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List of Vale of Rheidol Railway rolling stock

This is a list of past and present rolling stock used on the Vale of Rheidol Railway (Welsh: Rheilffordd Cwm Rheidol), a 1 ft 11+34 in (603 mm) narrow gauge heritage railway, opened in 1902, that runs for 11+34 miles (19 km) between Aberystwyth and Devil's Bridge in the county of Ceredigion, Wales.[1]

The railway was later operated by the Cambrian Railways, Great Western Railway and British Rail before being 'privatised' in 1989 and run as a heritage railway operation (though arguably it had operated as a tourist railway operation since the mid-1930s, when the GWR withdrew freight services and winter passenger services, rendering the railway wholly reliant on the tourist trade).

When first opened, the railway owned two steam locomotives, No 1 Edward VII and No 2 Prince of Wales,[2] along with a third contractor's locomotive No 3 Rheidol.[3] In 1922 the Great Western Railway took over the running of the line and over the next two decades invested heavily in new locomotives and replacement rolling stock.[4]

Locomotives

Steam locomotives

The railway has four steam locomotives for use on passenger trains, three of which were built for the Vale of Rheidol line and have operated on the line ever since. A fourth locomotive arrived in 2017 for use on passenger trains and is not prototypical for the line historically.

The standard livery for the GWR engines is Great Western Railway green and all three of those locomotives currently carry this livery. The locomotives were named by British Railways in 1956 and currently do not carry their nameplates.

The Garratt locomotive still wears its livery from its former home at Schinznacher Baumschulbahn [de], but with "VOR" (standing for "Vale of Rheidol") instead of "SchBB" on its coal bunker. It carries its nameplates of "Drakensberg" on its water tank.

Image Number Name Builder Wheel
arr.
Year built Notes In traffic?
  7 Owain Glyndŵr Great Western Railway 2-6-2T 1923 Hauled the last steam service under British Rail ownership of the line. Withdrawn from traffic in 1997 pending overhaul. Returned to service in October 2018. In Traffic
  8 Llywelyn Great Western Railway 2-6-2T 1923 In Traffic
  9 Prince of Wales Great Western Railway 2-6-2T 1924 Numbered 1213 from delivery until gaining the No 9 in 1948.[5] Put through Swindon works as an overhaul of the original No 2, but is in fact a complete new locomotive.[6] As of November 2016 the locomotive carries No 1213 once more. Under Overhaul
  60 Drakensberg Hanomag 2-6-2+2-6-2T 1927 NG G13 Garratt locomotive. Privately owned. Arrived at the railway from Switzerland in 2017, and has since undergone overhaul, including the fitment of air brakes. First trial runs along the line were completed in October 2021. In Traffic

Diesel locomotives

The steam locomotive fleet is today supplemented by a diesel locomotive, number 10, built by Baguley-Drewry and brought to the railway by the Brecon Mountain Railway during the time when the VoR was owned by the same company. Although it lacks the power of the steam locomotives, it is available for shunting duties, works trains, and also operating light passenger trains.[7] A second diesel locomotive has been obtained and is under restoration.

Image Number Name Works number Builder Wheel
arr.
Year built Notes In traffic?
  10 - BMR002 Baguley-Drewry / Brecon Mountain Railway 0-6-0DM 1987 Built out of parts from Baguley-Drewry engineering[7] In Traffic
- - 3124 W.G. Bagnall 0-6-0DM 1957 Worked at the Rustenburg Platinum Mines, South Africa until 1988 where it was numbered RPM 9, before moving to the Alfred Country Railway. Under Overhaul

Self propelled engineering plant

The railway has a number of vehicles for permanent way maintenance.

Image Works Number Name Builder Wheel
arr.
Year built Notes In Traffic?
  DX68804 Thunderbird 4 Permaquip 2w-2DMR 1985 This light vehicle conveys a team of staff in comfort along with all the tools and equipment required for maintenance work. The vehicle can also be rotated through 180 degrees by means of a hydraulic lift, allowing the P-Way team to turn it so that the cab is always at the front when in motion.[8] In Traffic
  UGT1 - Plasser 4wDH 1986 Plasserail ballast tamper, built in South Africa and moved to the Vale of Rheidol Railway in 1991.[9] In Traffic
  7495 - Hunslet / Aberystwyth Locomotive Works 4wDM 1977. Rebuilt 2007 Rail mounted self-propelled vehicle used to clear lineside vegetation. Designed by Llŷr ap Iolo and built from chassis components from ex MOD Hunslet 4w diesel locomotive No 7495, originally built 1977 2'6" gauge. The McConnel flail head has a purpose built turntable and has a reach of 15 feet and a maximum speed of 7.5 mph.[10] In Traffic

Former locomotives

Image Number Name Builder Wheel
arr.
Year built Notes
1 Edward VII Davies & Metcalfe 2-6-2T 1902 Re-numbered 1212 in 1922. Overhauled by the GWR in 1925 and gained traditional Swindon fittings. Saw very little use following the arrival of the 3 new locomotives. In 1932 1212 moved to Swindon works The official withdrawal date is given as 9 March 1935. It was scrapped shortly afterwards.[11]
2 Prince of Wales Davies & Metcalfe 2-6-2T 1902 Renumbered 1213 in 1922. Sent to Swindon works in 1924 and scrapped. The number was immediately re-used for the new locomotive 1213 (now No 9) as part of the pretence of a heavy overhaul of the original locomotive.
  3 Rheidol Bagnall 2-4-0T 1896 Renumbered 1198 by the GWR in 1923 but withdrawn and scrapped the following year, having never carried its GWR number.[12]
4131 Wickham Trolley 1947 Withdrawn in 1985 with the arrival of the Permaquip personnel carrier. Now at the Moseley Railway Trust, Apedale Railway. Also carried the numbers B146, B146W, PWM2214, TR26 and DX68061

No 1, & No 2 (later 1212 & 1213)

The VoR commenced operations with two 2-6-2T locomotives constructed by Davies & Metcalfe of Manchester, Nos.1 and 2. These locomotives were given Nos.1212 and 1213 by the GWR when it took over the line on grouping. They were Davies and Metcalfe's first locomotives and a Great Central Railway boilersmith, Thomas Kay, provided expertise in their construction. The contract was given to a company previously inexperienced in locomotive building (although previously they were involved in the repair of locomotives and made injectors) because Mr. Metcalfe was an Aberystwyth man. The design draws inspiration from the Manning Wardle 2-6-2Ts on the then-newly opened Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, to which they bear some resemblance. This may be because the Szlumper family was heavily involved in both railways' design and construction.

No 3 (later 1198)

No. 3 was a small 2-4-0T locomotive, originally built by Bagnall of Stafford for a Brazilian sugar cane plantation in 1896 but never delivered as the order was cancelled, Bagnall regauging the locomotive from 750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in) to 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) when it was sold to the Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway and named Talybont. In 1903, after the failure of the Plynlimon and Hafan, it was purchased by the VoR, regauged to 1 ft 11+34 in (603 mm) and renamed Rheidol. The GWR numbered it 1198 in 1923, but it was withdrawn and scrapped the following year, having never carried its GWR number.

No 4

 
Ffestiniog Railway No 4 Palmerston

In 1902 the railway's Directors temporarily hired a locomotive from the Ffestiniog Railway. The locomotive sent was Ffestiniog No 4 Palmerston. The following year VoR locomotive No 3 Rheidol was acquired (see entry above), but a need for a fourth locomotive was still discerned. Palmerston No 4 was therefore hired again from Ffestiniog, and became the regular fourth locomotive for the next twenty years, being hired for several long periods, interspersed with brief home visits to Ffestiniog. The locomotive carried fleet number '4' in reference to its position on its home railway, although the number also matched its position on the Vale of Rheidol, as the fourth locomotive. When the line was acquired by the Great Western Railway, the leased locomotive was no longer required and was returned to Ffestiniog (from where it was immediately re-hired to the Welsh Highland Railway, to assist with construction). Palmerston (an 0-4-0ST) was built in 1864 by George England of New Cross, the fourth of the original four Ffestiniog Railway locomotives[13] and was named after the Prime Minister, Viscount Palmerston. Palmerston returned to the Vale of Rheidol in 2014, hauling a series of special trains during September to celebrate its association with the VoR, and to commemorate both a century of history since the first world war, and 25 years of VoR independent operation.[14][15]

Visiting locomotives under overhaul

The following locomotives are currently resident at the Vale of Rheidol Railway, either undergoing overhaul in the workshop or stored.

Image Number Name Builder Wheel
arr.
Year built Notes
  WLLR No. 14/SLR No. 85 Hunslet Engine Company 2-6-2T 1954 Stored at the VoR workshops on behalf of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, a future overhaul is planned with fundraising being undertaken by the Friends of the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum. Hoped to return to service in time for the 200th Anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025.
  590 / 794 Baldwin 4-6-0T 1917 Under overhaul in VoR Workshops on behalf of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. Locomotive 794 is being restored in the guise of 590 (scrapped 1942) to recreate a long lost locomotive that once ran on the Welsh Highland Line.

Coaching stock

Current coaching stock

The Vale of Rheidol Railway has a total of 16 carriages and 1 brake van. All were built by the Great Western Railway at Swindon to replace much older rolling stock built by the Midland Railway Carriage and Wagon Company for the opening of the line. Twelve bogie carriages were built for the opening.

All the stock is third class only, unless otherwise stated. All currently carry both their GWR numbers (on carriage sides) and also their VoR numbers (on the carriages ends).

Image GWR No. BR No. (1948) BR No. (1987) VoR No. (1989) Year built Builder Type Livery Notes
  4143[16] M4143W 4143 1 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic
  4144[17] M4144W 4144 2 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic
  4145[18] M4145W 4145 3 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic
  4146[19] M4146W 4146 4 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic
  4147[20] M4147W 4147 5 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic
  4148[21] M4148W 4148 6 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic
  4149[22] M4149W 4149 7 1938 Swindon Open Third "Summer Car" Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic
  4150[23] M4150W 4150 8 1938 Swindon Open Third "Summer Car" Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic
  4151[24] M4151W 4151 9 1938 Swindon Open Third "Summer Car" Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic
  4994[25] M4994W 4734 10 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic
  4995[26] M4995W 4735 11 1938 Swindon First / Third Brake Composite Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic
  4996[27] M4996W 4736 12 1938 Swindon First / Third Brake Composite Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button Withdrawn 2022 for refurbishment
  4997[28] M4997W 4737 13 1923 Swindon Open Third "Summer Car" Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic
  4998[29] M4998W 4738 14 1923 Swindon Open Third "Summer Car" Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic
  4999[30] M4999W 4739 15 1923 Swindon Open Third "Summer Car" - Converted to "Vista Car" in 1985. Out of traffic since approx 1990. Returned to traffic in 2018 as a wheelchair accessible carriage. Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic
5000[31] M5000W 4740 16 1923 Swindon Open Third "Summer Car" Bodywork removed. Out of traffic since approx 1990. Stored
  137[32] 19 1938 Swindon Four-wheeled full brake. Constructed new 1938 [33] GWR Shirt Button In Traffic

Former coaching stock

Image GWR No. VoR No. Year built Builder Type Notes
135 17 1938 Swindon Four-wheeled full brake Constructed new in 1938.[33] Scrapped in 1968.[34]
  136[35] 18 1938 Swindon Four-wheeled full brake Constructed new in 1938.[33] Sold to the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway in 1968.[34]

Museum collection

The Vale of Rheidol Railway owns an extensive collection of historic narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock which are and are destined for museum display at a future date.

Museum collection locomotives

At present none of these locomotives are available for public viewing with the exception of Wren 3114 and Quarry Hunslet Margaret.

Builder Works number Name Year built Wheel arrangement Gauge Number Notes
A Borsig 5913 1908 0-4-0WT 1 ft 11+58 in (600 mm) ex Sobemai N.V.Maldegem, Belgium[36]
Société Anglo-Franco-Belge 2668 1951 2-8-2+T 2 ft (610 mm) 121 SAR NG15 Class, South Africa[36]
De Winton 106 Kathleen 1877 0-4-0VBT 1 ft 10+34 in (578 mm) 1877 Vertical boiler locomotive ex Penrhyn Quarry Railway[36]
Decauville 1027 1926 0-4-0T 1 ft 11+12 in (597 mm) 7 'Progress 5T' type, ex Belgian Industries, Pas-De-Calais, France.[36]
Falcon 265 1897 4-4-0+T 2 ft (610 mm) 27 SAR NG6 Class "Lawley" F4 Type ex Beira Railway, South Africa, later at Buzi sugar refinery, Mozambique[36]
Falcon 266 Lisboa 1897 4-4-0+T 2 ft (610 mm) 28 SAR NG6 Class "Lawley" F4 Type ex Beira Railway, South Africa, later at Buzi sugar refinery, Mozambique[36]
Fowler 10249 1905 0-6-0+T 1 ft 11+34 in (603 mm) 6 Ex Colonial Sugar Refining, Lautoka Mill, Fiji.[36]
Fowler 11938 1909 0-4-2T 1 ft 11+58 in (600 mm) S.S.E 21 Ex Sena sugar, Mozambique.[36]
Fowler 15515 1920 0-6-2T 1 ft 11+58 in (600 mm) S.S.E 23 Ex Sena sugar, Mozambique.[36]
Henschel & Sohn 11854/25 1917 1 ft 11+12 in (597 mm) Bogie Tender designed to run with Feldbahn locomotives.[36]
Hudswell Clarke D564 1930 4wDM 2 ft (610 mm) ex Beswicks Lime works Hindlow quarries. Was once part of the Gloddfa Ganol` collection.[36]
Hunslet 605 Margaret 1894 0-4-0T 1 ft 11+34 in (603 mm) Small Quarry Class. ex Penrhyn Quarrry Railway.[36]
Kerr Stuart 3114 1918 0-4-0T 1 ft 11+58 in (600 mm) Wren Class. Former contractor's locomotive. Worked at various locations engaged in reservoir construction. Worked briefly at a quarry connected to the Ashover Light Railway.[36]
Kerr Stuart 4408 1928 0-6-4T 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 695 PL Class ex Parlakimidi Light Railway, India.[36]
Maffei 4766 1916 0-8-0+T 1 ft 11+12 in (597 mm) DFB 968 / 31 Brigadelok. Built for Deutsche Heeresfeldbahn.[36]
Manning Wardle 1382 Jubilee 1897 1897 0-4-0ST 1 ft 11+12 in (597 mm) Formerly at Cilgwyn Slate Quarry, later at Penrhyn Slate Quarry. Previously owned by Welsh Slate and on long term display at the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Tywyn, the locomotive was purchased by the Vale of Rheidol in 2020. [36]
North British 17111 1906 4-6-2T 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 666 ex South Eastern Railway of India CC class Parlakimidi Light Railway, India.[36]
Orenstein & Koppel 3770 1909 0-4-4-0 2 ft 3+916 in (700 mm) Krebet Baru Mill No.3 Mallet locomotive, formerly operated in Java.[36]
Ruston Proctor Either 50823 or 51168 1915 or 1916 4wPM 3 ft 3+38 in (1,000 mm) ZLH Paraffin Mechanical. Believed to be the oldest narrow gauge internal combustion loco in the British Isles. Ex-Cotton Powder Company.[36]
Sabero 6 La Herrera 1937 0-6-0T 1 ft 11+58 in (600 mm) 6 ex Hulleras de sabero y Anexas S.A., Spain.[36]
W. G. Bagnall 2228 1924 0-4-4T 2 ft (610 mm) 18BG ex Kowloon-Canton Railway / Sha Tau Kok Railway, Hong Kong. In 1928 moved to Victorias Milling Co., Negros Occidental, The Philippines.[36]
W. G. Bagnall 2192 Conqueror 1922 0-6-2T 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 3 ex Bowaters Paper Railway and Great Whipsnade Railway.[36]
W. G. Bagnall 2029 1916 2-6-2T 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) AK16 Originally ordered for the Egyptian Delta Light Railways, but worked at the Kalighat Falta Railway, Calcutta, India until 1997.[36]
W. G. Bagnall 2457 1932 4-6-2+T 2 ft (610 mm) 38 ex Western Railway (India), Dabhoi Gwalior Railway, India. The railway owns a pair of these locomotives.[36]
W. G. Bagnall 2460 1932 4-6-2+T 2 ft (610 mm) 41 ex Western Railway (India), Dabhoi Gwalior Railway, India.[36]

Museum collection coaching stock

The railway owns a number of historic carriages from other railways. This is destined for museum display in future.

No. Year built Builder Notes Status
F68 1909 Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon Co. Former Isle of Man Railway[36] Not currently on display
14 1879 Swansea Carriage & Wagon Former Manx Northern Railway - Third Class. IoM No N51[36] Not currently on display

Visiting locomotives

The following locomotives have visited the railway in the past.

Image Number Name Builder Wheel
arr.
Year built Notes
  4 Palmerston George England 0-4-0ST+T 1864 Hired from the Ffestiniog Railway on various occasions between 1912 and 1923. Returned to the Vale of Rheidol in 2014 and operated a number of special trains to Devil's Bridge.
  Mountaineer ALCO 2-6-2T 1917 Hired from the Ffestiniog Railway during September 1986.[37]
  1158 Diana Kerr Stuart 0-4-0T 1917 Restored in Vale of Rheidol Workshops. Steamed in 2015 for first time since 1950. Operated passenger services between Aberystwyth and Capel Bangor during "The Forgotten Engines" gala.
  364 Winifred Hunslet 0-4-0ST 1885 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2015 for "The Forgotten Engines" gala. Operated passenger services between Aberystwyth and Capel Bangor. Normally resident at Bala Lake Railway.
  921 Sybil Mary Hunslet 0-4-0ST 1906 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2015 for "The Forgotten Engines" gala. Operated passenger services between Aberystwyth and Capel Bangor. Normally resident at Statfold Barn Railway.
  2066 Ogwen Avonside 0-4-0T 1933 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2015 for "The Forgotten Engines" gala. Static display only.
  2067 Marchlyn Avonside 0-4-0T 1933 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2015 for "The Forgotten Engines" gala. Operated on demonstration line at Aberystwyth. Normally resident at Statfold Barn Railway.
  707 Britomart Hunslet 0-4-0ST 1899 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2017 for the Roaring 1920s and 30s event.
  3 Sir Haydn Hughes,
Falcon Works,
Loughborough[38]
0-4-2ST[38] 1878[38] Owned by the Talyllyn Railway. Major overhaul completed in the Vale of Rheidol workshops in 2018. This is a 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) gauge locomotive, and therefore was unable to operate on the line.
  822 The Earl Beyer Peacock 0-6-0T 1902 £350,000 overhaul completed by the Vale of Rheidol railway in 2021. The locomotive has now returned to operating trains on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway.

References

  1. ^ Johnson 1999, page 15
  2. ^ Green 1986, pages 177 - 187
  3. ^ Green 1986, page 204
  4. ^ Green 1986, page 188
  5. ^ Green 1986, page 192
  6. ^ Green 1986, page 189
  7. ^ a b Vale of Rheidol Railway Guidebook, 2016, page 13
  8. ^ Vale of Rheidol Guidebook 2016, page 24
  9. ^ Vale of Rheidol Guidebook, 2016, page 24
  10. ^ Vale of Rheidol Railway Guidebook, 2016, page 17
  11. ^ Green, 1986, page 187
  12. ^ Green, 1986, pages 204-205
  13. ^ See entry at this location Archived 20 September 2008 at archive.today for details.
  14. ^ See BBC report.
  15. ^ Details at Rail.co.uk website.
  16. ^ "Carriage 4143 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  17. ^ "Carriage 4144 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  18. ^ "Carriage 4145 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  19. ^ "Carriage 4146 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  20. ^ "Carriage 4147 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  21. ^ "Carriage 4148 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  22. ^ "Carriage 4149 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  23. ^ "Carriage 4150 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  24. ^ "Carriage 4151 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  25. ^ "Carriage 4994 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  26. ^ "Carriage 4995 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  27. ^ "Carriage 4996 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  28. ^ "Carriage 4997 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  29. ^ "Carriage 4998 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  30. ^ "Carriage 4999 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  31. ^ "Carriage 5000 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  32. ^ "Van 137 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  33. ^ a b c Phillips et al, 2021, page 226-231
  34. ^ a b Green, 1986, page 219
  35. ^ "Van 137 on Vintage Carriages Trust database". Vintage Carriages Trust. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Vale of Rheidol Railway Museum Collection". Vale of Rheidol Railway. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  37. ^ Green, 1986, page 258
  38. ^ a b c . Talyllyn Railway. Archived from the original on 14 September 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2010.

Bibliography

External links

  • Vale of Rheidol Railway website

list, vale, rheidol, railway, rolling, stock, this, list, past, present, rolling, stock, used, vale, rheidol, railway, welsh, rheilffordd, rheidol, narrow, gauge, heritage, railway, opened, 1902, that, runs, miles, between, aberystwyth, devil, bridge, county, . This is a list of past and present rolling stock used on the Vale of Rheidol Railway Welsh Rheilffordd Cwm Rheidol a 1 ft 11 3 4 in 603 mm narrow gauge heritage railway opened in 1902 that runs for 11 3 4 miles 19 km between Aberystwyth and Devil s Bridge in the county of Ceredigion Wales 1 The railway was later operated by the Cambrian Railways Great Western Railway and British Rail before being privatised in 1989 and run as a heritage railway operation though arguably it had operated as a tourist railway operation since the mid 1930s when the GWR withdrew freight services and winter passenger services rendering the railway wholly reliant on the tourist trade When first opened the railway owned two steam locomotives No 1 Edward VII and No 2 Prince of Wales 2 along with a third contractor s locomotive No 3 Rheidol 3 In 1922 the Great Western Railway took over the running of the line and over the next two decades invested heavily in new locomotives and replacement rolling stock 4 Contents 1 Locomotives 1 1 Steam locomotives 1 2 Diesel locomotives 1 3 Self propelled engineering plant 1 4 Former locomotives 1 4 1 No 1 amp No 2 later 1212 amp 1213 1 4 2 No 3 later 1198 1 4 3 No 4 1 5 Visiting locomotives under overhaul 2 Coaching stock 2 1 Current coaching stock 2 2 Former coaching stock 3 Museum collection 3 1 Museum collection locomotives 3 2 Museum collection coaching stock 4 Visiting locomotives 5 References 6 Bibliography 7 External linksLocomotives EditSteam locomotives Edit See also GWR Rheidol Tanks The railway has four steam locomotives for use on passenger trains three of which were built for the Vale of Rheidol line and have operated on the line ever since A fourth locomotive arrived in 2017 for use on passenger trains and is not prototypical for the line historically The standard livery for the GWR engines is Great Western Railway green and all three of those locomotives currently carry this livery The locomotives were named by British Railways in 1956 and currently do not carry their nameplates The Garratt locomotive still wears its livery from its former home at Schinznacher Baumschulbahn de but with VOR standing for Vale of Rheidol instead of SchBB on its coal bunker It carries its nameplates of Drakensberg on its water tank Image Number Name Builder Wheel arr Year built Notes In traffic 7 Owain Glyndŵr Great Western Railway 2 6 2T 1923 Hauled the last steam service under British Rail ownership of the line Withdrawn from traffic in 1997 pending overhaul Returned to service in October 2018 In Traffic 8 Llywelyn Great Western Railway 2 6 2T 1923 In Traffic 9 Prince of Wales Great Western Railway 2 6 2T 1924 Numbered 1213 from delivery until gaining the No 9 in 1948 5 Put through Swindon works as an overhaul of the original No 2 but is in fact a complete new locomotive 6 As of November 2016 the locomotive carries No 1213 once more Under Overhaul 60 Drakensberg Hanomag 2 6 2 2 6 2T 1927 NG G13 Garratt locomotive Privately owned Arrived at the railway from Switzerland in 2017 and has since undergone overhaul including the fitment of air brakes First trial runs along the line were completed in October 2021 In TrafficDiesel locomotives Edit The steam locomotive fleet is today supplemented by a diesel locomotive number 10 built by Baguley Drewry and brought to the railway by the Brecon Mountain Railway during the time when the VoR was owned by the same company Although it lacks the power of the steam locomotives it is available for shunting duties works trains and also operating light passenger trains 7 A second diesel locomotive has been obtained and is under restoration Image Number Name Works number Builder Wheel arr Year built Notes In traffic 10 BMR002 Baguley Drewry Brecon Mountain Railway 0 6 0DM 1987 Built out of parts from Baguley Drewry engineering 7 In Traffic 3124 W G Bagnall 0 6 0DM 1957 Worked at the Rustenburg Platinum Mines South Africa until 1988 where it was numbered RPM 9 before moving to the Alfred Country Railway Under OverhaulSelf propelled engineering plant Edit The railway has a number of vehicles for permanent way maintenance Image Works Number Name Builder Wheel arr Year built Notes In Traffic DX68804 Thunderbird 4 Permaquip 2w 2DMR 1985 This light vehicle conveys a team of staff in comfort along with all the tools and equipment required for maintenance work The vehicle can also be rotated through 180 degrees by means of a hydraulic lift allowing the P Way team to turn it so that the cab is always at the front when in motion 8 In Traffic UGT1 Plasser 4wDH 1986 Plasserail ballast tamper built in South Africa and moved to the Vale of Rheidol Railway in 1991 9 In Traffic 7495 Hunslet Aberystwyth Locomotive Works 4wDM 1977 Rebuilt 2007 Rail mounted self propelled vehicle used to clear lineside vegetation Designed by Llŷr ap Iolo and built from chassis components from ex MOD Hunslet 4w diesel locomotive No 7495 originally built 1977 2 6 gauge The McConnel flail head has a purpose built turntable and has a reach of 15 feet and a maximum speed of 7 5 mph 10 In TrafficFormer locomotives Edit Image Number Name Builder Wheelarr Year built Notes1 Edward VII Davies amp Metcalfe 2 6 2T 1902 Re numbered 1212 in 1922 Overhauled by the GWR in 1925 and gained traditional Swindon fittings Saw very little use following the arrival of the 3 new locomotives In 1932 1212 moved to Swindon works The official withdrawal date is given as 9 March 1935 It was scrapped shortly afterwards 11 2 Prince of Wales Davies amp Metcalfe 2 6 2T 1902 Renumbered 1213 in 1922 Sent to Swindon works in 1924 and scrapped The number was immediately re used for the new locomotive 1213 now No 9 as part of the pretence of a heavy overhaul of the original locomotive 3 Rheidol Bagnall 2 4 0T 1896 Renumbered 1198 by the GWR in 1923 but withdrawn and scrapped the following year having never carried its GWR number 12 4131 Wickham Trolley 1947 Withdrawn in 1985 with the arrival of the Permaquip personnel carrier Now at the Moseley Railway Trust Apedale Railway Also carried the numbers B146 B146W PWM2214 TR26 and DX68061No 1 amp No 2 later 1212 amp 1213 Edit The VoR commenced operations with two 2 6 2T locomotives constructed by Davies amp Metcalfe of Manchester Nos 1 and 2 These locomotives were given Nos 1212 and 1213 by the GWR when it took over the line on grouping They were Davies and Metcalfe s first locomotives and a Great Central Railway boilersmith Thomas Kay provided expertise in their construction The contract was given to a company previously inexperienced in locomotive building although previously they were involved in the repair of locomotives and made injectors because Mr Metcalfe was an Aberystwyth man The design draws inspiration from the Manning Wardle 2 6 2T s on the then newly opened Lynton and Barnstaple Railway to which they bear some resemblance This may be because the Szlumper family was heavily involved in both railways design and construction No 3 later 1198 Edit Main article Rheidol locomotive No 3 was a small 2 4 0T locomotive originally built by Bagnall of Stafford for a Brazilian sugar cane plantation in 1896 but never delivered as the order was cancelled Bagnall regauging the locomotive from 750 mm 2 ft 5 1 2 in to 2 ft 3 in 686 mm when it was sold to the Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway and named Talybont In 1903 after the failure of the Plynlimon and Hafan it was purchased by the VoR regauged to 1 ft 11 3 4 in 603 mm and renamed Rheidol The GWR numbered it 1198 in 1923 but it was withdrawn and scrapped the following year having never carried its GWR number No 4 Edit Ffestiniog Railway No 4 Palmerston In 1902 the railway s Directors temporarily hired a locomotive from the Ffestiniog Railway The locomotive sent was Ffestiniog No 4 Palmerston The following year VoR locomotive No 3 Rheidol was acquired see entry above but a need for a fourth locomotive was still discerned Palmerston No 4 was therefore hired again from Ffestiniog and became the regular fourth locomotive for the next twenty years being hired for several long periods interspersed with brief home visits to Ffestiniog The locomotive carried fleet number 4 in reference to its position on its home railway although the number also matched its position on the Vale of Rheidol as the fourth locomotive When the line was acquired by the Great Western Railway the leased locomotive was no longer required and was returned to Ffestiniog from where it was immediately re hired to the Welsh Highland Railway to assist with construction Palmerston an 0 4 0ST was built in 1864 by George England of New Cross the fourth of the original four Ffestiniog Railway locomotives 13 and was named after the Prime Minister Viscount Palmerston Palmerston returned to the Vale of Rheidol in 2014 hauling a series of special trains during September to celebrate its association with the VoR and to commemorate both a century of history since the first world war and 25 years of VoR independent operation 14 15 Visiting locomotives under overhaul Edit The following locomotives are currently resident at the Vale of Rheidol Railway either undergoing overhaul in the workshop or stored Image Number Name Builder Wheel arr Year built Notes WLLR No 14 SLR No 85 Hunslet Engine Company 2 6 2T 1954 Stored at the VoR workshops on behalf of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway a future overhaul is planned with fundraising being undertaken by the Friends of the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum Hoped to return to service in time for the 200th Anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025 590 794 Baldwin 4 6 0T 1917 Under overhaul in VoR Workshops on behalf of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway Locomotive 794 is being restored in the guise of 590 scrapped 1942 to recreate a long lost locomotive that once ran on the Welsh Highland Line Coaching stock EditCurrent coaching stock Edit The Vale of Rheidol Railway has a total of 16 carriages and 1 brake van All were built by the Great Western Railway at Swindon to replace much older rolling stock built by the Midland Railway Carriage and Wagon Company for the opening of the line Twelve bogie carriages were built for the opening All the stock is third class only unless otherwise stated All currently carry both their GWR numbers on carriage sides and also their VoR numbers on the carriages ends Image GWR No BR No 1948 BR No 1987 VoR No 1989 Year built Builder Type Livery Notes 4143 16 M4143W 4143 1 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic 4144 17 M4144W 4144 2 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic 4145 18 M4145W 4145 3 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic 4146 19 M4146W 4146 4 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic 4147 20 M4147W 4147 5 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic 4148 21 M4148W 4148 6 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic 4149 22 M4149W 4149 7 1938 Swindon Open Third Summer Car Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic 4150 23 M4150W 4150 8 1938 Swindon Open Third Summer Car Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic 4151 24 M4151W 4151 9 1938 Swindon Open Third Summer Car Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic 4994 25 M4994W 4734 10 1938 Swindon Fully Enclosed Third Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic 4995 26 M4995W 4735 11 1938 Swindon First Third Brake Composite Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic 4996 27 M4996W 4736 12 1938 Swindon First Third Brake Composite Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button Withdrawn 2022 for refurbishment 4997 28 M4997W 4737 13 1923 Swindon Open Third Summer Car Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic 4998 29 M4998W 4738 14 1923 Swindon Open Third Summer Car Chocolate and Cream with GWR Shirt Button In Traffic 4999 30 M4999W 4739 15 1923 Swindon Open Third Summer Car Converted to Vista Car in 1985 Out of traffic since approx 1990 Returned to traffic in 2018 as a wheelchair accessible carriage Chocolate and Cream with GWR Garter Crest In Traffic5000 31 M5000W 4740 16 1923 Swindon Open Third Summer Car Bodywork removed Out of traffic since approx 1990 Stored 137 32 19 1938 Swindon Four wheeled full brake Constructed new 1938 33 GWR Shirt Button In TrafficFormer coaching stock Edit Image GWR No VoR No Year built Builder Type Notes135 17 1938 Swindon Four wheeled full brake Constructed new in 1938 33 Scrapped in 1968 34 136 35 18 1938 Swindon Four wheeled full brake Constructed new in 1938 33 Sold to the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway in 1968 34 Museum collection EditThe Vale of Rheidol Railway owns an extensive collection of historic narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock which are and are destined for museum display at a future date Museum collection locomotives Edit At present none of these locomotives are available for public viewing with the exception of Wren 3114 and Quarry Hunslet Margaret Wren 3114 seen at Rheidol Falls halt Margaret was restored in the Vale of Rheidol workshops Ruston Proctor ZLH Paraffin Mechanical Locomotive in the workshop in Aberystwyth Jubilee 1897 on display in the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Tywyn Decauville Progress 5t De Winton and Fowler locomotives at Vale of Rheidol RailwayBuilder Works number Name Year built Wheel arrangement Gauge Number NotesA Borsig 5913 1908 0 4 0WT 1 ft 11 5 8 in 600 mm ex Sobemai N V Maldegem Belgium 36 Societe Anglo Franco Belge 2668 1951 2 8 2 T 2 ft 610 mm 121 SAR NG15 Class South Africa 36 De Winton 106 Kathleen 1877 0 4 0VBT 1 ft 10 3 4 in 578 mm 1877 Vertical boiler locomotive ex Penrhyn Quarry Railway 36 Decauville 1027 1926 0 4 0T 1 ft 11 1 2 in 597 mm 7 Progress 5T type ex Belgian Industries Pas De Calais France 36 Falcon 265 1897 4 4 0 T 2 ft 610 mm 27 SAR NG6 Class Lawley F4 Type ex Beira Railway South Africa later at Buzi sugar refinery Mozambique 36 Falcon 266 Lisboa 1897 4 4 0 T 2 ft 610 mm 28 SAR NG6 Class Lawley F4 Type ex Beira Railway South Africa later at Buzi sugar refinery Mozambique 36 Fowler 10249 1905 0 6 0 T 1 ft 11 3 4 in 603 mm 6 Ex Colonial Sugar Refining Lautoka Mill Fiji 36 Fowler 11938 1909 0 4 2T 1 ft 11 5 8 in 600 mm S S E 21 Ex Sena sugar Mozambique 36 Fowler 15515 1920 0 6 2T 1 ft 11 5 8 in 600 mm S S E 23 Ex Sena sugar Mozambique 36 Henschel amp Sohn 11854 25 1917 1 ft 11 1 2 in 597 mm Bogie Tender designed to run with Feldbahn locomotives 36 Hudswell Clarke D564 1930 4wDM 2 ft 610 mm ex Beswicks Lime works Hindlow quarries Was once part of the Gloddfa Ganol collection 36 Hunslet 605 Margaret 1894 0 4 0T 1 ft 11 3 4 in 603 mm Small Quarry Class ex Penrhyn Quarrry Railway 36 Kerr Stuart 3114 1918 0 4 0T 1 ft 11 5 8 in 600 mm Wren Class Former contractor s locomotive Worked at various locations engaged in reservoir construction Worked briefly at a quarry connected to the Ashover Light Railway 36 Kerr Stuart 4408 1928 0 6 4T 2 ft 6 in 762 mm 695 PL Class ex Parlakimidi Light Railway India 36 Maffei 4766 1916 0 8 0 T 1 ft 11 1 2 in 597 mm DFB 968 31 Brigadelok Built for Deutsche Heeresfeldbahn 36 Manning Wardle 1382 Jubilee 1897 1897 0 4 0ST 1 ft 11 1 2 in 597 mm Formerly at Cilgwyn Slate Quarry later at Penrhyn Slate Quarry Previously owned by Welsh Slate and on long term display at the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Tywyn the locomotive was purchased by the Vale of Rheidol in 2020 36 North British 17111 1906 4 6 2T 2 ft 6 in 762 mm 666 ex South Eastern Railway of India CC class Parlakimidi Light Railway India 36 Orenstein amp Koppel 3770 1909 0 4 4 0 2 ft 3 9 16 in 700 mm Krebet Baru Mill No 3 Mallet locomotive formerly operated in Java 36 Ruston Proctor Either 50823 or 51168 1915 or 1916 4wPM 3 ft 3 3 8 in 1 000 mm ZLH Paraffin Mechanical Believed to be the oldest narrow gauge internal combustion loco in the British Isles Ex Cotton Powder Company 36 Sabero 6 La Herrera 1937 0 6 0T 1 ft 11 5 8 in 600 mm 6 ex Hulleras de sabero y Anexas S A Spain 36 W G Bagnall 2228 1924 0 4 4T 2 ft 610 mm 18BG ex Kowloon Canton Railway Sha Tau Kok Railway Hong Kong In 1928 moved to Victorias Milling Co Negros Occidental The Philippines 36 W G Bagnall 2192 Conqueror 1922 0 6 2T 2 ft 6 in 762 mm 3 ex Bowaters Paper Railway and Great Whipsnade Railway 36 W G Bagnall 2029 1916 2 6 2T 2 ft 6 in 762 mm AK16 Originally ordered for the Egyptian Delta Light Railways but worked at the Kalighat Falta Railway Calcutta India until 1997 36 W G Bagnall 2457 1932 4 6 2 T 2 ft 610 mm 38 ex Western Railway India Dabhoi Gwalior Railway India The railway owns a pair of these locomotives 36 W G Bagnall 2460 1932 4 6 2 T 2 ft 610 mm 41 ex Western Railway India Dabhoi Gwalior Railway India 36 Museum collection coaching stock Edit The railway owns a number of historic carriages from other railways This is destined for museum display in future No Year built Builder Notes StatusF68 1909 Metropolitan Carriage amp Wagon Co Former Isle of Man Railway 36 Not currently on display14 1879 Swansea Carriage amp Wagon Former Manx Northern Railway Third Class IoM No N51 36 Not currently on displayVisiting locomotives EditThe following locomotives have visited the railway in the past Image Number Name Builder Wheel arr Year built Notes 4 Palmerston George England 0 4 0ST T 1864 Hired from the Ffestiniog Railway on various occasions between 1912 and 1923 Returned to the Vale of Rheidol in 2014 and operated a number of special trains to Devil s Bridge Mountaineer ALCO 2 6 2T 1917 Hired from the Ffestiniog Railway during September 1986 37 1158 Diana Kerr Stuart 0 4 0T 1917 Restored in Vale of Rheidol Workshops Steamed in 2015 for first time since 1950 Operated passenger services between Aberystwyth and Capel Bangor during The Forgotten Engines gala 364 Winifred Hunslet 0 4 0ST 1885 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2015 for The Forgotten Engines gala Operated passenger services between Aberystwyth and Capel Bangor Normally resident at Bala Lake Railway 921 Sybil Mary Hunslet 0 4 0ST 1906 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2015 for The Forgotten Engines gala Operated passenger services between Aberystwyth and Capel Bangor Normally resident at Statfold Barn Railway 2066 Ogwen Avonside 0 4 0T 1933 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2015 for The Forgotten Engines gala Static display only 2067 Marchlyn Avonside 0 4 0T 1933 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2015 for The Forgotten Engines gala Operated on demonstration line at Aberystwyth Normally resident at Statfold Barn Railway 707 Britomart Hunslet 0 4 0ST 1899 Visited Vale of Rheidol Railway in 2017 for the Roaring 1920s and 30s event 3 Sir Haydn Hughes Falcon Works Loughborough 38 0 4 2ST 38 1878 38 Owned by the Talyllyn Railway Major overhaul completed in the Vale of Rheidol workshops in 2018 This is a 2 ft 3 in 686 mm gauge locomotive and therefore was unable to operate on the line 822 The Earl Beyer Peacock 0 6 0T 1902 350 000 overhaul completed by the Vale of Rheidol railway in 2021 The locomotive has now returned to operating trains on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway References Edit Johnson 1999 page 15 Green 1986 pages 177 187 Green 1986 page 204 Green 1986 page 188 Green 1986 page 192 Green 1986 page 189 a b Vale of Rheidol Railway Guidebook 2016 page 13 Vale of Rheidol Guidebook 2016 page 24 Vale of Rheidol Guidebook 2016 page 24 Vale of Rheidol Railway Guidebook 2016 page 17 Green 1986 page 187 Green 1986 pages 204 205 See entry at this location Archived 20 September 2008 at archive today for details See BBC report Details at Rail co uk website Carriage 4143 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4144 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4145 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4146 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4147 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4148 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4149 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4150 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4151 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4994 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4995 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4996 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4997 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4998 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 4999 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Carriage 5000 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 Van 137 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 a b c Phillips et al 2021 page 226 231 a b Green 1986 page 219 Van 137 on Vintage Carriages Trust database Vintage Carriages Trust 29 April 2016 Retrieved 26 February 2017 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Vale of Rheidol Railway Museum Collection Vale of Rheidol Railway Retrieved 2 June 2019 Green 1986 page 258 a b c No 3 Talyllyn Railway Archived from the original on 14 September 2011 Retrieved 23 February 2010 Bibliography EditBoyd James I C 1965 Narrow Gauge Railways in Mid Wales Oakwood Press ISBN 0 85361 024 X Green CC 1986 The Vale of Rheidol Light Railway Wild Swan ISBN 0 906867 43 6 Johnson Peter 1999 Welsh Narrow Gauge a view from the past Ian Allan Publishing ISBN 0 7110 2654 8 Johnson Peter 2011 An Illustrated History of the Great Western Narrow Gauge OPC ISBN 978 0 86093 636 7 Phillips Stephen ap Iolo Llyr Gambrill Robert Bance Robert 2021 The Vale of Rheidol Railway In Detail Vale of Rheidol Railway ISBN 978 0 95445 464 7 Wade E A 1997 The Plynlimon amp Hafan Tramway Twelveheads Press ISBN 0 90629438 X External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rolling stock of the Vale of Rheidol Railway Vale of Rheidol Railway website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title List of Vale of Rheidol Railway rolling stock 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