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Gwili Railway Preservation Society

Gwili Railway Preservation Society

The GRPS actively supports the Gwili Railway Company to develop, run and maintain steam railway services on a part of the former GWR Aberystwyth to Carmarthen branch line. The Society raises money to support projects, provides facilities for the volunteers who man the services and provides amenities for our visitors. Society volunteers also ensure that track work, buildings, locomotives and rolling stock are maintained.

Support the Gwili Railway and join the GRPS. Members of the Society receive a monthly e-mail Volunteer Newsletter (VNL) and the Gwili Messenger magazine twice yearly, keeping members up to date with developments. As well as helping to keep our fabulous trains running, members get discounted travel on the railway.

Why not join us? Fill in the form.

Membership – become a member of the GRPS

Annual Membership:
Adult / Oedolyn: £25
Joint / Ar y Cyd, (i.e. Member and Partner): £30
Family / Teulu: (i.e. Member, Partner and up to 2 Children): £35
Junior or Student / Myfyriwr : £10

5-Year Membership:
Adult / Oedolyn: £125
Joint / Ar y Cyd: £150
Family / Teulu: £175

*Online payment method coming soon*

The Committee of the GRPS

The current committee of the Gwili Railway Preservation Society is:

John Gurmin – Chairman**
Christine Harrison – Deputy Chair and Social Secretary
Dave Johnson –Treasurer
Rev Ian Morris – General Secretary
Emlyn Wright – 300 Club Organiser
Phil Ware – Volunteer Induction
Sue Ware – Assistant Volunteer Induction **
Tony Smith – HRA Liaison**
Liane Webber – Membership
Mike Sarsfield
David Harrison

** Denote GRPS representatives at the Gwili Railway Company Board meetings

Building on the future of the Gwili Railway’s Heritage

Carriage Shed Appeal – Help Us raise £150,000+

With the opening of the new Abergwili Junction extension, the Gwili Railway is now embarking on the next exciting phase of development. Like many heritage lines, the Gwili Railway makes use of the standard British Railways Mark 1 carriages.  

A storage facility is badly needed to protect them from the worst of the Welsh weather.  The new shed will hold four Mark 1 carriages on each road. We have several historic items of stock which relate to Wales. The public display of such vehicles and artefacts is seen as essential in informing and educating our visitors.

The carriage shed will allow us to obtain further historic Welsh carriages for display and create an educational classroom facility. Potential funding partners are fully supportive of a building with an emphasis on display, education and storage. 

The full cost of the proposed building will be £300,000 and we have informal pledges of over half this amount provided we can raise the remainder.

We are therefore looking to raise a further £150,000 to complete the funding  package and to allow construction to begin. Just Giving is the easiest way for you to donate online, cheques can be sent to the railway by post. See our news section for pictures and updates.

Download your appeal booklet here..

Dan Do Shed Appeal Booklet

The future of the railway, Abergwili  Junction & Llwyfan Cerrig

The plan is to develop the facilities that the railway can offer. Car parking improvements with a new station and car park at Abergwili opened in 2023 with better catering facilities at Llwyfan Cerrig Station also planned.

Interesting visitor attractions for both adults and children are to be introduced to Llwyfan Cerrig Station adding to what is already provided.

Ultimately, our aim is to extend the railway north along the beautiful valley of the Afon Gwili towards Conwil where the roads are left behind. From this point the river and the railway share the valley with creatures of the wild and farm animals as eventually Llanpumpsaint is reached.

Leaving a Legacy to the Railway – through the Welsh Railway Trust

The main objective of the Gwili Railway is to rebuild as much as possible of the railway between the two towns of Carmarthen and Llanpumsaint. The railway is always grateful for and benefits greatly from gifts and legacies received, however small. In recent years these gifts have enabled a range of projects to completed.

Making a will is the most secure way of planning for the future and leaving a gift towards a cause you believe in as well as providing a tangible memorial to your support. Although the writing of a will does need to be carefully considered, it is neither difficult nor time-consuming. However, as your will once properly signed and witnessed will be an important legal document, we strongly recommend you ask a solicitor or other regulated professional to prepare it, to ensure that it is valid and gives effect to your wishes.

It is the Gwili Railways firm policy to honour and respect specific bequests. Any enquiry will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. Please be reassured that legacies and bequests are not spent on administration or the day-to-day operation of the Trust or Railway. General Purpose gifts and legacies are always welcome.

Gifts of Specific Items: 

Should you bequeath an item or a collection, please include the additional following wording: “I give to the Gwili Railway [describe item or collection in full] for the general purpose of the railway and I authorise my executors to pay the costs of transport of the item to Gwili Railway Bronwydd Arms Station and any related costs.”

Gifts for Specific Purposes: If gifts of specific sums or residue are to be for a specific purpose, the following wording should be added:”…and I express the wish that if possible this gift shall be used by the railway.”

AMENDING YOUR WILL BY CODICIL

If you have already made a Will but wish to add a new bequest to the Gwili Railway you can amend your current Will without making a new one by making a Codicil.

Example wording for a Codicil:

In addition to any legacies given by my said Will I give to the Gwili Railway ltd of Bronwydd Arms Station, Bronwydd, Carmarthen SA33 6HT, the sum of £…………… (or specific item(s) to be given) to be used for its general charitable purposes and I declare the receipt of their Treasurer or other authorised officer shall be full and sufficient discharge. In all other respects I confirm my said Will and any other codicils thereto.

In witness whereof I have set my hand this…….day of……….20…. 

presence of us who at his/her request in his/her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Signature of witness:

Name:

Address:

I………… of ………….. declare this to be a first/second (++) codicil to my Will dated………………

++ insert number as appropriate

COMMEMORATION

The Gwili Railway will treat all bequests with respect and appreciation. A memorial book will be kept for future remembrance unless you would prefer to remain anonymous.

We will be happy to consider providing a suitably worded plaque to mark a commemorative gift or bequest. Such plaques can be displayed in a suitable location.

LIFETIME GIFTS

Some people like to make charitable gifts during their lifetime so that they can see the effect of their donations. The Gwili Railway always has a number of specific projects in progress at any one time. We welcome gifts for specific projects and our Chairman is always happy to discuss particular requirements with donors and their advisers.

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you would like to discuss this in confidence with someone from the Gwili Railway, please contact our Chairman Matt Bowen by email [email protected]