LATEST NEWS updated 9th May 2009

The year advances, and the LBR is looking increasingly mature. For some reason, the plants seem to have put on a real spurt, and even in the depths of the woods at the top of the dale, the line is showing a lushness that it has never really had before. Three years on, the cursed fence behind QFR is somewhat masked, in reality more so than the photo’s here suggest. The camera is so harsh!

Taliesin is well run in, after some early problems with the digital trim controls on the handset, which I kept knocking inadvertently.

There are now six slate wagons complete, with two more pending - almost enough for the the line actually to earn its living! The passenger stock is all being converted to chopper couplings, which makes for a lot less banging and knocking while descending the various gradients; Minffordd now has a goods shed, and the pillar fencing is gradually being extended and wired. Pont Bwchlydd has had its masonry completed, and various bits of retaining wall have also been constructed.

Looming on the horizon is the hiatus while the building is scaffolded for maintenance, which I hope will leave the line unscathed - and the dratted bees’ nest above Minfordd is still proving to be a headache. Plans are also under consideration for the upgrade to Glen Olibhe Viaduct - last year’s temporary structure needs replacing either with a better bridge, or possibly a large slate embankment.