Project Phase 3 – Multi Function Display Space – October 22
Phase 3 of our Wales to the World project has been progressing since our last update with lots to share. The end steels of the building, centre and door posts, were sadly condemned and have been replaced with new metalwork. The brickwork was removed from four of the side bays of the building facing our…
Charitable steam railway teams up with the Cambrian Mountains Initiative
A popular Ceredigion attraction, the Vale of Rheidol Railway, has signed up to support the work of the Cambrian Mountains Initiative. Leading by example, the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s injection of funds has allowed the initiative to continue its promotional activities for the next twelve months. The Cambrian Mountains Initiative has promoted the region extensively…
Carriage No.11 – First Class
Friday 20th May 2022 saw the official launch into service of our new first class carriage. The carriage has cost £120,000 to rebuild. The work has included the manufacture of custom designed and produced seating with a moquette chosen by our late chairman Mr. Peter Rampton. The woodwork in the carriage has all been completed…
Hanomag 1927 built NG/G13 Garratt No.60 – Drakensberg
The Vale of Rheidol Railway has completed the commissioning of Hanomag 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt NG/G13 works number 10551 built in 1927. The ex-South African Railway’s locomotive No. 60, named Drakensberg, will be available to haul VoR passenger trains in 2022 in addition to the line’s iconic 2-6-2Ts. The German-built NG/G13 ceased work in South Africa in…
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway’s No.822 – The Earl
The heavy overhaul of No.822, The Earl, from the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway was completed during 2021 within our workshop at Aberystwyth and it has now returned to its home railway and begun to haul passenger trains, upon completion of testing. During May, June and July 2021 there was a big push within our…
Project Phase 4 – New Booking Office
Phase 4 of our project, the building of a brand new booking office, has also started simultaneously as phase 3. The overall look of the building is designed to match the style of our workshop built in 2012 with various features from our history as well as that of the Great Western Railway, including original…
Project Phase 3 – Multi Function Display Space – July 22
Phase 3 of our Wales to the World project has begun. It is the overhaul of the former standard gauge engine shed to turn it into a display space suitable for the display of engines from our collection. After emptying the building and removing the track, the interior was sandblasted to clean it and remove…
Various Projects – July 2022
Our engineers have had a wheely good time lately, working on wheel sets for us and others. For ourselves, there was the culmination of a 10 year project to overhaul and modify the bogies from our carriages to improve the ride for our visitors. All 32 carriage bogies are now rebuilt and 30 are in…
Carriage No.12 – July 2022
With the completion of Carriage 11 work has begun in earnest on Carriage 12. So far the carriage has been stripped, the framework modifications are complete, the roof has been completed, the ceiling has been formed and the centre panels have been sent away to artist Terence Lambert for painting in the theme of flight,…
Baldwin No.44699 – July 2022
Work on the Baldwin has been continuing steadily. The tanks were temporarily refitted to the frames prior to removal for painting to begin, and vacuum brake pipes have been made and fitted. The iconic ‘water lifter’ pipe work has been manufactured and fitted. A lot of work has taken place on the motion and valve…
Queen’s Jubilee Baton Visit
Thursday 30th June saw the Queens Jubilee Baton Relay visit Aberystwyth and we had the honour of carrying it for part of its journey. Our nominated baton carrier was Hawys Richards, the daughter of one of our engineers. She was selected for her achievements in the sport of cycling, finishing 2nd in her group at…
New First Class Carriage Launched
New Lighting at CaFriday 20th May 2022 saw the official launch into service of our new first class carriage. The carriage has cost £120,000 to rebuild. The work has included the manufacture of custom designed and produced seating with a moquette chosen by our late chairman Mr. Peter Rampton. The woodwork in the carriage has…