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Barry Island Railway |
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| Region North Wales Mid Wales South Wales |
Barry Island Station,
Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan. United Kingdom CF62 5TH Telephone: +44 (0)1446 748816; Fax: +44 (0)1446 749018 Location: Scroll down the page to read the entire article, or select subject heading to
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Preserved: Standard gauge Narrow gauge WalesRails: Back to Welcome page |
(Pictured right) Hauled by visiting locomotive 813, built for the Port Talbot Railway, the first train leaves Woodham Halt
on April 8 2004. The platform sign was unveiled by Dai Woodham's widow, Netta.
The new extension to Woodham Halt was inaugurated on April 8 2004, which
gives two possible destinations of trains from Barry Island: the Waterfront
platform at Hood Road or Woodham Halt. Now, in April 2007, the track from
Woodham Halt is being further extended to a new terminus near the Morrisons
Supermarket, some 400 metres distant.
This is expected to open in the next few months.
Five years after moving to Barry Island, March 11 2001 was the
first milestone in the VoGRC's plans to establish a railway heritage centre, when the first train made several
passes along the causeway from Barry Island to the site of the Waterfront
platform at Hood
Road.
The train was run for engineering and technical clearance purposes, but set the scene for
the Company's trains to escape the confines of the Plymouth Road site at Barry Island,
which offers the chance of a three kilometre ride behind some of the VoGR locomotives, with
a mix of steam and diesel operation during its 2007 programme,
details of which are given below.
On
13 - 15 September 2002, a Waterfront Festival was held by the Vale of Glamorgan
County Council in connection with a visit by the Tall Ship Stavros S Niarchos,
which has now become an annual event.
The VoGRC marked the event by opening the new station at Hood Road, now known as
Waterfront Platform. Trains were hauled by guest locomotive the ex-Port Talbot Railway's
0-6-0ST No 813, on loan from the Severn Valley Railway. The photograph (left) shows the
refurbished goods shed buildings, with 813 standing in the platform behind the crossing
gates. Providing a shuttle service between Barry Island and the Waterfront
Festival, has now become an established part of the VoGR programme of events.
An added attraction was the display of the
Barry Ten - the Wales Railway Centre collection of representatives of the types of
locomotive which operated in Wales in the steam era - which had been moved to the EWS
depot near Barry Station (pictured right). It was the first time the locomotives
had been on public view since February/March 1988 when they left Woodham
Brothers' scrapyard just a few hundred metres away.
Just eight of those locomotives remain at Barry. The other two have been taken away to provide
parts for an ambitious project to recreate classes of steam locomotives which
did not survive into preservation: Grange and County classes.
With the ever-increasing rate of expansion, more members are needed in all areas, ranging
from administration to operational expertise. Members receive regular newsletters and
magazines on the Company's activities, as well as the opportunity of attending talks and
films and slide shows on railway and transport-related topics, plus visits to other places
of transport interest.
Contact membership secretary Alan Wales on (01446) 748816.
The VoGRC was formed in 1977 as the Butetown Historical Railway Society (BHRS) which was based in the historic Taff Vale Railway (TVR) station of Bute Road (now Cardiff Bay) in Cardiff. It was from near this site that the very first train in South Wales ran in October 1840, when the TVR opened the line to Abercynon, extending to Merthyr Tydfil - then the largest town in South Wales - in April 1841.
The station was at the heart of the coal export trade which saw countless millions of tons of best steam coal shipped to the seafaring nations of the world. Around 1870, the TVR set up its Bute Road headquarters, and it was this almost-derelict building which the BHRS acquired in 1977. Over the years, society members refurbished the building and landscaped the surrounding area to establish its railway centre, with the intention of operating steam trains along the Bute Road branch and on to tourist attractions on the British Rail network in South Wales.
A highspot came in 1988 with the arrival on site of ten locomotives from Woodham Brothers' scrapyard at Barry. The locomotives were intended as the centre-pieces of a Wales Steam Heritage Centre which would be established at Bute Road, however, it soon became apparent that the BHRS proposals were in conflict with those of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation which had been set up to transform the derelict former dockland area into a vibrant housing, leisure and light-industrial complex worthy of the capital city of Wales.
Relocation became a priority, and eventually agreement was reached with the Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council to move the Society's base to Barry Island, where its dream of a rail heritage centre could be realised. The centre was formally launched in June 1994, at which time the society also announced its change of name to the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company (1994).
Work started on the heritage centre in February 1996, and all the locos and rolling stock were transferred from Bute Road to Barry Island on the 6th and 7th of February the following year.
In the course of 2006, the name was changed to the Barry Island Railway, for marketing purposes, but it continues to be operated by the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company.
While the Barry Island building was being refurbished and a replica goods was being built, the VoGRC continued operation at Bute Road, where visitors could take a 200-metre trip along the platform face of the station riding in an ex-British Rail Class 108 DMU trailer vehicle.
There was also the opportunity for looking around a display of photographs and artefacts which, along with a refreshment room and cafeteria, were housed in the station building which was formerly the headquarters of the Taff Vale Railway.
The Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company moved from its base at Bute Street in Cardiff, adjacent to Cardiff Bay (formerly Bute Road) station in February and March 1997. A series of Santa Specials on December 7th and 14th 1996 marked the end of rail operation at Bute Road, where, as the Butetown Historical Railway Society, the Society had its base in the former headquarters of the Taff Vale Railway Company. The end of an era was marked by a fusillade of track detonators placed in the path of the last train.
The railway today
The Barry Island base was opened on June 1 1997, and almost a year later the
first high-spot in the VoGRC's calendar came on May 3 1998, when contracts and agreements
were completed to allow the first steamings at the centre, the Company's Peckett 0-6-0
Saddletank locomotive Sir Gomer giving visitor-rides in a former Class 108 DMU
driving vehicle.
At the end of the month, May 30 was another red letter day when the nameplate of the
Hunslet 0-6-0 saddle tank was unveiled by Mrs Pamela Haines, after whom, as a child, the
locomotive was originally named.
Steady progress has been made on developing the site, and extending over the causeway to
Hood Road, while on the loco and rolling stock front, the Smith Rodley steam crane has
been restored to working order and was used to lift the boiler and chassis off the frames
of the ex-Ely Paper Mill Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn 0-4-0ST No 7705 locomotive.
Barry
Island station
In the overview of the Heritage Centre, seen on the first day of operation with Sir
Gomer in action, the Goods shed is served by two roads, while the storage sidings are
seen to the right. The train is seen heading into the goods shed platform, which was first
used by Santa Specials in December 1998. Since then, the track was extended into the
Valley Lines' platform (upper left) in time for the 1999 Santa Special programme, and laid
across the causeway (glimpsed above and to the right of the main shed) to Hood Road Goods
Shed..
The station building on Platform One celebrated its centenary on 3rd August 1996, and has
since undergone a high standard of refurbishment to become a display centre with ticket
office, shop and refreshment room.
Now the track along the causeway is open, trains travel to the Waterfront
station alongside the goods shed at Hood Road
- where the VoGRC will establish its main works and restoration site
- or the new Woodham Halt platform near the Skills Centre.
At Hood Road visitors can detrain to stroll
around the Waterfront development or look around the shops in the main shopping
thoroughfare a short walk away.
Woodham Halt opened on April 8th 2004, and is named in honour of Dai Woodham, the Barry scrap metal
merchant who played such an important part in the UK rail preservation movement.
Barry Tunnel closed in 1971 and is currently used by a shooting club, but the long-term
hope is to reclaim it for the heritage centre to run trains through it to the Pier Head.
It is hoped that steamers operating in the Bristol Channel will once more visit Barry,
giving the opportunity for combined steam trips by train and boat to other coastal resorts
along the Bristol Channel and Severnside.
To mark the opening of the track across the causeway, a new commemorative issue of the Railway's handbook was published, which contains the detailed history and development not only of the VoGRC, but of the resort of Barry Island as well. An update detailing developments from 2001 until mid-2005 is incorporated. It is obtainable from the above address, price £4.95 plus post and packing 60p. (Please enquire about postal rate for overseas)
All dates inclusive and subject to availability. Some
services are diesel-hauled. Check with the railway.
March 31
April 6, 7, 8 and 9
May
5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 26, 27 and 28
June 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30
July 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 25, 28 and 29
August
4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and 27
September 1, 2, 8 and 9
October 28 and 31
November 5
December 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 and 30
Special Events
DMU Day: March 31
Easter Bunny Specials: April 6, 7, 8 and 9
Days out with Thomas:
May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13; July 21, 22, 25, 28 and 29
Volunteer Recruitment
Weekend: May 26, 27 and 28
Barry Vintage Transport Festival: June
9 and 10
Rail Ale: June 23 and 24
Ivor the Engine Weekend:
July 7 and 8
'60s Weekend: August 11 and 12
Diesel Gala: August 25, 26 and 27
Waterfront Festival:
September 1 and 2
Halloween Ghost Trains: October 28 and 31
Bonfire Night at the Waterfront:
November 5th
Santa Specials: December
2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23
Mince Pie Specials: December 30
Times
There is a basic 45-minute service from 11.00am to 4.15pm. The timetable
and fare structure may vary for Special Events. Check with the VoGR for details.
Trains to the Waterfront leave Barry Island at 11.00am, 12.30pm, 2.00pm, 3.30pm
and 5.00pm, leaving the Waterfront for Plymouth Road at 11.17am, 12.47pm,
2.17pm, and 3.47pm
Trains to Woodham Halt leave Barry Island at 11.45am, 1.15pm, 2.45pm and
4.15pm, leaving Woodham Halt for Plymouth Road at 12.02pm, 1.32pm, 3.02pm
On November 5th, trains run every 15 minutes between 5.30pm and 9.00pm
|
Fares To download the BIR's 2007 Timetable Brochure
in Acrobat PDF format (650Kb), select here. |
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Barry Island...
...is served by a twenty-minute train service from Cardiff and the valley
branches, though there is a reduced service on Sundays, particularly in winter. Cardiff
Bus and Thomas Coaches run from Cardiff and Bridgend, but check times as
there is limited ticket interchangeability between the companies. Some buses operate only
to Barry, from where there is a pleasant walk along the causeway - which, incidentally
opened in 1889; prior to which Barry Island really was an island! - past the Old Harbour.
On the left at the Barry end is the former wagon works which closed in September 1999 and
is the home of the remaining locos of the Barry Ten, as well as
privately-owned DMUs and mainline diesel locos which are used by the BIR.
The VoGRC has a number of locos and rolling
stock, though much of it is not on view except on certain Special Events days.
Eight steam locomotives, two tenders and three coaches areamong those on view on
Open days.
The Centre has also taken delivery of a number of items following the closure of the Welsh
Industrial and Maritime in Cardiff.
More recently, a number of Class 115 and 117 DMU units have been brought to Barry and are stored in the former EWS depot. These will be used on extra operating days, at times when it is not economical to steam a locomotive.
Full list of locomotives and stock:
Nearby attractions
Cardiff
These details of the attractions around the former Bute Road site (served by Valley
Line trains from Queen Street station, and Cardiff Bus services from The Hayes, and Wood
Street) are included for the benefit of visitors to Cardiff Bay. Though the Vale of
Glamorgan Railway Society quit at the end of February 1997, the former Taff Vale Railway
headquarters is a listed building and will remain on the site until councillors and the
Cardiff Bay Development Corporation decide to which use it will be put.
The Bute Road headquarters were at the heart of the Cardiff Bay regeneration, which concentrates on leisure development alongside light industry. A little further along Bute Street was the Welsh Industrial and Maritime Museum which once housed a number of rail exhibits, including photographic displays harking back to the heyday of Cardiff as a major port, and the part which the railway played in its development. Unfortunately, the Museum closed in 1998 and has been re-established in Swansea, though many of the exhibits have been dispersed to various Welsh museums and preservation Societies. These included the VoGRC which took delivery of a steam shunting locomotive, a steam crane, handcrane and match truck, and lengths of narrow-gauge track which will be used to provide a circular ride in the goods shed area.
County Hall has been built in a Chinese pagoda-style on the former quayside of Bute East Dock, now renamed Atlantic Wharf. During summer a number of watersport events are staged here including dragon-boat races. The Pier Head building, once the headquarters of the Bute Dock Company is now the visitor centre of the Welsh Assembly Government. The Assembly, which met for the first time in June 1999, is presently housed in Crickhowell House a short distance away, while its new debating chamber opened on St David's Day (March 1) 2006. Throughout the Bay, modern sculptures mix with the old, and the Norwegian Church - in which children's author Roald Dahl was baptised - is now a cafe and a show-case for art. The new Millennium Centre for the Performing Arts opened in November 2004 and is home to the Welsh National Opera and seven other performing arts groups.
Techniquest is a hands-on science centre, which demonstrates scientific principles and
phenomena in entertaining - and often astonishing - ways.
From the promenade can be seen the Cardiff Bay barrage, which, from November 4 1999
dammed the mouths of the Rivers Taff and Ely to create a waterfront environment free of
the tidal effects of the Bristol Channel, which has the second highest tidal rise and fall
in the world.
Watertaxis cross the bay and take visitors for a close up view of the barrage, as well as
travelling up-river to landing stages close to the city centre, one just south of the Millennium Stadium
and the other just to the west of the castle.
Barry Island
At Barry Island, the rail heritage centre is a
high-profile attraction at the town which has been a traditional kiss-me-quick, (cotton) candy
floss, and fish and chips holiday
resort for around one hundred years.
Not far from the Paget Road entrance to the Heritage Centre is Quasar, a
three-storey family amusement centre, while directly opposite Barry Island station is
the pleasure park, now refurbished after several years of neglect. As well as
rides such as the Log Flume and Viper roller-coaster, KR's is a night-spot offering dining
and dancing with waiter services.
Beyond the pleasure park is the promenade which runs from Friar's Point to Nell's Point.
Open all year round on the prom is the Barry
Rollerdrome, South Wales' premier rollerblading centre.
Below the promenade is the broad sweep of Whitmore Bay, one of two bathing beaches in the
resort. The other is Jackson's Bay, reached via the road which skirts the former
site of the Majestic
Holiday Camp, now being redeveloped as a residential and leisure complex, away to the left
outside the station.
In the opposite direction, the causeway is flanked on the left by the Old Harbour, and on the right by the former docks which have been transformed into the Waterfront development with a marina, and housing and light industrial units.
Further away, yet within easy reach of Barry station, are Cold Knap and Porthkerry
Park, while a steep climb up the streets leading away from the station, leads to the ruins
of Barry Castle.
Close to Barry Dock station is the pedestrianised shopping area, while the leisure centre
is mid way between Barry and Barry Dock stations, the latter intended as the long-term terminus of the VoGRC
project.
Copyright © 1996/7/8/9/2000/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 by Deryck Lewis. All rights
reserved.
Page created July 14 1996; Redesigned March 29 1999; Last Update May 21 2008
If you have any suggestions, comments, or glitches to report, please contact the author at
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