Reunion of Locomotive Crews at the Vale of Rheidol Railway

The Vale of Rheidol Railway recently played host to a special reunion of locomotive crews who had once worked on steam engines along the historic Cambrian Lines, which ran from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, as well as the narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol branch to Devil’s Bridge. Many of these railwaymen, some of whom had not seen each other for years, gathered to reminisce and share fond memories of their time on the rails.

The event was organised by Larry Bridges, former manager of the Cambrian Line for British Rail, alongside John “Cushty” Rogers, a local engineman now well-known for working on the Jacobite steam services in Scotland. Together, they brought together a group of seasoned railway workers, reigniting the camaraderie and nostalgia of their steam days.

A highlight of the day was a tour of the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s newly opened Engine Shed museum. The group enjoyed a buffet lunch next to the legendary “Dukedog” locomotive No. 9017, which is on a short loan from the Bluebell Railway in Sussex. No. 9017 has returned to the engine shed where it was frequently stabled before 1960, and for some of the attendees, it was a chance to reconnect with a locomotive they had worked on many decades ago.

To conclude the day’s events, the group embarked on a scenic journey to Devil’s Bridge, pulled by locomotive No. 8 Llywelyn, which has recently been repainted in British Railways black livery, a nod to its historical roots.

Vale of Rheidol Railway’s Safety Manager, Will Smith, commented, “It was great to welcome the group to the Vale of Rheidol and listen to some of the stories from days gone by.”

This special reunion not only celebrated the heritage of Welsh steam railways but also underscored the enduring bond between those who have dedicated their lives to working on the rails.