MIXED TRACTION GALA TO KICK START NEW SEASON

The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway are pleased to announce that they will be kicking off the new season in style with a Mixed Traction Gala day on Saturday 26^th March.  All available locomotives and multiple units will feature in service, subject to availability, including: 

Sentinel 0-4-0 DM Shunter No. 10222

English Electric Class 600 0-6-0 Shunter No. NS690

Class 142 Pacer Railcar No. 142 006

Class 143 Pacer Railcar No. 143 607

Gates open at 9.30am with the first departure at 10am, then frequently through the day until late afternoon.   A range of single trip and rover tickets will be available.  Full details and timetables will be available nearer to the date and updates will be posted online at https://www.llanellirailway.co.uk and on our  Facebook page at www.facebook.com/llanellirailway  

The railway is uniquely home to both types of Pacer train which until recently operated the majority of services for Transport for Wales in the South Wales Valleys.   Unit 142 006 is the only survivor of the earlier series of units and will be in service on the day, together with the later built class 143 607.  The units will share services with the two operational diesel locomotives currently on site. 

Sentinel Wagon Works (Rolls Royce)  0-4-0DM diesel shunter No. 10222 was built in Shrewsbury in 1965 this locomotive spent many years at ARC Penderyn Quarry in Hirwaun  and later at Machen Quarry.  It was donated to the railway by Hanson Aggregates and transferred to Cardiff Cathays as works pilot in return for free storage.  In 2004 it moved to secure store at Llangennech before finally moving to Cynheidre in 2009.  Hanson Aggregates donated paint and transfers to aid the restoration of the locomotive which was completed in 2011.  It has since been the prime mover at the railway for both shunting and working passenger trains with the vacuum braked former goods brake van. 

English Electric class 600 diesel shunter (ex-Dutch Railways) 0-6-0 No. NS 690 was built at Vulcan Foundry in 1956 this locomotive is externally similar to the British Rail class 08 shunter, although in reality they actually have more in common with the former British class 11 shunters.  Originally numbered NS 625 in Holland this was changed to NS 690 when it was updated with radio control.  Withdrawn in the early 2000’s this loco returned to the UK in 2005.  After a short spell at the Ribble Steam Railway it worked at Teesport in Middlesborough and Washwood Heath.  It moved to the L&MMR in early 2018 to work with an air braked buffet car.

A complete Class 47 cab belonging to 47738, which was brought to the railway by Richard Benyon of ‘The Cab Yard’, a collection of 35 loco and multiple unit cabs currently based at a private site in Bridgend, will also be available for inspection and the railway’s other rolling stock will also be available to view with access to the main stock sheds and heritage centre. Light refreshments and a range of souvenirs will also be available to purchase. All advertised attractions are subject to availability on the day.  

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