & 27th July 2016

Summer Evening Excursions Departing at 6pm, Enjoy an evening journey through the Rheidol Valley.

Upgrade your ticket to include Fish and Chips at Devil’s Bridge.

Vale of Rheidol Railway News: Two Vale of Rheidol Tank

Engines to appear at Warley Model Railway Show

Two of the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s iconic locomotives are to make the journey to Birmingham this November to appear as one of the centrepiece exhibits at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition which will be held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) on 26 and 27th November 2016.

Appearing at the show will be No 9 “Prince of Wales” alongside No 7 “Owain Glyndŵr” making their first appearance out of Wales for 30 years.

No 7 has the distinction of being the last steam locomotive to be operated by British Rail. Withdrawn from service in 1998, it is currently undergoing a major restoration. It will displayed in partially dismantled workshop condition giving visitors an insight into how steam locomotives are constructed.

The restoration of No 7 is progressing thanks to grant funding from the Coastal Communities Fund and it is planned to return the locomotive to service in the next few years.

Joining No 7 on the stand will be some of the railway’s apprentices, representing the next generation of railway craftsmen. They will be on hand to talk about their work and the restoration of the locomotive.

This year’s display celebrates the 175th anniversary since the opening of the Swindon locomotive works by showcasing some of the Swindon’s finest locomotive designs. Traditionally the Vale of Rheidol lacked its own workshop facilities so the trio of locomotives periodically returned to their Swindon roots for heavy overhauls.

Railway Manager, Llyr ap Iolo said “We are thrilled to be taking two of our locomotives to the Warley show, it is a great opportunity our famous locomotives in the Midlands and an opportunity for us to talk to the visitors about the restoration work we do” The exhibition is one of the largest model railway exhibitions in the country and regularly attracts 17,000 visitors from all around the world.

Paul Jones, Exhibition Manager of Warley Model Railway Club said ‘it is a privilege to be able to bring these 2 iconic Swindon built locomotives to the NEC to be one of the star attractions of the UK’s Premier Model Railway Exhibition.They will provide inspiration to the model railway enthusiasts at the event, and will complement superbly the 90 model railway layouts at the Show, many of which will be featuring the work of the Great Western Railway in this Anniversary Year of the works’.

Only once before has a Rheidol locomotive been on display before. No 9 appeared at the National Railway Museum, York between November 1982 and February 1983 as part of the railway’s 80th anniversary commemorations.

Page 2

Predators of the Valley By Phillip Ellis The Vale of Rheidol is in an area of Wales with a particularly large selection of predators although they are not easily seen. Our trains do tend to advertise our presence allowing them to duck out of site!

Foxes and Badgers hunt in the valley and Otters work the river. Weasels and Stoats complete the mustelid family.

The weasel family is well represented here with Polecats once almost confined to mid Wales and now spread back into England. They have a handsome masked face similar to their domesticated cousin, the Ferret, and are mostly nocturnal preying on Rabbits, other small mammals, frogs and birds.

Pine Martens too had become extremely rare in Wales and possibly locally extinct before a reintroduction programme was inaugurated by the Vincent Wildlife Trust last year.

Fox on the line, taken by John R Jones

A Pine marten by Laurie Campbell

The Pine Martens have been tracked since their release in this area and have been found to cover a surprisingly large range perhaps crossing the railway line in the dead of night, in fact the first Welsh born Pine Marten kits were discovered this Spring just across the valley.

Some birds of prey can however easily be seen from the train, Common Buzzards and Red Kites are often soaring along the valley, the latter identified by its forked tail.

Red Kites were almost hunted to extinction with the last few pairs hanging on 30 or so miles South of the railway. It is now quite common in Wales and has been reintroduced throughout the British Isles. Young birds from here in Ceredigion were taken to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for the successful reestablishment of the species across the Irish Sea.

Pine marten kits in an artificial wooden den box made and installed by Vincent Wildlife Trust staff in Ceredigion. This photo was taken for research purposes on a mobile phone – further photography is not allowed under the rules of the Home Office project licence

Their prey includes Grey Squirrels which it is hoped they will control sufficiently to allow Red Squirrels to return to the Vale of Rheidol. Although Red Squirrels are also potential prey, the two species had coexisted in our forests for many thousands of years. The Grey Squirrel introduced from North America has no such experience of the agile tree climbing Pine Marten.

Findings of a similar introduction in Ireland showed the Grey Squirrels to leave the area and allow the Reds to reclaim their territory.

Page 3

We even have a single Golden Eagle resident just South of the railway for many years, an escaped or released bird sadly doomed to a solitary life.

Ospreys come through on their way to their breeding territories, the nearest being at the Dyfi Osprey Project on the Dyfi estuary.

The Dyfi Osprey Project is located at Cors Dyfi Reserve near Machynlleth and is open 10am-6pm between March 30th and September 29th. Definitel worth a visit if you’re visiting the area.

Finally there are Tawny Owls and Barn Owls but not many night trains to see them from.

Not a proper predator but a noble bird of our valley are the Ravens. Often first heard overhead by their deep croaks or the whoosh of their wing beats, they can be distinguished by their size and wedge shaped tails.

A Raven at Gigrin Farm, Wales.

Female Goshawk

Goshawks have re-established their population in the forested areas. Powerful birds of prey typically living on Crows and similarly sized birds, they are quite capable of attacking anyone getting too close to their nest. Sparrow Hawks, Kestrels and Peregrine can also be seen in the wider area.

As carrion eaters, in the middle ages, they could be seen soaring above battle fields giving them a role as harbingers of death. Now it is usually the death of some poor sheep. Best of all are the amazing aerobatics, two or more birds can perform in a good updraft, synchronised flying with closed wing roles, stall turns and dives.

Philip Ellis

Monty, the Dyfi Osprey Project’s Male Osprey, in flight at the Centre, near Machynlleth.

By Emyr Evans

Page 4

Vale of Rheidol Volunteers

By Maurice Kyle, Railway Volunteer The work of the volunteers has been heavily influenced by the weather over this past month.

At first we were roasted by the sun, and then later we have been adversely affected by rainy days which make jobs like painting impossible; work on the waiting room and office at Capel Bangor awaits.

However, maintenance of the floral displays at the stations have continued, with weeding the top priority in the excellent conditions for plant growth! But also we can appreciate the results of all those planting days of springtime. Even mundane chores like weeding the beds in the car park make a marked difference and add to the tidy appearance of our railway, which has been favourably commented on by many reviewers in Trip Advisor!

The largest single project has been the completion of the replacement footpath up the very steep hillside above Rheidol Falls Halt. With the help of paid staff Dan and Rob, we have marked the entire new route up to the original stile at the top with marker posts and waymark signs.

Page 5

The crowning glory of the project is a set of rustic log steps and a viewpoint at what was once the most difficult part of the way up. Now all we need is people to use the path!

The views on the ascent are new, because before there was dense larch forest here. And they are certainly among the best in mid-Wales, let alone the valley...’ breathtaking’ is the right word, in more ways than one!

The climb up the hill is the first part of a really lovely linear walk between Rheidol Falls Halt and the passing loop of Aberffrwd station; it takes about 1 ½ hours, and so fits nicely between ‘up’ and ‘down’ trains, even on an orange timetable day...Walk 12 in ‘Railway Walks in the Vale of Rheidol’.

Maurice’s featured walk

Non-circular walk from Rheidol Falls Halt to Aberffrwd Station 3.5 km (2 miles). At least 1 ½ hours Use OS Explorer 213 Map with this book

A very steep climb up from the little Rheidol Falls Halt, suitable only for reasonably fit, but with one of the best views in mid-Wales, becomes a lovely easy downhill amble with a gorgeous hilly panorama, westward towards the lower Rheidol valley.The walk ends at the passing loop of Aberffrwd station. Rheidol Falls Halt is a request stop, so make sure the guard knows you want to get off there.

1. From the single platform of Rheidol Falls Halt, cross the line, go through the gate, and follow the small path behind the railway fence.

The former right of way up the hill is now impassable, but railway volunteers have established a new path indicated by marker posts, to rejoin the original path at the top. The ascent is very steep and slippery in places and only suitable for the reasonably fit, but you are more than compensated by the breathtaking views. First zig-zag steeply up the peaty path to newly-built log steps and a viewpoint, where a breather is well-earned, and then follow the posts on much longer zig-zags ever higher on the forestry track. Near the top of the hill, you will see a stile up ahead, reached by crossing a broader disused forestry track.

Beyond, there is the original faint grassy path continuing upwards with open grassland to the right keeping the old forest boundary fence on the left. Very soon you meet a barbedwire fence blocking your way, at which point make a turn right and follow the wire up over the top of the open hillside.

Follow the track right and then later through another gate, then find a bridle path waymarker on the left pointing across the open meadowland. The path is indistinct here, but follow the direction of the waymark, heading downhill slightly, looking out carefully for a corner in the forest ahead with a gate and a bridle path waymark.

3. Going through the gate the way immediately becomes a reassuringly clear and lovely bridle path through the forest, descending gently on pine needles and moss, eventually meeting a messy confluence of forestry tracks.

Head straight across this muddy mess to pick up the lovely path again and then after crossing one more forestry track you find yourself walking round to the right, parallel to the railway in a cutting below. Soon the path is crossing the line at a gate, but be aware that this is NOT the station, and there is still a fair way to walk.

4.

Go down a field track to a gate onto a surfaced lane, where you turn left towards Aberffrwd. The lane first passes between farm buildings, but once you reach the houses of Once over the crest of the hill, spot another stile ahead of this tiny hamlet, turn sharp left back on yourself on the hairyou with a right-of-way signpost. In the distance you will no- pin bend and walk steeply uphill on the lane to arrive at the tice the main Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge road, but across station adjacent to where the lane crosses the line. Trains the stile you are on a small surfaced lane that descends down always stop at Aberffrwd, and on yellow and green timetable days ‘up’ and ‘down’ trains pass here. If you have chosen the the valley towards Aberffrwd.

2. Turn right downhill on the lane, then after about 300 me- wrong platform, don’t worry, the trains stop for long enough tres, turn right through a gate onto a wide clear bridle track. for you to use the crossing point.

This contours round the hillsides (you could cut off a bend on a faint grassy old miners’ path) gently descending to the empty farm buildings of Pant-mawr. You will see ahead that very soon after the buildings, and through a gate, the track turns sharply right.

Page 6

Vale of Rheidol Railway News: Filming at the Railway

The railway is often used as a location for a variety of films.

On 16th June 2016, we welcomed a crew from Boom Cymru, a film crew based in cardiff.They were producing a short Welsh language children’s television programme for S4C. The popular children’s tv show is called Dona Direidi, with the main character, Dona getting up to mischief and learning to do different things!

During the filming of this episode, Dona met with Driver Pete Smith, Fireman Jack Evans and Guard Jac Smith and filmed behind the scenes some of their day to day roles on the railway - including, of course, driving the locomotive. The programme will be shown later in the year.

Fill in this voucher and bring it with you to the booking office for you to claim you free car sticker.

All the information must be completed to claim your car sticker.

We will use this information to add you to our Email Newsletter Mailing List.

Page 7

FREE CAR STICKER with this voucher

Newsl 20

Many thanks to Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth for coming along to be part of the filming.

Postcode:__________________________ Email:_____________________________ ____________________________________ Disclaimer: This voucher entitles the bearer to one free car sticker when details completed.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway welcomes the new owners of the Hafod Hotel The historic Hafod Hotel in Devil’s Bridge, has recently been up for sale. This well-established large and unique 19 bedroom hotel has a wealth of history and sits in the Cambrian mountains, offering a perfect holiday retreat. New owners have recently taken over the hotel are hoping to bring some new life to this historic hotel.

The Hafod Hotel stands alongside the “Devil’s Bridge” at the head of the dramatic waterfalls, overlooking the spectacular wooded gorges of the Mynach and Rheidol rivers.The spectacular Hotel was original built during the 1700’s as a Hunting Lodge for the Hafod Estate. Thomas Johnes, the then squire of the Hafod Mansion Estate, built the lodge. It was later enlarged and converted into a Swiss style chateau in 1839 by the third Duke of Newcastle and Sir Henry Houghton. Over the years further modifications were carried out, particularly by John Waddingham, during 1870 to 1892.

Dewi & Nicol Gwyn, of the Cross Foxes Hotel Dolgellau, are the new owners of the Hafod Hotel.

The couple have many years of experience within the hospitality and tourism industry. One example of which is their Hotel the Cross Foxes in Dogellau which is well known for its exquisite food and luxury accommodation. This puts the Hafod Hotel in great prospects to thrive and recieve the attention it needs.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway has also worked closely with a lot of businesses in Devil’s Bridge and in particular the Hafod Hotel. There are plans to offer better packages and offers with the Hotel over the next few years as it develops. These include our Autumn Colours & Sunday Lunch trains which combine the steam train trip with Sunday Lunch at the Hafod Hotel.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway would like to wish them well and look forward to working with them in the future. The Railway would also like to thank the previous owners of the hotel for working with the railway and wishes them luck for the future.

Page 8

Workshop U

Locomotive No.7 “Owain Glyndwr”

The third of the Rheidol tank Locomotive is No.7 “Owain Glyndwr” . During British Rail’s ownership of the line, No.7 was regarded as the best of the Rheidol locomotives. The locomotive was withdrawn from traffic in 1998 and dismantled to await restoration. As a result of building the new engineering workshop,The Vale of Rheidol Railway are now able to overhaul the locomotive and here you can follow the progress.

Throughout May and June work has continued on Locomotive No.7 “Owain Glyndwr”. The Handbrake column was fitted to the frames and work progressed on the plumping of the air braking system.

Above; Engineering, Aled Richards, works on fitting the handbrake. Below; Apprentice, Caleb Price, works on the air brake piping in preparation for fitting

All of the locomotive’s brake gear and spring gear was fitted to the chassis, whilst the apprentices now work on manufacturing and fitting new bushes to the valve gear. Expansion links have now been completed and fitted as well as new die blocks. The castings have also been machined ready for refitting.

Expansion links fitted to the frames

No.7’s new firebox has been completed at Hatch Engineering of Swindon and is to be delivered over the coming weeks. Once the firebox has arrived, the work on the assembly of the boiler can start.

James Corbett, one of the workshop staff, has been working on the designs for No.7’s new water tanks. With the drawings now complete, the railway has ordered the plate work from the laser cutters, so the assembly of the left tank can begin.

Apprentice, Will Parry, completed work on the full set of axle boxes for No.7. During May, Will worked on machining and processing each of the axle boxes and has now fitted them to the wheelsets.

No.7’s old tanks being stripped in the workshop.

Page 9

Will Parry pictured with the axle boxes he completed.

No.7 requires new tanks to be made due to the old tanks being in poor condition, although the railway are hoping to reuse as many parts from the old tanks as they can.

p 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.

Cattle Van Repairs to the cattle van’s chassis are now finished. The wheels, axle boxes and bearings have been overhauled and materials for the running gear have been ordered to complete the van’s rolling chassis.

Carriage No.12’s new bogies After 3 years of successful testing of the rebuilt and modified bogies on summer car No 7, Carriage No.12 has been fitted with the first set.

The bogies have been been rebuilt to the new specifications to improve the ride comfort in our carriages.

Talyllyn No.3 The Vale of Rheidol Railway’s drawing office has drawn up the new axle and crank pins for the Talyllyn railway’s locomotive No.3, ready for when the old ones are removed.

Design work has also begun on the valve gear to determine the eccentric positions on the new axle.

Paintshop The South African B Wagon has been in the paint workshop over the last month, receiving a touch of new paint and a “spruce” up. These wagons are often used as part of engineering trains across the line.

Carriage no.12’s old bogies

These pictures show the original bogies that were removed from carriage No.12 and the new bogies that were fitted to the carriage.

South African B wagon in the paintshop.

Carriage no.12’s new bogies

Rebuilding work has included shot blasting, overhauling the brake gear, rebuilding horn guides and bearing primary suspension mountings and fitting shock absorbers to improve the secondary suspension. New wheelsets have been manufactured in house.

The team in the paintshop have also been busy working on hand painted reservation boards for the carriages & repainting two of the station signs for Glanyrafon and Llanbardarn. 6 spare drop light windows for the carriages have also been made.

Page11 10 Page

History in Pictures

By Rob Bance, Archives

Here we see Locomotive No.9 on the 11.15am ex Aberyswyth near Glanirafon Industrial Estate on the 2nd May 1983 with a five coach train.

It is seen in here in the bright ochre livery which was a representation of the livery

carried by the original Davies and Metcalfe locomotives when new to the railway in 1902.

The livery was applied in 1982 and was sponsored by Davies and Metcalfe limited and the Vale of Rheidol Railway Supporters Association.

Whilst in this livery the locomotive visited the National Railway Museum in York in December 1982.

Job Opportunities

There are a few opportunities which have arisen. For more information on the job vacancy go to: www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/jobs.htm or apply at engineering@rheidolrailway.co.uk Engineering Apprentice Head of Marketing/Marketing Manager Our Marketing Manager reports direct to the The Vale of Rheidol Railway are looking for an Managing Director and is responsible for shaping enthuastic apprentice to join the team.

This position would suit someone who has finished their GCSE’s and would like to take their next challenge. The apprenticeship will take 2-3 years with training up to level 3 NVQ. Page 11

and delivering plans to ensure our stretching visitor number targets are met.

You will be numerate, driven by targets and ideally will have a relevant qualification. But most of all, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to deliver results in a related field of tourism, hospitality or transport.

Vale of Rheidol Railway News: Vale of Rheidol Railway wins Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for third year in a row The Vale of Rheidol Railway announced that it has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the third year in a row.

The achievement celebrates tourism businesses that have earned great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year.

Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer experience.

Vale of Rheidol spokesman Will Smith said “we are delighted to receive the Certificate of Excellence for the third year running. We believe this shows the railway’s commitment to providing an excellent experience for our visitors. We hope this will encourage repeat visits to the area. Earlier this year the railway scooped the top prize of Heritage Railway of the Year in the National Coach Tourism Awards”

“With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honours hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travellers”, said Heather Leisman,Vice President of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor.

“This recognition helps travellers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service. TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travellers feel more confident in their booking decisions.”

The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travellers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

Permanent Way

The Track Maintenance Team

During May, the Permanent Way team have been busy clearing a large amount of over hanging trees and vegitation from along the railway. This has opened up a lot of the sections with great views and also allows more light into darker parts of the track.

This course has trained them in spraying chemicals and weed killers across the railway.

In June John and Dan, the P-Way staff, successfully passed their spraying course.

Later in the Month, they put their training to the test by spraying all the track beds and stations to keep them looking tidy and weed-free.

To tidy up the line further, the team have also been using the rail-mounted flail to trimming the grass at the lineside of the track, especially in the top section of the railway which isn’t to reach or has any grazing.

Page 12

The Vale of Rheidol’s Railway Shop News

By Geraint Roberts

The Garden Railway Shop’s New Items in Stock

By Robert Bance

Due to high demand the railway have now increased their range of Garden Railway kits for sale, these can be purchased either in the shops at the railway or on our popular eBay page.

In this photograph, we can see some of the new products available, Firstly a IP Engineering Plate Frame Simplex locomotive. This kit can be purchased in either 32mm or 45mm gauge at a very sensible price.The next piece is the friendly looking driver posed on the Simplex, he is part of a new range of 16mm figures by IP engineering / Kara Little Kharacters.

Page 13

They are made from cast resin and come unpainted at only £6 each! The final item featured is a very realistic Binnie Engineering Hudson Tipper Skip wagon kit, which can be purchased in either 32mm or 45mm gauge and offer great value.

As with all items above, all the builder needs to supply is paint, solder or glue, and batteries (2xAAA) in the case of the locomotive kit.

www.ebay.co.uk/usr/rheidolrailway

Pictures from the Month

By John R Jones, International Travel Photographer

Page 14

Vale of Rheidol Railway News: One of the Youngest Steam Drivers in the UK At the beginning of June, Ifan Burrell became the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s newest steam locomotive driver.

Whilst completing his apprenticeship at the railway, he also worked as a Fireman on the locomotives.

Ifan first join the railway on a work experience placement. He then went on to join the team as one of the railway’s first engineering apprentices.

After completing his training and apprenticeship, he went on to be employed full time by the railway as a Machinist and Engineer.

Before coming to work at the Vale of Rheidol Railway, Ifan had very little knowledge or interest in steam locomotive and heritage railways, but after his work experience placement and training to fire on the locomotive, his passion for engineering and steam grew.

He now works mainly within the VoR’s engineering workshop, working on restoring and maintaining steam locomotives and using many of the heritage skill he has learnt through his training at the railway.

At the age of 21, it is believe that Ifan is one of the youngest steam locomotive drivers in the UK at the moment. He often works as part of a young team, with his recent Fireman being 19 and the guard of the train being 17.

Page 15

Upcoming Events Summer Evening Music on the Train Excursions

The Vale of Rheidol Railway is to be hosting a musical event on the 27th July 2016.

27th July and 3rd, 10th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 24th and 27th August 2016.

Join us for a stunning train ride through the Rheidol Valley accompanied by 5 local acoustic Artists!

Make the most of the long summer evenings with steam hauled evening excursions along the Rheidol Valley! The steam train carries you through the stunning welsh scenery during the evening sunshine!

There will be no need to worry about cooking your dinner, as you can upgrade your ticket to include a delicious Fish & Chips* dinner at our Devil’s Bridge Station!

Listen to the sound of acoustic music in the carriages, each artist will play a set in the each of the carriages whilst the train travels up into the Cambrian Mountains from Aberystwyth. The journey will take an hour to carry you up to the picturesque village of Devil’s Bridge, nestled at the top of the Rheidol Valley.

Departing at 6.00pm on 27th July 2016, you board the train at the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s Aberystwyth Station.

Summer Evening Excursions depart Aberystwyth at 6:00pm, arriving back at 9:30pm. For more times throughout the day, see our Green Timetable on our Timetable Page.

Standard ticket fares apply and the Meals are charged at £6.50 per adult, or £5.00 per child and includes a free drink.

Donation Return Fares (comes with a voucher for 15% of the ticket value): Adults - £22 Seniors - £21 Students - £17.60 Children - £9 Once at Devil’s Bridge, Passengers will have an hour until the train departs. This gives enough time to do some of the walks, enjoy a coffee at the cafe or even watch the musicians have a “jam” at the station.

This event is linked with the Summer Evening Excursion train so you will also have the opportunity to upgrade your tickets to include fish and chips at Devil’s Bridge Station

*Other meal options are available; Fish & Chips,Vegetable Curry with Chips or Rice, Sausage & Chips.

The Summer Evening Excursion on the 27th July is linked with the “Music on the Train” event. However, if you would like to avoid the music there will be the option of a music free carriage.

Page 16

Vale of Rheidol Railway Timetable and Train times JULY 2016 M T W T 4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

F 1 8 15 22 29

AUGUST 2016 S 2 9 16 23 30

OCTOBER 2016

M T W T

F

3 10 17 24 31

7 14 21 28

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

S 1 8 15 22 29

S 3 10 17 24 31

M 1 8 15 22 29

S 2 9 16 23 30

M T 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

W

T

F

S

M T

S

W 3 10 17 24 31

T 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

SEPTEMBER 2016

S 7 14 21 28

M T W T 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29

S 6 13 20 27

M

S 6 13 20 27

NOVEMBER 2016 W 2 9 16 23 30

T 3 10 17 24

F 4 11 18 25

S 5 12 19 26

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

No Train Services Available

Aberystwyth Gift Shop Open Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm

S 4 11 18 25

F 2 9 16 23 30

T W T 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29

5 12 19 26

F 2 9 16 23 30

Page 17

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

12:15 12:35 12:55 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15

S 4 11 18 25

S 3 10 17 24 31

S 4 11 18 25

MARCH 2017 S 5 12 19 26

M T W 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

F 3 10 17 24 31

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.

Aberystwyth Capel Bangor Aberffrwd Devil’s Bridge Devil’s Bridge Aberffrwd Capel Bangor Aberystwyth

S 3 10 17 24

DECEMBER 2016

FEBRUARY 2017

JANUARY 2017 M T

T 2 9 16 23 30

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

S 4 11 18 25

S 5 12 19 26

Have you ever wanted to become a Steam Train Driver?

Drive a steam engine at Devil’s Bridge Station from 12th July to the 1st September 2016 on Yellow and Green timetabled days

Our Quarry Hunslet No 605 “Margaret” will be in steam at Devil’s Bridge station again from the 12th July to the 1st September 2016. Completed in 2015, the locomotive has been fully restored in the Vale of Rheidol’s engineering workshop, after being in pieces for years previously.

Would you like a go at driving “Margaret”?

We will be running Driver for a Fiver again from the 12th July to the 1st September 2016. You can have a go at Driving the engine for a £5 donation or if you would rather, you can take a Footplate ride for a £3 donation.

During the last week of May, “Margaret” was in steam at Devil’s Bridge Station for the Driver for a Fiver experience! This is where we give you the chance to drive a real steam locomotive.

Many people turned up just to have a ride on “Margaret”.

The money raised from the tickets is to go towards the restoration of one the railway’s other locomotive, No.7 “Owain Glyndwr”, which has been out of service since 1998.

Here are some pictures taken by John R Jones in May/June 2016:

Page 18 Page 6

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

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