Vale of Rheidol Railway Newsletter - Issue 4 2018

no.32

Rheidol Review Newsletter

Photo by John R Jones

Issue 4 - 2018

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year

Photo by Caleb Lewis-Price

Welcome

A hot start to the high season...

W

elcome all readers to the latest edition of our railway’s newsletter. It always amazes me how teams pull together in times of difficulty and really raise the bar in what we can achieve.

As is reasonably well known through various media outlets, that the end of June began with a tough couple of weeks for our railway and it’s staff.

On Tuesday 26th June a wildfire started in the Rheidol Valley above the top section of our line. This resulted in the suspension of our passenger services whilst the fire was dealt with, unfortunately the fire fighting efforts were hampered by the previous weeks of hot dry weather and the light breeze that seemed to help carry the fire along.

Our team were supporting the Mid Wales Fire Service throughout this period by conveying fire fighters, their equipment and copious amounts of water to the scene of the fire.

We are all proud of the massive efforts put in by our team during this period, and of course we are hugely thankful to our Railway Manager who worked tirelessly throughout, organising our assistance and being in constant contact with the Fire Service liaison officer to ensure the most appropriate responses from our side, ensuring the right equipment got to where it was

C O N T E N T S

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Vale of Rheidol News

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Workshop Updates

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Volunteers

Page 11 Mines of the Rheidol Valley Page 14 An image from the Archive Page 15 Picture Gallery Page 19 The VoR during the Great War

most needed and that’s before considering the coordination of repairs to the damaged sections of line.

Our permanent way team changed 130 sleepers in the affected area in around 4 days, to get our trains back running again, another huge effort from a small dedicated team.

This unfortunate event aside, as I write this our train service is back running again and we excitedly welcome visitors for a journey through the stunning scenery that the Rheidol Valley offers.

Last edition I posed the question of dream engines that people would like to see on our line. There were a few suggestions: Lyd, a Fairlie from the Ffestiniog Railway or Russell from the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. It was great to receive the responses. So this month I pose the question, What is your favourite station or halt on our line and why?

Gareth D Jones Editor

Page 22 Book Review Page 23 Railway Reviews Page 24 Our Staff Page 25 Shop Products Page 27 Garden Railway Products Page 29 Timetable Page 30 Upcoming Events

Page 21 Aberystwyth Station - A

Brief History Page 2

Vale of Rheidol Railway News The Launch of Carriage 15 & Grand Opening of the Pine Marten Den

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n Monday, 11th June 2018 the Vale of Rheidol held an event to launch one of four accessible carriages that will enable wheelchair users to ride on our carriages for the first time.

Special guests including Ben Lake MP, Elin Jones AM and Simon Thomas AM, also councillors, trustees and local businesses joined us for this memorable occasion.

Local resident Carwyn Daniels agreed to test the new carriage and we were delighted to have the Mr Robert Gambrill, Director of Vale of Rheidol Railway thumbs up. Carwyn hasn’t assists Carwyn Daniels onto the newly adapted carriage. been on the railway since he was a small child so this was provide generous financial support to this joint a special day for him and his family. venture which now houses a new information The project was funded by the Coastal centre called the ‘Pine Marten Den’ which tells Communities Fund in 2017 to develop heritage the story of a remarkable project – the return skills training within the working environment of the native Pine Marten to mid Wales. of one of Wales’ premier scenic railways. It has On arrival the guests were entertained by supported the development of a sustainable Mynach Community School choir and flutists, training school and engineering business an exceptional performance from the local within the railway’s new workshops and has school. granted a ramped access for wheelchair users The Vincent Wildlife Trust CEO Lucy onto our trains for the first time. The project Rogers then gave a warm welcome to our has employed two new apprentices who have guests and explained about the Pine Martens been heavily involved with the restoration and and there importance to the area. After rebuilding. officially declaring the exhibition open guest Carriage No.15 is the first carriage that were treated to a fabulous buffet catered for by has undertaken the modifications to enable Two Hoots café and also offered a chance to wheelchair access. The chassis and bogies drive ‘Margaret’ our Quarry Hunslet No 605 come from the first batch of carriages dating Engine. from 1901, and was rebuilt to its current form in 1923.

The accessible carriage is the first of four, so will have to be booked in advance. Please contact the ticket office on 01970 625819 for further details.

After everyone boarded the carriages, guests were taken to our Devil’s Bridge station for our second special launch which was the newly restored weighbridge building which was Vincent Wildlife Trust CEO Lucy partly funded by The Rob Strachan Memorial Rogers outside the newly restored Fund and the Vincent Wildlife Trust. Cefn Weighbridge and Pine Marten Exhibition Croes Wind Farm Community Trust has also Page 3

Vale of Rheidol Railway News Margaret at Hunslet 125 Gala During the weekend of 15-17 June, ‘Margaret’ went for a short holiday to the Ffestiniog Railway for their Hunslet 125 Gala.

During her visit she was used on shuttle trains double heading with other Hunslet engines and also performed shunting demonstrations. She has since returned and taken up residence in Devil’s Bridge for the summer to provide our visitors with our ‘Driver for a Fiver’ experience.

VoR assists Mid Wales Fire Service At the end of June a wildfire took over the top section of the Rheidol Valley and our crew assisted Mid Wales Fire Service in their firefighting efforts by conveying firefighters, equipment and water to where it was needed to aid suppression of the fire.

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WORKSHOP

N

No.7

o.7 is steadily getting closer towards hauling trains again.

Recent developments have seen the various pipework being manufactured. Much of the pipework will not be seen when the engine is complete.

Also recently fitted is the valves, chains and levers for the GWR pattern two tone whistles.

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UPDATE Carriage Project

he rebuilding of carriage T No.14 is progressing well, with the framework for the body mostly complete.

The new metal panelling on the sides of the carriages has been fitted and the wooden support structure within has also been fitted.

The woodwork for the carriage roof has been refitted. This woodwork is original, having been carefully removed during the dismantling of the carriage.

The carriage door locks have also been stripped, cleaned and rebuilt ready for refitting to the carriage doors.

The seating for the carriage has also been sanded and repainted ready for fitting at a later date.

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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

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www.woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk

RHEIDOL RIDING CENTRE

Scenic Riding in the Beautiful Rheidol Valley and Cambrian Mountains Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 4EL TEl: 01970 880863 www.rheidolridingcentre.co.uk Page 8

Vale of Rheidol Volunteers

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By Philip Ellis, Railway Volunteer

t is no surprise that we have been doing a lot of watering.

Here in one of the traditionally greener parts of the UK this Summer managed to be one of the hottest and driest with a landscape of dry yellow fields. We have water troughs or taps at most of our stations and halts but when even these dry out John and Maureen have been noble in transporting reinforcements.

Meanwhile Gill had offered to keep the gardens at Devil’s Bridge watered but has also brought them on to an immaculate weedless display. The little troughs at the entrance gate planted with yellow Bidens continue to flower well.

The Tuesday gang spent a day cutting back trees and shrubs damaged either last winter or by the current drought. All in all I think the gardens look good and hopefully will give our visitors a spot of colour as they pass our stations and halts.

We try to keep our gardens and swards sympathetic to wildlife. The lavender at Capel Bangor was covered with bumble bees and butterflies in July. There were 11 species of butterflies present including Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Commas and Gate Keepers.

There will be a final planting to fill any gaps with Geraniums brought on by Clive and Norah for the high summer.

Photos Opposite: 1. Our Volunteer ‘Harm’ can be seen clearing the dead wood at Capel Bangor Station.

2. A busy bumblebee on the lavender at Capel Bangor.

3. Bidens flowering at the gate to Devil’s Bridge Station.

4. Flowers at Devil’s Bridge Station with the restored weigh bridge building behind.

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The Aberffrwd Deep Adit under the station

Mines of the Rheidol Valley Aberffrwd: Below the Ballast. By Ioan Lord

A

berffrwd Mine was a tiny venture which took place between about 1844 and 1863, and consisted of two adits and a deep shaft sunk on a worthless lode (lead vein) on the hillside above Aberffrwd railway station. It produced no ore whatsoever, but considerable money was invested by the Aberffrwd Mining Company in 1863 when it was formed and drove a long 250-foot adit behind the chapel into the depths of the mountain. The position of this adit can be seen today, directly below the bottom points of the railway station loop. On the other side of the track, against the hillside, is a small crater which is an infilled air shaft into the adit, which passes underneath the railway in a south south-west direction.

In 1863, the long adit, called the Aberffrwd Deep Adit, intersected the lode which was hoped to contain a wealth of lead-ore, but Page 11

it was found so poor that the adit was only extended along its course for less than 40 feet before abandonment. The driving of the adit from behind the village into the lode had been undertaken at 75 shillings per fathom (6 feet) wages, shared equally between the four miners driving it, each taking about 18 shillings per fathom.

There was also a Shallow Adit which had been extended along the same lode only 84 feet higher back in 1844; after the completion of the Aberffrwd Deep Adit, both were connected by a deep shaft sunk from the surface for 150 feet, communicating with both adits on the way down. The workings were abandoned in 1863 after the exhaustion of the Aberffrwd Mining Company’s capital, despite another trial adit which had been driven from the stream below Cwmdauddwr Embankment. The entrances to

the two main Aberffrwd adits soon collapsed, and the workings were left inaccessible.

In 1982, members of the Aberystwyth Caving Club reported to have accessed the Shallow Adit at Aberffrwd by abseiling part-way down the shaft. From this adit they retrieved a wellpreserved iron ‘kibble’ – a type of ore bucket which was used by miners across the country to haul stuff up the shafts. Upon reading this report 36 years later in 2018, Dave Seabourne, Nick Gough and Ioan Lord decided to try and access the lost Aberffrwd Mine workings, and attempt to explore them further and access the Deep Adit, which had not been seen probably for over 150 years.

In May 2018, we found the shaft and abseiled a considerable 150 feet down the almost-vertical hole into the depths of the mountain. It was just like the miners had left a few minutes ago: we found another iron kibble identical to that found in 1982, and was in pristine condition. Also present were two partially-collapsed wooden kibbles; a much older version of the iron ones, rather like iron-strapped wooden barrels. In addition to these rare artefacts was a small gunpowder tin, with a V-shaped slit in the side so that powder could be poured easily into the chargers. Further down the deep shaft, we at last reached the end of the abseil and stood in the Aberffrwd Deep Adit. It extended as a very

Pictured above: Well-preserved iron kibble

Abseiling down the 150-foot-deep shaft

spacious, straight tunnel towards the collapsed air shaft beside the station points. After walking to the end we were standing directly below the station, with the trackbed about 15 feet above our heads. The shaft had almost certainly been infilled deliberately during the railway’s construction, and the fill and the adit itself were secure and not in any dangerous state. Leaning against the wall of the passage at this point were two more rare artefacts – a poll pick (singleended miner’s pick) and a charger and scraper.

The charger and scraper is a long iron bar with a narrow scoop at one end for placing gunpowder into the shot-holes, whilst the other end has a scraping plate which is used to clean the dust from the shot-holes before charging them.

The workings have been surveyed in detail and documented through photographs and drawings made immediately after our exploration. The position of the collapse in the Deep Adit under the station was confirmed by the rumble of the 14:40 Aberffrwd arrival heard by us standing in the adit.

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!

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Vale of Rheidol Photo Archive

By Rob Bance,VoR Archivist

Diesel No.10 Baguley-Drewry

B

uilt by the Brecon Mountain railway in 1987 from parts acquired from BaguleyDrewry, Diesel No.10 has been a main stay of the railway operating on shunting duties, works trains, and also light passenger trains. It can be seen here with a small goods train of 5 wagons in the platform at Aberystwyth station. The loco had for a period of its life adopted the nickname of Brian, which, along with a snail was painted either side of the bonnet. The photograph was taken in 1990. Does anyone know the significance of its nickname?

Steam versus Diesel! ‘Brian’ comes to the rescue earlier this year and brings the carriages and passengers back to the Aberysthwyth station.

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Photo: James Corbett

Picture Gallery Special

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The VoR during the Great War

By Gareth Jones

D

uring 1914 the railway was under the control of the Cambrian Railways company, that was until the declaration of war was announced.

The Cambrian Railways network, like almost all railways throughout Great Britain, was taken over by the Railway Executive Committee (R.E.C.), and as such the Vale of Rheidol too came under the control of the R.E.C. During the First World War the railway played several important roles. One of these roles wasn’t entirely unusual for the line.

The railway transported troops from training camps at Devil’s Bridge and Lovesgrove. At Lovesgrove a temporary platform was built to facilitate access to the train, the site of this can still be identified today, when travelling along the straight approaching Capel Bangor Station. There is a section of the fenceline that moves away from the lineside and

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back in again, this is where the temporary station used to stand.

The station at Lovesgrove was not an unfamiliar stop for the railway as from 1910 to 1914 an annual summer army training encampment was set up there and the station was recreated each time to serve the troops there.

Another important role the railway played was the transportation of timber which was transferred to the main line railway and taken to be used in

British coal mines and on the French and Belgian Battlefields.

The demand for timber was high during this period and a steam powered sawmill was set up at Devil’s Bridge station to cut pit props prior to their onward shipment. In addition to these duties, two of the mines in the Rheidol Valley were also re-opened to help the war effort, providing metals for the manufacture of arms & ammunition.

The engines on the VoR during this period were struggling to cope with the increased workload demand, and it didn’t help that the quality of coal being provided during this period was of a lesser standard than the railway was used to. Assistance was drafted in during 1915 from the Ffestiniog Railway in the form of the George England locomotive ‘Palmerston’. The VoR crews were familiar with ‘Palmerston’ as the engine had been previously hired during 1912, 1913 & 1914 to aid with the heavy summer traffic.

In modern times, the railway once again hosted Palmerston in 2014, this time to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the engine’s visit at the start of the Great War.

Currently in the VoR workshops at Aberystwyth there is a further link to the First World War. The railway has the contract for restoration of a Baldwin 4-6-0t built in 1917 for use behind the front lines.

On completion of its restoration this engine will be operating on the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, where it will appear as ‘590’, the engine that, after World War One, was bought and operated by the Welsh Highland Railway.

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Aberystwyth Station - A Brief History

by Gareth Jones

T

he mainline station in Aberystwyth was opened in 1864, built by the Aberystwyth & Welsh Coast Railway for trains on the newly built extension of the Cambrian Railways line running from Whitchurch to Machynlleth.

In 1867 a second line to Aberystwyth opened, this new line linked Carmarthen and Lampeter to Aberystwyth. This line was opened by the Manchester & Milford Railway and shared the Cambrian station at Aberystwyth.

The station building was built in 1924-1925 by the Great Western Railway as part of work to upgrade the Cambrian Railway network that had recently been absorbed under its control. The building has had a number of uses over the years. Initially built with the railway offices downstairs and a restaurant upstairs, the restaurant became a board room and was also used as a dance hall prior to being converted into a telephone exchange.

The downstairs of the station, prior to it being sold to the JD Wetherspoons chain, had the ‘Wemyss Greengrocers’ and a station café, which in its final years was run by Page 21

Early 1900s the Lewis family. Both of these would be fondly remembered by many I’m sure, including the newsletter editor who is the eldest grandson of Eric Wemyss, the greengrocer. Today it accomodates a pub and an Indian restaurant.

The service to Carmarthen ended in 1964.

In 1968 British Rail moved the Vale of Rheidol (VoR) into the recently vacated engine sheds and brought the former Aberystwyth to Carmarthen bay platform back into use as the terminus for the VoR. Today the only main line platform that remains in use is what was once platform 3. In its heyday there were a total of 5 platforms, an oil depot, and an extensive goods yard. The railway goods yard at Aberystwyth was lifted in the 1980s, and is now the site of a retail park.

Early 1960s

By the Banks of the Rheidol

A

by Geraint Roberts

new novel is due out this summer, that looks at a young man's struggle to rebuild his life amid the backdrop of the building of the narrow gauge railways around Aberystwyth, including our own railway.

'By the Banks of the Rheidol' is a novel set at the turn of the 20th Century, where a young lead miner is forced to flee to Aberystwyth, after he thinks he has killed a man in a fight.

Having lost all, he has to start afresh and is helped by a young girl from the harbour who helps him find work. His journey takes him into the railway industry, where he finds work building the Hafan tramway near Talybont. On gaining an apprenticeship at the Bagnalls works in Stafford, he learns new skills and returns as part of the loco crew helping to build the new Rheidol railway to Devil's Bridge. However, as he slowly reconnects with his family, the girl he befriended has disappeared, despite her promise to wait for him. When he finds her, he is faced with a new challenge that throws his world into turmoil once more.

The story has been written by Geraint Roberts, who is our Retail Manager. Geraint grew up in Aberystwyth and has always had a fascination for the local lead mines and railways. 'My great-uncle was a driver out of Aberystwyth shed up to the 50s,' Geraint explained. 'And my primary school was next door to the railway. So I was never far away from the ‘Lein fach.'

'I wanted to write something that utilised the rich industrial history of the early 20th and late 19th century, whilst focussing on a young man's rite of passage. It gave me a chance to showcase the past of my homeland, perhaps.' The cover is a striking painting of our old number 3 'Rheidol', leaving the original station at Aberystwyth with a passenger train. 'It's a stunning painting that hangs in the National museum in Cardiff, painted by renowned transport

artist, Eric Bottomley'. Geraint added, 'I spoke to Carolyn, my editor, and said how I wished we could get something like this image. ‘Rheidol’ features quite heavily in the railway part of the story. Carolyn got in touch with Eric, who kindly let us use the painting. It was a fantastic gesture. The painting really brings to life the olden days - and as far as the story goes, it's right place, right time, right engine!

This is my second novel. The first was set in wartime Estonia and it's nice to complement that with something closer to home.'

'By the Banks of the Rheidol' will be published by Y Lolfa on 24th August, priced at £8.99. People wishing to purchase the story from the Vale of Rheidol shops will have the chance of obtaining a signed copy from the author.

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About our staff About Our Staff Sandra Gorman

Booking Office Clerk

S

andra is our weekend booking clerk at our Aberystwyth Booking Office.

She was born and raised in Aberystwyth.

She enjoys using her local knowledge to help our visitors with their enquiries about the area.

Sandra lives within sight of the VoR and it has always been as much a part of her life as it is a part of Aberystwyth.

Mary Owen Booking Office Clerk

M

ary joined our team in June 2018, she is a local girl, born and raised in Aberystwyth.

She is the proud mother of three children. Her Grandparents lived in Devil’s Bridge and brought all four of their children up there. Also her Grandfather made the Devil’s Bridge signs, which are still situated either side of the ‘AA’ call box to this day.

If you see her about, she is always happy to help, along with a big smile.

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GREAT WESTERN ARCHITECTURE IN COLOUR

The architecture of the Great Western Railway is an example of non-standard as much as standard designs. From the towering gothic majesty of Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads to the almost anonymous wayside halt, the story of its development is told here and now for the first time in colour.

Although impossible to feature every change that occurred in 100+ years, author Amyas Crump has taken a representative selections of stations, goods shed, signal boxes and other fixed structures to provide a unique insight into the developments and changes that occurred, some caused by varying transport needs and others as finance and fashion altered.

£27.95 DALRY ROAD MOTIVE POWER DEPOT

The Caledonian Railway was something of a latecomer to the Edinburgh railway scene, but proved it was not backwards in extending its hold on the city and environs. Thwarted by the NBR in its attempts to access the docks at Leith and Granton, it pursued its own agenda in serving the burgeoning industries in both West and Mid lothian.

£25.00 WEST GLOUCESTER & WYE VALLEY LINES: SECOND EDITION

£30.00

The verdant and picturesque county of Gloucestershire was once served by a maze of railway lines, most of which have long since been closed. Even on those lines still open, almost all of the intermediate stations have disappeared from the railway map.

Fortunately, the varied combinations of scenery and differing railway architecture attracted the attention of a good number of photographers many of whom, from the late 1950s, began working with colour transparencies in an era when the majority of railway pictures were still being taken on black & white film.

WEST GLOUCESTER & WYE VALLEY LINES: SUPPLEMENT TO FIRST EDITION

The first volume of author Neil Parkhouse’s ground breaking series of colour books looking in detail at the railways of Gloucestershire, has now sold out two print runs. As a consequence, it was felt that the time was now right for an enlarged and revised second edition, featuring many of the new pictures which have turned up since it first came out. However, in fairness to those who already have the original edition, it was decided to issue the 48 extra pages as a supplement, which will also serve as a taster for those who have yet to experience the series.

Call in or phone our shop on 01970 625819 Page 25

£7.50

TROUBLE ON WATERMEADOW LINE

Fantastic tale of a magical railway journey taken by children Tom & Holly with their parents written by Simon Hall and beautifully illustrated by Cameron Bennett. Story interspersed with facts and interesting bits as you read through.

5p from each book sale will be donated to the Railway Children Charity.

£9.99 MODEL RAILWAY MEN

Now back in print, this childhood classic about a group of minature railway men, who live on young Mark’s model railway will warm the hearts of children as they discover the adventures that they all get up to.

£7.99

LOST LINES AND LOST TRAMWAYS SERIES

This series of pocket books explores Wales’ railway heritage, each revealing a ‘lost line’ or ‘lost tramway’ of Wales.

£8.99 each

visit our online shop https://stores.ebay.co.uk/valeofrheidolrailway Page 26

Garden Railway Shop IP Engineering Products 16 MM SCALE RUSTON 18 / 20HP LOCO KIT

The model is a substantial weight and will haul a considerably bigger scale load than the prototype could ever manage! Many hundreds of these little Ruston’s were manufactured between the 1930’s and 1950’s and used for a huge variety of tasks in factories, quarries and mines all over the world. Many have been restored, many more survive, some still in daily use!

The new kit is of all-metal construction using both pre-cut brass and white metal castings with a wealth of detail. Fully illustrated instructions are included and the kit is easy to build using either low-melt solder or epoxy resin. Only simple hand tools are required for assembly and the kit comes complete with a ready built chassis with battery holders and switches; all the builder needs to supply is paint, solder or glue, and batteries (2xAAA)

£90.00 NORTH INGS FLYING BEDSTEAD COACH KIT

This unit is as basic in passenger transport as it comes nowadays we would have fun riding around on this but in the turn of the century just think of travelling to work in a mid winter blizzard?

The kit is complete. Steel wheels are included and are available in 32 mm gauge or insulated 45 mm Gauge

£30.00 RUSTON LBT LOCO KIT

This kit is scaled to 16 mm / ft and is a loco that was very common in gravel pits and industrial narrow gauge railways.

The kit is complete and is powered by two AAA batteries with forward and reverse switch under the footplate this model is made up with a bolt together 3D printed chassis and CNC machined sheet body panels, with cast metal couplings, engine and louvered doors. Steel wheels are included including brass bearings and fitted with a 3/4.8 volt motor and our new heavy duty high torque 30:1 gears so with all this makes a very robust and useful industrial loco on your railway ideal with a few skip wagons.

£75.00 Page 27

N I W

Accucraft Live Steam 16mm Hunslet 2-6-2 Locomotive

ÂŁ2 p Raffl er e Tic ket Sierra Leone Government Railways Hunslet 2-6-2T locomotive No.14. Fitted with an internal gas fired boiler and slide valve cylinders which are operated by a simplified Walschaerts valve gear. Manual control and gauge adjustable.

Buy your Raffle Ticket Today!

Buy online through our website or call 01970 625819 All proceeds from the raffle go to the VoR Carriage Fund.

Go online for our model and garden rail shop

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk Page 28

2018 Timetable 1. Pick your day of travel from the calendar.

2. Match the colour to the relevant timetable below.

Please note there are no services on white days.

JULY 2018 M T W T F S 2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

M 1 8 15 22 29

OCTOBER 2018 T W T F S 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 30 31

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4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

S 1 8 15 22 29

M 6 13 20 27

S 7 14 21 28

M 5 12 19 26

AUGUST 2018 T W T F S 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 31

S 5 12 19 26

NOVEMBER 2018 T W T F S 1 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30

S 4 11 18 25

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

SEPTEMBER 2018 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DECEMBER 2018

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

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SORRY! 1 OUR SANTA 3 4 5 6 7 8 TRAINS WILL NOT 10 11 12 13 14 15 BE RUNNING 17 18THIS 19 YEAR 20 21 22

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

GOLD DAYS Enjoy the stunning Autumn Colours You can combine your visit with a Sunday Lunch at the Hafod Hotel, Devil’s Bridge

the VAle of rheidol railway presents...

1920’s Jazz Night at the Hafod Hotel Devil’s Bridge t2 4 AugUs th

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rts Train depa at 6.00pm

£45

Package

2018 EVENTS REAL DRIVE A GINE? EN STEAM

01970 625 819 info@rheidolrailway.co.uk www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

NOW OPEN

SUMMER EVENING EXCURSIONS Why don’t you join us for dinner?

Departs Aberystwyth at 6:00pm, arriving back at 9:00pm.

For other times and dates see our Green Timetable

Upgrade your ticket to include

FISH AND CHIPS at Devil’s Bridge.

Extra £6.00 for Adults, £4.00 for Children

£5

pp

Station ’s Bridge our Devil et office Only at ck at the Ti Enquire

AT THE DEVIL’S BR

IDGE STATION

MONSTER's BALL 27 OCTOBER 2018 A Halloween event just for the adults... a spooky train ride and a Halloween ball at the Hafod Hotel, Devil’s Bridge.

NEW FOR 2018

Halloween Ghost Train 29, 30 & 31 OCTOBER 2018 Dare you take the ghost train to Devil’s Bridge?

You will travel from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge, with some spooks along the way...

SUNDAY LUNCH SPECIALS Boo

Park Avenue, SY23 1PG Telephone : 01970 625 819 info@rheidolrailway.co.uk Charity No 1076037

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4th & 11th November 2018

End your weekend with an extra special trip to Devils Bridge, taking in the ever changing stunning scenery and stop at the Hafod Hotel for a sumptious roast before heading back

w w w. r h e i d o l r a i l w a y. c o . u k

Photo by James Corbett

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year