Talyllyn Tracksiders 2004 Report

The Talyllyn Tracksiders group have been on and around the railway 3 times during 2004. During Victorian Week we started the repaint of the 'toy box' (aka the tool van). We repositioned the limit of shunt sign at Brynglas, and also painted both stop board signs and some mileposts.

We cleared vegetation form 'Jurassic Park' next to Ty Mawr bridge on a very hot July day, to the extent that the shade provided under the bridge was most welcome. This job proved an educational experience as we learnt about coal deliveries via the conveyor.

We also saw how a level crossing was replaced by a slate bridge and we learnt how railways contributed to the spread of rosebay willow herbs imported from Australia, as the seeds are dragged along in the slipstream of passing trains. 26 youngsters contributed a total of '37' Tracksider days.

In August, we joined with the Navvies to show Michael Wild what young people do on the Talyllyn Railway. We hope that this will eventually result in a favourable feature in a forthcoming issue of Steam Railway Magazine.

On that visit, 12 youngsters contributed 22 Tracksider days on the footpath maintenance and vegetation clearance. They also painted a magnificent 130 foot of the Abergynolwyn station fence.

During the October half term, 28 youngsters contributed 41 Tracksiders days. We were able to welcome some new faces. The main job was to assist in the preperation for work on the Brynglas Bank Cattle creep to be done during the October Outdoor week. We also carried out some fencing work in Dolgoch woods and we had a bonfire at Abergynlowyn. The final job that was done by Tracksiders in October was the planting of several daffodil bulbs at Rhydyronen.Our season ended with the now traditional Quidditch and feast before the fireworks and BBQ

Thanks to all of you who helped make 2004 another good year for Tracksiders.