Glyn Valley Tramway - News & Pictures

Bradford 4ft, Leeds 4ft8.5. A change of gauge that couldn't be dealt with was Bradford to Bailiff Bridge where the Halifax (3ft6ins - Bailiff Bridge to Brighouse section) met. At the Brighouse end was the Huddersfield 4ft7.5inch!

trammayo


Bradford 4ft, Leeds 4ft8.5. A change of gauge that couldn't be dealt with was Bradford to Bailiff Bridge where the Halifax (3ft6ins - Bailiff Bridge to Brighouse section) met. At the Brighouse end was the Huddersfield 4ft7.5inch!

 
And some say Australia was disorganised? At least when they started they were different countries & we did have help from the Irish !!!!!!!!

Fairlie


Weren't there a pair of tramways in the north of England where 4 foot and  standard gauge met, and they had a few trams for through running with wheels sliding on splines for gauge change?

I believe Leeds and Bradford was as such?
 
Tramayo (Mick) would know for certain....

Fairlie


Weren't there a pair of tramways in the north of England where 4 foot and  standard gauge met, and they had a few trams for through running with wheels sliding on splines for gauge change?

 
  Indeed there was with Leeds and Bradford.
You can see how the extended pinion allowed the truck to dual gauge.
 


 
 
 

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Yes the dynamic duo of Spencer and Dawson - a few joint patents between them. Some clever, and far reaching, ideas developed in the old West Riding of Yorkshire!
 
However, none of them will help the impasse over the GVT alas. But banging two heads (or several pairs of) together might be beneficial. Good example in the W.H.R and F.R.

It was the same with the Cambrian Railways Trust and the Cambrian Railways Society, but they at least have settled their differences now (I think!). At least they have the same gauge.
How did the gauge-changing tram keep its wheels in gauge? I can see a sort of sliding block on each wheel; did these rub continuously on the wheel edges?
 

Fairlie
 

It was the same with the Cambrian Railways Trust and the Cambrian Railways Society, but they at least have settled their differences now (I think!). At least they have the same gauge.
How did the gauge-changing tram keep its wheels in gauge? I can see a sort of sliding block on each wheel; did these rub continuously on the wheel edges?

 
The distance blocks were there to keep gauge. If you look on the smaller pictures one is on the outside of the track wheel (narrow gauge) and the other is on the inside of the wheel (standard gauge). The track wheel and gear wheel (one unit) slid along a fixed axle. When changing gauges the blocks were raised and the car travelled slowly along a section of tapered track until the blocks could be lowered back in to position. The blocks presumably did rub against the edges of the track wheels.

Haven't been down the Glyn Vaqlley for about a year.
Makes sense to settle for 2'6" so they can get ready to run wagons from lots of countries in Europe.

I agree 2'6" makes sence as long as you don't call it a historic railway Les

The planning application for rebuilding the line between Chirk Station and The Chirk Fisheries goes before Wrexham County Borough Council Planning Committee in the Guildhall tonight  
 
http://www.thegvt.org/index.php?option=com_easyblog&view=latest&Itemid=61

a great tongue in cheek documentary about the ecccentrics building a line from each end in two different gauges would be fun! Maybe the will build past each others like the american pioneers. Ho ho.

Good News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-16886448
 

From the BBC News - A train arriving at Glyn Cerriog around 1875
 

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Good news indeed . I also like idea of shipping live trout in milk churns, that would be a challenge for GVT modellers

The GVT now have Planning Permission for the first section of line from Chirk Station.
 
 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news...th-east-wales-16886448
 
 
On the subject of the GVT, I obtained a copy of 
 
Rails to Glyn Ceiriog by john Milner & Beryl Williams  Part1 1857 -1903.
 
I have not seen much on this so I put the following together I hope it is of interest?
 
This 307 page Tome is jam packed with photos, plans and maps both old and new. The quality of the modern cartography is superb and makes full use of modern printing developments and the large format of the book even contains fold outs of the line.
 
For those with an interest in exploring lost sites it is invaluable as it contains photos of sites during working life & as they are today, but with outlines of the original railway or tramway superimposed.
 
The large format has also made it possible to print good size clear photos of rolling stock & equipment, so photos with indecipherable detail are at a minimum.
That said technical details of rolling stock are thin but they will be covered by specially commissioned artwork in the second volume along with details of how the railway was affected by the First World War and the development of motor transport.
 
Details of Canal & Railway interchange wharfs are also included, which provide a wealth of grist for the modeling mill. This is an area where many garden railways fall down.
The concept of the water space required for a 72’ x7’ narrow boat seems difficult for many modlers to grasp but several basin plans are well illustrated and should provide inspiration . 
 
The large format and cost of the book make it impractical to take the book on site visits but I can guarantee that its publication will be the precursor to numerous walkers clutching photocopied extracts of the line as they hunt out evidence of their particular interest, be it: - Coal mining, Gunpowder Mills, Quarrying, Brickmaking, Incline plains, Canals, Tramways or Railways.  
 
 
The above and the quality of the research and narration make this a must have book for the shelf of any AI enthusiast. The geographical progression of the narrative makes the book ideal for both the study of segmental elements or just dipping into on a cold winter night.
 
As this is the first volume of a two-volume work; one has to wonder that as this volume has so much information within it.
How will the authors fill the second volume?
 
But I look forward to finding out.
 

HMS
 
 
 

Yes I'd second that the book is very thorough and his original volume, mentioned in the preface, is a good introduction too while waiting for volume 2 of the new book.

PaulRhB


Yes I'd second that the book is very thorough and his original volume, mentioned in the preface, is a good introduction too while waiting for volume 2 of the new book.

 
Do you know if the original book is still in print Paul?

Don't think so but I've seen it on a secondhand stand at ExpoNG a couple of times, and there was one for sale at the NEC show last year so there's a few good copies around.
If you need the isbn I can find my copy and let you know.

I have Milner's "The Glyn Valley Tramway" from 1984, it is a good book.  I recommend it if you can find a copy. 
 
I bought it on US eBay when an entire lot of UK narrow gauge books and videos were dumped together.  I put bids on a lot, but got this book, a historical photo book of the Festinog, and a video on the Talyllyn.  Missed out on a lot of other books including Boyd's book on the Talyllyn book and a hard back one on the Corris.  But a neoghbor here in town has the Talyllyn book that I can borow at any time.

Here are the details
THE GLYN VALLEY TRAMWAY (ISBN: 0860932869 )
Milner, W. J.
ISBN 10: 0860932869   (original ISBN)
ISBN 13: 9780860932864  (post 2007 new ISBN which suggests there was another run at some stage with alterations as the last number is different, it's not just added the prefix 978)
There are quite a few thrown up on a search but the price is around £30 as it's out of print.

 

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PaulRhB



If you need the isbn I can find my copy and let you know.

 
Thanks Paul
 
I will keep a look out for it.
 
Now that most of the major works on the FR/WHR are nearing completion in a few years I can see the profile of this little line rising significantly in NG circle’s.
 Its proximity to the Llangollen Canal & the Chirk Aqueduct will also ensure that a general tourist thirst for knowledge about it will also develop. 
 
Its new 2' 6" gauge and proximity to the W&L would also give it potential for easy stock swops and thus a new potential line in the BMS stable.