Second track windfall for Gwili projects

THE Gwili Railway has received a second major donation of track materials.

As reported last issue, recycling company Mekatek Business Group has given the line trackwork from a 500ft run round loop and headshunt at its Rhyymney site for use in the Gwili's northern extension at Conwil.

Now DB Cargo has donated track from its Burrows Yard in Swansea, once one of three substantial marshalling yards for the city's docks.

Extensive remodelling over the years had changed the original layout of the yard, but retained a link to the Ford factory, which has now closed. As a result, this link line was truncated east of the Gower Chemicals warehouse (a former Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway engine shed) to allow the new Ffordd Amazon road to be built.

Many of the points that were rendered redundant include original GWR components, including a loose heel three-way switch that is now destined for reuse at the heritage line's Abergwili southern terminus.

The gifted track has been assigned for replacement of worn rails on the current operating line, much-needed extra siding capacity at Abergwili, and for the Conwil extension.

GR The overhaul of Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns 0-6-0ST No. 7849 of 1955 Moorbarrow (NCB No. 47) at the Gwili Railway is now in its final stages. The backhead fittings are being replaced, and the carriage and wagon department team has been busy painting the cab and tank. Since being acquired for preservation in 1973, the locomotive has been based at the East Somerset, Embay & Bolton Abbey, Llangollen and North Yorkshire Moors railways, where it acquired the name Moorbarrow, the fictitious name of Goathland station in books and plays by Pat Wilson.

GR Work at the Gwili Railway continues on the Heritage Lottery Fund-supported restoration of GWR five-compartment third class four-wheel carriage No. 216 of 1888. The compartment interiors have been stripped of fittings, and the sides brought up to an undercoat finish. When the weather gets warmer, the compartments will be glossed and scumbled. The Lottery grant has enabled the line to order some of the finishing touches, such as glass for the gas lights, and luggage racks and brackets, and window blinds and holders.