Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railyway Welcomes Gloucester Carriage and Wagon Museum!

The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway is delighted to welcome the Gloucester Carriage and Wagon Museum to Cynheidre as a complimentary attraction for our visitors. The Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Museum was founded by Aaron Matthews, Leo Tomos-Matthews and Paul Matthews in March 2016 to preserve the history of the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company for the benefit and education of the public.

The museum collection includes a 4-wheel van, diesel shunter and a large collection of small artefacts such as a large scale Gloucester Patent Bogie, books, Long Service Medal, model diorama’s and Gloucester wagon plates.

In 1860 a group of railway enthusiasts and merchants in Gloucester came together and formed the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company (GRCWC). During the late Victorian period between the 1880’s and 1890’s the GRCWC had over 600 depots and outposts in the UK and Overseas, a number of which were located in South Wales. From the early 1900’s to the 1930’s the company had a contract to build buses for various companies including Red and White. As well as these road vehicles they also built Trolley Buses, Trams, the very first London Electric Cab, horse-drawn carts, hand carts and ambulances for the First World War, the list is endless. During World War Two, Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company was employed to manufacture 764 Churchill Tanks of varying types for the Army, they also built Torpedo Wagons for the Royal Navy Propellant Factory and other various items. The last carriage rolled out of the works on Bristol Road in 1963/4, followed by the last wagon in 1968 and later the Company was taken over by Wingets of Rochester and again later by Powell Duffryn of South Wales. The Company closed down in 1986. The L&MMR Bubble Car was built by the company.

A group representative commented ‘we have raised the funds to transfer our Goods Van to the railway and will shortly commence fundraising for the transfer of our diesel ‘Cadbury No.14’. We look forward to joining you at Cynheidre’

The railway is a charity run totally by volunteers. It is hoping to grow into a major tourist attraction for the Llanelli district and in order to reach our goals we need more volunteer help in all departments including operational, maintenance and restoration, and administration. If you could spare a few hours for what is a most enjoyable pastime and worthwhile cause do not hesitate to get in touch. For more information or to volunteer please visit our website at https://www.llanellirailway.co.uk or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/llanellirailway