2000 News

For the Enthusiast

News Update, 28th November 2000.

Thanks to John Robinson for the information contained in this report.

Locos 1, 2 and 6 passed their annual boiler inspections on Friday 24th November, and reassembly has commenced. The tubes are being removed from No. 3's boiler in preparation for its ten-yearly examination. The motor trolley ("Toby") is in the works for fitting of a replacement (diesel) engine.

News Update, 17th November 2000.

Thanks to Keith Theobald for the information contained in this report.

Some further details of the Autumn Outdoor Week relaying at Brynglas: The gang relaid 860ft of tadpole cutting, with new or nearly new BS 50 rail. A further 120ft had to be moved to gain access.The track was broken on the 5th Nov, and reconnected on the 9th; a good line and level was achieved by the 11th. There is still plenty of work to do to complete the tamping, for those who have still have energy to spare. Numbers were very good and 45 different people gave 206 days of hard work. The sun shone every day!!! Many thanks to all.

Boiler fund for loco No. 4 stands currently at £9440; more funds would of course be most welcome. Cheques payable to TRPS.

News Update, 13th November 2000.

Thanks to Justin Adams for the information contained in this report.

Loco No. 1 "Talyllyn" and carriage No. 3 arrived back in Tywyn on 6th November (earlier than expected), and were safely unloaded from the low loader after laying sleepers around Wharf station to allow the low loader to be parked over the middle road.

During Outdoor Week, Tadpole Cutting (just east of Brynglas) was relaid with new 50lb rail. This was done in a different way than previous relaying jobs, in that the track was built up as panels in Brynglas loop area and then taken up to the site using "skateboards". There was also a certain amount of mechanisation as the railway hired in a dumper truck and a Bobcat digger. Work was also carried out on the drains in an attempt to keep the new track dry! A new S&T duct was laid in to replace the overhead cable as some of the poles had become rotten.

Saloon carriage No. 21, already in the paint shop minus the south side cantrail, has been on the receiving end of filling and sanding work on the lower areas of the body. Open carriage No. 11 is also in the paint shop; though it was just put in there to be out of the way, the Bodgers decided to attack it anyway; some rotten bits have been cut out, and filling has been progessed.

Loco 6 is being repainted in its new guise as Duncan.

News Update, 6th November 2000.

Thanks to Justin Adams, John Bilsbury, and Nicholas Newble for the information contained in this report.

November 4-5 was a busy weekend for the TR. At the railway itself, a "resident's day" was run, taking advantage of the special timetable being run for the Narrow Gauge Staff Get-Together, and attracted many times more passengers than is usual for this time of year. The main 2000 running season is now over; the next services will be the Santa Specials and other Christmas services.

At Pendre, the engine from diesel locomotive No. 10 "Bryn Eglwys" was started and run successfully on Friday: the locomotive has been out of service since a it lost all its lubrication oil through a broken compressor feed pipe last year. In the paint shop, the new headstocks for ex-Glyn Valley Tramway carriage No. 14 have been made temporarily fitted, and work is progressing on the new solebars. S&T engineer and electrician Ian Dods has left the railway's employment; our best wishes for his new job with Halo Foods. Ian has been replaced by Andy Best.

The big event has been the railway's attendance at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the National Exhibition Centre. Loco No. 1 "Talyllyn" and Brown Marshalls carriage No. 3 were in attendance, along with a multitude of TR stands and displays. A two-bar TR slate wagon came along as a kit of parts and was built and dismantled four times over the weekend, attracting much attention. One of the nameplates destined for Virgin Trains loco No. 86258 was also on display, propped up on No. 1's buffers; it reads (on three lines) "Talyllyn 50 years of railway preservation 1950-2000". Carriage No. 3 was used as the venue for story-telling by Chris Awdry, from the Railway Series books, and visits to the footplate of No. 1 were also very popular. Substantial numbers of 2001 timetable leaflets were also dispensed to the crowds.

News Update, 31st October 2000.

Thanks to Gill Best for the information contained in this report.

It is reported that services are now running again following the flooding at Cynfal; it is planned to run the normal service tomorrow (Wednesday 1st November).

News Update, 30th October 2000.

Thanks to Chris Price and Nicholas Newble for the information contained in this report.

The recent severe weather conditions have seen the line flooded at Cynfal, and both trains today (Monday) were cancelled in consequence. Hopefully services will resume shortly, however it would be sensible to phone Wharf (01654 710472) to check the latest information before travelling.

News Update, 28th October 2000.

Thanks to John Robinson, John Smallwood, and Mark Stevenson for the information contained in this report.

The re-dedication of Virgin Trains locomotive 86258 "Talyllyn ? the First Preserved Railway" at Birmingham International station on Thursday 2nd November has had to be postponed, owing to the current difficulties on the National Railways system.

Rupert Ingram passed away on 22nd October after an unsuccessful struggle with cancer. Rupert was our oldest regular volunteer, well into his eighties, and was often Stationmaster at Abergynolwyn until earlier this year. Our sympathies are with his grandson Rob Plumridge, and the rest of the family.

At the TRPS Council meeting held on 21st October, Maurice Wilson did not offer himself for re-election to the Board of Talyllyn Holdings Limited. The Council thanked him with acclamation for his services as a Director over many years. The Council appointed Messrs. D.J. Mitchell, C.K. Theobald and R.M. Whitehouse as Directors of Talyllyn Holdings Limited and Mr. C.K. Theobald as Chairman of the Directors. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Roger Whitehouse will succeed Maurice Wilson as a Director of the Talyllyn Railway Company on 2nd. December, 2000.

Back at Pendre, loco No. 1 "Talyllyn" is being polished ready for its starring role at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition this weekend. In the paint shop, bogie saloon carriage No. 21 has had its south side cantrail removed; replacement is required. Ex-Glyn Valley Tramway carriage No. 14, a long-term paint shop resident, has had its solebars removed. New headstocks are being built. It is reported that repairs to the engine of diesel locomotive No. 10 "Bryn Eglwys" are progressing well.

News Update, 20th October 2000.

Thanks to Justin Adams and others for the information contained in this report.

The railway will be well represented at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC over the weekend of 4/5th November; loco No. 1 "Talyllyn" and carriage No. 3 will be present, and a TR slate wagon will be constructed during the show as a full-size railway modelling demonstration!

Work on rebuilding Wharf Station (see the Golden Jubilee Appeal pages) is now expected to start in late 2001, as applications for grant funding are still being processed. The appeal has now raised more than £100,000, but more is still needed.

The 2001 timetable has been finalized, and the leaflets printed; the timetable will be available on this site from early November (after the end of the main 2000 running season).

Van 7 has been in the Paint Shop for a revarnish and was out on trains over the AGM weekend; it has been replaced in the Paint Shop by Saloon 21. Work on removing interior panels and droplights has already started.

The ex-Rhydyronen van is now complete and appeared in the goods trains over AGM weekend. Attention has now turned to preparing the parts for the slate wagon to be built at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition.

News Update, 5th September 2000.

Thanks to Pete Mintoft for the information contained in this report.

With the availability of a suitably skilled volunteer during the last week much machining, fitting and assembly work has been done on diesel No. 8 "Merseysider" on the new modular hand and air applied shunting brake system. Mounting holes have been drilled where required on the frames. The train brake system has also nearly been completed with standpipes and hoses now finished. Parts for the throttle and unloader control are being drawn up ready for manufacture and fitting. The tip up cab seats and brackets have now been painted and fitted to the Loco.

News Update, 2nd September 2000.

Thanks to John Robinson, Justin Adams, and others for the information contained in this report.

It has been decided to purchase a new boiler for Loco No. 4 "Edward Thomas" / "Peter Sam", for replacement over this winter; an appeal has been launched to assist with the purchase. Until the existing boiler is dismantled we are not sure if any parts are reusable, but the likely cost is believed to be in the order of £30,000.

Loco No. 7 "Tom Rolt" returned to work on Thursday 17th August after its boiler overhaul; it double-headed the 12:40 departure from Wharf, and has subsequently returned to regular service.

Race the Train took place on Saturday 19th August in glorious sunshine. The main race train was hauled by locos 1 "Talyllyn" and 2 "Dolgoch". In the evening the same engines took a party of Talyllyn volunteers and visitors from the Festiniog Railway to Abergynolwyn for a social. The football match was adjudged a draw but the Festiniog awarded the trophy (a suitably mounted brake-block) as the away team.

It is understood that Dolgoch Viaduct and Brynglas Station have been Listed Grade II.

John Robinson, the railway's Secretary, spoke about the Talyllyn Railway at the International "Truck" Summit Meeting in Toyama, Japan on 22nd and 23rd. June. A number of T.R. photographs and some information about our hosts are available.

Diesel No. 8 "Merseysider" is currently in a purple undercoat, and the cab windows have been glazed.

Followers of the fortunes of ex-Glyn Valley Tramway carriage No. 14 will be pleased to learn that the new west end framework has been constructed and test-assembled.

The railway's Annual General Meeting weekend will be on 30th September & 1st October; the timetable is now available.

News Update, 31st May 2000.

Thanks to John Robinson and Richard Hope for the information contained in this report.

Mr Carr of HM Railway Inspectorate visited the line on 28th. April to examine the new flail mower as required by the Approval Regulations; he was satisfied with it, although making three minor recommendations, and specifically complimented the supporting documentation. Formal approval in writing was given on 17 May.

News Update, 25th May 2000.

Thanks to Mark Stevenson for the information contained in this report.

Loco No. 7 "Tom Rolt" passed its hydraulic boiler test yesterday (Wednesday 24th).

Last weekend saw the S&T department complete rewiring of the railway's Electric Key Token instruments by rewiring both instruments at Quarry Siding.

News Update, 11th May 2000.

Thanks to John Robinson and Don Newing for the information contained in this report.

Passenger journeys to 5/5/2000 were up 8% on the equivalent period in 1999. Whilst it must be emphasized that figures this early in the season do not mean a lot, it is a pleasing start.

On Sunday 7/5/2000 Loco 8 worked its first passenger train since rebuilding. The Westinghouse brake equipment was temporarily fitted up to enable the loco to haul a three-coach train from Pendre to Wharf for a party which had had a guided tour of the works.

Nearly all of the timber work for the rebuilding of the Rhydyronen van is now complete and painted, and the steel angle pieces which re-inforce the corners have been formed and should be fitted shortly. It is on schedule to make its debut appearance on the line at AGM weekend.

News Update, 3rd May 2000.

Thanks to Mark Stevenson for the information contained in this report.

Loco No. 7 "Tom Rolt" has been retubed, and preliminary work in preparation for its hydraulic test has started.

In the paintshop, some painting has been done on diesel loco No. 8 "Mersersider", while the roof of carriage No. 20 is receiving attention.

News Update, 28th April 2000.

Thanks to Justin Adams and Mark Stevenson for the information contained in this report.

The west end points at Quarry Siding have been reinstated, and the S&T Department have been greasing the new siding points at Abergynolwyn.

Ex-Glyn Valley Tramway carriage No. 15 has had a touch up and revarnish and is now back in traffic. The paintwork looks the best it has done for some time.

Work is continuing on diesel number 8 with work taking place on the bonnet doors and air brake pipework.

The new footpath around Bryn Eglwys quarry has been opened. There is also a new display board on the side of the café extension at Abergynolwyn giving details of all of the forest walks.

The new TRPS display in the museum is just about finished.

The restoration of the old Rhydyronen van is progessing well. The sides are just about finished, and the appearance of the door has been worked out. The zinc sheet for the roof should be ordered soon.

News Update, 30th March 2000.

Thanks to Mark Stevenson for the information contained in this report.

Ex-Glyn Valley Tramway carriage No. 15 has left the workshops following the fitting of its new running gear, and air braking. It is reported that the ride appears to be much improved.

News Update, 22nd March 2000.

Loco No. 2 "Dolgoch" is in the paint shop, being painted; carriage No. 4 has departed after attention to its paintwork.

Glyn Valley carriage No. 14 is still in the paint shop; its bodywork repairs will take some time. The other Glyn Valley vehicle, No. 15, is still in the works, where air brake equipment is being fitted.

Loco No. 4 was in steam on Friday for the (successful) visit of the boiler inspector.

The top end point at Brynglas has been attended to (re-riveting base plates, etc.) by the track gang, who are now doing same to the bottom end point at Quarry Siding. The S&T department has rewired another of the token machines at Brynglas, for the section to Quarry Siding. 6 instruments have now been rewired on the railway, with 2 still to go.

Diesel loco No. 8 "Merseysider" made an appearance at Wharf on Saturday.

News Update, 5th February 2000.

Thanks to Simon Jenkins for the information contained in this report.

Following last weekend's loco working party, loco No. 1 "Talyllyn" has been put back together and was steamed successfully. Work has also progressed on No. 2 "Dolgoch".

Loco No. 7's new tubes have arrived and are being prepared for fitting into the boiler.

News Update, 24th January 2000.

Thanks to John Robinson for the information contained in this report.

Locos 3 and 6 have passed the boiler inspector's steam test. 6 is available for use, 3 requires a small amount of air brake plumbing reinstatement but will be complete shortly.

Locos 1 and 2 passed the boiler inspector's routine annual examination with plugs &c. out.

Loco 7 is awaiting new tubes which are on order.

Loco 4's boiler requires a limited amount of grinding and welding work.

A new batch of air pumps is under construction.

GVT No. 15 has new running gear, and work is proceeding on fitting air brakes.

News Update, 22nd January 2000.

Thanks to Mark Stevenson for the information contained in this report.

In the paint shop, carriage No. 4 (affectionately known as "Lulu") requires varnishing, while No. 20 (bogie wheelchair saloon) is nearly ready to return to service.

Glyn Valley Tramway carriage No. 15 is in the workshops for fitting of air brakes, and other work on its underframe. (The other GVT carriage, No. 14, is still a long-term resident of the paint shop.)

News Update, 8th January 2000.

Thanks to John Robinson for the information contained in this report.

Locomotive No. 1 "Talyllyn" was in steam 31st. December to 2nd. January and is available for any out-of-season special trains.

No. 2 "Dolgoch" worked until New Year's Eve and is now being stripped for the routine annual boiler inspection.

No. 3 "Sir Haydn" has been largely reassembled following routine boiler inspection and will be ready for steam test when convenient.

No. 4 "Peter Sam" was stripped between Christmas and New Year ready for boiler inspection including ultrasonic examination of certain areas of plate.

No. 6 "Douglas" has been reassembled following routine boiler inspection and awaits steam test.

No. 7 "Tom Rolt" has been inspected and passed its ten-yearly examination, without tubes and awaits retubing.

Ex-Glyn Valley Tramway carriage No. 14 is still in the paintshop awaiting carpentry and looking sorry for itself.

Two air pumps were airfreighted to Argentina for El Tren del Fin del Mundo in Argentina just before Christmas.

Driver Roy Smith, having reached 70 earlier in the year, drove his last trip on New Year's Eve. At Abergynolwyn he was presented with an original painting commissioned from Eric Bottomley, paid for by contributions from fellow volunteers.