Most of the coaches you see during your visit were built here at Bredgar entirely by our highly skilled volunteers.
Coach No. 1 is an exception.
No. 1 Glyn Valley
In 1980/81 the BWLR bought two 3.5 cubic yard tip wagons built by W G Allen & Sons (Tipton) Ltd. The wheels and axles from one of these wagons where used in the construction of this coach. The design of No. 1 is based on the two Glyn Valley Tramway coaches now running on the Talyllyn Railway as Nos 14 and 15.
No. 3 The Open coach.
The underframes, brakes and body of this coach were all designed and built by the BWLR during 2001/2. The two foot gauge bogies are from the South African Railways. The 32 seater coach with gurad’s position is 25ft 6in long.
The bench type seat frames were shaped in the BWLR workshops and fitted with wooden slats cut from local timber. The roof internally is of narrow tongue and groove planking, stained alternatively dark and light, giving a very pleasing effect. The roof externally has a traditional canvas covering.
No. 4 Excursion coach.
The underframes, brakes, body and gates of this coach were all designed and built by the BWLR during the winter of 1992/93.
The bogies were obtained from the Ffestiniog Railway and are thought to have been used originally on the Welsh Highland Railway.
New side frames were fitted to one of these bogies and all the wheels re-profiled. Bus seats are fitted throughout and lighting is fed from a 12 volt battery.
This coach also has wheelchair access.
No 6 and 7 The veranda ended coaches.
These coaches were designed in-house. Construction of No 6 started in October 2004. It made its public debut on Easter Sunday, 16 April 2006. Everything has been built on site except for the bogies which came from the South African Railways.
We are proud that No. 6 won the Heritage Railway Association’s Best Coach award.