Entertainment

‘Dukedog’ locomotive returning to Aberystwyth for first time in 60 years

Published

11 months ago

February 26, 2024

A POPULAR ‘Dukedog’ locomotive is returning to the Vale of Rheidol Railway at Aberystwyth for the first time in over 60 years.

‘Dukedog’ No.9017 will be arriving in the town in late February, for static display in the new Museum & Display Space at the Vale of Rheidol Railway. The 85 year old locomotive is on loan from the Bluebell Railway in Sussex.

The locomotive is nicknamed a ‘Dukedog’ because it is a hybrid of two different classes of engine: the underframe of a ‘Duke’ locomotive combined with the boiler of a ‘Bulldog’.

‘Dukedog’ locomotives have a long association with Aberystwyth, having been a regular sight working trains between Aberystwyth, Machynlleth and Pwllheli in steam days.

The last ‘Dukedog’ locomotive left Aberystwyth in May 1960 and one has not returned to the town until now.

Llŷr ap Iolo, Vale of Rheidol Railway managing director, said: “We are very excited to announce the loan of this locomotive to go on public display here in Aberystwyth. I am very grateful to the board of the Bluebell Railway for making this loan possible.

“As part of the project to construct our new museum, standard gauge track was laid to facilitate this kind of visit: the ‘Dukedog’ seemed the perfect choice to be the first standard gauge locomotive to be put on display.”

The locomotive is normally based at the Bluebell Railway, where it has lived for the last 60 years. The locomotive went out of traffic for repairs in 2011 and has been hidden away in undercover storage since then.

Neil Glaskin, Bluebell Railway operations and commercial director, said: “We are really pleased to be able to work with The Vale of Rheidol Railway to bring the Dukedog back to Aberystwyth.

“Since 2011, the locomotive has been stored undercover but this has meant limited chances for the public to see it. By displaying the loco in the new museum everyone will have the chance to admire this fascinating machine.”

The locomotive was built in Swindon Works in 1938 for the Great Western Railway and spent it’s working life in Wales, where it worked over the Cambrian lines to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth. It was light enough to work over Barmouth Bridge, so remained in regular use until the 1950s despite its antiquated appearance.

John ‘Abergynolwyn’ Davies, 94, who still lives in Aberystwyth, worked on the ‘Dukedog’ locomotives when they were based in Ceredigion in the 1950s.

He said: “I spent a glorious week in the summer of 1955 firing No.9017 with driver Tom Phillips. We worked the 9.55am ‘all stations’ from Aberystwyth to Welshpool each day, where we serviced the engine: our return working was the Cambrian Coast Express, all the way to Aberystwyth. Working with Tom felt like a ‘holiday job’ because of his light handling of the loco.”

John recalled: “We were climbing Talerddig bank with No.9017, when Tom said: ‘shall I show you how to get the best out of a Dukedog?’. I stood in the driving position, as he gave me a demonstration of the easiest way to fire it. The loco performed well all week: it was one of the best working weeks of my life.”

The ‘Dukedog’ will be on display in the restored 1938 engine shed at Aberystwyth station from March 2024 onwards. This building has recently been transformed into a museum, display and events space as part of a larger project called “Wales to the World”, which is developing the terminus at Park Avenue into a Great Western-style station suitable for the modern tourist.

This location is especially significant for No.9017, as it will be displayed in the building where it was based and used to work in the 1950s.

The public will be able to view the ‘Dukedog’ at the Vale of Rheidol Railway from March 23 onwards, when the railway opens for the season. The railway and museum are then open daily until the start of November.

Entertainment

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a blockbuster line-up at Vue Carmarthen

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

VUE CARMARTHEN is kicking off the Chinese New Year in style this January with an exciting mix of Mandarin cinema, featuring the latest blockbusters and a special anniversary screening of the iconic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

25th Anniversary of a Classic
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Ang Lee’s martial arts masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which returns to the big screen on January 24. Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film, the visually stunning epic tells the tale of a young Chinese warrior in 19th century China who steals a legendary sword, embarking on a journey of adventure and discovery.

Blockbuster Mandarin Films
In addition to this celebrated classic, Vue Carmarthen will screen two major Mandarin releases on January 31:

Detective Chinatown 1900: The latest instalment in the popular Chinese detective comedy series. Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1900, the story follows an unlikely detective duo as they unravel the mystery of a woman’s murder, clearing the name of an accused Chinese man in the process.
Creation of the Gods 2: The Battle at Xiqi: The second instalment in the Fengshen Trilogy. This epic fantasy adventure immerses viewers in a mythical world where gods and immortal warriors clash in a monumental battle between two armies.

Celebrating Mandarin Cinema
Michelle Kardoun, General Manager of Vue Carmarthen, expressed her excitement about the event:
“We’re thrilled to ring in the Chinese New Year by celebrating the finest in Mandarin cinema, which is enjoying a remarkable surge in global popularity. We’re especially excited to welcome back the record-breaking Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon—a trailblazing film that paved the way for Mandarin cinema and firmly established the genre on the global stage.”

Join Vue Carmarthen for an unforgettable celebration of Chinese New Year and Mandarin cinema.

在 Vue Carmarthen 与一系列精彩电影共庆中国新年

为庆祝即将到来的中国新年，Vue Carmarthen 将于今年一月呈现一系列精彩的华语电影，包括最新大片以及经典名作《卧虎藏龙》的特别纪念放映。

经典重映：25 周年纪念
今年恰逢李安导演的武侠经典《卧虎藏龙》上映 25 周年。这部作品曾斩获四项奥斯卡大奖，包括最佳外语片，将于 1 月 24 日重返大银幕。影片讲述了 19 世纪的中国，一名年轻的武士偷走了一把传奇之剑，踏上了充满冒险与发现的旅程。这部视觉震撼的史诗电影堪称全球武侠电影的巅峰之作。

华语电影大片连映
除了经典重映，Vue Carmarthen 将于 1 月 31 日放映两部备受期待的华语大片：

《唐人街探案 1900》：深受喜爱的《唐人街探案》系列最新力作，故事发生在 1900 年的旧金山唐人街。一桩女性谋杀案将一名华人男子推向嫌疑人的风口浪尖，而一对非传统侦探搭档将联手追查真凶，揭开真相。
《封神之战：西岐之战》：封神三部曲的第二部作品。这部奇幻冒险大片带领观众进入一个充满英雄与神祇的世界，两个军队之间的史诗级大战即将展开，甚至不朽的战士也加入了战斗。

致敬华语电影
Vue Carmarthen 总经理 Michelle Kardoun 表示：
“我们非常高兴以华语电影的最佳代表作品庆祝中国新年。近年来，华语电影在全球范围内的人气大幅飙升，而《卧虎藏龙》的回归更是令人激动。这部开创性的影片奠定了华语电影的全球地位，为观众呈现了一场文化与艺术的盛宴。”

加入 Vue Carmarthen，一起欣赏华语电影的非凡魅力，欢度中国新年！

Entertainment

A new year but the same January traditions

Published

4 days ago

January 21, 2025

Staff Writer

December is a fairly extravagant month for most, with many people overspending on groceries, eating out, engaging in more frequent social gatherings, and purchasing numerous gifts However, January is often much more steady, with people trying to compensate for their indulgence in December by cutting back on their spending.

Whilst January is a time for steady living, it doesn’t mean it has to be a dull month! There are plenty of ways you can keep January in Pembrokeshire interesting without breaking the bank. Here are a few things you can do both offline and online to keep busy whilst reducing your spending after the holiday period.

Online entertainment

Nowadays you can find almost anything online, from things to watch to games to play. The internet offers endless possibilities for entertainment. Similarly, you can visit any country you like on the TV via YouTube, or you can learn a new hobby without expensive lessons.

Try online gaming

Online gaming is an excellent way to occupy yourself. Whether you prefer a simple racing game or want to completely immerse yourself in a fantasy world, there is something for everyone. Gaming with others online is also a great way to stay connected without the need to go out and spend money.

You could even take the thrill of gaming up a notch and try online casinos. Online slots can be a fun way to pass the time and playing for real money could add some excitement to your evenings. And those winter-themed slot motifs will sure make you feel better.

Binge watch a new TV series

Starting a new TV series can be very exciting, and with plenty of affordable streaming services available such as Netflix or Disney Plus, it’s easy to find a show, or several, that will keep you engaged for the entirety of January.

New hobbies

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start fresh and trying a new hobby is a good place to start. There are plenty of hobbies that involve little to no cost, such as baking, gardening, running, and reading. These are just a handful of low-cost hobbies you could take up.

Group activities

Consider doing group activities with friends which will allow you to split the costs. You could compete in a bake-off or ‘come dine with me’ style competition. Alternatively, if you still fancy going out, places like Thorpe Park or Go Ape offer group discounts which can help to reduce expenses.

You can still have fun and cut back!

By being a little more strategic, you can still enjoy January even whilst cutting back after an expensive December. From online gaming to trying new hobbies, you can keep busy without spending a fortune.

Entertainment

Paranormal Investigations Return to The Silver Mountain Experience

Published

1 week ago

January 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE SILVER MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE, a popular visitor attraction near Aberystwyth, is kicking off the new year with a spine-chilling event as its renowned Paranormal Investigations return on January 25.

Over recent years, these investigations have delved into the eerie secrets hidden within the Victorian silver-lead mine at Ponterwyd, offering participants an unforgettable glimpse into the unknown.

Guests will step into the role of ghost hunters, using authentic ghost-hunting equipment to uncover what may lurk beneath the surface. This unique experience challenges the brave-hearted to explore one of the UK’s most haunted mines under the cover of darkness.

Armed with tools, guidance, and courage, participants will investigate various areas, from historic buildings to the haunting depths of the Victorian mine. The experience is fully immersive, leaving no room to hide as attendees face the unexplained head-on.

A team of paranormal experts and historians will accompany participants, providing direction and insight throughout the night. Using both cutting-edge scientific tools and traditional methods, the team aims to prove that the mine’s history is far from silent.

Tickets are limited and must be booked in advance at www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/paranormal.