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Fairbourne "Gwril"
Topic Started: 11 Jan 2012, 06:22 PM (977 Views)
Timbo
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Timbo
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I saw that it was for sale recently on Tractionads. Does anyone know where it has gone to?

I refer to the 1987 homebuilt (second) Gwril that looks a bit like a square dodgem, not the most recent Keef one or the big thing at Windmill Farm.
Tim Dunn
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Alex
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Here is a little information on the third Gwril -

Quote:
 
Built in 1994 by Hunslet in Leeds, to a Jenbach Type DH25 design, this locomotive was fitted with a Kubota diesel engine and weighs in at 2.7 tonnes. Exported to Singapore for a hire fleet ‘Number 9354’ returned to London (in unused condition) to work on the Jubilee Extension Line between 1996/7 before returning to the Jan Pan hire fleet in Singapore. From 1996 onwards a ‘HE 9332’ works plate had been mistakenly fixed to the locomotive, so there were two locomotives carrying the same number! In May 2006 Alan Keef Ltd purchased ‘Number HE 9354’ (still carrying the erroneous HE 9332 plate) and subsequently delivered the locomotive to Fairbourne on 14th November 2007 as a 2 foot gauge locomotive.

The locomotive was re-gauged to 12¼” on 20th September 2008. Following successful tests, an enclosed cab was added in February 2009 by volunteers. It is the third Gwril to operate on the Fairbourne Railway.


The second Gwril has been out of use for a number of years as we don't have any requirements for a battery shunting locomotive, the design of the layout at Fairbourne Station doesn't really help the situation. It was decided to put the locomotive up for sale to see if anyone was interested in it. Whilst not currently a runner we knew it wouldn't take much to get back up and running. We received a couple of different offers for the locomotive and have now sold it. The new owner asked for a quote to reguage the locomotive for his railway to 10.25" gauge which we gave and he accepted the quote so the locomotive is being regauged and made a runner again before departing Fairbourne. The regauging has now been completed with some work being carried out at the Pendre workshops of the Talyllyn, although i am unsure how far the rest of the work has got.

I will try and answer any more questions if needed.

Alex

Fairbourne Railway Driver / Talyllyn Railway Fireman
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Timbo
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Timbo
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Thanks Alex, glad to hear it's going to a new home. It looked forlorn at the back of the carriage shed when we were there in 2009!
Tim Dunn
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Alex
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Yes that was a long time ago, let alone how long ago it was when I last drove it, must be 07/08 atleast.

Alex
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Alex
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After completion of the work required prior to moving to pastures new Gwril (the second) left Fairbourne a few weeks ago and moved to its new home. A small picture is available of it being loaded onto its onward transport on the railways website -

Fairbourne Railway Website

Alex
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