A Hudswell Clarke 'Badger' 0-6-0 diesel number 50 rescued from Shotton Steelworks by Neville Jones (in the blue coat) was successfully started for the first time in 5 years on Saturday 28 June, since last being used at the steelworks where it was the last Welsh industrial narrow gauge engine in service.
The 2ft 6in gauge loco is fitted with 120hp 'Gardner' engine is being restored at a private site in Deeside for future use on the GVT.
Dave Dilnot GVTT Project Manager said 'the loco is quite a beast but it will be capable of hauling anything we are likely to put behind it, it is complete and in good condition and we look forward to seeing it fully restored'.
Neville Jones who used to work at Shotton Steelworks and had a soft spot for the Badger locos which used to move steel coils around the plant stepped in to save the loco from a scrap merchant who was about to cut it up said ' We were very pleased it has encouraged us to go on and restore the loco to ex-works condition for the GVT project, it ran without smoke and very sweetly indeed and without any problems once we had fitted new batteries and got our heads round the controls'.
A similar loco is in service on the Stafold Barn Railway near Tamworth.
*Click on image to enlarge.
We have a limited number of signed copies of John Milner's 'Slates from Glyn Ceiriog'.
This quality publication offers a comprehensive history of the Ceiriog
Valley Slate Industry and its influence on the creation of the Glyn
Valley Tramway.
If you live locally and want to avoid paying postage email jane@glynvalleytramway.co.uk and we may be able to drop one off at a convenient location.
Our new shop is now online at www.tramwayshop.co.uk. We have a selection of books available and more items will be added soon.
The 11 ft long replica of an original GVT freight wagon, built by Thirty Inch Railways (TIR), was loaded by JB Wheaton & Son onto the Jewsons lorry which had travelled from Chirk in Wrexham, North Wales, to Chard Junction in Somerset. It was then transported by Jewsons to Chirk where Kronospan were on hand to unload. More info here.
Click on images below to enlarge. 'The Team' picture includes left to right: Steven Bryson-Haynes (dogsbody!), Phil Starr (door-frame maker), Chris Phillimore (did everything else).
In connection with the above, the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust intend to be ‘on the field’ in strength, using the ‘Fun Day’ as a way of engaging with the people of Chirk. For more information click here. The Trustees hope to see you there!
Follow the debate on the National Preservation Forum.
Would you like to see the Glyn Valley Tramway rebuilt and steam trains running again in the Ceiriog Valley? If so please register your interest in membership or assisting in any way by completing the form on our website.
We have issued a statement on our website at www.glynvalleytramway.co.uk/14.html.