Gwili Wagon Restorers

Gwili Wagon Restorers Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Gwili Wagon Restorers, Railroad Company, bronwydd arms station, Carmarthen.

We are a small group of mostly young volunteers based on the Gwili Railway, set on preserving the story of rail freight traffic in our little corner of South-West Wales.

As today is rememberence day we would like to share the story of our little open wagon 28021,This diagram of open was us...
11/11/2025

As today is rememberence day we would like to share the story of our little open wagon 28021,
This diagram of open was used heavily in the transport of horses from the country to the docks for onward transport to the front during the first world war, where many unfortunately met their end.
The carriage of such livestock was prohibited in open vehichles but these were relaxed on the outbreak of the conflict, such was the need for horses at the front to move supplies, weaponry and for the cavalry.
These vehichles were very tightly packed, with horses being craned into the wagons, these were incredibly uncomfortable for the horses who could be in these wagons for many miles usually being taken to folkestone harbour.
Over a million horses were shipped to France between 1914 and 1918, only 62,000 returned, with massive losses on the front.
Just a small part of the massive cost of war.

Lest we forget.

Photo credit: John Jones

This weeks update on Toad No.114762. Konrad finished the veranda doors, which were then primed, undercoated and glossed ...
22/10/2025

This weeks update on Toad No.114762. Konrad finished the veranda doors, which were then primed, undercoated and glossed before being fitted to the vehicle. The van has been shunted in the yard to a location where we can access all areas, to continue the restoration. On Sunday, Steffan made a start cleaning down the stove and the internal steelwork, whilst Dyfan painted the stove with heatproof black paint and begun scraping loose paint off the roof. The roof was then primed along with the steelwork. The inside of the van was then given a brush up to remove the flaked paint and any other debris that had built up over time. The veranda-facing wall was then put into gloss top coat. They then went around spot-priming areas of the underframe in preparation for a new top coat.

Busy couple of days in regards to 'Toad' Brake 114762:On Saturday, Konrad finished the new doors for the veranda, which ...
25/08/2025

Busy couple of days in regards to 'Toad' Brake 114762:

On Saturday, Konrad finished the new doors for the veranda, which were made completely in-house. These will soon be fitted after painting. Following this, spot primer and undercoat were applied to the steelwork in preparation for layers of top coat.

Today, primer and undercoat were applied to the wood planking. As well as this, the veranda roof received primer, undercoat and a coat of gloss.

As you can see, the vehicle is slowly being reverted to its original Great Western livery. If you'd like to help fund this, as well as the other vehicles in our collection, then feel free to donate to the Welsh Railway Trust Wagon Fund. No amount is too small, and all proceeds will go towards the upkeep and future conservation of our fleet. You can donate here: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/28893 #!/DonationDetails

With just under a week to go, we're very much looking forward to this years Gala event. Although we aren't running a goo...
09/03/2025

With just under a week to go, we're very much looking forward to this years Gala event. Although we aren't running a goods train this year, there will still be activity up at Llwyfan Cerrig. On the Saturday and Sunday of the event, the team will have a stall set up alongside Toad Brake W117462, which will be open for viewing. We will be about to answer any questions, and will be accepting donations towards the upkeep and restoration of the railways goods vehicles. We look forward to seeing you there!

Below are some photos of the goods train from our 2023 Gala Event, featuring 6430, Toad W117462, Loriot D 42155 and NE-Pattern Van 292071.

We have recently acquired 8 stanchions for Bogie Bolster C B943064 and 4 for Gane DB996761 from the GWR 813 Preservation...
06/03/2025

We have recently acquired 8 stanchions for Bogie Bolster C B943064 and 4 for Gane DB996761 from the GWR 813 Preservation Fund and the Wagon Group at Bewdley on the SVR. We are pleased to say that these were recently delivered to Llwyfan and that we anticipate they will be fitted to their respective wagons in the near future. We'd like to thank both groups for their generosity and for letting us purchase them.

Another week, a bit more progress this weekend.Dyfan has applied another layer of primer to the brake rigging for Loriot...
09/02/2025

Another week, a bit more progress this weekend.

Dyfan has applied another layer of primer to the brake rigging for Loriot D 42155. This will allow for the top coat to be applied next weekend.

Work is also progressing well on the new veranda door for Toad W117462, with thanks to the efforts of the C&W team.

A very belated Happy New Year everyone. We've been very quiet recently focussing on life away from the railway, but don'...
02/02/2025

A very belated Happy New Year everyone. We've been very quiet recently focussing on life away from the railway, but don't worry, we're back at it!

This weekend, Dyfan set about cleaning and priming one of the door latches for NE-Pattern Van 292071 ready for eventual refitting.
Once that was finished, he then spent the rest of the day cleaning and priming some of the brake gear off Loriot D 42155, again ready for eventual refitting.

Both projects are coming on well and we'll keep you posted with progress as we make it.

All go last weekend with some good progress on the Loriot at Bronwydd. On Saturday, Jace, Harvey and Dyfan nearly comple...
24/11/2024

All go last weekend with some good progress on the Loriot at Bronwydd.

On Saturday, Jace, Harvey and Dyfan nearly completely removed the brake gear. Then, they temporarily painted 'No Brakes' warnings above the handbrake handles, and the vehicle number.

On Sunday Jace and Dyfan, this time joined by Steff and Paul, got the rest of the brake gear removed. Whilst this was going on, more rotten steelwork was removed.

A bit of work on the Loriot today. Dyfan and Paul cut the wasted deck supports and north end plates out. This ended up r...
10/11/2024

A bit of work on the Loriot today. Dyfan and Paul cut the wasted deck supports and north end plates out. This ended up revealing some more rot below, all the way through to the brake hanger supports. These will be cut out next week to be replaced by fresh steel.

Thanks to the C+W team, especially JT, Steve and Ray, for clearing out the LNER ply van over the last couple of weeks. I...
07/11/2024

Thanks to the C+W team, especially JT, Steve and Ray, for clearing out the LNER ply van over the last couple of weeks. Inside, they found some of the panel joining strips, the missing door latch and a set of spare brake blocks. Presumably, they came from one of the vans scrapped many years ago. With the van cleared, we can now commence repairs to the doors to return the the vehicle to traffic.

Dyfan has spent the day at Llwyfan today undertaking multiple different tasks. First off, he was measuring ply for the L...
27/10/2024

Dyfan has spent the day at Llwyfan today undertaking multiple different tasks. First off, he was measuring ply for the LNER Van in order for replacement panels to be cut and fitted. After, he spent the rest of the day clearing the stores. He managed to find one GWR Instanta type 3 link coupling, as seen below, which will eventually be fitted to the Loriot D, however we will need another one to make a set. If anyone has one they would be willing to donate, or offer for a negotiable price, then please feel free to drop us a message.

Yesterday, the team took a trip to the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway for their Autumn Showcase event. This wa...
27/10/2024

Yesterday, the team took a trip to the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway for their Autumn Showcase event. This was a great opportunity to view their vast selection of rolling stock, and of course meet new people and make new friends. Many thanks to Alex, Mark and the team at Cotswold Wagon Restorations for their hospitality and showing us around the extensive collection at Winchcombe, we look forward to working with you all in the future.

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Bronwydd Arms Station
Carmarthen

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