Vale of Glamorgan Railway facts for kids

The Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company is a group in Wales that works to save old trains and railway lines. They used to be called the Butetown Historic Railway Society. Their main goal is to keep railway history alive for everyone to enjoy.

How the Railway Company Started

The Butetown Historic Railway Society began in 1979. It was formed at Bute Road Station in the docklands area of Cardiff. The group wanted to fix up the old Taff Vale Railway station. They also planned to run steam trains for passengers. These trains would go to Cardiff Queen Street station.

By 1994, the society had built a short section of track. A steam locomotive called Sir Gomer pulled short passenger trains. People could ride and experience a piece of history.

Moving to a New Home

In 1997, the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation was in charge of redeveloping Butetown. They decided that a steam railway did not fit their plans. This meant the society needed a new home for their trains.

Even before 1997, the railway group started talking with the Vale of Glamorgan Council. In 1998, they moved to their new base at Barry Island Railway. They changed their name to the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company. From this new location, they ran special train services. These services used both steam and diesel trains. They kept operating at Barry Island until early 2009.

Changes and Challenges

In December 2007, the Vale of Glamorgan Council decided to stop funding the Barry Island Railway. This funding was £65,000. Even without the money, the railway society tried to keep services running.

Less than six months later, the council made another decision. They put the railway site up for a long-term lease. This process is called a tender. Three groups submitted bids. The winning bidder was a company called Cambrian Transport. This company had been the council's railway advisor. They also worked as a contractor for the Barry Railway Project.

Another group that bid was called NEWCO. This group included Graham Lee and Mike Thomson. They had talked with the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company before. They agreed on a way to work together if they won. If NEWCO had won, the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company would have stayed at Barry.

A New Chapter for the Railway

The Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company recently sold some of its assets. This happened after talks with Cambrian Transport did not work out. The company was forced to leave Barry Island.

Now, the railway plans to move to the Bridgend Valleys Railway. Some of their trains will also go to the Dean Forest Railway. Other trains might go even further away. The railway is now working with the Bridgend Valleys Railway. They plan to develop 4.5 miles of track north of Bridgend. This new partnership will help keep railway history alive.