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[Lizzie_Zoom]

Fancy a great challenge?

This is the next ex-Barry scrapyard project coming to the Mid- Hants Railway - BR 2-6-4 Standard Tank 4MT 80150, built at Brighton works in December 1956:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/4608956064/

The condition of this engine is not bad for an ex-Barry example, that was withdrawn in October 1965 and sat in the scrapyard from January 1966

[Seth]

I've passed this loco many times recently, on my journeys to nearby Barry Island.
It's currently sitting forlornly in the east end of Barry Town sidings, the rearmost axle being derailed.
  

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I've passed this loco many times recently, on my journeys to nearby Barry Island.
It's currently sitting forlornly in the east end of Barry Town sidings, the rearmost axle being derailed.
  

Indeed Byron   But Glamorgan Council and Cambrian Transport have agreed to swap it for the ex-Bricklayers Arms (London) turntable that is instore at the Mid-Hants.  Apparently the turntable is to be installed at Barry to create a mainline destination for steam specials

[Varche]

2018. Achievable.

Fantastic stuff.

You don't know what heritage is until you haven't got any!!!!

[Lizzie_Zoom]

2018. Achievable.

Fantastic stuff.

You don't know what heritage is until you haven't got any!!!!

So, so true Varche!!

[Seth]

There's been much controversy about the Barry Railway, with some of the members and rolling stock finding a new home here:

http://www.garw-railway.co.uk/index.php

This is located in the valley adjacent to ours, and guess who's been asked to join the proceedings there?
 

What d'ya reckon Lizzie?
 

[Varche]

Lets hope both sides can put "politics aside" and look at the bigger picture.

Britains preserved railways are the envy of many countries.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

There's been much controversy about the Barry Railway, with some of the members and rolling stock finding a new home here:

http://www.garw-railway.co.uk/index.php

This is located in the valley adjacent to ours, and guess who's been asked to join the proceedings there?
 

What d'ya reckon Lizzie?
 

Sounds good Byron

But what is the length of track to be when completed***, and any plans for large main line loco's? :-/ :-/

You will obviously be at home with the DMU's


***EDIT:  I have just read further into the web site and now understand it is 5 miles initially, with more possible; that is a good length to start with!!

[cem_devecioglu]

I wish good luck and too much money for who will repair this one

[Seth]

Yes Lizzie, it's five miles long at the moment, though I read in the local press that they'd like to eventually terminate at Tondu.

Tondu is on the Maesteg (my home town) Branch, and ATW operate hourly services to Cheltenham Spa (and one or two to Manchester), so the traffic potential is enormous.
 

Up until around the late 1960s, Tondu was a strategically-important shed and junction. Trains to all three of the Bridgend Valleys passed through here, and there's also an intact connection westwards to the South Wales Main Line at Margam.
 

And regarding the DMUs - yes, I'd be at home on these.
In fact, I regularly work ATW's Class 121 'bubble car' on Cardiff Queen Street - Cardiff Bay shuttles.
 

With suitable approval, there's every reason that main-line locos could work through to this heritage line.
Since the cessation of the coal-mining industry, mother nature has recovered the beauty of the area. Little wonder then, that the line has been known as 'The Daffodil Line' locally.
 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Yes Lizzie, it's five miles long at the moment, though I read in the local press that they'd like to eventually terminate at Tondu.

Tondu is on the Maesteg (my home town) Branch, and ATW operate hourly services to Cheltenham Spa (and one or two to Manchester), so the traffic potential is enormous.
 

Up until around the late 1960s, Tondu was a strategically-important shed and junction. Trains to all three of the Bridgend Valleys passed through here, and there's also an intact connection westwards to the South Wales Main Line at Margam.
 

And regarding the DMUs - yes, I'd be at home on these.
In fact, I regularly work ATW's Class 121 'bubble car' on Cardiff Queen Street - Cardiff Bay shuttles.
 

With suitable approval, there's every reason that main-line locos could work through to this heritage line.
Since the cessation of the coal-mining industry, mother nature has recovered the beauty of the area. Little wonder then, that the line has been known as 'The Daffodil Line' locally.
 

Indeed Byron, you already work historical museum pieces ready for preservation!!

[Seth]

Aye - it's got to be the oldest 'working museum' around!
 
A driver colleague is heavily involved there, and has asked me to coach-paint his Class 14 'Teddy Bear' loco.
 
Time will tell - literally, even though he's a most persuasive character.
When I joined the railway and passed-out as a rookie guard, Austin was my first-ever driver. We booked-on at 0355 on that first turn and got on really well, so I guess I'll always be grateful for his introduction to the industry.
 
ATW was some way off then, we operated as 'Valley Lines' - happy days indeed!
 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Aye - it's got to be the oldest 'working museum' around!
 
A driver colleague is heavily involved there, and has asked me to coach-paint his Class 14 'Teddy Bear' loco.
 
Time will tell - literally, even though he's a most persuasive character.
When I joined the railway and passed-out as a rookie guard, Austin was my first-ever driver. We booked-on at 0355 on that first turn and got on really well, so I guess I'll always be grateful for his introduction to the industry.
 
ATW was some way off then, we operated as 'Valley Lines' - happy days indeed!
 

Me must have pictures please Byron once complete!

Why is it though that the Welsh lines motive power i.e. DMU's have not been updated to the latest classes?  Is the future of the lines in doubt and therefore not getting the investment seen on other lines? :-/ :-/

[Seth]

Aye - it's got to be the oldest 'working museum' around!
 
A driver colleague is heavily involved there, and has asked me to coach-paint his Class 14 'Teddy Bear' loco.
 
Time will tell - literally, even though he's a most persuasive character.
When I joined the railway and passed-out as a rookie guard, Austin was my first-ever driver. We booked-on at 0355 on that first turn and got on really well, so I guess I'll always be grateful for his introduction to the industry.
 
ATW was some way off then, we operated as 'Valley Lines' - happy days indeed!
 

Me must have pictures please Byron once complete!

Why is it though that the Welsh lines motive power i.e. DMU's have not been updated to the latest classes?  Is the future of the lines in doubt and therefore not getting the investment seen on other lines? :-/ :-/

Me take the photos Lizzie?
 
I'll have a word with Austin, and see if we can arrange for you to come down and do the honours!
Perhaps an OOF meet could be arranged there too - now there's food for thought eh!
 
Regarding the present DMU motive power on the Welsh lines:
The longer-distance services such as West Wales-Holyhead/Manchester are generally worked by Class 158s and Class 175 'Corradias' and these are to be refurbished soon.
The 'Valleys Fleet' of Class 142/143 Pacers and the brilliant maid-of-all-work Class 150 Sprinters were similarly treated a few years back.
The single-car Class 153 Sprinters, which generally work in West Wales and along the Heart of Wales route are presently undergoing refurbishment at Canton.

There's presently no 'new build' replacements planned I'm afraid.
That said, the Class 150s, at over twenty years old, are perfectly fit in wind and limb - and they have total route availability too.
Given the punishing Valleys schedules, they are extremely reliable and very popular with crews and passengers alike!
 
Investment has been substantial though, including a new depot at Machynlleth, as well as a massive programme to lengthen platforms on the Valley Lines to accommodate six-car train formations.
Punctuality = 98.1% with 99.7% reliability - and we've never been busier!

Click:  http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/AboutUs/
 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Aye - it's got to be the oldest 'working museum' around!
 
A driver colleague is heavily involved there, and has asked me to coach-paint his Class 14 'Teddy Bear' loco.
 
Time will tell - literally, even though he's a most persuasive character.
When I joined the railway and passed-out as a rookie guard, Austin was my first-ever driver. We booked-on at 0355 on that first turn and got on really well, so I guess I'll always be grateful for his introduction to the industry.
 
ATW was some way off then, we operated as 'Valley Lines' - happy days indeed!
 

Me must have pictures please Byron once complete!

Why is it though that the Welsh lines motive power i.e. DMU's have not been updated to the latest classes?  Is the future of the lines in doubt and therefore not getting the investment seen on other lines? :-/ :-/

Me take the photos Lizzie?
 
I'll have a word with Austin, and see if we can arrange for you to come down and do the honours!
Perhaps an OOF meet could be arranged there too - now there's food for thought eh!
 
Regarding the present DMU motive power on the Welsh lines:
The longer-distance services such as West Wales-Holyhead/Manchester are generally worked by Class 158s and Class 175 'Corradias' and these are to be refurbished soon.
The 'Valleys Fleet' of Class 142/143 Pacers and the brilliant maid-of-all-work Class 150 Sprinters were similarly treated a few years back.
The single-car Class 153 Sprinters, which generally work in West Wales and along the Heart of Wales route are presently undergoing refurbishment at Canton.

There's presently no 'new build' replacements planned I'm afraid.
That said, the Class 150s, at over twenty years old, are perfectly fit in wind and limb - and they have total route availability too.
Given the punishing Valleys schedules, they are extremely reliable and very popular with crews and passengers alike!
 
Investment has been substantial though, including a new depot at Machynlleth, as well as a massive programme to lengthen platforms on the Valley Lines to accommodate six-car train formations.
We've never been busier!
 

Thanks for that very interesting info Byron!  

It is some years since I regularly travelled the Valley's in my car, and stood on the platforms of Bristol Temple Meads station watching the coming and goings of the old and new motive power. I am therefore a bit out of touch with the latest local developments.

Here in the South East we seem to have now a great amount of new build motive power and coaching stock all around us, after all those years of the old slam door commuter stock that was falling apart around us! 

The 375 Electrostar



Class 395 Javelin:




Class 373/1 Eurostar:




These trains are a long way from the Standard Class 4T 80150 of the 1950s!!  Like this, sister engine 80151 hauling Mk1 coaching stock: