Contacts for the May and June dates are:

22nd and 29/5/13 - Paul Bradshaw.

5th and 12/6/13 - Dafydd Thomas.

19th and 26/6/13 - Paul Bradshaw.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows No.138 easing past the old Loco Shed at 2008 on an evening shuttle to Boston Lodge Halt. The limit of operation of the Garratt loading gauge is understood to be Rhiw Plas bridge a short distance to the east of the halt. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Michael Chapman and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (4/5/13) shows No.138 at 2009 on an evening shuttle to Boston Lodge Halt. The old FR turntable with a garage built on it is seen to the left. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Michael Chapman and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows No.138 at 2015 on an evening shuttle to Boston Lodge Halt. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Michael Chapman and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

Lyd at L&BR 11/5/13

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway held its annual gala over the weekend of 11-12/5/13. Lyd was guest loco and operated in conjunction with two recently delivered replica heritage coaches recreating scenes last seen in the 1930s. See L&BR website for more details, including a video of the loco in action.

This northerly view (11/5/13) shows Lyd at Woody Bay during the L&BR Gala. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Chris Noel and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (11/5/13) shows Lyd at Woody Bay during the L&BR Gala with the two newly delivered heritage coaches. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Chris Noel and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (11/5/13) shows Lyd at Woody Bay during the L&BR Gala with the two newly delivered heritage coaches. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Chris Noel and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

Great England shunt 4/5/13

In a frenetic half hour of shunting after 1700, all four England locos were posed in various locations in Harbour Station with a final line up of the four possible.

This easterly view (4/5/13) shows Prince with Welsh Pony at 1721. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Prince with Welsh Pony at 1721 hauling in Princess and Palmerston. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Princess and Palmerston at 1722 hauling period stock. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Welsh Pony and Prince at 1738 with the slate rake to the rear. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Welsh Pony and Prince at 1741 shunting. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Palmerston and Princess at 1741 shunting. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (4/5/13) shows Palmerston and Princess at 1742 shunting. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Palmerston and Princess at 1744 lining up the four England locos. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows all four England locos at 1745. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

More Steam 150 4/5/13

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Prince shunting the WHR rake at 1525. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Prince shunting the WHR rake at 1548. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Britomart shunting at 1614. Some slipping was observed. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Prince with Welsh Pony at 1630. The decision to repaint the former blue colour to green was partly determined by the tender which is usually used with Linda. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (4/5/13) shows Prince with Welsh Pony at 1630. The decision to repaint the former blue colour to green was partly determined by the tender which is usually used with Linda. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

Pen-y-Mount signalbox 10/5/13

Michael Chapman reports: The Signal Box for Pen-y-Mount Junction was due to be delivered by rail to Pen-y-Mount on Monday morning 13/5/13 from Dinas. However, it was delivered by road direct to Gelert's Farm on 10/5/13.

This northerly view (5/5/13) shows the Pen-y-Mount signalbox base with LyD No.60 in the background. The WHHR provided an interesting service over the period of the Steam 150 Gala, often running trains in parallel with WHR services. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Michael Chapman digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

Lyd moved to L&BR 8/5/13

Martin Kressman reports: As Harrogate was delivered to the WHR on 8/5/13, Lyd was transferred to the same low loader for onward movement to the L&BR to be delivered to their Steam Gala on 10-12/5/13. See L&BR website.

Harrogate for Beer Festival 8/5/13

Clive Briscoe reports: When the Team got to the Carriage Shed, there was a big surprise – ex-FR No. 12, Volunteer, (or ‘The Folly’ – as described in early FR Magazines) now Statfold’s Harrogate was there to greet us. Your scribe got to know this loco intimately in the mid-1980’s when it was brought into the Boston Lodge’s erecting shop for overhaul after lying in Glan-y-Mor Yard since arrival in 1957. He did several weeks work on the motion and wheel bearings working alongside the then fitters. It was going to be evaluated on the FR at last. It was completed as far as a rolling chassis and taken up the line for gauging tests and the boiler tested and given a ‘ticket’.

However, in the end, it was decided that: 1. It’s relatively long, rigid wheelbase with 6 wheels would have tended to spread the FR’s sharp curves and 2. It’s firebox was rather small – OK for short bursts of speed, shunting, as it had been designed and used for at Harrogate Gasworks but not for sustained long distance haulage on the FR. So, it was sold on in 1987 to the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway. However, it proved too heavy for their line and they then sold it on to Graham Lee’s Statfold Barn Railway where it now resides. This was the first time that your scribe had seen an old friend since it left FR metals. See Festipedia website.

This northerly view (8/5/13) shows Peckett saddle tank Harrogate being delivered to Dinas to handle beer festival shuttles. The loco that spent years at Glan-y-Mor awaiting restoration that never happened. It was unofficially named Volunteer but is now named after Harrogate Gasworks where it worked. It is in full working order after restoration at the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway where it proved unsuitable for services. The loco is now based on the Statfold Barn Railway and its original tightly curved cab roof (see link above) has been replaced with a more traditional cab. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Tony Baker and was taken on an Olympus digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

Team Wylfa report 7/5/13

Team Wylfa were present in many places during the Steam 150 event. Your scribe and Big John were to be found stewarding in Harbour Station on Saturday. Martin (of B Team) was manning the WHRS stand periodically during the event. Martin and Pete T were then in the SAR guards van with a load of Black Hand and Tuesday Gang personnel for the mixed train and found themselves fully occupied changing a failed brake block on one of the new B wagons at Pont Croesor during the layover there.

Unfortunately, there have been no takers for assistance on Thursday this week so there will be no B Team. This meant that the A Team had to service the whole E Set on Tuesday evening which then left little time to continue work on NG15 No.134. We will be looking after the E Set for the next few weeks as due to the extra weekend trains, a 'stock rotation' took place. The Blue service now continues until Whit Week so just one train doing a round trip from each end.

Tuesday Gang report 7/5/13

Tony Baker reports: The Tuesday Gang spent 7/5/13 putting everything back in its box after the Steam 150 Gala. First the marquee at Harbour Station Car Park was taken down and packed away. Then benches were returned to Minffordd Gwaith Dy for varnishing. Others were taken to Tan y Bwlch. Trains of both lines were busy.

Steam 150 YouTube 5-6/5/13

Click on the YouTube box above to watch 13 min 3 secs of video of the Steam 150 event dated 5-6/5/13. Click on the YouTube link to watch the full video. This video was taken by Dave and Tom Waldren and is best watched in 1080p HD quality.

Steam 150 Saturday 4/5/13

Views from Friday 3/5/13 are still welcome for publication. The weather was reasonable over the weekend but with a cold wind blowing over The Cob. Some light morning showers cleared away and although cloudy, there was eventually some afternoon/evening sunshine. The event was well attended but never overly crowded as there were so many activities in different places. Marshals managed to control the crowds crossing the station throat to allow safe passage of trains. At times there was non-stop shunting activity and the signalman was kept very busy indeed!

This northerly view (4/5/13) shows Princess on its 'delivery wagon' being dragged into Porthmadog at 0904. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Nigel Kendall and was taken on a Pentax KR digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Palmerston and Princess on its 'delivery wagon' at 1051. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Taliesin shunting some FR stock at 1101. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Taliesin joining the line up with Palmerston and Princess on its 'delivery wagon' at 1110. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Taliesin joining the line up with Palmerston and Princess on its 'delivery wagon' at 1111. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (4/5/13) shows Earl of Merioneth arriving with an FR train at 1121. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows Taliesin shunting some extra coaches onto an FR train at 1136. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

Meanwhile up at Blaenau Ffestiniog a small ceremony was taking place to celebrate Steam 150 and a pile of labelled Steam150 slates were carried on the slate train working to Porthmadog for sale on the shop.

This southerly view (4/5/13) shows the slate heritage display at Blaenau Ffestiniog with the Duffws shunter 'on duty'. Duffws station is visible in the background. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (4/5/13) shows Prince at Blaenau Ffestiniog with the slate empties at 1229. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (4/5/13) shows Prince at Blaenau Ffestiniog with the slate empties at 1230 with a small ceremony to commemorate the start of a year of slate related tableaux. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (4/5/13) shows Hugh Napier at Blaenau Ffestiniog giving cab rides at 1235. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

Construction progress 4/5/13

This easterly view (4/5/13) shows progress with the signalbox, which now has a roof and wall cladding on some sides. The scaffolding will allow access for the college students to slate the roof in the next few weeks. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (4/5/13) shows progress with the Relay Cabin, which now appears complete. The scaffolding has been removed and this will allow the FR tracks to be extended past the structure. There are currently 4 length of rail from the FR king point and wagons carrying rail are stabled on this siding. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows progress with the Relay Cabin, which now appears externally complete. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (4/5/13) shows some 8 lengths of the shorter 10m rails laid in the new WHR platform road and 4 standard length rails in the FR lead towards the Relay Cabin. These are laid on wooden sleepers for aesthetic reasons and possibly because steel sleepers might corrode more quickly in the salt air of The Cob. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (4/5/13) shows progress with the joint platform. The scaffolding is still in place around the signalbox and work should soon start on the roof slating. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Kodak DX6490 digital camera. Image post processed using Zoner Photo Studio 13 and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR Steam 150 YouTube 3-6/5/13

Click on the YouTube box above to watch 3 min 34 secs of video of the Steam 150 event dated 3-6/5/13 as taster for the forthcoming DVD. Click on the YouTube link to watch the full video. This video was taken by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional camcorder and is best watched in 1080p HD quality.

Steam 150 extra

Martin Kressman advises: On the WHR on Monday 6/5/13, a demonstration Garratt hauled heavy freight train to Porthmadog and back departing from Dinas at 11.05. See F&WHR website for full details.

In addition to the 'Yellow' timetable service with three trains in each direction between Porthmadog and Caernarfon (NOT included in 'Steam 150' Event and Saturday Rover tickets) addition Steam 150 WHR trains planned for today include:

• Early morning - Prince and Palmerston top and tail an extra 12-carriage train from Porthmadog - Boston Lodge - Hafod-y-Llyn (WHR) - Boston Lodge - Porthmadog, including a non-stop run through Porthmadog. One locomotive will be turned to run chimney first towards Beddgelert (since the Sunday line ups). This train is included in 'Steam 150' Event and Monday Rover tickets.
• Additional 'England to Beddgelert' vintage train with a single England loco - with the locomotive turned to run chimney first towards Beddgelert. (Now sold out!)
• Morning Garratt hauled heavy goods train from Dinas to Porthmadog (see above).
• Afternoon trip working of WHR wagons from Porthmadog to Pont Croesor.
• Two Garratt locos double-head the 15:40 Porthmadog to Caernarfon train. (NOT included in 'Steam 150' Event and Monday Rover tickets)
• Wagons added to 15:40 ex-Porthmadog at Pont Croesor - continues as a heavy-haul mixed train as far as Dinas, then passenger only to Caernarfon, after wagons detached.

All set for Steam 150
All is ready for the Steam 150 event on the F&WHR from 3-6/5/13. There were several events on the Friday but most of the activity is focussed on the Saturday-Monday period. There are several notable events on the WHR including England hauled slate empties to Pont Croesor and the Queens of the Hill chimney first to Caernarfon. Photos/YouTube links would be welcome. See F&WHR website for full details.

Welsh Pony YouTube 1/5/13

Click on the YouTube box above to watch 2 min 27 secs of video of Welsh Pony emerging from the paint shop on 1/5/13 in green in time for Steam 150 this weekend. Click on the YouTube link to watch the full video. This video was taken by John Wooden on a professional camcorder and is best watched in 1080p HD quality.

2013 Events and Visiting Locomotives programme

With the 2013 timetable now available on the F&WHR website, the 2013 events and Visiting Loco programme is now clear.

1/3/13: St. David's Day - Princess commences a six week period on display at Paddington Station, London.

13-14/4/13: Prince in steam at the London Transport Museum Open Weekend - Acton, London.

27/4/13: Mountaineer at the 16mm Association National Garden Railway Show - Peterborough.

3-6/5/13: Steam 150 Gala - Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.

10-12/5/13: Lyd at the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Spring Gala - Woody Bay.

17-19/5/13: Rail Ale - Welsh Highland Railway.

9-10/8/13: Prince at the Shrewsbury Flower Show.

6-8/9/13: Super Power - Welsh Highland Railway.

14-15/9/13: Lilla at the Birkenhead Festival of Transport.

11-13/10/13: Vintage Weekend - Ffestiniog Railway.

Volunteer Programme 2013

So that you can get them into your diary the 2013 dates for North Wales Track Gang/BHG and ROWG will be:

^ Bank Holiday

LW-Long weekend Friday-Monday

WW-Working week Saturday-Friday

Additionally, The Tuesday Gang expect to be operating pretty well every Tuesday in locations all round the WHR.

Contacts

If you intend to join one of the weekend or Tuesday Gang days, please contact the appropriate organiser. If you are interested in weekday working or have any queries about track work volunteering, please contact Paul Bradshaw. See Contacts page.

Gradient graph

John Hopkins has contributed this image of the gradient profile of the WHR. It makes clear how much of a mountain we have climbed and how steep the drop through Beddgelert is. Maybe most of all, it reveals the challenge facing northbound trains after they stop at Beddgelert!

This image is courtesy/copyright John Hopkins and is derived from data courtesy John Sreeves with additional work by Michael Bentley. Click on the image to enlarge.

Events 2013

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