Steam treat for Island visitors (From Barry And District News)

Steam treat for Island visitors

VISITORS to Barry Island last weekend had a special treat.

To welcome the arrival of Pannier Tank (PT) No.7754 the Heritage Steam Railway had a weekend of entertainment - including rides on carriages pulled by the authentic engine.

The smart black locomotive pulled into Barry Island at 11am on Friday, June 13. Used to hard work, number 7754 has spent 30 years working in the Cynon Valley.

It was built in 1930 and the Great Western Railway's 0-6-0 PT No.7754 came to the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company for a week-long visit.

Currently housed at Llangollen Railway and having spent many years working in the Cynon Valley, No. 7754 has been completely restored and can often be seen heading passenger trains along the Dee Valley.

Its visit to Barry was celebrated with an open day on Sunday, June 15. As well as being able to ride on No. 7754 and on top of its usual weekend activities of train rides and educational tours, the centre had all sorts of activities on offer, including the Welsh Lady Stilts, face painting, balloon modelling and the Phil Dando Walkabout Jazz Band.

Visitors were able to ride trains pulled by the tank engine and learn more about Barry's Steam Railway, which is now one of the UK's fastest developing steam railway attractions.

A new 1.5 mile section of track, which is being laid for the steam railway, is due to be opened to the public later in the summer, and the train made a virgin journey along the length on Friday. But until it is officially finished, it will not be accessible to any passengers.

A range of public, private and community organisations are involved in its development and it makes a significant contribution to the regeneration of the greater Barry area being undertaken by Barry Action, the partnership between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Welsh Development Agency.