NEWS
News of the progress of the Amman Valley Railway, updated on a monthly basis.
June 2002
To date the society had entered into negotiations with Railtrack where a draft lease was offered, on a 125 year basis, on condition that the main line connection is kept and the line was maintained in an operational condition. The society, had to put it's plans on hold for a while, as plans to re-introduce coal trains to the line had been proposed by EWS, if plans to extend the colliery at Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen get the go-ahead. This means we now have a choice to make, do we concentrate our efforts on the derelict section to Abernant, put in a proposal to lease the whole line, at a tremendous cost, owing it's need to be main line standard, or wait until EWS stop running trains? At the start of this month, news was recieved that the planning applications for the extension to the pit had been withdrawn, and the chance of them being re-submitted and accepted are slim. Following this news the society is now back on track (pardon the pun!) with it's origional plans for the whole line. Talks with Railtrack property and their Freight operations section have begun, (again) and the future now rests on whether there is any vested interest in the line from an operational point of view from EWS. More news to follow...
July 2002
following negotiations with EWS operations managerial staff, it is the case that there may still be a requirement to run coal trains on the branch in the forseable future, even if the open-cast pit does not get the go-ahead. Because of this, Railtrack, as it stands have an obligation to return the line to operational standard, if required at a moments notice. At present, it is only patrolled and periodical checks made on the lines condition. For the society to become operational, we will have to continue that obligation, and provide EWS with a running line at RA10 standard, and with open access, should they request it. We are now sourcing costs, off recognised contractors for the cost of getting the line to this standard, as we may as well keep it at RA10 while we run our trains. The cost will be reduced somewhat, as volunteer labour will form a bulk of the operation. We are also obtaining quotes on liability insurance, as we will need protection not only for our own sake, but to indemnify EWS should anything happen to one of their trains on our metals. Lastly, we have to consider the maintenance of structures, the 5-arch viaduct at Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen is an expensive item and quotes are being sought from recognised contractors. In addition to this, there are a number of road crossings, both automated barrier and others with warning lights only, this we are talking to local council highways departments about with a view to assistance from them with items such as road surfacing, lining etc. As we go into August, our application for charitable status is being processed, this will enable us to then look towards seeking funding. I must not forget to mention our article, printed in this months issue of heritage railway magazine many thanks to editor Robin Jones and his team for our first burst of publicity
August 2002
Not a huge amount to report this month, the holiday season took its toll on the speed of things taking place, and added to that, the fact that not everyone works at the same speed as me, we are still waiting for a report on the condition of the line, and a price to prepare it to RA10. We have had , since last month, encouraging post from Carmarthenshire county council, who is in support of our plight and have offered assistance in any way they can. Railtrack are still waiting for us to get back to them, once we have secured funding and a maintenance policy on the line. Our proposed action plan is now finished and is being distributed to all suitable recipients.
September 2002
Still waiting for both charitable status and pricing on the trackwork i'm afraid. Meetings are being arranged however to discuss funding applications, and we have received quotes for liability insurance. News that the southern region intends to scrap all of it's mark 1 stock by the end of next year prompts me into thinking that something should be done to secure some coaching stock before it all dissapears to the scrapman. the state of the line continues to deteriorate and the task of recovering it seems to get harder, but with our determination we will see it running again!
October 2002
Have recieved news that to obtain a quote of the line in its present state will cost a substantial amount of money, due to the fact that it is now so overgrown, that GTRM will have to execute a major tree and shrub clearing exercise before they can even look at the line, however this is not all bad news, because we have been given another contact who may still be able to help us out. We have taken delivery of application forms for Heritage Lottery grant aid, our next task is to present our plans together with the required documentation in order to satisfy H.L.F criteria. In addition to all this, we have been in touch with Railtrack property regarding the lease of the end of the line ( the G-C-G to Abernant section ) being treated as a seperate issue, as it is not tied down by the same governing factors that are slowing progress on the main section of line. News on this to follow. Finally, we are joining the Heritage Railway Association as we feel their help and support is very much needed at present.
January 2003
Happy new year everyone, the AVRS Christmas meal was another very enjoyable evening, thanks go to our secretary Jennifer for organising it. My appologies by the way, for not updating this page as regularly as I would like, but being chairman, webmaster and editor of the new news letter ( for you members) can be time consuming! Anyway, The new year brings no change in GTRM's stance of a cost of 5K + before they can even survey the line, we're still working on that one!. A major step forward has been taken with the AVRS now working with officers of Carmarthenshire County Council, after a very productive meeting with them in December. Having personnel available to us in this way means we can get assistance in obtaining funding, legal matters and promotion of the railway, the main point is, that we all work together to offer Carmarthenshire, and the Amman Valley in particular, a major boost. For this end, I am currently compiling our official business plan which will be the main vehicle upon which all our future actions will be based.
CAN YOU HELP US? We are urgently seeking drawings of typical station buildings of those built at the stations on the railway, which were mostly standard GWR wooden types,or of the locomotive shed at Pantyffynnon, including coaling stage. Do you have a set, or know where we can get some? if so, e-mail us at the following address. mailto:ammanvalleyrail@talk21.com
February 2003
Some good news and some 'other' news this month, the good news is that the original GWR constructional drawings for Pantyffynnon sheds and two of the stations have been located with Railtrack (Network Rail) and we have their kind permission to copy them. A journey to Swindon is now on the cards to get these. Other news is that Celtic Energy, the owners of the opencast site at the end of this line have had their plans approved by local authorities, if it gets the go-ahead at government level, they have a contractual agreement to carry 50% of the coal extracted, by rail. This means that the line will see further use as a freight route, which in turn means we have more time to think our strategy and plan for four years time when the line once again becomes available. It also means that the line will not get ripped up, in fact, it will be in better condition for being used again ! We now have other options to consider should the opencast extension get the go-ahead. More details on these to follow. An alternative business plan is now being drawn up. A recent public opinion poll in local newspapers voted 60+% in favour of the railway, most of the anti letters generated were from people who did not fully understand what our intentions were or even where the railway runs, one even wrote saying ' the railway wont be safe for my children to play on anymore' !! considering the line is still classified as active, and theoretically, a train could appear at any time ,I hate to think what 'safe ' is !!
Summer 2003
not much to report on, i'm afraid, still waiting for news of Celtic energy's application for their extension. The trouble is, that it seems to be taking forever, and worse still, we'll be at the end of the information chain when the news does appear!
Autumn 2003
Still no definite news from Celtic Energy, or Network rail but, after a phone call to Celtic Energy, we have found out that the public enquiry into the opposition for the extension plans wont be until Feb / March at the earliest! it will then take four to six months until an answer is deliberated on, followed by maybe another eight to twelve before any coal is ready to be extracted. Adding these together, gives roughly 2 years maximum until the line is required, in my eyes, a reasonable time, within which, we could repair and re-instate the line. The thought that sprang to mind more or less straight away, was that ; we have been waiting nearly two years now, for an answer, and had we known it was going to take this long, we would by now, have accepted the lease agreement and would now have an operational railway. So, why not start now ?
Thus, plans are now underway to register a company, a plc which will undertake the aquisitioning and handling of funds, together with administrative functions and day to day running of the railway. The society will look after the interests of the railway's heritage, its locomotives and stock, and will also be an invaluable source of manpower. Together with a campaign to recruit more members, and providing we can raise the required funds, there is no apparent reason for not takling this first hurdle. The society also now has it's own internal news magazine.
Winter 2003
Following our wish to proceed with this venture, we now have to obtain the required licencies to own and run a railway, we are in talks with the SRA regarding the safety case which has to be put forward, then we can look at obtaining licencies to operate trains, operate a maintenance facility etc.
Spring 2004
not much of an update this month i'm afraid, but thats not to say we've not been busy. firstly. a new commitee has been elected, of members who wish to volunteer to do just that bit extra to further the cause of the railway, this is a welcome change as with more people at the controls, we should start to see some changes pretty soon. Our first objective will be to increase our membership base.
Summer 2004
Some more news now, firstly the society has achieved charitable status and is now registered with the charities commission. We welcome some new members to the society, one in particular who wishes to help us financially, as a result of which we are now looking to purchase a class 37, and or a class 47 as our first items of stock. We have also located and put a verbal reserve on a number of mark 1 passenger vehicles, but at present we are awaiting information on what modifications are needed to their braking systems, and the options of transporting them to Wales. Work is due to start on the signal box at Glanamman, a party of volunteers is being summoned to help clear vegetation and repaint the box in it's original GWR colours, any more bodies are most welcome !!!!!!!. An agreement has been reached with national cycle network builders Sustrans on the use of the Abernant branch as a combined railway and cycle way, this is not a problem as the trackbed is dual width, and recently found documents prohibit the use of the track bed for any purpose that will render it not able to be used for a railway in the future. This means that work could begin on a railway even sooner than planned, it may be that the Abernant section is the first to run, especially as there is no news from any planned users of the main branch (G-c-G). Because of this, and in light of recently found documents relating to the leases of both sections of the line, we are rewriting our plans, with a slightly different structure to before. We are also enlisting the help of the Welsh Development Agency, and the SRA.- Watch this space !!!!!!!
Winter 2004.
The society has, on the 12th of October, given a formal presentation to a full house, the audience consisted of invitees ranging from members of the public to Councillors and representatives from our two County councils. The evening was a success and following it, members of Carmarthenshire County Council, led by a local Councillor, Kevin Madge voted to start a steering group, to aid and speed up the introduction of the railway. We have since held that first meeting and things are looking more promising than ever. The next meeting is scheduled for January 2005.
Following on from this, the society Committee has also held it's first meeting with it's new contact in Network Rail. again, the outcome was very positive, the result was that Network Rail are in agreeance with us to having the lease, and proceedings are now started which should take 12- 24 months, and should result in us holding the lease for the branch to G-C-G and the secondary branch to Abernant and beyond. The society are also looking to acquire suitable rolling stock and motive power, and we are talking to the relevant parties concerned, our first operational loco may well be a class 37, or to those who remember, an EE type 3!
In light of the recent publicity in both local papers and Radio we have enjoyed this season, things are currently very rosy indeed!
January 2005
Welcome back, happy new year!
Early news that EWS has requested Network Rail to re-instate the line as early as August this year means that we are now pressed into talks with Network Rail to find a solution that means we can still lease the line, while EWS has clear use of it, for the running of trains to Tairgwath Colliery. Good news this month, the lifting of the ban on second hand and withdrawn rolling stock means that we can now progress with or plans to purchase withdrawn MK1 rolling stock. Some class 37's have also been viewed and as soon as we are given the nod to say that they are available, we will be bringing one home. Our new business plan has been unveiled to the steering group and plans are now being drawn up for the new sheds at Pantyffynnon.
Summer 2005
A lot to catch up on this term, confirmation of Network Rails intention to use the line for coal traffic was confirmed, but regardless, we continue to press them with our wish to use it jointly for passenger use. A summer working party succeeded in repainting our signal box at Glanamman back into its original GWR colours, not a light task as during the stripping back of various layers of paint, including one of a curious light green ( any ideas?), we found extensive wood rot which was expertlty replaced by letting in new wood and a gallon or two of preserver! the results speak for themselves.
A big thanks to all who took part. A visit also took place from Network Rail, who's company we were fortunate to enjoy for a day, during which inspections at various points along the two branches took place, and discussion held pertaining to the society's plans. The outcome of this meeting is to be deliberated upon by Network Rail, whereby they will contact us soon with their suggestions. We eagerly await any news.....
Autumn 2005
Some encouraging news! an offer from Network Rail inviting us to accept an offer of ownership of the Abernant branch ( the final 2 & 1/2 mile branch off the main Pantyffynnon to G-C-G route)!
Although we would ideally like to operate over the entire route, the offer of this section is more than welcome, and gives us a start in the right direction, even if it means being a heritage operation only for the first two or three years. A meeting was duly held of the Commitee whereby it was voted unanimously that we should accept the offer and pay Network Rails legal fees to enable proceedings to commence, a value will then be announced for the purchase price of the railway. In the meantime, members of the railway have been busy inspecting certain locomotives for potential use on the railway, more details to follow. Rolling stock is also something now being taken very seriously. The main route has not been forgotten however, and it remains one of our priorities, to re-introduce passenger services over the Valley route. to this end, we have been chasing the prospect of leasing the land at Pantyffynnon, for future use and also the station sites along the line. Glanamman station has been selected to be the first to be redeveloped and it is hoped that we can develop a community museum by restoring the station buildings and land adjacent to our signal box.
It looks like the Amman Valley Railway is now a railway! this is where the work really starts, if you haven't got round to it yet, but have been thinking about it, join us now, we need your help!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, this is where the hard work starts, the lease on the Abernant section is, as we speak being drawn up by Network Rail and the society are also in the progress of taking on a lease for the station at Pantyffynnon. This will become our new central office, enabling us to have one single postal address. It will also put us in a good position to catch travellers eyes on the Heart of Wales line.
Going hand-in-hand with the above are the societies plans to become incorporated, before we create our trading arm, possibly a limited company, or a new type, a C.I.C ( community interest company). Paramount operations at the moment are based on raising funds, Carmarthenshire County Council, ever supportive of our plans based on the prospect of an additional transport solution it will provide, are investigating the provision of a dedicated grant funding officer for the railway's use. Members have been visiting and surveying various items of motive power and rolling stock, and decisions are awaited as to what is to be done.
Feb 2006
Members voted unanimously to accept the proposal for the Amman Valley Railway Society to become incorporated. This will give us a greater legal standing, and will enable us to take on responsibility for the line, the lease of Pantyffynnon station, and to set up and run a trading arm of the charity, the company limited by guarantee. We are awaiting approval by HMRI for the lease of the Abernant branch before anything further can progress and the lease of Pantyffynnon station is under progress. As said before, the station buildings will form the office of AVRS, but further developments mean that it will now be staffed full time thanks to funding made available that means we will be employing a full time funding officer and administrative assistant. Next stage in the progress of the society is to amend our articles of association to include the advent of a limited company, and a few ' tweaks' to accommodate modern communication methods. A quantity of track work has been made available, including several sets of points, the society's goal is now to secure funding to the order of £15K to enable the purchase of these points which will be ideal for the shed layout, and minor use in storage sidings.
May 2006
At our recent AGM, the old Society was effectively dissolved, and the new Amman Valley Railway Society took over. A new board of Directors were elected, and the company (limited by guarantee) has been registered with Companies house. This means that we are now in a position to accept any leases from Network Rail. At the same time, the Great Welsh Railway has also been registered as a company, this will be the administrative arm of the railway, and will be able to raise funds by issuing shares, something the charitable company will not be able to do.
June 2006
Plans for the lease of Pantyffynnon Station have been approved after a consultation by Network Rail and the plans to lease us the Abernant section of the branch have been approved by the Office of The Rail Regulator. In this same month, we took delivery of M50397, a class 103 DMU, built by Park Royal Ltd in the late 1950's, this unit is a long term restoration job, and is now residing at our Swansea location for restoration to take place Click here to go to M50397's page. We now turn our attention to the other half of the dmu which is currently in North Wales, and to ensure that the two halves can be re-united.