Bright sunshine at Bronwydd Arms greeted the gathering of Gwili Railway volunteers and officials of the Carmarthen County Council led by Chair Councillor Sian Thomas for the unveiling of the NRHA’s Signalling Award plaque – appropriately fixed to the adjacent signal box. Assisted by Robin Leleux – Chairman of Judges for NRHA – who spoke of the excellent attention to detail and craftsmanship in the work to replace the level crossing gates to their original design, both the red and green flags were removed so the plaque could be seen by all present.
With the plans to extend their operations towards Carmarthen, the inaugural transit of the train hauled by locomotive Haurwan (appropriately, Welsh for ‘sunshine’) was made across the road now protected by the gates in their closed position. The return saw the ceremony concluded with the train running though the yellow tape – one end of which was held by Robin Leleux. The subsequent and excellent afternoon tea taken on board during the return journey to Llwyfan Cerrig was enhanced by a community sing-song ably and musically led by Rob James, the Gwili’s General Manager. Could it only happen in Wales………..?
The photograph records the scene at Bronwydd Arms shortly before the plaque was officially unveiled on Friday 25 May 2012. From left to right are Peter Nicholas, Chairman of the Gwili Railway Company, Robin Leleux, Chairman of the National Railway Heritage Awards’ Judges’ Panel, and Councillor Sian Thomas, Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council. The plaque was suitably covered in red and green flags prior to the unveiling!