The La Meuse enjoyed star-billing at a private event at Statfold on Saturday, with about 70 people braving the showers to spend a day going around the SBR turn and turn about with Badger (Hudswell Clark) diesel, ex Shotton Steel Works).

The loco performed faultlesly and we hope that all our guests enjoyed themselves – they certainly seem to and most of the food and drink mysteriously disappeared too!

We were particularly pleased to wlecome a contingent from the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust who, not having a railway of their own yet, pretended they were going from Chirk to Pontfaen and back! More info about their project can be found at www.glynvalleytramway.co.uk 

We also enjoyed the company of a distinguished guest – the ‘Director of Fun’ for the NRM, young Sam Pointon! You might wish to look at this clip: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8216071.stm

We hope to see you all again soon. Photos and video to follow soon.

On Saturday 27^th June 2009, Chirk Fun Day played host to the first working narrow gauge steam engine in Chirk for over 74 years.

The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust undertook the operation in conjunction with TIR Ltd who supplied the locomotive.

Volunteers constructed a 120-foot long temporary tramway in the Car Park of the AAA Sport Club in Chirk (venue of the Fun day) using materials transported free of charge to the site by Richard Burbidge Ltd. Jewson of Chirk provided two dump-bags of sand to act as a buffer stop at one end (with a real one at the other)

On Thursday 25th, the loco was steamed at Statfold Works and ran a number of trips along the line there to test the new Regulator Valve. The loco worked faultlessly. 

Duncan Milner’s Lorry arrived at 09:00 and the loco was on its way by 12:00 arriving at Chirk at  14:00 on Friday 26^th and the engine was unloaded onto the track by 15:00 after which the volunteers including Ben Williams, David Carter, Ian Davies, Ken Nowell Terry Evans and Will Appleton, laid the remainder of the track while the engine was lit up.

The Tramway Trust provided their first loco Crew for the morning of Saturday 27^th, consisting of Dave Dilnot (Driver & Fireman) and Pete Ward (Driver, who also drives for Wrexham & Shropshire in his spare time!) assisted by Chris Phillimore of TIR. The loco was in full steam and running up and down the (very short!) length of track by 11am.

After the rain cleared and the gates opened the engine was flooded with young and old keen to get on the footplate. Approximately 143 people visited the engine during the day and the sound of the whistle (pulled vigorously by young and old) drifted across the town: no-one could be in any doubt that the Glyn Valley Tramway was back in town! Distinguished visitors included Cllr Hilary Spragg, Chair of Chirk Town Council. Many people came forward with stories of the old Tramway including a lady whose great-grandfather was a ‘driver’ on the original horse-tramway to Gledrid!

Through careful management of the fire she did not blow off once despite the restricted operation. The loco was back on the road by 10:00 on Sunday!

This event marked another milestone in the GVT Trust’s ambitious plan to re-open a section of the late-lamented Glyn Valley Tramway in Chirk.  The Trust had a marquee with displays of the proposals for the Tramway that have been developed over the last 6 months.  There were also sales stand and displays of models of the Tramway.

TIR is pleased to have been able to support the Trust in this important and well attended event and look forward to continuing to work with them as the project develops

On Saturday 27^th June 2009, Chirk Fun Day will play host to the first working narrow gauge steam engine in Chirk for over 70 years.

TIR will be supplying our ‘La Meuse’ loco to the GVT Trust to run on temporary track at the AAA Show ground in Chirk from 10am to 4pm. Visitors will be able to visit the loco cab (for a small donation to the Trust) and watch it run along a short length of track. Visitors will receive a Certificate to commemorate the event. The loco will carry as near accurate as possible ‘GVT’ livery, complete with lining and lettering.

TIR is very pleased to have been given the opportunity of supplying a loco for this high-profile event. Thanks should also go to Richard Burbage Ltd (Chirk and Oswestry) and Jewsons (Chirk) for their support to the trust in supplying transport and materials for the track.

This event will mark another milestone in the GVT Trust’s ambitious plan to re-open a section of the late-lamented Glyn Valley Tramway in Chirk.  The Trust will have a marquee with displays of the proposals for the Tramway that have been developed over the last 6 months.  There will also be a sales stand and displays of models of the Tramway. In a recent Public Consultation at Chirk, 94% of those who completed a questionnaire were in favour of the Trust’s proposals to re-instate 1 mile of the former Tramway route from Chirk Station as a heritage attraction.

The Trust intends that the re-creation of the Tramway will act as a stimulant to the local economy attracting more visitors to the area and boosting local businesses and the community.

The Trust is confident that steam engines can be running on part of the original Glyn Valley Tramway route by the end of 2010.  To make this happen they will need continued support from local people and railway enthusiasts alike.  To support the Trust come along to the event, become a member and help make it happen

This project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Additional funding has been given by Wrexham CBC.

For more information about the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust please go to their website: www.glynvalleytramway.co.uk