Cambrian Railways Trust



	Return to Steam on the Cambrian - More Details


	1st. Aug. 2007

Steam is returning to the former Cambrian Railways Main Line between Llynclys and Pant (Pen-y-Garreg Lane) for the first time in over 40 years.

The Cambrian Railways Trust which is based at Llynclys, Nr. Oswestry, Shropshire, is running a Steam and Diesel gala over two weekends during August/September, Friday 24th. August to Monday 27th. August inclusive, and Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd. September inclusive.

Services will start at 1030 each day with a steam hauled passenger service followed by a diesel hauled brake van special. These services will alternate throughout the day together with Diesel Driving Experience trips.

Entrance to the Gala will cost £7.00 for adults, £4.00 for children and £19.00 for a Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Children). The entrance fee will cover free rides on the steam passenger service, free rides on a steam hauled miniature railway provided by Oswestry Model Engineers, and a Vintage return bus trip into Oswestry to visit the refurbished Cambrian Railway Headquarters at the railway station now known as the Cambrian Visitor Center and the Cambrian Railways Museum operated by the Cambrian Railways Society. It is also planned that there will be a display of classic/vintage vehicles and machinery, craft stalls, trade stalls and other attractions. This will include stands from the Cambrian Railways Society and the Llanymynech Heritage and Canal boat organisations.

Steam traction will be provided with visiting Peckett No. 1738 from the Titley Junction Station Railway, and diesel traction by our own Class 03 No. D2094.

Other items of stock in the process of refurbishment or awaiting work will be on static display, including our own Plasser & Theurer Ballast Tamper, 5952 Cogan Hall and Class 08 D3019.


		xxxxXXXXxxxx

	Return to Steam on the Cambrian


	1st. Jul. 2007


	We are pleased to announce the return to steam to the Cambrian metals at Llynclys for two extended weekends at the end of August. Final line-up and prices will be announced at a later date.


	*



			© G.A.Cryer www.geoffspages.co.uk

		Peckett 1738 of 1928 at Titley Junction on September 24th. 2006.

The return to steam dates are as follows:

Friday 24th. August to Monday 27th. August (4 days)
Friday 31st. August to Sunday 2nd. September (3 days)

On these dates we have many planned events including:

Peckett 0-4-0ST + DMU Trailer
Class 03 D2094 + Toad (Brake van rides, footplate rides and driving experience trips)
Live Steam Model Railway rides by Oswestry Model Engineering Society
Vintage Bus shuttle service between Llynclys and Oswestry (Station and CRS Museum
Display of classic cars and motor-cycles
Display of Vintage Engineering equipment
Line-side photographic permits


	N.B. Not all the above events will necessary occur both weekends, due to the late availability of the locomotive.


	* Please note, that due to licensing conditions, the engine will not be appearing with its ‘face’. This picture is from a previous appearance elsewhere.


			xxxxXXXXxxxx

	General Activities


	5th. Jun. 2007

Following much activity over the last few years, we appear at the moment to be taking a bit of a breather whilst the ‘politics’ behind the line acquisition occurs behind the scenes. We have taken time in this lull to consolidate our work so far, and improve wherever possible.

Apart from continuing work on our second DMU set, financed by a small lottery grant, work has continued on upgrading the main line to allow for access to our proposed carriage shed, and also to increase the length of our reception siding. This siding, next to the station platform, is the only way we currently have of handling railway arrivals and departures to the line. To allow larger stock to arrive and be pointing in either direction, it was felt that an extra 40-50ft of line would be required. The use of a JCB allowed us to dig out the end of the current line and extend it that required length (the composition of the ground was compacted aggregate and clay, almost like solid concrete and not feasible by hand !).


The picture to the left shows the extent of ground dug out to make way for the extra trackwork.

	From the other direction you can see the extra lengths of track ready to be laid in the prepared space.

		xxxxXXXXxxxx


	Grant to complete DMU restoration


	29th. Mar. 2007




		A cosmetically restored W51187, awaits the final work to be completed on the power system in the yard at Llynclys South.

Following the lifting of a publicity embargo, we can announce that the Trust has been awarded a £10,000 grant by the Awards for All scheme, to complete the restoration of our second DMU set (W51187 and W54055/56055). This has so far involved the complete rebuilding of the two diesel engines on W51187 and the complete refurbishment of the interior and exterior of both cars by the carriage and wagon department. Once the engines are rebuilt, work can continue on the electrical systems.


	On the same day that the DMU grant was awarded, we were also pleased to hear that Oswestry Borough Council had given us planning approval, for the development of a Carriage and Wagon shed at Llynclys South. More details can be found here.


			xxxxXXXXxxxx

	Haystack siding extended


	25th. Mar. 2007


	To increase the amount of siding space we have at Llynclys, it was decided to turn Haystack siding into a loop with the addition of a point at the Pant end of the line. This will also allow us to be able to shunt the stock easier whenever it is required.


		1.

To the left is a picture of the line where the point will be positioned, before work started. The end of Haystack siding can be seen on the left of the main line.

	3.


	Finally, on the left, all pieces of the point have been screwed into position and fresh ballast laid between the sleepers. All that is required is the ballast to be spread about and any final ‘jacking and packing’ performed to provide a smooth ride. The land to the left will need to be built up to enable the line to continue through to the end of the siding.


	xxxxXXXXxxxx


		2.

	Above, the main line has been severed and work has started with the laying of extra ballast, followed by the various sized timbers. The actual point rails have been laid in a rough position prior to laying the other pieces of the jigsaw.


	CRT now Survey and Rail Test Site


	2nd. Mar. 2007


	*The Severn Partnership Ltd*


	Following successful negotiations with The Severn Partnership Ltd. the Trust has been chosen as a test site for their track survey equipment. Following installation of the equipment we see here the equipment being tested by the company. Hopefully this will provide the Trust with much needed income, and also some welcome publicity.


	xxxxXXXXxxxx


	Line now tamped ready for new season


	23rd. Feb. 2007


	With the help of ex-railway operators we were able to get the main-line fully tamped ready for the new season. This will give a much smoother ride in future, and less wear-and-tear on the track. Should any other railways require the use of the tamper, they should should contact us for details on 01377 253613.


	During the tamping operation, a short video was made of it in operation. (Broadband connection recommended ~13MB)


		xxxxXXXXxxxx

	Work party retrieves platform canopies


	9th. Feb. 2007


	Following the generous donation of the remaining platform canopies from Wolverhampton Low Level Station by Wolverhampton City Council, a work party braved the recent snows and successfully dismantled the remaining structures. These have now been delivered for storage at Llynclys South, transport being funded with a small donation from Oswestry Town Council.


		Henry Thomas supervises the loading of the metal-work at the site of Wolverhampton Low Level Station. The old station building and its awnings can be seen in the background.



			xxxxXXXXxxxx




		A couple of days later, with the snow now gone, the metal-work is offloaded at Llynclys South.


	Possible homecoming


	1st. Feb. 2007

As previously announced, tentative dates for the steaming of 7821 Ditcheat Manor, prior to the expiry of its 10-year boiler certificate, can be revealed. Should an extension of this certificate not be given at the end of February, then 7821 will return to Llynclys for the first two weekends in March for final services prior to withdrawal for a major overhaul. The weekends in question being 3rd./4th. March and 10th./11th. March. Should a six month extension be granted to the boiler certificate, then 7821 will remain offsite and then similar arrangements will occur in September. HMRI have granted permission for our running arrangements during these weekends.


	Watch this website for news about the ‘homecoming’ within the next few weeks.

xxxxXXXXxxxx