42
R heidol R ev iew Newsletter
Photo by Gareth Jones
Is sue 1 - 2020 www.rheidolrailway.co.uk
Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG
Welcome
A new decade begins...
W
elcome to the first newsletter of 2020. The dawn of not only a new year, but also a new decade. The last 10 years saw the railway change and develop with lots more to come. This year alone will see three if not four milestones completed towards developing our visitor experience. There will be the first steaming on VoR metals of the NGG13 Garratt, the entry into traffic of our rebuilt and upgraded first class observation carriage, which will not only offer an enhanced first class experience but also provide enclosed wheelchair accomodation. We will also have the opening of our new museum collection and heritage rolling stock protection shed, and this year may also see the completion of the new booking office facility, which will have a shop floor around four times the size of the temporary booking office currently in use, allowing us to provide a greater variety of products including more locally made products.
C O N T E N T S
Even though our first train of the year is not until 15th February, you can still call by and find out what we are up to by enquiring about our workshop tours. For a small fee you will be escorted to our workshop and told about the ongoing projects along with a brief history of the line. Please check in advance before you visit as they are dependant upon staff availability. As always we are interested in your thoughts so this month’s question is: What kind of products would you like to see for sale in our shop both in store and online? Send your answers by email to newsletter@rheidolrailway.co.uk
Gareth D Jones Editor
Page 3
News
Page 19
Engines from our Collection
Page 5
Workshop Updates
Page 21
Number 3, ‘Rheidol’
Page 9
Volunteers
Page 23
Railway Reviews
Page 11
Mines of the Rheidol Valley
Page 24
Our Staff
Page 14 An image from the Archive
Page 25 Shop Products
Page 15
Picture Gallery
Page 27
Model Railway Products
Page 17
Gallery
Page 29
Timetable Page 2
Vale of Rheidol Railway News VoR Long Service Medal
M
ichael Langford has recently retired having served the railway at our Surrey workshops for 28 years, making him the longest serving member of staff in the company’s modern history. He worked as part of our engineering team and has passed on his wisdom to many staff during his time. The medal is based on a commemorative medal which had been presented by the Railway Company to engineer Sir James Szlumper to commemorate his contribution to building the line when it opened in 1902. The tradition of giving medals to our staff who have given many years of loyal service with the railway was re-established during 2015. This will be the 6th such occasion that a medal has been struck and issued since bringing it back. Some of our previous medal recipients pictured below
Page 3
Vale of Rheidol Railway News Protecting our stock for the future
O
ur Museum Collection and Heritage Rolling Stock Protection Shed is continuing to make progress. The roof panels have been installed, and will, as the building approaches completion, be lined with solar panels down the southern facing roof. The first of three roads has had the track laid, ballasted, levelled and tamped ready for a concrete floor to be poured around the track. Once the floor has set the next road will be laid and concreted then the last in turn. Whilst the track has been going down on one side the wall panels have begun fitting on the other.
Page 4
WORKSHOP Garratt NGG13 No.60
N
GG 60 has seen a lot of work take place since the last update. The super heaters have been hydraulically tested and fitted, this means the boiler unit is virtually complete other than fitting a brick arch in the firebox and the in steam inspection. The power units entered the works in December and the boiler unit was placed into temporary store. So far the power units have both had their cylinders stripped for inspection and were found to be in good order, new piston rings will be fitted throughout. The leading power unit has had the wheels dropped for turning, which is almost complete.
The axle boxes were also inspected and found to be in good condition. The power unit will receive modifications to fit air braking as part of its reassembly then the trailing unit will be brought in for similar treatment.
Page Page 5 5
UPDATE
W
Baldwin No.44699
ork has slowed on the Baldwin over the Christmas period, with the firehole door fitting being the main progress. The wheel sets are ready for fitting and at some point in the near future the Baldwin will be turned into a rolling chassis, though for this to take place a large amount of the super structure will need stripping to facilitate access to wheel the engine.
Page 6
WORKSHOP WLLR’s No822
T
he spring hangers have been removed, built up, machined back to shape and re-riveted to the frames. All the loose rivets on the frame have been removed and replaced. The beading on the tanks has been removed and straightened. The tank edge has been cleaned and the beading is being re-fitted with original rivet detail. The Cab is being straightened and the worn out rain strips are being replaced. The axle boxes have been machined and new horn inserts machined and fitted. New pressure strips have been fitted and a mould for casting the white metal constructed. The frames have been measured and drawings prepared for machining the new horn faces.
Page 7
UPDATE Carriage Project
T
he detail work on Carriage 11 has been continuing with bespoke panelling having been designed for the insides of the doors that matches the sides of the carriages. Work on the fittings such as table supports and the table tops has also been taking place, though much detail work is still to come before this work of art will be complete and ready for traffic.
Page 8
Vale of Rheidol Volunteers
A
By Clive Higgs, Railway Volunteer
fter a very happy VOR Christmas dinner, the volunteers hibernated or migrated until the rain eased in mid January. Then the stations were inspected and our 2020 jobs were worked out for us. Meanwhile we cleared the platforms of fallen branches, cleared the litter from the car park and garden at Aberystwyth and replanted a conifer that had been blown down in the Devil’s Bridge garden. Last year we had forgotten to top the new fences at Aberffrwd Wood, so we quickly stapled the top wire to the posts. Then added new steps down the bank to the wood’s railway gate and added hand-rails beside them. All finished there. The bulbs’ shoots are now appearing in the platform troughs. We are about to blow the leaves away from the gardens, platforms and railway line at Aberffrwd. Gales are expected! During the schools’ half-term holidays, on Saturday 15th February, we are hoping to get lifts on the first 2020 train (at 10:30) to clean the inside of the halts at Rheidol Falls and Rhiwfron, the two most spectacular stops. They are miles from roads and it would be miserable carrying mops, a step ladder and water up the steep paths. New Volunteers are very welcome! Cleaning work is needed at other station and halt buildings, both indoors and outdoors. The waiting room seats and the Nantyronen and Aberffrwd inside need particular attention. This ideally will be done soon. Gardening in earnest will start in March with tidying the gardens, troughs and tubs. The daffodils, tulips and other spring plants should be in full display. Later the summer planting at the stations and Nantyronen Halt will begin in May if there are no frosts. Then weeding, watering, dead-heading and replacing very few dead plants (hopefully) until the end of October. The corner of crab apple trees at Nantyronen needs clearing of brambles. Painting will start in Spring, whenever we have some settled weather. The main painting job will be Aberffrwd Station and its two water tanks. In the dark green colour of the Cambrian Railways, the owners from 1913 to 1922. New roof timbers and “tin” roof sheets will be put onto the large tank before painting. We hope to re-stain the platform fences at Capel Bangor, Nantyronen, Aberffrwd, and the two upper halts. The “ABERFFRWD” white stones need their annual re-painting and the roadside Aberffrwd sign needs some new paint. We wanted to paint the new toilet block that is currently being installed at Devil’s Bridge. This
Page 9
needs to be painted quickly before there are many passengers. But unfortunately Peter White, our best and fastest painter, is moving to Sussex and it might be a very long day for him to drive here for every day’s painting. We’ll miss him for everything, not just the painting. “Peter the Painter” is at the right of the photo below, but Harm and John are good painters too!
So we are a bit understaffed. If anyone would like to join the volunteers, (s)he would be very welcome. Many of us are pensioners and the work is very varied, ranging from energetic work with a sledgehammer to sitting down and gently weeding the platform troughs from a wheelchair. Everyone is very friendly, even when it’s raining! Meeting up and improving something is fun! The volunteers don’t work with locomotives, rolling stock or the permanent way. Experienced, fully trained professionals do that. Volunteers mainly work at the out-of-town stations with beautiful surroundings and dry waiting rooms. The working hours are during the daytime, usually starting around 10:30. It can last the morning or all day according to your choice. A lot of the work is done when everyone interested is available. There tend to be gardening and non-gardening groups but several people work in both. The gardeners usually meet up on Tuesday mornings although work like watering can be needed more often over the summer. We try to work on large jobs, like painting stations daily. (If people are available, but often this isn’t possible.) Jobs in the past have included painting, gardening, cleaning, weeding platforms, building fences, repairing buildings, being a station master and porter at special events, drinking tea and coffee, chatting and eating sandwiches. And waving at trains. The more talkative vols chat with passengers.
Our volunteers at work over the years
Our volunteers meet once a week, and through their efforts our stations always look at their best no matter what the weather. If you wish to join our amazing band of volunteers helping to maintain our stations then please get in touch via email: info@rheidolrailway.co.uk Page 10
Child Miner’s Boots Discovered 360ft Below Ground
O
by Ioan Lord
ne of the deepest lead mines in the Cwm Rheidol area was explored by two friends and me on 12 January 2020. On ropes we spent over 7 hours climbing a vertical height of over 920 feet (280 meters) to access areas of the mine where nobody had set foot since the late nineteenth century. The mine will remain anonymous due to the value of the artefacts which were discovered, and the dangerous condition of the workings. The mine was worked from the late eighteenth until the early twentieth century. Below the surface, levels were opened from the main vertical shaft at regular intervals along the vein of lead, at the Drainage Adit level, and at 10 fathoms, 20 fathoms, 33 fathoms, 45 fathoms, 60 fathoms, 75 fathoms and 90 fathoms below the adit (1 fathom = 6 feet). Most of the levels have been ‘stoped-out’, i. e. the vein has been extracted from all Page 11
around them leaving only short sections of the levels amongst cavernous chambers termed stopes, where all the lead-ore has been removed. Our first abseil was 80 feet in depth, and enabled us to access a short section of the 10 Fathom Level, where a miners’ lunch bench survived along with a century-old clay tobacco pipe. Three further descents were made from here, the longest being 150 feet on one rope, until the bottom of the ‘stope’ was reached and we managed to gain access to the 45 Fathom Level, 360 feet below the surface. This level contained remains of a 2’ gauge tramway which, rather than the rails connected to the sleepers using spikes, had pins underneath the rails which were wedged into tapered slots cut into the wooden sleepers. Some of the wooden wedges survived in the sleeper slots. This unusual method of track laying has not been observed elsewhere underground in
mid-Wales. Near the end of the 45 Fathom Level, an extremely interesting area was found. This was a short side-passage which had been converted into a lunch- and storeroom. These places were called a croes (English: cross), possibly due to the fact that short religious services were often conducted within them before and after the miners’ underground shifts. This is the best-preserved croes yet found during modern exploration in the Cwm Rheidol area, and contained a wooden shelf on the wall upon which was a miner’s water flask and clay tobacco pipe. Below the shelf were several tallow candles set in balls of clay, and a wooden bench. Placed under the bench was one of the best artefacts I have ever seen: a pair of children’s hobnail boots. The boots measured about 8 inches in length, and were in nearperfect condition although this area of the mine had been abandoned for the past 120 years. The shoe sizes suggest an age of about 11 or 12 for the child to whom they belonged. Children often began work underground in mid-Wales at this age. Boots and other items of clothing were often left underground as an “offering” to the mine spirits or as a memorial to people who had died, so it is possible that their owner was killed in an accident ‘Rich Mountains of Lead’ The Metal Mining Industry of Cwm Rheidol and Ystumtuen by Ioan Lord Available for purchase in our shop or online £45 https://shop. rheidolrailway. co.uk/products/ rich-mountainsof-lead-ioan-lord
underground and his shoes were left near the place. Alternatively, they could have been an old pair of boots which were left as an offering to the coblynnod or the goblins who were widely believed to live in the mines. Although the boots and the unusual tramway were only at a vertical depth of 360 feet below ground, the exploration to access the area required almost 1,000 feet of abseiling and near-vertical rope Another Iron wagon climbing in total. All artefacts were found in No. 8 Adit photographed and documented, and plans of the accessible workings are being drawn and compiled. Although rewarding in discovering an area not seen in over a century and superb artefacts, the long climb back to the surface led to many aching thighs for several days after!
Ioan offers underground tours to the general public with his business, Mid Wales Mine Adventures, find out more here; https://www.midwalesminetours.com/ Miner’s shovel and ammonal tin
Tapered slots in the sleepers of the 2-foot gauge tramway
N.B. These mines are on Private property and entry is forbidden unless by prior arrangement. Mines in the Valley are very dangerous owing to the vertical shafts and the potential for them to be hidden within woodland. Exploration should only be undertaken by experienced persons!
Page 12
Page 13
Vale of Rheidol Photo Archive By Rob Bance,VoR Archivist
W
Cambrian Water Tower 1956
hen Aberffrwd station was originally opened, the water supply for the locomotives was provided from two large tanks that were sited in a dug out of the hillside at the up end of the station, with the water coming from the Abernant. This supply was inadequate and a ram pump was purchased and installed in 1908 in the dingle above the Cwmdauddwr bend to lift water straight from the stream. In 1910 a further water tank was added at the down end meaning a total of nearly 3000 gallons of water could be stored at Aberffrwd. The water tanks developed serious leaks and in 1919 the Cambrian built the current one we see in this photograph from 1956.
Page 14
Photo: Geoff Griffiths
Picture
Photo: Geraint Roberts
Photo: Simon Fozzard
Gallery
Photo: Will Smith
Page 18
Photo: Alistair Greave
Engines from our Collection Compiled by Gareth Jones
Maffei 0-8-0T ‘Brigadelok’ DFB No.968/No.31 4766/1916 JA Maffei Brigadelok 0-8-0T KLA 4766 of 1916, DFB 968 was built for use on the German army trench railways during World War One. The 11-tonne (24,000 lb) 0-8-0T Brigadelok design with Klien-Lindner articulation of the front and rear axles was adopted as the new military standard in 1901. Approximately 250 were available by 1914, and over two thousand were produced during the war. A Brigadelok typically handled six loaded cars up a 2% grade. Approximately 20% of the Brigadeloks saw post-war use. Government railways of (Yugoslavia), Macedonia, Serbia and Poland made extensive use of the military locomotives. Significant numbers were used in Hungary, France, Latvia, Bulgaria and Romania while smaller numbers went overseas to Africa, Indonesia, Japan and North America. Much of the trench railway equipment remaining in Belgium at the end of hostilities was shipped to the Belgian Congo to build the Vicicongo line. Purchased by Ruvenhorst & Humbert in the 1940s, it changed hands in 1967 and again in 1987 when bought by M Mervaux in Paris in 1987. The Vale of Rheidol Railway purchased the loco in an auction in 2002. Page 19
Engines from our Collection Compiled by Gareth Jones
Borsig 0-4-0WT 5913/1906 Borsig 0-4-0WT 5913 of 1906 is a 20HP Type 2 fitted with Walschaerts valve gear. Built for the Briqueteries, Modernes N.V., Knokke - zwevegem, Belgium, where it ran as loco No. 3 the boiler was repaired by Focquet of Belgium in 1930 and it last steamed in 1965. Following purchase by Edelhart De Lille of Maldegem, Belgium, in 1972 it went into storage until being purchased by the Vale of Rheidol Railway in July 1994. Another Borsig locomotive is in the private collection owned by the Vale of Rheidol Railway‘s late Chairman Mr Peter Rampton. Photo: David Benn
A Vintage Parade with The Mountain Wanderer at Mooihoek. Page 20
Driver John Pryce Morris and fireman Jack ‘bach’ Davies pose with Rheidol in its early Cambrian guise, with wooden cab back.
Number 3, ‘Rheidol’
O
by Geraint Roberts
ur long lamented Bagnall tank engine could have been said to have ‘lived’ in its years of service. It certainly had a varied career – and gauge! Originally built in 1896 as works no. E1497, she was ordered by Collier, Antunez & co. for use in the cane plantation and sugar factory ‘Usina
This picture shows Talybont, with the forlorn Victoria at Talybont station, above the village. The Bagnall is still in as-built condition, with balloon spark arrester and open back cab (now hidden by a matchboard cover). Page 21
Treze de Maio’, near Pernambuco, Brazil. She was built in 2ft 5.5 inch gauge, but the order was cancelled due to unrest in the region (War of Canudos). Bagnalls were left with a complete locomotive, but not for too long. Thomas Molyneux was looking for a bargain, for his quarry line between LLanfihangel Geneu’r Glyn (Llandre), through Talybont, to the Hafan quarry (close by modern-day Nant-y-Moch reservoir), to end the disastrous career of the tramway’s vertical boilered ‘Victoria’. The Plynlimon & Hafan tramway, as it became known, was 2ft 3in gauge, so after an adaption, the engine was despatched in black livery with white and red lining. The engine was renamed ‘Talybont‘ in green letters and provided sterling service during the line’s brief life. The railway foundered around 18991900 and the engine was returned to Bagnalls. Itsbreak nextoflease of life was Paling under Lawley’s at day. Photo: Hannes
the contractor company, Pethicks. This Plymouth based company was constructing the Vale of Rheidol railway and so ‘Talybont’ was re-gauged again to 1ft 11.75 inch and renamed ‘Rheidol’. In February 1902, Pethicks offered her for sale to the VOR for £350. The railway decided they needed a shunting engine and paid £400 for her. What they got was a bargain, as the engine provided extra service. She was the stalwart of the 7am early morning stopper to Devil’s Bridge and also provided piloting duties on heavier trains. It was the only engine in the fleet light enough to traverse the harbour branch, on the rare occasions it was in use. It was not unknown for the engine to do two or even three trips up to Devil’s Bridge in a day and was a favourite with both passengers and crew. This is perhaps surprising, given that the short wheelbase caused a great degree of corkscrewing and oscillation at speed. Firemen had to top up the corners of the firebox, as the shaking moved the fire to the centre. It also ran for a time without a pressure gauge, usage dependent on the skill of the crew ‘feeling’ the needs of the
engine! A flatter back was provided to the cab and the Cambrian finally graced her with a steel one. The back cab shelf was used as a rule to store the coal when shunting. The livery became green and then lined black once more. The Cambrian removed the name and Rheidol became plain ‘number 3’, although to the crews, it was never anything but ‘Rheidol’. On absorption to the GWR, the engine acquired the number 1198. Although there are no records of her using it, a recent discovery of a number plate, shows sign of wear and tear on it to imply it had had usage. Certainly, the GWR would not have bothered to change the livery of the engine. On the 31 May 1923, it was stopped, being officially withdrawn from traffic on 17 July 1924. It could be said that if the engine had not gone, the Vale of Rheidol would not have acquired a 3rd engine in 1924, number 1213 (BR number 9) being the replacement. However, one cannot but regret the passing of such a plucky survivor. The more intrepid can still discover sister examples in different countries.
Works no. 2539 at Saidpur, Bangladesh Page 22
Railway Reviews Revi Google
ew
untry.
vely co
ugh lo de thro ri l a ti n ta d. ng subs mende good, lo Highly recom his is a
sen Aart Ol
T
v ie w e R k o o Faceb Super
ough th
trip thr
que
ictures
, very p e valley
orris bbott-M A s a l g u Do
Review r o s i v d Tripa
rt walk
g a sho arrivin n O . e ridg . evil’s B the waterfall f ip to D o tr s ic w n e ie sc od v t ,very you go xcellen
E
e v ie w R k o o b Face way
gives
Slxhawk
ber, il remem idol Ra of Rhe day a day to train, riding le a V e th you irth eat Thank ands 65th B xperience on enic, and gr e e. sc g usb le h y id o r r y h e B v w m the eys evils king for ma ghly enjoyed side and vall bration at D le u y e o tr c r n o ic u th n o t. c pic aines We ly c ve our so perfe h love Susan H throug ay stop to ha The day was halfw
Page 23
About our staffAbout Our Staff Aaron Smyth Engineering Apprentice
A
aron joined the railway in September 2019, chosen from a group of 6 that attended a competitive selection day for a sought after apprenticeship on our railway. He joined direct from school after completing his GCSEs. He said he was very pleased to get a job with the railway as he loves hands on work. In his spare time Aaron is passionate about cars and motorbikes. He enjoys opportunities to work on these vehicles. He is currently rebuilding and restoring a Land Rover 90 hoping to complete in time for his 17th Birthday so it can become his first car, upon passing his driving test.
Lianne Murphy Cleaner
L
ianne joined the railway in September 2019. She lives with her 11 year old spaniel, Jake and over 500 houseplants. Moving to Wales from Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire in 2017 for university. Lianne loves to travel and so far has explored 41 countries and counting. She used to be a Business Intelligence Analyst for an insurance company but decided on a career change whilst camping her way around Africa. She is currently studying Zoology in Aberystwyth University and wants to work with crocodiles in the wild, all over the World. In Easter 2020 she is off to Costa Rica on a research expedition. Lianne was brought up in a garage so loves being in the workshop the most. Luckily, she actually enjoys cleaning, too! She says her favourite part of the job is getting the locker room sparkling, if only for 5 minutes before chaos descends... Page 24
AVAILABLE TO PREORDER NOW
THE VALE OF RHEIDOL RAILWAY
by Peter Johnson
T
he First book to be published about our line in recent times this book brings our history up to date. Built to carry minerals from mines in the Rheidol valley, the 2ft gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway found its niche carrying tourists to the tourist attraction at Devil’s Bridge, 12 miles inland from the Cardigan coast resort of Aberystwyth. Taken over by the Cambrian Railways and then the Great Western Railway, it became the last steam railway operated by British Rail. In 1989 it became the first part of the national network to be privatised. Now under the control of a charitable trust it is undergoing a revival that will see it become one of the leading tourist attractions in Mid-Wales. PUBLISHED APRIL 2020 Available for Pre-Order the book will dispatched once in stock ready for the publication date of 30th April 2020. Get yours here; https://shop.rheidolrailway.co.uk/products/vale-of-rheidol-railway-story-of-a-narrow-gaugesurvivor-peter-johnson-pre-order?_pos=10&_sid=16311b976&_ss=r
Special Pre Order Discount - £27.00 THE RAILWAYS OF SIR ARTHUR PERCIVAL HEYWOOD by James Waterfield
T
he author has spent many years studying and researching the work of Sir Arthur Heywood, particularly with regards the ‘Minimum Gauge Railway’. He has also built fine full-size working replicas of the locomotives Effie and Ursula, plus various items of Heywood rolling stock, including bogie carriages. They form the core of ‘The Heywood Collection’. This first volume covers the development of Sir Arthur’s idea and the establishment of his experimental 15 inch gauge line at Duffield. Much fresh information is contained in the text and many new, previously unpublished photographs are included. Even those images previously published, are the subject of fresh scans from originals where possible, giving a clarity not seen before. The locomotives and rolling stock are covered in detail, including over forty detailed scale drawings, prepared by Mike Decker. Coverage is given to the houses, the workshops at Duffield, the 9 inch line at Dove Leys and the Heywood locomotives and stock that ran on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.Volume two will cover the Eaton Hall Railway. Order yours here; https://shop.rheidolrailway.co.uk/collections/railway-books/products/railways-of-sir-arthurpercival-heywood-vol-1
£47.50
Call in or phone our shop on 01970 625819 Page 25
THE IVO PETERS COLLECTION VOLUME FOUR
N
orth Wales Narrow Gauge Steam in 1959/60 - This volume takes Ivo Peters’ coverage of Britain’s railways into a new realm - the fascinating narrow gauge railways of North Wales. After a brief visit to BR’s last narrow gauge, the Vale of Rheidol Railway at Aberystwyth, we see the early days of preservation of the Talyllyn and Ffestiniog plus a journey up the Snowdon Mountain Railway. The major part of this volume covers the long closed and lost slate quarry railways at Padarn and Penrhyn and Dinorwic Quarry. Each railway is explored in detail including lineside trips up the lines as well as the slate quarries. Get yours here; https://shop.rheidolrailway.co.uk/collections/ railway-dvds/products/ivo-peters-north-wales-narrow-gaugesteam-1959-60-dvd Full collecction available, see our store or call for details.
£17.50 STEAM LOCOS IN PROFILE - VOLUME TWO
T
his second DVD release features episodes 9-14 of the popular YouTube show. Including exclusive bonus
material filmed on the Vale Of Rheidol Railway in North Wales. Steam locomotive classes include; GWR 28XXs, GWR Manors, BR Std 4MT tank engines, BR Britannias, GWR Halls and LMS 8Fs. Bomus footage features; Vale Of Rheidol 2-6-2Ts, Vale Of Rheidol Directors Commentary and Aberystwyth to Aberffwd In Four Minutes. Get yours here; https://shop.rheidolrailway.co.uk/products/ steam-locos-in-profile-volume-2-manors-and-halls-28xx-vale-ofrheidol-dvd?_pos=1&_sid=2fac8f133&_ss=r Full collection available, see our store or call for details.
£15.00
Vsit our online shop - https://shop.rheidolrailway.co.uk/ Page 26
Model Railway Shop IP Engineering 16mm Scale Quarry Wagon Range IP Engineering has recently launched a new range of kits, five of which are based on the binnie hudson chassis. There are seven wagons in the range, six of which are featured here as they are new arrivals.
Hudson Tar Wagon £28.00
Hudson Bulkhead Wagon £22.00
Hudson Flat Wagon £20.00
Ffestiniog Slate Wagon £20.00
Hudson Manrider Wagon £25.00
Ffestiniog Flat Wagon £15.00
Visit our online shop: https://shop.rheidolrailway.co.uk/collections/garden-railway Page 27
To visit the 300ft Waterfalls, Punchbowl and 3 Bridges built one on top of the other, turn left from the train station and walk down the hill past the Hafod hotel (approx 5 minutes). The Nature Trail circular walk includes views of the waterfalls, 3 Bridges, Robbers Cave and Jacobs Ladder (A steep flight of 100 continuous steps). It takes roughly 45 minutes and is a challenging walk with 675 steep steps. It is not suitable for pushchairs and those with walking difficulties. Adult £3.75 Child £2.00 20% discount on Nature trail walk by showing this advert to the attendant.
Not enough time for the long walk? Too many steps? To view just the 3 Bridges and the Devil’s Punchbowl enter through the coin operated turnstile. Only £1.00 per person Recommended time 10 minutes.
CARAVAN PARK 01970 890233
Looking for somewhere to stay near the train station at Devil’s Bridge? Call our friendly staff and enquire about our 2 bedroom self catering bungalow or Gypsy Pod. Alternatively pitch a tent or bring your touring van or motor home. We are situated just 10 minutes walk from the train station and 5 minutes walk from the waterfalls and Hafod Hotel & Brasserie. enquiries@woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk
www.woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk
Page 28
2020 Timetable Step 1: Pick your date from the calendar. (Please note there are no services on white days.) Step 2: Match the colour shown to the relevant timetable below. In order to help us to run the trains to time, please aim to arrive at the Booking Office at least 20 minutes before your departure.
Page 17
Aberystwyth Capel Bangor Aberffrwd Devil’s Bridge Devil’s Bridge Aberffrwd Capel Bangor Aberystwyth
dep: dep: dep: arr: dep: dep: dep: arr:
ORANGE 10:30 2:00 10:50 2:20 11:10 2:40 11:30 3:00 12:30 4:15 12:50 4:35 1:10 4:55 1:30 5:15
Aberystwyth Capel Bangor Aberffrwd Devil’s Bridge Devil’s Bridge Aberffrwd Capel Bangor Aberystwyth
dep: dep: dep: arr: dep: dep: dep: arr:
10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30
12:10 12:30 12:50 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15
10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30 GREEN 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:00 4:20 4:40 5:00
YELLOW 12:10 2:00 12:30 2:20 12:50 2:40 1:15 3:00 2:15 4:00 2:35 4:20 2:55 4:40 3:15 5:00 3:45 4:05 4:25 4:45 5:45 6:05 6:25 6:45
6:00 6:20 6:40 7:00 8:00 8:20 8:40 9:00
3:45 4:05 4:25 4:45 5:45 6:05 6:25 6:45 GOLD 11:00 11:20 11:40 12:00 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00
Romance of a Steam Train to your Special Day.. Add the
Aberystwyth’s most unique wedding reception venue
With a variety of opportunities and locations, the possibilities are endless. From using the Steam train to get from the ceremony to the reception venue, or even holding your reception at one of our charming stations. The Railway is completely flexible to make your dream day come true.
Contact us on 01970 625 819
marketing@rheidolrailway.co.uk www.rheidolrailway.co.uk Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG
Photo by Gareth Jones
www.rheidolrailway.co.uk Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG