I recently attended the lauch of Erwood Station’s Fowler 0-4-0 Diesel Restoration Project.

Those of you who have visited the station will have seen this locomotive at the entrance to the craft shop.

 The station was established by the late Alan Cunningham, award winning wood turner. The station was on the Cambrian Railway from Brecon to Builth and Rhayader. The business is situated by a popular walking route/cycle route with a picnic area close by. There is a short section of track adjoining the craft centre on which are sited carriages used by Platform One (a consortium of local artists and makers) and a locomotive in a state of dilapidation. The locomotive is of considerable historic value, being the prototype of a shunting engine used at military depots during the 1930’s and 40’s. This partiuclar model was used at RAF St Athan before being sold on and used in a scrap yard. It has been at Erwood Station since June 1988.

The project that has been launched is to carry out cosmetic restoration so that the engine does not distract from the nearby business, the Wye Valley Walk and for it to actual;ly encourage more tourists and visitors to the area.

The Friends of Erwood Station have raised £2000 in cash towards the cpost of the restoration work, and are committing many hours of free volunteer time to the restoration work and research.

 For further information you can contact Michael Cunningham on 01982560674 or email mc_erwoodstation@hotmail.com

 They are looking for volunteers to help with this project too so if you are interested and have some time to spare why not contact Michael por just pop along to the centre to have a look at the locomtive and the wonderful array of crafts that are on display?

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