Launch of the Cambrian Railways Drawings Part 2 1893-1922
- Cambrian Railway Partnership
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Guest Blog by our Social Media Manager Rebecca Butcher
Knowing my love for all things railway related, Deb, Community Rail Development Officer for the Cambrian Railway Partnership, kindly invited me to the Welsh Railways Research Circle’s (WRRC) publication launch of the Cambrian Railways Drawings Part 2 1893-1922.
The launch took place at the Vale of Rheidol’s impressive Engine Shed Museum. It was a spectacularly beautiful, sunny day and the journey to the Vale of Rheidol was a delight, watching all the lambs frolicking in the rolling green fields. Spring is possibly my most favourite time in Wales, where everything and everybody seems to awaken from the long winter, the landscape is more colourful and people are basking in the essential vitamin D that comes when the sun shines.
I was early arriving for the launch but so was Deb so that gave us the perfect opportunity to visit Caffi Cledrau at the Vale of Rheidol. Having been open for less than a year, this was our first visit to the new café and it was clearly a popular place for locals and visitors alike.
Deb and I caught up on our plans for Community Rail Week which takes place from 1 to 7 June. It’s an annual event coordinated by Community Rail Network and sponsored by Rail Delivery Group and celebrates the value of community rail and the positive difference it makes to people and places across Britain. There is always a big celebration of our activities throughout the week but I can’t go into too much detail as that would be spoiling the surprise, but I am sure all will be revealed closer the date.
After our catch up we entered the Engine Shed Museum and I was taken aback by how much has changed since my last visit. I was very impressed by the new interpretation stands that had been added and there appeared to be a lot more trains, carriages and wagons on display than there were previously. If you’ve not visited the museum yet, we recommend you put it on your 'bucket list', it’s absolutely fascinating and there’s so much you can learn from these historical narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock.
Deb and I headed to the back of the engine shed where we were warmly greeted by members of the WRRC. There were railway models on display alongside intricate drawings and of course copies of the Cambrian Railways Drawings Part 2 1893-1922 book.
We were kindly offered tea and coffee and Welsh cakes before we sat down and chatted to some of the other guests in attendance. Speeches were given by members of the WRRC detailing the significant amount of work that has gone into producing Part 2 of the Cambrian Railways Drawings. It was interesting to learn about the research the WRRC has put into the history of the Welsh railways and the publications that have been produced as a result.
Having been founded in 1978, the WRRC brings together researchers and modellers interested in mainline and branch railways as well as tramways, tramroads and rail connected industrial locations. Its principal purpose is to provide members with a forum for discussion, facilities to carry out research and enable contacts to be established with other similar interests. They offer a regular members’ newsletter, a published journal and meetings and field excursions.
As compiler of the Cambrian Railways Drawings Part 2 1893-1922, Jonathan David spoke proudly about having completed this second part and special thanks were given to his wife Claire who spent many an evening with members of the WRRC in her home compiling documentations and historical photographs ready for publication.
Deb later spoke with Jonathan about Newtown and the Pryce Jones building which is where Deb’s office is based. Jonathan described the model on display on one of the tables and how it is a replica of the carriage that used to go up and down from Newtown to London delivering parcels for Pryce Jones.
After the launch we thanked the WRRC for their invitation and headed on our way with a great deal of admiration for the members who volunteer their time to research, document and promote the history of the railways and how they’ve shaped communities over time. If it weren’t for these dedicated and passionate people, much of this historical knowledge would have been lost.
Purchase the ‘Cambrian Railways Drawings Part 2 1893-1922’ book here.
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