7819 ‘Hinton Manor’ returns to Aberystwyth

The Vale of Rheidol Railway is excited to announce the return of GWR 7800 Class, No. 7819 Hinton Manor, to Aberystwyth. The locomotive arrived on loan from the Severn Valley Railway last week, and is now on display in our Engine Shed Museum.

Hinton Manor was built in 1939 as the last of the original batch of Manor locomotives built by the Great Western Railway in Swindon. It was based in Carmarthen, Oswestry, Machynlleth and Shrewsbury before being withdrawn from service in 1965. It was often used to haul the famous Cambrian Coast Express services on the leg from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth during the early 1960s.

The locomotive was saved from scrap and taken in poor condition to the Severn Valley Railway in 1973. It was restored and returned to steam in 1977.

Hinton Manor returned to Aberystwyth in 1987, hauling the Cardigan Bay Express on a series of special steam excursions along the old Cambrian line. It last pulled trains into Aberystwyth in 1991.

The engine has been on static display for many years, and we are thrilled to announce its return to Aberystwyth after a gap of almost 35 years. Our workshop staff have given Hinton Manor a thorough clean and polish, so that it gleams in the museum for all our visitors to enjoy.

We are extremely thankful to our friends at the Severn Valley Railway for the loan of Hinton Manor. It has taken the spot in our museum previously used by Dukedog No. 9017, which was on loan from the Bluebell Railway and has now gone to the Severn Valley for further display.

Entry to our museum in Aberystwyth is free, and daily trains to Devil’s Bridge will start running again from 28 March.