The Glyn Valley Tramway is “OnThe Move”!

I see the Glyn Valley Tramway thanks to the cooperation of John Pierce, the owner of Ley Farm and the organiser of the largest Car Boot Sale in England or Wales has now both organising train rides using his equipment and also in the very near future with WILFRID and is also looking for people both inside and outside the Trust to “crew” or be trained to “crew” the two engines.

Other heritage railways have used the same route, so though there is nothing new in the idea, it is great to see the Trust developing new means of raising income, flying the flag for the Trust and at the same time both making people aware of the Trust and its work, as well as putting smiles on faces, especially of the children!

So, if you want to help, as it says, please contact Will Appleton!

Scribe!

An update on WILFRID

On Sunday 29 August WILFRID was sedately transported to the Petty Pool Model Railway at Northwich Cheshire, where it was hoped that its pressure and boiler tests would be carried out and the necessary pieces of paper be issued, unfortunately this did not happen!

As the morning wore on, and the heavy showers gave way to a clear blue sky, though the temperature continued to remind us that September was almost here, or was it October, it became apparent that there was something amiss with WILFRID, judging by the mutterings of the certificating engineer and his assistant.

Due to pressure of time, it was not possible for WILFRID’S driver to remain at the Petty Pool MR, so leaving the engine in the care of Charles and Joan Taylor-Nobbs, the owners, the driver returned to Chirk. Later by e-mail it was learnt that the engine’s water feed was blocked and it would need to be returned to Ian Done for rectification.

Step forward Gill Pierce the Trust’s mutli tasking Secretary. Gill has now been to the PMR, collected WILFRID and I understand already delivered same to Ian Done’s workshop. The provisional plan is following rectification, WILFRID will be returned to the PMR on Sunday 12 September for re-examination, and if passed will be duly certificated. There is also I understand talk of a ‘public outing’ either on 12 September or the following week at PMR, before being retuned to Ley Farm. If I receive further news, I will write and let you know!

Scribe!

Further News from Allan Morgan

GVT Trust Model Report No3 Rev for blog.doc

Have You Seen This Before?

If you visit the Trust’s webpage, there you wil see a picture of the La Meuse, that the GVT Trust had in steam and running on a 100m track at the Chirk Fun Day in 2009. So when people said “I am sure that there was one like that on the original GVT” they were not far out!

If you look at the Baldwin, in general outline there was/is quite a passing likeness between the two types of engines, but like the camel, one has two humps and the other one!

I am sure we would all be delighted to see either passing out from under Hand Lane Bridge on its way to the Pontfaen Bank.

The Baldwin picture is through the courtesy of The Narrow Gauge Railway Society.

Scribe!

GVT Model info for Blog

From Allen Morgan .

For further details and/or information, please contact Allen on allen.morgan

> From: allen.morgan@blueyonder.co.uk
> To: david.pentregarth@hotmail.co.uk
> Subject: GVT Model info for Blog
> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:10:42 +0100
>
> Hello David
> Revised report and some photos for the blog as promised.
>
> Regards
> Allen

tram quarry locos

coaches

deisal 4t granit wagons

GVT Trust Model Report No3 Rev for blog.doc

Glyn Valley Tramway Trust – 100 Club

The winning tickets in the August draw were:-

First Prize: No.14. Second Prize: No.25. Third Prize: No.1

Would prize winners please contact Gill Pierce to arange for the payment of their prizes Gill can be contacted on 01691 770222 or 07967 251614

Thank You!

Fantastic Find!

Thanks to Trust member Rod Low, the Trust now has in its possession the negatives and subsequently developed pictures of three photographs taken by his father the late William Mackie Low that now come from the collection of Roderick Craig Low, who is the owner of the copyright.

It is believed that the photographs were taken in about 1935/36 for though the line of coaches seen at Chirk, the outline of the background determines the location, are those obviously abandoned following either the cessation of passenger traffic or the full closure of the line in 1935, the “coal wagons” are obviously still in use and the coal is more likely to be stone that was in transit. In this instance it is thought that the photograph was taken somewhere along the B4500 in the area (perhaps) of Castle Mill or Pontfadog. The third photograph was taken at Glyn Ceiriog station when the original GVT was still working, judging by the general condition of the track and yard. The scene however has little changed in the years that have passed, for standing where the original picture taken, the field pattern on the hills is virtually unchanged after so many years. It is a credit to those who farm those hills, that the beautiful pattern of field walls and trees has not given way to prairie farming and that the landscape heritage is still intact!

If anyone can help to identify the exact spot where the picture of the wagons are standing, the Trustees would be pleased to receive the information. At the forthcoming Public Consultation, date to be announced, the three photographs, duly enlarged, will be on public display.

Information regarding the location of the wagons should be sent to David Cooper, PentreGarth, Llwynmawr, Llangollen LL20 7BG.

Scribe!

glyn gvt station

coal wagons glyn ceiriog

gvt coaches 1935

The Trust’s Planning Application – Update

I have heard that the “Target Date” for the submission of the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust’s Planning Application has been delayed, due to the non receipt by the consultants of two outstanding reports, the reason seemingly being “The Silly Season”, or better known as August, when people, especially those with children, tend to go away on holiday!

After due consultation, the Trust’s submission target date has therefore now been reset for the week commencing 13 September. With the Planning Application made, the date of the public consultation can then be determined and full details of that event, such as time and location, be released.

Scribe!

Found – WILFRID’s missing Coal Wagon!

It was with some embarrassments at the August board meeting of the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust, that during the debate regarding the completion of the WILFRID project that the Chairman, having been shown a picture, said in response to the question “Where is WILFRID’s coal wagon for that is what the driver sits on” – “Why that’s in my garage”!

The Chairman then explained that in the summer of 2008 a member of the Trust had come to him and asked if he could store the wagon with him for a couple of weeks, as he had no room at home. Since then the wagon had remained in the Chairman’s garage, being used for a time by the cat, for with a blanket inside it made for a comfortable, draft free bed. Since the departure of the cat however, the wagon had been relegated to a shelf, quietly gathering dust.

The Chairman was pleased to report that the wagon, once dusted down, was complete, though one side would have to be replaced as the wood had started to rot and the drivers ‘foot rest’ which had been affixed at this point had come loose, as the wood could no longer hold the screws. The ‘foot pedal’ was however safe and sound!

The wagon will need a re-paint, one new side and the ‘foot pedal’ attached before being able to enter service, otherwise, all that is needed as a drop of oil!

Picture RIM 0161 shows the coal wagon complete, whilst RIM 0162 shows the wagon without its detachable sides

OK, so when is it going to be repaired, the wagon filled with coal and seen running?

Scribe!

rimg0161

rimg0162

Latest information on WILFRID

More good news from Ian Done of I. D. CAM CNC SERVICES Ltd of Oswestry and Joan Taylor Nobbs, who together with husband Charles (both Glyn Valley Tramway Trust Trustees) have been the inspiration behind the restoration of this unique locomotive.

Ian reports that work on the locomotive is now all complete, except for two 4BA ‘cheesehead slotted screws’ so that WILFRID’s name plate can be firmly affixed to the boiler. Ian has two, but knows where he can hopefully source the remaining two during the week. He would also like to thank all those who have made contact with him in his earlir search for 4BA screws which as he said “Shows just how much this story has been followed by members of the Trust, its supporters and well wishers”.

Joan reports that arrangements are now in hand for the boiler to be steam tested at the Northwich Model Engineering Club’s site in Sandiway, Cheshire on Sunday 29 August and if the testing is successful, WILFRID will then be “back in service!”.

Scribe now wants to know, when will it run on the private track at Ley Farm, so we can see it in action?

Picture shows WILFRID, complete (all bar the two missing 4BA cheese head slotted screws) and ready for its boiler test.

Scribe!