WHR

News Archive Page

2023

September

V4.3 updated 25/11/23

with news to 30/9/23

 

Newly archived sections are placed at the top of this page.

 

Timetable 30/9/23-6/10/23

Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright F&WHR.

 

KS4415 progress 30/9/23

Heritage diesel loco Kerr-Stuart 4415 which worked on the F&WHR in the 1920s on test was trialled to Garnedd Tunnel on a gauging run on 30/9/23 with Upnor Castle. Sadly it did not quite fit through the tunnel. In all probability the loco never ventured beyond Minffordd Yard and the WHR's Dinas-Bryngwyn branch workings in the 1920s before being returned to the manufacturer. See KS4415 Community Facebook page for several images of the test on 30/9/23. there are also images of the new camshaft that replaced the sheared example that badly damaged the engine. Work continues to restore the engine but there is still a long way to go. Full details about the project are available at KS4415 webpage and latest news at KS4415 blogspot. The loco will be on display at the F&WHR event next weekend at Harbour Station.

 

F&WHR 30/9/23

Saturday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a mixed day with rain later and temperatures of 12-17C. Saturday's service pattern was for NO FR trains NOR trains on the WHR. At 10:20 Merddin Emrys was present in the FR platform at the head of an unadvertised special working utilising the Mountain Spirit rake. The train departed at 10:30 towards the east with Observation Cars on each end of the 10 coach rake which appeared to be ECS. The train arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 11:05 and continued towards the east at 11:18.

At 13:11 David Lloyd George headed east through Minffordd with the Woodland Wanderer rake crossing Merddin Emrys returning at 13:13 fully loaded towards Porthmadog. After arrival Merddin Emrys ran round at 15:15 in the FR platform with rain spoiling the scene. At 15:31 No.87 arrived from the Caernarfon direction with a fully laden 9 coach rake. Many passengers transferred directly to the Mountain Spirit rake in the FR platform. The Garratt departed with the ECS for the depot 5 minutes later. The Fairlie departed at 15:50 with a heavily laden train for towards Blaenau Ffestiniog, passing Minffordd at 16:00. David Lloyd George crossed at Minffordd with the Woodland Wanderer rake at 16:03 and headed back to Porthmadog arriving at 16:14. The loco ran round and the train departed ECS at 16:35 for the depot

Meanwhile Upnor Castle was up at Tan-y-bwlch in the Westbound at 16:15 with a test train checking the clearance of KS4415 against the platform edge. At 16:33 Upnor Castle and the heritage diesel departed for Boston Lodge while 2 minutes later the Fairlie left for Blaenau Ffestiniog.

 

This westerly view (30/9/23) shows KS4415 being hauled by Upnor Castle towards Boston Lodge on a gauging run passing Merddin Emrys at Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a webcam.

 

The test train passed Minffordd at 17:16.

 

This westerly view (30/9/23) shows KS4415 being hauled by Upnor Castle towards Boston Lodge on a gauging run passing Minffordd. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a webcam.

 

Merddin Emrys returned from Blaenau Ffestiniog arriving in Tan-y-bwlch at 17:53 ECS before continuing towards Porthmadog 3 minutes later and passing Minffordd at 18:18. The train arrived at Porthmadog at 18:27 and the loco ran round at 18:42 after coaling and watering. the ECS departed at 18:46 to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 29/9/23

Friday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a sunny day with temperatures of 12-17C. Friday's service pattern was for two FR Woodland Wanderer trains but no trains on the WHR. At 07:52 Moel-yr-hydd hauled the S&T rake into Minffordd from the yard with Van No.51 on the rear.

Lyd hauled the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer passing Minffordd at 11:21. the train returned at 13:11 heading towards Porthmadog. The afternoon working saw Lyd pass Minffordd at 14:47. The return passed Minffordd at 16:34 and ran round at Harbour Station at 16:55. The train departed ECS at 17:00 to close the day's activities.

 

No Saturday trains!

There will be no public service on Saturday 30/9/23 for the first time for some months despite good Autumn shoulder traffic. There are probably private workings on the line.

 

Tan-y-bwlch tea room closed 30/9/23

The Tan-y-bwlch tea room will be closed Saturday 30/9/23 for the day for a private function but will reopen Sunday 1/10/23 from 10:00.

 

F&WHR 28/9/23

Thursday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for an overcast breezy day with temperatures of 11-16C as Storm Agnes faded away. Some power lines were brought down in Gwynedd but Scottish Power say most were reconnected in the morning. Thursday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman and the two through WHR trains. At 07:38 Moel-y-hydd arrived at Minffordd from the yard with the S&T train including the cherrypicker. A minute later it departed to the east.

No.87 was first today with the ECS for the 10:05 The Harbourmaster arriving in the WHR platform. The train left on time and the ECS Mountain Spirit arrived in the FR platform 6 minutes later. The Woodland Wanderer arrived early enough in the hands of David Lloyd George to run round before the 10:45 Mountain Spirit departed.

No.143 arrived in the WHR platform at 12:38 hauling the Snowdonia Star and the loco detached to water a minute later in the yard. Blanche arrived with The Quarryman in the FR platform a few minutes later and was running round in the yard at 12:52 as it passed the Garratt returning to its train for the 14:05 return working. Blanche then shunted its rake to the yard at 12:54 to clear the FR platform for subsequent lunchtime arrivals. DLG was next and propelled the Woodland Wanderer rake out at 13:24 to clear the platform for the final arrival. The Fairlie swop occurred just before the Garratt departed for Caernarfon on time at 14:05 and the Mountain Spirit also departed on time at 14:10. At 14:25 Merddin Emrys shunted the Woodland Wanderer into the FR platform ready for the 14:35. Blanche also started shunting its rake ready to form the 15:05 return working of The Quarryman. The rake was propelled into the FR platform at 14:50.

Trains started to return after 16:00 with the Garratt first. The final arrival was DLG which arrived at 17:20 into the WHR platform with the Mountain Spirit. There was some examination of a possible problem on the front bogie before the loco detached to run round. Merddin Emrys then ran round in the FR platform and departed the ECS at 17:27. At 17:30 DLG ran to the yard to coal and water and rejoined the train at 18:00 before departing ECS at 18:03 to close the day's activities.

 

Local Residents' Discount now available during October

The LOCALS’ DISCOUNT scheme continues to be very popular so will be made available throughout October - and on a wider variety of our train services!
As usual, the F&WHR is offering a 50% discount (for the whole family) to local residents with their primary address in postcode areas LL22 to LL78 inclusive.
This discount will be available in Standard Class on the following trains:
• WOODLAND WANDERER (Porthmadog to Tan-y-Bwlch return) on Saturdays and Sundays.
• MOUNTAIN SPIRIT (Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog return) on Saturdays and Sundays only.
• THE QUARRYMAN (Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog return) on Saturdays only.
• THE ABERGLASLYN (Porthmadog to Beddgelert return) on Wednesdays only.
• GELERT EXPLORER (Caernarfon to Beddgelert return)
• SNOWDONIA STAR (Caernarfon to Porthmadog return)

Use voucher code OCT50 to receive the discount when buying tickets online, by phone, at one of our Booking Offices or from the Guard on a train.
Customers must bring proof of residency (e.g. Driver’s License) on the day of travel to show at the check-in desk.
ℹ PLEASE NOTE: the Discount offer is for tickets only and does not include Guidebooks or Food & Drink. The code will not work on train services running before or after October 2023, or on trains other than those listed above. The September discount for locals continues until 30/9/23 inclusive (see below).
More details and online tickets www.festrail.co.uk/trains.

 

F&WHR 27/9/23

Wednesday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for an increasingly stormy rainy day as Storm Agnes hit in the evening with temperatures of 14-18C and dangerously high winds. Wednesday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman and three WHR trains, with two The Aberglaslyn trains and the Gelert Explorer.

No.143 hauled the ECS for the 10:15 The Aberglaslyn into the WHR platform by 09:30. David Lloyd George had turned up by 10:00 with the ECS for the Mountain Spirit in the FR platform and had run round by 10:20. Merddin Emrys arrived with the ECS Woodland Wanderer at 10:40 in the WHR platform but run round had to wait until 10:50 due the departure of the Mountain Spirit as the rain started.

Blanche was noted passing Minffordd at 12:40 on The Quarryman. At 14:37 DLG hauled the Woodland Wanderer out of the FR platform having performed the Fairlie swop.

At the end of an increasingly windy afternoon No.87 hauled The Aberglaslyn back into the WHR platform having swopped Garratts at Beddgelert with the Gelert Explorer at 16:23. Winds were rising to peak gusts of 56 mph by 19:00 as the ECS departed at 16:46 shortly after DLG arrived in the FR platform with the Woodland Wanderer. The Fairlie ran round at 16:55 and awaited the arrival of the Mountain Spirit due at 17:10. The train arrived back about 10 minutes late no doubt due to deteriorating weather and was disposed ECS to the depot after the loco was fuelled and watered to close the day's activities.

 

National Lottery Heritage Fund Boston Lodge – Behind the scenes Tours

Ever wondered what goes on at the F&WHR's historic Boston Lodge workshops?
Well wonder no more - as there are four ‘Behind the Scenes’ tours taking place over the coming months.
31/10/23 @ 10:00
20/11/23 @ 13:00
12/12/23 @ 10:00
Experienced Tour Guides will take participants on a fascinating guided walk around the works, explaining progress on the restoration work of both listed and new buildings, showing all that is going on in the Erecting Shop, as well as an opportunity to admire the craftsmanship at the Carriage Works.
Here is feedback from a recent visitor:
“What a great experience! I would recommend this to everyone. It was wonderful to get to look around Boston Lodge on such an informative, witty and entertaining tour around the workshops. I, along with others on the tour were blown away by the sheer history of the place. Loved every minute!” - Phil
These tours will be free to all, whether participants are steam train enthusiasts or simply curious to see what goes on at the works.
Please note some age and accessibility restrictions apply, further details on the NLHF website. Tickets can be booked by emailing James Kindberg: jkindberg@ffwhr.com.

 

F&WHR 26/9/23

Tuesday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a breezy day of sunny periods and showers with temperatures of 13-17C. Tuesday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman and the two through WHR trains. At 09:14 Moelwyn propelled a repaired slate wagon to Minffordd from Porthmadog and hauled the wagon into the yard at 09:16. The S&T train left Minffordd Yard at 09:23 hauled by the new blue diesel Moel-y-hydd, heading east.

The Garratt departed with The Harbourmaster on time and Merddin Emrys arrived in the FR platform at about 10:20 with the ECS for the Mountain Spirit. David Lloyd George arrived at 10:40 with the ECS for the Woodland Wanderer into the WHR platform. DLG ran round after the Mountain Spirit departed.

At 13:30 Blanche was shunting in the yard and No.87 was ready to return the Snowdonia Star to Caernarfon. The lunchtime Fairlie swop occurred as usual.

The first of the returnees was No.143 on The Harbourmaster at 16:25 with the ECS having to await the arrival of the 16:45 arrival of the Woodland Wanderer behind Merddin Emrys at 16:52. The ECS set of 2 minutes later while the Fairlie detached to coal and water returning to the train by 17:10 to await the arrival of the Mountain Spirit at about 17:20. The ECS departed a minute later as the Fairlie detached to coal and water.

 

F&WHR 25/9/23

Monday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a breezy day of sunny periods with temperatures of 15-17C. Monday's service pattern was for two FR trains, with no Woodland Wanderer trains and NO WHR trains at all!

At 09:12 Harlech Castle ran round the Romanian ballast wagon at Minffordd and headed towards Porthmadog with the wagon at 09:15. This was followed by new blue loco to be named Moel-yr-hydd on the S&T rake. This loco was purchased from the auction of Adrian Shooter's garden railway and is nominally an S&T loco. The train headed east at 09:29.

 

This westerly view (25/9/23) shows soon to be named Moel-y-hydd. this small diesel loco was obtained from the sale of Adrian Shooter's collection. The train is heading out from Minffordd Yard at 09:19 with the S&T rake including the cherrypicker and Van No.51 on the rear. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a webcam.

 

With the passenger service out soon afterwards, Moel-yr-hydd hauled the S&T train back into Minffordd Yard from the east at 10:48. Merddin Emrys passed Minffordd with the Mountain Spirit at 10:56. The train passed Minffordd at 13:37 on its return to Porthmadog and passed eastbound with the afternoon working at 14:22. The train arrived back in the FR platform on time at 17:10 and the loco uncoupled and coaled and watered before running round at 17:24. The train departed ECS at 17:28 to close the day's activities.

 

Storm Agnes to hit Snowdonia Wednesday 27/9/23

The Met office has given advance notice of a severe Autumn storm that could cause damage to the F&WHR forecast to hit the area on Wednesday 27/9/23 and into Thursday. This day sees the maximum number of train services on offer this week with 5 trains on the FR and three on the WHR. No doubt the railway will have rescue locos on hand in case of disruption.

 

Barmouth Bridge NR YouTube 25/9/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 2 minutes 8 seconds of video covering the construction method for the new Barmouth Bridge girders. This video was published on 25/9/23. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by Network Rail on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

Website Disruption

There maybe some disruption to the website over the next few days as your webmaster has promised himself a birthday treat and is upgrading to a full fibre connection. Over the last few months since I was in hospital TalkTalk's service has degraded from 35Mb/s ADSL to well under the minimum guaranteed 29Mb/s despite repeatedly referring the fault to them (today's average is 9Mb/s!). The fibre connection will be installed on the morning of 26/9/23 with Gigaclear's connection which terminates in the road outside all houses in my village. The speed offered in 200Mb/s for both upload and download so is better all round. I will be paying TalkTalk to retain my email account so there should be no obvious change to users of this website or those who wish to email me.

 

F&WHR 24/9/23

Sunday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a rainy day but improving in the afternoon with temperatures of 16-18C. Sunday's service pattern was for three FR trains, with no afternoon Mountain Spirit and just one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer. The signalbox was opened at 9:30 in wet misty weather.

At 09:10 Upnor Castle appeared at Minffordd with 3 empty B wagons presumably from Porthmadog reversed them into the yard 3 minutes later. The train emerged from the yard at 09:59 and propelled the 3 loaded B wagons to Harbour Station departing from Minffordd at 10:12.

David Lloyd George arrived on the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit at about 10:15 into the FR platform. The loco had run round by 10:30 and Upnor Castle was present with a coal train in the yard. Lyd arrived at 10:35 with the ECS Woodland Wanderer. Upnor Castle departed light engine for the depot a mine later while Lyd commenced its run round. Both trains left on time but in miserable misty windy conditions.

The Mountain Spirit departed Tan-y-bwlch at 11:32 in damp, misty conditions. Lyd set off again for an afternoon run of the Woodland Wanderer, arriving back in Porthmadog at 16:47. Moelwyn arrived from Boston Lodge propelling an FR wagon at 17:06 and Lyd departed with the ECS at 17:08. At 17:14 Moelwyn and its wagon advanced to the shunt limit on The Cob before appearing back in the platform at 17:19. The newish looking wooden wagon was probably under test and someone rode in the wagon as part of the test. The train departed again at 17:21 to Boston Lodge to finish the day's activities.

 

NG15 No.134 report

This loco is rapidly approaching completion and is expected to be trialled on passenger trains next Spring. The loco is said to have about 75% of the tractive effort of an NG16 with reduced adhesive weight. However with only one set of cylinders there is only one engine to slip rather than the difficulty experienced by NG16's where it is likely that only one power bogie will slip.

During August a main focus has been on the cladding sheets for the boiler, with completion of the firebox sheets and those previously finished for the barrel receiving several coats of paint on return from shot blasting. Special thanks are due to our skilled volunteer ‘Mr Cladding’ Cole, who has become very proficient at producing the accurately cut specific sheets!

It has taken a couple of months longer than expected for the staff at Dinas to manufacture the two Main Steam Pipes from the superheater header down to the steam chests including expansion joints, but by early September these were fully fitted. As volunteers had prepared and installed a new fire grate and attended to various fittings in the smokebox in anticipation, a warming fire was lit in the boiler. The boiler has been steamed several times previously at the boilermakers and has passed its hydraulic and steam tests with our inspector, but this was the first time it has been steamed installed on the loco frames. The following day volunteers brought the boiler round to operating pressure which enabled us to check that all the bending & sliding mountings and fixings were behaving as expected while the boiler increased its length by just over half an inch (about 1.3 cm).

Everything performed smoothly as expected, so after dropping the fire volunteers opened the regulator several times to blow out the detritus from all the rebuilding work on the steam pipes, superheater elements, valve chests and pistons. This proved well worth doing, as a large amount of metallic residue was evident afterwards, which may otherwise have damaged our re-bored liners and brand new pistons and valves when we first move the loco under its own steam.

During the next days volunteers were engaged in painting the barrel cladding sheets up to topcoat and fitting them to the boiler in readiness for the WHR Society Members' Day 16/9/23.

In parallel to the progress on the loco at Dinas, Boston Lodge have almost completed the Cab Roof fabrication and parts for the Tender Handbrake mechanism. These items will be fitted onto the Loco & Tender at Dinas at a future working party when they become available.

Following the Members' Day volunteers finished their working week by draining the boiler and starting the process of lagging the barrel with insulation. They also tried the cab front and sides for size and started the small modifications required to bring them in tolerance to the actual dimension of the clad boiler and support brackets on the frames.

As ever - progress on the completion of the F&WHR's first Mikado depends largely on volunteer effort and entirely on donations to cover materials and staff input, so if you are able to help in either regard please do get in touch via our website www.Ng15-134.co.uk or the WHR Society Donations page. The NG15 Team really do appreciate the support which has so far allowed them to progress unhindered, but there is still plenty to do before No.134 will be seen at the head of a service train!

 

Barmouth Bridge progress 23/9/23

The swing bridge bow span has now been completely cut up and removed in sections by floating pontoon. It leaves the new spans looking strangely suspended about a metre above the pier that housed the swinging mechanism (long since welded in the shut position). It is probable that the new span, currently with the beams separated by only about 2m, will be jacked outward onto the bearings of the old spans when these are rehabilitated and then lowered down onto the bearing pads before a new deck and rails are fitted between them. Similar work will be undertaken on the more southerly span. For more images see BBC Wales story.

 

This easterly view (23/9/23) shows the new spans standing clear of the swinging mechanism now that the whole of the swinging span has been cut up and removed. the new spans will eventually be jacked apart to the right width and lowered onto refurbished bearing plates. The crane on top of the new span were used to lower the cut sections of the old span onto pontoons for scrapping in Barmouth Harbour. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy Simply Barmouth Facebook page where there are 20 other images of progress.

 

The swinging mechanism was removed from Barmouth Bridge on 23/9/23. See 43 images on Facebook courtesy of We Love Green spaces in Barmouth dated 23/9/23.

 

This westerly view (23/9/23) shows the circular bearing of the swing mechanism in situ about to be craned out using the temporary crane fitted to the temporary track on top of the new bowstring girders. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright We Love Green spaces in Barmouth courtesy Facebook and was taken on a digital camera.

 

This easterly view (23/9/23) shows the swing mechanism bearing being lowered onto a pontoon. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright We Love Green spaces in Barmouth courtesy Facebook and was taken on a digital camera.

 

This easterly view (23/9/23) shows the swing mechanism bearing on a pontoon near Barmouth Harbour. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright We Love Green spaces in Barmouth courtesy Facebook and was taken on a digital camera.

 

The final sections of the old steel girders of the viaduct were cut and craned off the bridge on 1/10/23 and removed by pontoon. The new spans will be jacked down onto the refurbished bearings and jacked apart to give room to construct the new rail deck between them. See NR YouTube explaining the process. Work continues on the central pier that contains the 'clockwork' of the former swinging mechanism and a temporary support has been built to take the weight of the long span that crosses this pier. This support has appeared in the last few days.

 

This easterly view (5/10/23) shows both original bowstring girders cut up and removed. Due to the length of the swing girder section a temporary support has been constructed on the pier which formerly housed the swinging mechanism removed 2 weeks previously. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Dominic Vacher courtesy Facebook and was taken on a digital camera.

 

F&WHR 23/9/23

Saturday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a cool day of sunny periods with temperatures of 14-15C. Saturday's service pattern was for one FR train and just the two through WHR trains. Saturday's Woodland Wanderer would conflict with the TrailFest event with the special train running form Tan-y-grisiau to Porthmadog in parallel with the run. As a result there are no Woodland Wanderer services and just the afternoon Mountain Spirit train on the FR in addition to the TrailFest specials. At 10:29 Blanche passed through Minffordd with the ECS The Quarryman brought down from Glan-y-pwll for the special. See TrailFest website for more details. It seems the two trains mentioned on the website were combined into one train.

At 10:30 Porthmadog station was set up with the finishing line and adorned with flags, including the rainbow flag. Merddin Emrys was waiting to take the 10:45 Mountain Spirit, the only public FR working today. Two other locos were also noted in steam at Boston Lodge for TrailFest specials to Tan-y-grisiau. Blanche arrived in the WHR platform at 10:37 and promptly uncoupled but had to await the departure of Merddin Emrys at 10:48. Five minutes later Blanche ran to the yard to coal and water.

Lyd arrived with a three coach train in the FR platform at about 11:15. Blanche shunted the three coaches to form a 9 coach rake in the WHR platform while Lyd coaled and watered. Lyd shunted inside with Blanche resuming the front position and departed at 11:37 for Tan-y-grisiau double headed.

 

This westerly view (23/9/23) shows Blanche and Lyd hauling the TrailFest Special to Tan-y-grisiau passing through Minffordd. The webcam seems to be a little blurred and also might need cleaning. The new 20 mph sign is visible on the main road on the left. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a webcam.

 

By 12:45 No.143 had run round the Snowdonia Star which has arrived about 20 minutes before in the WHR platform. The Mountain Spirit was back in Porthmadog around 13:40 and was disposed to the depot ECS as there was no afternoon run. The double header TrailFest Special ran slowly in areas where runners were alongside the track on parallel footpaths and paused for an extended period at Tan-y-bwlch. The train passed Minffordd on return at 14:53 and the passengers were able to watch the runners arriving at the finish line from 15:05 with the flags fluttering strongly in the wind!

At 15:22 Lyd shunted the 3 coaches off the rear of the train and took them ECS to the depot. Blanche ran round at 15:28 and departed at 15:36 for Glan-y-pwll to allow the rake to resume its regular duties as The Quarryman, passing Minffordd at 15:45. The Garratt swop occurred today and No.143 returned on The Harbourmaster at 16:27.

 

This easterly view (23/9/23) shows Blanche departing with the ECS back to Glan-y-pwll as the runners continue to cross the finish line. The black Hebog flag at the finish line refers to Moel Hebog overlooking Beddgelert and carries the symbol of a bird of prey, a hawk or falcon. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a webcam

 

The ECS was signalled to depart from the WHR platform but had to wait for a sufficiently long gap between the runners so that it did not delay their running times by obstructing the crossing at the end of the platform. The train left at 16:34 to close the day's activities.

 

Timetable 23/9/23-29/9/23

Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright F&WHR.

 

F&WHR 22/9/23

Friday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a mixed day of showers and sunny periods with temperatures of 8-14C. Friday's service pattern was for two FR trains and NO WHR trains. Services have clearly been reduced as the end of the season approaches. Friday and Monday are traditionally low service days as F&WHR believe holidaymakers are travelling to/from North Wales on these days. Looking ahead Saturday 23/9/23 has a very poor service with no Woodland Wanderer services and just one public trains on the FR and the two through trains on the WHR due to special trains for the TrailFest event.

At 10:50 Lyd was shunting in the yard having brought over the ECS for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. The train arrived back from Tan-y-bwlch at 13:15. Lyd passed Minffordd at 1629 on its return on the final train of the day.

 

Loco roster 22-28/9/23

This coming week there will be up to seven steam locos on scheduled passenger services. On the FR: David Lloyd George, Merddin Emrys, Blanche and Lyd will be in action on scheduled services during the week.
Blanche and Lyd will also be working special trains on Saturday 23/9/23, in association with the Trailffest half-marathon (from Tan-y-grisiau to Porthmadog).
The details of the WHR loco roster have not been published yet - but the duties will again be covered by two or more of the NG/G16 Garratt locomotives from Nos.87/130/143.
--------------------------------------------------
NOTE: This information is provided in good faith, solely as a guide, but could be subject to change at any time.

 

Aber logs retimed again 22/9/23!

The inbound Chirk Kronospan-Aberystwyth log train empties failed to arrive at Aberystwyth early on Friday morning and the working was cancelled. It appears it will now run on Saturday giving weekend linesiders an opportunity to photograph it in Wales & The Borders in daylight. The retimed train 6C54 is due to arrive at 04:17 into Aberystwyth run round loop. The return working 6C55 is due out of Aberystwyth at 10:40 and is due to run via Shrewsbury, Crewe, Chester and Wrexham to Chirk where it reverses into the Kronospan sidings.

 

F&WHR 21/9/23

Thursday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a mixed day of showers, sunny periods and even a thunderstorm with temperatures of 9-15C with sunny periods later. Thursday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman, and the two through WHR trains.

No.130 was first up arriving in the WHR with The Harbourmaster by 09:30. David Lloyd George arrived into the FR platform with the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit just before the 10:05 departure of the Garratt. Merddin Emrys arrived with the Woodland Wanderer just before the 10:45 was due to depart so run round had to await The Cob section being clear

No.87 arrived hauling the Snowdonia Star into the WHR platform at about 12:20 and the loco ran to the yard to water. Minffordd Points were being manually screwed over again today. Blanche passed Minffordd at 12:42 on The Quarryman. The Fairlie swop took place and Merddin Emrys was on the afternoon Mountain Spirit.

At the end of the day Merddin Emrys returned at 17:30 releasing DLG with its ECS Woodland Wanderer to return to the depot from the FR platform a few minutes later. Merddin Emrys ran to the yard to coal and water once The Cob section was clear. The Mountain Spirit departed ECS at 18:06 to close the day's activities.

 

Boston Lodge steam 20/9/23

This easterly view (20/9/23) at Boston Lodge Curve shows the David Lloyd George returning to Porthmadog on the Woodland Wanderer while Vale of Ffestiniog hangs out in it usual position at the entrance to the Carriage Shed between duties. Quarry Hunslet Hugh Napier is in use on a How Do Steam Locos Work afternoon. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

More information on the NLHF project at Boston Lodge is available at https://nlhfproject.festrail.co.uk/.

 

Boston Lodge tour guides

Click on the YouTube link to watch 4 minutes 18 seconds of video covering an advert for people to join the Boston Lodge tour guides. This video was published on 20/9/23. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by the John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

Four car Class 158s return to Cambrian Coast

It has been 6 years since the pairs of Class 158s were diagrammed for the Cambrian Coast but in August some trains ran as 4 car units to cope with the summer rush before the line closure for the Barmouth Bridge Autumn upgrade. The 10:55 Machynlleth-Pwllheli and 15:37 return was the nominated turn. Catering, in the form of a trolley, was reintroduced on the route for the first time in 10 years as a result. For some reason platform improvements were required at Barmouth which has one of the longest platforms on the line, having been an excursion destination in the past. Some 22 four car train stop markers were required on intermediate stations amongst other measures such as staff training. It is anticipated that some busier trains will operate as 4 car trains when the line reopens from December to reduce overcrowding.

 

F&WHR 20/9/23

Wednesday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a windy, murky start and temperatures of 11-17C with sunny periods later. Wednesday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman, and the three WHR trains, including two The Aberglaslyn trains and a Gelert Explorer.

No.87 was on The Aberglaslyn and Merddin Emrys on the10:45 Mountain Spirit with David Lloyd George on the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. No.87 arrived back at 12:57 and a minute later the XXX arrived back in the FR platform. Merddin Emrys ran to the yard from the Mountain Spirit at 13:50 and the Fairlie swop took place so DLG hauled the 14:10 departure. Lyd passed Minffordd at 12:50 with The Quarryman as the loco had substituted for Blanche during late running yesterday. Blanche was shunting in the yard at 13:50 ready to take over its normal duty of the return working of The Quarryman. Lyd emerged from the fuelling point at 14:20 and departed light engine for the depot at 14:24. At 14:30 Blanche shunted back to The Quarryman. Merddin Emrys departed in sunshine with the Woodland Wanderer at 14:35 and Blanche shunted its rake to the FR platform at 14:45 and departed on time at 15:05.

Trains began to return after 16:00. At 16:20 No.130 turned up on The Aberglaslyn having swopped with the Gelert Explorer at Beddgelert, which went back to Dinas with No.87. The Garratt departed with the ECS at 16:45 after the Woodland Wanderer arrived. David Lloyd George pulled into the WHR platform at 17:10 with the Mountain Spirit to close the day's activities.

 

HS2 Crewe connection to be cancelled?

Phase two of HS2 would see the line extended from Birmingham to Manchester. If this is cancelled, the connection at Crewe will be wiped out, and so will the Tories' excuse for not giving Wales transport projects compensation money. The Welsh Government believe that the project should be reclassified as benefitting England only rather than England & Wales as currently categorised. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said earlier this week: "With HS2, if there is any truth in the rumours we read about it not proceeding to the north of England then the fiction that has been used by the Treasury to deny funding here will be exposed even further. If this is done, Wales should get around £2bn as a consequential from the first phase of the project to spend on transport under the Barnett formula.

Such monies would allow TfW to purchase the new Class 68/Mk5 Nova 3 fleet being disposed by Trans Pennine in December and reintroduce/expand loco hauled trains on North Wales to Cardiff/Manchester/Birmingham axes replacing the totally inadequate and often wedged DMUs, including Class 150s!!, used on these routes.

 

F&WHR 19/9/23

Tuesday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a windy day with heavy showers and temperatures of a steady 17C. Tuesday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman, and the two through WHR trains.

First up was No.87 which arrived with the ECS for the 10:05 The Harbourmaster by 09:00 to a wt windswept Porthmadog. At 10:10 Merddin Emrys arrived with the 10:45 Mountain Spirit. This was delayed, possibly by poor weather, and then by the late arrival of David Lloyd George with the Woodland Wanderer at 10:57 into the WHR platform. Departure came a minute later and DLG then started its run round. Departure was again delayed until 11:30 (20 minutes late) with stormy conditions. Merddin Emrys struggled with the conditions and departed Tan-y-Bwlch at 11:48, some 28 minutes late.

The first of the lunchtime rush was No.143 at 12:32 with the Snowdonia Star. The loco immediately detached and ran to the yard for water rejoining the train at 13:00 ready for the 14:05 return working. Harlech Castle ran wrong through Minffordd light engine from the east at 12:44 and reversed into Minffordd Yard at 12:48. It emerged at 13:12 with the Mess car No.111 and headed east and was propelled back into the yard at 14:00. There was no sign of the booked The Quarryman which should have passed Minffordd at 12:35 or the Woodland Wanderer which was due to pass at 13:30 so there may have been a storm related problem in the woods. At 14:20 David Lloyd George passed through Minffordd some 75 minutes late. The returning Mountain Spirit was noted held at Tan-y-bwlch (due to depart 13:05) at the same time.

Down at Porthmadog, DLG ran round at 14:50 and at 15:00 the Minffordd points had to be manually set to allow the Blanche to pass through with The Quarryman at 15:05 (150 minutes late after being stuck behind the Woodland Wanderer). Due to the out of course running the train arrived unusually in the WHR platform at 15:13. Lyd was noted shunting in the yard at the same time and the 14:35 Woodland Wanderer was signalled for departure with no Fairlie swop. This train departed at 15:18 some 43 minutes late. Lyd shunted onto the front of The Quarryman followed by Blanche shunting to the yard to coal and water. Merddin Emrys arrived at 15:39 (some 114 minutes late) with the return service of the Mountain Spirit into the FR platform having passed the Woodland Wanderer at Minffordd. Lyd on The Quarryman was immediately signalled to depart and left at 15:43 (38 minutes late). Blanche and Merddin Emrys coupled up and attached to the Mountain Spirit rake which departed at 16:03 ECS back to the depot as the train was cancelled being almost 2 hours late.

At 16:16 DLG shunted the Woodland Wanderer to the westbound platform to allow The Quarryman to pass through. Lyd arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 16:23 and departed 3 minutes later. The Harbourmaster was back at Porthmadog by 16:30 and departed ECS at 16:36. At 16:55 the Woodland Wanderer departed Tan-y-bwlch after about an hour layover arriving back in Porthmadog around 17:30. DLG went to fuel and water before running round and departing with the ECS at 17:58 to close the day. Staff recovered well from disruption in difficult weather conditions and only lost one train, the 14:10 Mountain Spirit which would have arrived back at 19:10 had it run with the accumulated 2 hour delay!

 

F&WHR 18/9/23

Monday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for an improving day with sunny periods after initial heavy showers and temperatures of 12-16C. Monday's service pattern was for three FR trains (only the morning Mountain Spirit runs) and just one WHR trains, the Gelert Explorer.

Merddin Emrys was first today passing Minffordd on the 10:45 Mountain Spirit at 10:56 on its only run today. David Lloyd George passed at 11:20 with the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. The lunchtime Fairlie swop took place resulting in DLG hauling the 14:35 Woodland Wanderer. which passed Minffordd at 14:45.

DLG returned with the afternoon Woodland Wanderer passing Minffordd at 16:36 to close the day's activities.

 

Barmouth Bridge progress 16/9/23

Cutting of the main girders has begun. The new girders are temporarily positioned between the old and will presumably be jacked out to their final positions when the old girders are cut up and removed. Presumably the sections of girders remaining and deck are temporarily supported by the new girders as the old are removed section by section. The overhead crane fitted to the new girders lifted sections cut out on 16/9/23 for the first time and lowered them onto a floating pontoon which delivered them to Barmouth Harbour for disposal. thanks to 'We Love Green spaces in Barmouth' for these images. For many more images look at the Facebook Page.

 

This southerly view (16/9/23) shows the yellow crane fitted to the top of the new arched girders placed inside of the existing girders. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright We Love Green Spaces in Barmouth on a digital camera.

 

This southerly view (16/9/23) shows the lowering of the first section of the cut northern girder after a section was cut out right across the bridge. The white sheets helped protect the gas axe crew as they cut the girders and trackbed. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright We Love Green Spaces in Barmouth on a digital camera.

 

This easterly view (16/9/23) shows the gap in the girder and trackbed left after the first section of the northern girder was cut out right across the bridge as viewed from the ferry presumably. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright We Love Green Spaces in Barmouth on a digital camera.

 

This southerly view (16/9/23) shows the pontoon carrying away the section of trackbed and the two side girders cut out from the northern girder. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright We Love Green Spaces in Barmouth on a digital camera.

 

F&WHR 17/9/23

Sunday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day of light cloud and temperatures of 14-19C with rain after 5pm. Sunday's service pattern was for four FR trains and just one public WHR trains, the Gelert Explorer, though an additional through train operated between Caernarfon and Boston Lodge Halt and some ECS trains in connection with the WHRSoc Members' Weekend.

The first train was David Lloyd George hauling the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit arriving at 10:06 in the FR platform. Merddin Emrys arrived at 10:45 causing a slight delay to the 10:45 departure. The Fairlie ran round after The Cob section was clear and was coupled up by 11:00.

At 11:45 No.130 passed through Porthmadog on a through nonstop special working from Dinas to Boston Lodge Halt for members to visit the works. This train had a tail load of two four wheeled coaches and passed through as the sun came out. The return working ran a little late, passing Bryn-y-felin at 14:13 but without the four wheelers. Vale of Ffestiniog was on the rear. The passengers transferred to Gelert Explorer which ran double headed from Beddgelert on its return journey, departing on time at around 14:30. Vale of Ffestiniog then left with the ECS back to Porthmadog at around 14:45.

 

This southerly view (17/9/23) shows No.130 on the WHRSoc Special rounding the curve approaching Bryn-y-felin bridge at 14:13. Vale of Ffestiniog can be seen attached to the rear for the return ECS. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This northerly view (17/9/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog on the ECS from the WHRSoc Special about to depart Beddgelert for Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

The final train of the day was supposed to be Lilla with four wheelers but as the four wheelers had already been on the back of the special the train appears to have been cancelled. There was a similar unannounced cancellation last year at the WHRSoc Day which left linesiders hanging around for a train that never came!

At 17:06 Merddin Emrys arrived with the Mountain Spirit just as the predicted rain started. This allowed DLG to leave 2 minutes later with the ECS Woodland Wanderer. After the ECS cleared The Cob Merddin Emrys ran to the yard at 17:12 to refuel and water. One the Fairlie rejoined the train it departed with the ECS at 16:38 to close the day's activities.

 

WHR Society Members' Weekend 16-17/9/23

This northerly view (17/9/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog passing Bryn-y-felin on the rear of the WHRSoc Members' Special. The diesel on the rear allowed for the easy return of the stock to Boston Lodge without the need for run round at Beddgelert. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This easterly view (16/9/23) shows Dinas depot shunter Bill in the depot headshunt at Dinas during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend as seen from the passing Waunfawr shuttle. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This northerly view (16/9/23) shows No.608 giving cab rides while PW diesel No.9 awaits duty in the North Yard at Dinas during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This easterly view (16/9/23) shows No.608 giving cab rides in the North Yard at Dinas during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. The loco is painted in its original green 'Camouflage' livery as the WHR's Baldwin might have looked when it was first delivered to Dinas in Summer 1923. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This southerly view (16/9/23) shows No.608 giving cab rides in the North Yard in the depot headshunt at Dinas during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. The loco is painted in its original green 'Camouflage' as the WHR's No.590 might have looked when it was first delivered to Dinas in Summer 1923. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This westerly view (16/9/23) shows Baldwin No.608 giving cab rides at Dinas in the bay platform during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This Dinas loco shed view (16/9/23) shows the tender of NG15 No.134 receiving attention from Clive Briscoe during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This Dinas loco shed view (16/9/23) shows the tender cab has been removed and some cabside sheeting installed on NG15 No.134. The tender cab was found to be out of gauge and has been removed in favour of cab sheeting during inclement weather. The supports for the tender cab have been retained and a demountable tender cab can be fitted for winter operations. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This Dinas loco shed view (16/9/23) shows the cab of NG15 No.134 with fittings being installed during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. The roof will have interior wooden cladding like the original loco. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This northerly Dinas loco shed view (16/9/23) shows the boiler cladding temporarily fitted to NG15 No.134 for the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. The loco will appear in black ex-works but the final livery is a secret. The cladding must be removed to install the boiler insulation. In the foreground a cardboard model in being formed for the steam sanders that will apply sand to the rail on the leading and trailing bogies. This will leave the rail head prepared for the four coupled drivers whether the loco is working in forwards or reverse direction. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This northerly Dinas bay view (16/9/23) shows Lilla offering cab rides during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This southerly Dinas loco (16/9/23) shows Caernarfon Castle in top and tail mode on the Waunfawr shuttle during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This northerly Dinas view (16/9/23) shows No.143 in top and tail mode during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This northerly Waunfawr view (16/9/23) shows No.143 having arrived on the shuttle during the WHRSoc Members' Weekend. this was your webmaster's first train trip since spending 2 months in hospital. thanks to the guard for helping me negotiate the ramp! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes (Wheelchair Tours) taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

Porthmadog 20mph limit

From 17/9/23, Porthmadog joined the national Wales speed limit of 20 mph in built up areas. Signage has been erected and police advise they will be enforcing the speed limit with mobile speed cameras out in force over North Wales according to the Daily Post. Many sections of main road are involved but the bypass programme has been halted by WAG whose Labour leader says the new speed limit will save lives while accepting the increased delays to journeys will hit the industrial economy as well as tourist journeys to Wales.

 

Image courtesy Matt Cartoonist Daily Telegraph.

 

F&WHR 16/9/23

Saturday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day of light cloud and temperatures of 16-19C. Saturday's service pattern was for four FR trains and just the two through WHR trains, though additional shuttle trains operated between Caernarfon and Waunfawr in connection with the WHRSoc Members' Weekend.

The first train today was the ECS for the 10:05 The Harbourmaster which had arrived in the WHR platform by 09:30 hauled by No.87. Merddin Emrys was on the 10:45 Mountain Spirit and there was no morning Woodland Wanderer.

Meanwhile up at Dinas No.143 top and tailed with Caernarfon Castle with a short rake on shuttles, the FR Baldwin No.608 finally appeared on footplate duties alternatively with Lilla. The NG15 was on display in the loco shed with cladding fitting and painted in black temporarily.

 

This northerly view (16/9/23) shows No.143 on the Waunfawr shuttle and Lilla and Baldwin No.608 on footplate duties at Dinas in sunshine. Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on an iPhone camera.

 

This northerly view (16/9/23) shows Baldwin No.608 on footplate duties at Dinas in sunshine. There have been many attempts to get this loco to a public event and this WHRS members only event was the first to be successful. Last year the loco failed to appear at a similar event. Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on an iPhone camera.

 

Blanche was on The Quarryman. The Fairlie swop occurred at lunchtime and David Lloyd George was on the Mountain Spirit and Merddin Emrys on the Woodland Wanderer. DLG passed Minffordd on its return at 17:05 to close the day's activities.

 

Timetable 16/9/23-22/9/23

Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright F&WHR.

 

Weekend specials

In addition to the scheduled passenger trains, there will also be a number of special Welsh Highland Railway Society 'MEMBERS' ONLY' trains and loco workings this weekend.
SATURDAY:
 ▪ Baldwin No.608 and Quarry Hunslet Lilla will be in steam providing footplate rides and 'Drive an Engine' experiences at Dinas Station.
▪ Funkey Castell Caernarfon will be working two shuttle trains between Dinas and Caernarfon, plus three shuttle trains between Dinas and Waunfawr.
SUNDAY:
▪ A special, NG/G16 hauled, train will run from Caernarfon (09:30) to Boston Lodge Halt (11:44) - using the carriages from The Cwellyn service, plus a couple of Bug-Boxes. These two trains are planned to run non-stop through Harbour Station...
▪ A top'n'tailed special, NG/G16 and Funkey Vale of Ffestiniog, will run from Boston Lodge Halt (13:28) to Beddgelert (14:11).
▪ The NG/G16 will then couple to the front of the 14:30 Gelert Explorer service, which will run with double-headed NG/G16s to Dinas (15:42), then a single NG/G16 to Caernarfon (16:00).
▪ Funkey Vale of Ffestiniog will return the empty-coaching stock to Boston Lodge (14:45 > 15:35)...
PLEASE REMEMBER
These are special 'MEMBERS' ONLY' trains, so they (and Dinas Station Yard) are not available to the general public - but if you are in the area and want to see some interesting train movements, feel free to watch and photograph the trains as they pass by and, of course, if you want to get involved in this event or future events like these - you can join the Society through their website - https://www.whrsoc.org.uk/

 

GVR expands 15/9/23

The Glyn valley Tramway at Chirk NR station has laid two more panels on its demonstration line from the platform and now has 100 yards of track. Additional work to clear the platform and cutting sides has also taken place. For more images see Glyn Valley Tramway Trust Facebook page.

 

May be an image of train, railway and the Cotswolds

This northerly view (15/9/23) shows the GVT Chirk station site north of Station Avenue road bridge, Chirk with NR to the right. The original platform and foundation of station building are visible as is the space for a run round loop on the left. The NR station is visible over the fence. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright GVT Trust Green Spaces in Barmouth on a digital camera.

 

May be an image of train and railway

This southerly view (15/9/23) shows the newly laid track south of Station Avenue road bridge, Chirk with NR to the left. On the left is the planned area for the rolling stock siding and later loco and carriage shed. The track curves sharply to the right and drops steeply down a wooded shelf into the Ceiriog Valley to the planned terminus at Pont Faen, about 1 km away. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright GVT Trust Green Spaces in Barmouth on a digital camera.

 

Moving Pictures No.82 15/9/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 28 minutes 36 seconds of video covering a Carriage Works report. There is an intriguing report about ex Indian Railways Matheran Loco No.740 which is on the move again but is it coming to Boston Lodge for repair? This video was published on 15/9/23. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by the Tal-y-llyn Railway on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

F&WHR 15/9/23

Friday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day of light cloud with sunny periods later and temperatures of 15-18C. Friday's service pattern was for four FR trains and just the one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer. An ECS was expected with Lilla and the bug boxes to Dinas for the WHRSoc shuttles on Saturday 16/9/23, returning Sunday from Dinas at 13:45.

At 10:30 David Lloyd George was already in the FR platform with the 10:45 Mountain Spirit. Merddin Emrys arrived at 10:32 with the ECS for the Woodland Wanderer and ran round immediately.

The Fairlies swopped over at lunchtime and Merddin Emrys passed Minffordd at 16:58 with the returning Mountain Spirit to close the day's activities.

 

North Wales freight 14-15/9/23

The North Wales Coast saw little freight traffic this week though there was a movement on Monday with a Wellingborough -Llandudno Junction, arriving at 14:35, and a return working which stages at Bescot. This departed Llandudno Junction at 19:54 so is in the dark at this time of year. However the usually reliable Aberystwyth logs operated on Friday 15/9/23 with an early morning arrival at 04:52 from Chirk of the empties in the Colas siding (aka Aberystwyth run round loop). The train was due to leave at 15:49 from Aberystwyth as 6C55 but lost its path and was cancelled at 17:25, spending the night at Aberystwyth in the loop.

The FO Aberystwyth logs 6C55 was retimed to depart Aberystwyth Saturday at 09:50 but departed early at 09:39 and travelled in daylight via Crewe and Chester giving lots of photo opportunities to linesiders on the way to Chirk Kronospan where it arrived at 15:15. The locos were Class 37s Nos.97303/37405 rather than the usual Class 56 after Shrewsbury.

 

F&WHR 14/9/23

Thursday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day of showers with sunny periods later and temperatures of 14-16C. Thursday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman, and the two WHR through trains.

The first train today was No.87 on the 10:05 The Harbourmaster which left on time. Merddin Emrys arrived next with the 10:45 Mountain Spirit at 10:14 into the FR platform. A large group of sports cars turned up at Tan-y-bwlch at 10:30. David Lloyd George turned up at 10:35 into the WHR platform with the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. The loco ran to the yard to coal and water. At 11:04 the open coach was shunted onto the front of the Woodland Wanderer as weather improved.

At 12:23 No.143 arrived with the Snowdonia Star into the WHR platform. Upnor Castle was shunting coal wagons in the yard. After watering, No.143 rejoined the train at 12:45 ready for the 14:05 return working. Blanche arrived with The Quarryman at 12:48 and was soon shunting the rake clear of the FR platform to create space for later arrivals. DLG arrived at 13:16 into the FR platform with the Woodland Wanderer which was also shunted clear as there was another arrival due.

The Fairlie swop took place and DLG was noted passing Minffordd at 17:04 on the Mountain Spirit to close the day's activities.

 

TPE Nova 3 fleet available for TfW duties

Trans Pennine Express has just revealed it intends to take its Nova 3 loco hauled fleet off lease from 28/4/24. This gives TfW an ideal opportunity to invest in an almost brand new fleet of long distance loco hauled trains utilising the powerful and reliable Class 68 locos. The Mk5 coaches and DVTs used in these rakes give plenty of room for the passengers on the long distance routes. Loco hauled trains could be expanded on Holyhead-Cardiff and reintroduced on Holyhead/Llandudno-Manchester/Birmingham International and other routes where TfW has been scraping the barrel recently and providing wedged Class 150 DMUs!

 

Barmouth Bridge progress 13/9/23

The girders for second span was craned onto the track earlier this week and moved into position on the existing second span to the south of the former swing bridge section on Wednesday. It is not clear how the girders are going to replaced as the bridge deck is believed to be connected to the existing girders. Maybe an overhead crane attached to the top of the new girders will be used to lower cut up components to a floating barge.

 

F&WHR 13/9/23

Wednesday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 14-18C. Wednesday's service pattern was for one FR train, with no Woodland Wanderer trains (withdrawn for a private train to meet the Snowdonia Statesman from High Wycombe) and just the 10:15 Mountain Spirit. The WHR has three trains, two The Aberglaslyn and the Gelert Explorer.

The 10:45 Mountain Spirit was in the FR platform by 10:15. At 11:12 Merddin Emrys pulled into the FR platform with a 10 coach rake for the special working. Run round came at 11.22 and the train departed ECS for Blaenau Ffestiniog at 11:36, passing Minffordd at 11:46 and running round in Blaenau at 13:02. The Statesman arrived at 13:06 from High Wycombe a few minutes late and most transferred to the FR special. It is a pity LSL provided two drab two tone green locos when they have so many colourful liveries to choose from!

 

This westerly view (13/9/23) shows Merddin Emrys running round the Special at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

This westerly view (13/9/23) shows D1935/24 arriving with The Statesman at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Unlike last year the headshunt had been cleared and it was possible for D1935 to run round and help propel the rake into the loop so local services could access the platform. Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a Canon 2000D digital camera.

 

It is believed the Special worked to Tan-y-bwlch and back and gave the passengers a break in the tearooms there before returning ECS to Boston Lodge, passing Minffordd at 17:03.

 

Tan-y-bwlch tearoom closure (16/9/23)

Due to a private function, the Tea Room at Tan-y-Bwlch Station will be closed all day on Saturday 16/9/23. Passengers on Woodland Wanderer trains can buy snacks and refreshments from Spooner's Cafê at Harbour Station to take onto the train at the start of their journey - or bring their own picnic along - to enjoy during the hour long layover at Tan-y-Bwlch Station.

 

F&WHR 12/9/23

Tuesday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for an overcast day with temperatures of 10-16C. Tuesday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman, and the two through WHR trains.

No.143 arrived by 09:45 with The Harbourmaster. Merddin Emrys arrived at 10:06 with the Mountain Spirit into the FR platform with No.143 leaving on the 10:05 shortly afterwards. David Lloyd George arrived with the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer at 10:38. At 10:58 the loco returned from the yard after the Mountain Spirit had left.

No.87 arrived with the Snowdonia Star at 12:28. After watering the Garratt returned to the train at 12:48 while Blanche ran round The Quarryman to shunt the rake to the yard and clear the FR platform for later arrivals. At 13:18 DLG arrived with the return working of the Woodland Wanderer. The Fairlie swop took place and Merddin Emrys left on time with the 14:35 Woodland Wanderer. The loco passed Minffordd at 16:34 with the returning Woodland Wanderer. DLG passed Minffordd at 17:02 with the returning Mountain Spirit to close the day's activities.

 

WHRS weekend timetables 16-17/9/23

This weekend there is a special WHRS Members' Only event - based at Dinas on Saturday, with a special Grand Day Out train on Sunday which will feature double headed Garratts on its return. Further details (including timetables for WHRS special trains) are available on the website @ festrail.co.uk/welsh-highland-society-agm-weekend/

Train graphs are now available for the WHRSoc weekend, Click on Saturday or Sunday on the above link.

If you're not a member already, you can join the Society through the website - https://www.whrsoc.org.uk/

The shuttle starts from Dinas at 10:25, departs Caernarfon at 11:05 and departs from Waunfawr on return at 12:10 to Dinas. There follow two Dinas-Waunfawr shuttles departing Dinas at 12:45 and 13:55 before a final Dinas Caernarfon shuttle at 15:00.

The Sunday Grand Day Out train is the 09:30 from Caernarfon to Boston Lodge Halt for a depot visit. The return journey will be hauled by the Garratt and Vale of Ffestiniog to Beddgelert where the G set will return ECS to Porthmadog hauled by the Funkey and the passengers will join reserved coaches in the Gelert Explorer to be double headed back to Dinas where one Garratt drops off before continuing to Caernarfon. The train will pass Lilla and the Bug Boxes on a 13:45 Dinas-Porthmadog run at Rhyd Ddu.

 

Webmaster's Holiday 11/9/23

Website updates may be reduced over the next several days as your webmaster will be on holiday in the Porthmadog area but may have internet connectivity via 4G.

 

F&WHR 11/9/23

Monday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day light cloud with temperatures of 13-19C with cloud and rain later. Monday's service pattern was for four FR trains, and just one WHR trains, namely the Gelert Explorer.

David Lloyd George was back in action today passing Minffordd at 10:58 on the Mountain Spirit. Merddin Emrys passed Minffordd at 11:21 on the Woodland Wanderer. The Fairlie swop took place at lunchtime and Merddin Emrys took over the Mountain Spirit. The final train of the day was the Mountain Spirit which returned passing Minffordd at 17:00 to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR Calendar

The F&WHR Calendar is now available for sale price £7.99 with 12 A4 images. The calendar comes with a card envelope and a page for each month. See F&WHR shop to order.

 

F&WHR 10/9/23

Sunday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day light cloud with temperatures of 18-24C and a high chance of a thunderstorm in the late afternoon. Sunday's service pattern was for four FR trains, and three WHR trains, namely two The Aberglaslyn trains and the Gelert Explorer.

No.87 was on the ECS for the 10:15 The Aberglaslyn which was in the WHR platform by 09:40. By 10:00 Merddin Emrys arrived with the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit into the FR platform. After David Lloyd George was substituted yesterday by Vale of Ffestiniog it was Lyd's turn to stand in for the sidelines Fairlie today on the Woodland Wanderer, passing Minffordd at 11:21.

No.87 arrived back at 12:57 in the WHR platform with the loco detaching immediately and running to the yard to water. Lyd arrived back at 12:57 into the FR platform with the Woodland Wanderer and Merddin Emrys returned with the Mountain Spirit. At 14:06 the Fairlie rejoined its train as there was no turnover Fairlie to swop with.

Lyd passed Minffordd at 16.36 with the returning Woodland Wanderer and Merddin Emrys at 17:01 with the Mountain Spirit to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 9/9/23

Saturday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 18-23C. Saturday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman and just the two through WHR trains.

No.87 arrived with the ECS for the 10:05 The Harbourmaster in the WHR platform by 09:30 followed by David Lloyd George on the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit into the FR platform. No.87 left on time while DLG ran round.

At 13:30 No.143 had run round the Snowdonia Star ready for the 14:05 return working in the WHR platform. Vale of Ffestiniog was shunting the yard. At 13:55 the Funkey coupled up to the Mountain Spirit and DLG headed off to Boston Lodge maybe after discovering a problem. At 14:15 Merddin Emrys shunted the Woodland Wanderer back to the platform at 14:15 for the 14:35 departure. At 14:40 Blanche shunted The Quarryman rake to the FR platform and left on time at 15:05.

Vale of Ffestiniog pulled into the WHR platform at 17:14 with the Mountain Spirit and Merddin Emrys departed with the ECS Woodland Wanderer. The Funkey ran round straight away and departed with the ECS at 17:25 to close the day.

 

Loco Roster 9-15/9/23

This coming week there will be up to six steam locos in service.
On the Ffestiniog Railway: David Lloyd George and Merddin Emrys will be in charge of services from Porthmadog, while Blanche will pull trains starting in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
In addition, Merddin Emrys will be in charge of a special charter train on Wednesday...
The details of the Welsh Highland Railway loco roster have not been published yet - but the duties will be covered by two or more of the NG/G16 Garratt locomotives...
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NOTE: This information is provided in good faith, solely as a guide, but could be subject to change at any time.

 

Timetable 9/9/23-15/9/23

Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright F&WHR.

 

Corris' new Hughes loco arrives 8/9/23

The Corris Railway in the Dulas Valley north of Machynlleth received their new Hughes Falcon 0-4-2 steam loco No.10 on 30/8/23. This project cost over £400,000 and over a decade of work. The TR purchased the final two operational Corris locos from BR in the 1950s and they have been running on the TR ever since, sometimes appearing at Galas on the CR. The CR now has replicas of both original locos and a special day for supporters saw No.10 haul its first passenger trains on Friday 8/9/23 before a public launch on Saturday 9/9/23. For more details see the CR's Falcon Loco website. The CR will now focus all its fund raising on its southern extension to a new loop at Pont Evans where the railway resumes its roadside character. See CR Southern Extension website.

Trains operate on Saturdays until 21/10/23. To book, see CR website.

 

Click on the YouTube link to watch 17 minutes 27 seconds of video covering the launch of the Corris Railway No.10. This video was published on 9/9/23. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by the Tal-y-llyn Railway on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

North Wales main line freight

The Aberystwyth Logs ran on Friday 8/9/23. The previous week the train ran exceptionally on Sunday 3/9/23 and Colas liveried No.56096 was traction for part of the journey.

 

F&WHR 8/9/23

Friday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 17-23C. Friday's service pattern was for four FR trains and just one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer.

The two Fairlies shared the duties today on the Mountain Spirit and Woodland Wanderer. David Lloyd George passed Minffordd at 10:53 on the Mountain Spirit followed by Merddin Emrys on the Woodland Wanderer. The locos swopped duties at lunchtime and the final train of the day was Merddin Emrys hauling the Mountain Spirit passing Minffordd at 16:54 to close the day's activities.

 

Barmouth Bridge upgrade 7/9/23

Work took place on the Barmouth Bridge replacement metal girders late last week. A large crane was delivered to Morfa Mawddach base and moved the first pair of girders through 90 degrees onto a trolley system on the railway. A road rail vehicle propelled the two girders slowly across the wooden viaduct to lie between the more northerly girders that rest on the former swing bridge opening mechanism. Work continues to refurbish the piers that support the girders. The girders appear to be a like for like replacement. For 40 more images of Barmouth Bridge reconstruction see We Love Green Spaces in Barmouth Facebook Page.

 

May be an image of 8 people, train, railway, the Panama Canal and text that says "2 LL" No photo description available.

These views of Barmouth Bridge reconstruction (7/9/23) show the new girders for the former opening span being moved into the matching location. Click on the images to enlarge. Image courtesy 'We Love Green Spaces in Barmouth' Facebook page.

 

F&WHR 7/9/23

Thursday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a day of light cloud with sunny periods later with temperatures of 20-27C. Thursday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman, and the two through WHR trains. At 10:12 the early morning PW train returned to Minffordd Yard from the east. Harlech Castle hauled the Mess coach No.111 and PW wagons No.95, Nos.188/186 and No.98.

First up was No.87 which hauled the 10:05 The Harbourmaster but did not depart until 10:16. The Mountain Spirit was already present at 10:00 in the FR platform but it appeared the run round was extended so the Fairlie may have been taking coal and water as it departed directly with the ECS without doing so the previous evening. David Lloyd George was coupled up at 10:25 ready for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit while the second Fairlie started out with the ECS for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer from Boston Lodge. Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting in the depot while Merddin Emrys arrived on the ECS at 10:34. Run round came straight away before the Mountain Spirit departed on time at 10:45.

The busy lunch hour was as expected. At 12:43 No.130 arrived on the Snowdonia Star with the Garratt uncoupling minutes later and running to the yard to tank up. Blanche arrives next in the FR platform at 12:51 and ran round at 12:54 during a shower. At 13:00 the loco shunted its rake to the yard to clear the FR platform for the next arrival. At 13:25 the Woodland Wanderer arrived and at 13:33 the rake was propelled and shunted to the yard to clear the platform for the following Mountain Spirit. At 13:48 DLG arrived in the FR platform with the Mountain Spirit and the loco ran round t 13:56. The Fairlie swop took place and the Mountain Spirit left at 14:11. The 14:05 return working of the Snowdonia Star left from the WHR platform at 14:17. At 14:26 the Woodland Wanderer was shunted back to platform for the 14:35 departure. At 15:12 Blanche departed with the return working of the 15:05 The Quarryman.

The trains started returning after 4pm as usual. The Woodland Wanderer passed Minffordd at 16:45 and arrived at about 17:00. The Mountain Spirit followed at 17:23 through Minffordd, arriving at about 17:35 in Porthmadog. The ECS was disposed at about 18:00 to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 6/9/23

Wednesday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a sunny day with temperatures of 20-24C. Wednesday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman, and the three WHR trains, namely two The Aberglaslyn trains and the Gelert Explorer.

The first train today was the ECS for The Aberglaslyn which arrived in the WHR platform at 09:35 hauled by No.130. Merddin Emrys arrived with the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit next into the FR platform at 10:13. David Lloyd George followed, arriving at 10:22 in the WHR platform with the ECS for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. Both locos ran round at 10:25.

The Fairlie swop occurred and the Woodland Wanderer left on time just after 14:35 with Merddin Emrys. Blanche was shunting at 14:48 to propel the 15:05 The Quarryman rake to the FR platform, which left on time.

The first train back was No.87 on The Aberglaslyn having swopped locos with the Gelert Explorer at Beddgelert. The ECS departed soon after Merddin Emrys arrived at 16:43 with the returning Woodland Wanderer. The ECS departed before the Mountain Spirit arrived so DLG was able to run straight into the FR platform unusually. The loco detached and went to coal and water before running round at 17:35. The ECS left at 17:39 to close the day's activities.

 

Welsh Pony failure

Welsh Pony has had to be withdrawn from traffic after being declared a failure at the end of August. This, of course, means that the loco will be unable to take part in the Bygones Weekend event.
General Manager Paul Lewin has provided further information: "For those who will doubtless want to know - one of WP’s crank pins was recorded as moving within the wheel. We can fix this but it requires us to lift the loco and drop out the wheelsets. This also means removing the valve gear. We are just in the process of planning this work but it might take some time as there is other work currently in hand on other locos requiring the same space and equipment."
The other locos mentioned in the Loco Report include James Spooner, Linda and Taliesin - plus the regular winter maintenance for Merddin Emrys and David Lloyd George - so it will be some months before Welsh Pony is returned to traffic.
🟢 The F&WHR delayed making this announcement as Welsh Pony had been due to travel to Devon for the upcoming Lynton & Barnstaple Railway gala - as a replacement for Russell from the WHHR, which itself had been taken out of traffic by the WHHR. The F&WHR therefore, thought it only appropriate that the L&BR had the opportunity to update their supporters themselves, before the F&WHR announced any changes to their plans.
The F&WHR are, however, pleased to confirm that LILLA and HUGH NAPIER will instead be making their way to Devon as the guest locos for the L&BR's Autumn Gala on 23-24/9/23.
ℹ️ BYGONES WEEKEND - following Welsh Pony's withdrawal, the event timetable is unchanged, but the F&WHR has amended the loco and stock diagrams. The latest version of the 'Daily Highlights' lists have been uploaded to the F&WHR website - and can be seen at https://www.festrail.co.uk/bygones-weekend/.

 

NLHF September update 6/8/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 4 minutes 33 seconds of video covering the progress with the historic buildings and new Small Loco Shed at Boston Lodge This video was published on 6/8/23. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

F&WHR 5/9/23

Tuesday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a sunny day with temperatures of 16-28C. Tuesday's service pattern was for five FR trains, including The Quarryman, and the two through WHR trains. At 08:00 Vale of Ffestiniog cam up light engine to Minffordd and at 08:06 reversed into the yard. At 08:32 the Funkey emerged from the yard with the Romanian ballast wagon and 3 minutes later propelled it towards Boston Lodge.

At 09:45 No.130 arrived with the ECS for The Harbourmaster and the loco went to water in the yard at 09:50. David Lloyd George arrived with the Mountain Spirit at 10:02 and the Garratt made its way back to the WHR platform. The Harbourmaster departed at 10:11 some 6 minutes late. Merddin Emrys turned up at 10:38 with the ECS for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. The Fairlie ran round quickly and the Mountain Spirit left on time.

No.87 arrived with the Snowdonia Star at 12:25 and the loco detached and ran to the yard to water 5 minutes later. Meanwhile, the Funkey propelled the Romanian ballast wagon back into Minffordd Yard at 12:27 before emerging from the yard and departing towards Boston Lodge at 12:51 light engine. The Garratt had run round in the WHR platform by 13:10 and Blanche was shunting in the yard having arrived on The Quarryman and shunted the rake clear of the FR platform. The Woodland Wanderer arrived at 13:17 and at 13:24 the Fairlie propelled the rake out of the station and back into the yard to clear the platform for the Mountain Spirit. The Fairlie swop took place and the afternoon working departed then Blanche was shunting its rake back to the FR platform at 14:50 ready for the 15:05 return working of The Quarryman.

After 16:00 trains began to return to base with No.130 being the first arriving at 16:27. The ECS had to await the arrival of the Fairlie at 16:44 with the Woodland Wanderer. The ECS from this in turn had to await Merddin Emrys with the arrival of the Mountain Spirit into the WHR platform at 17:15. The final ECS left at 17:44 to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 4/9/23

Monday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a sunny day with temperatures of 19-28C. Monday's service pattern was for four FR trains and just one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer.

Vale of Ffestiniog was first today bringing an ECS into the WHR platform before 09:45, possibly The Aberglaslyn rake! Merddin Emrys arrived at about 10:15 with the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit to the FR platform. The Funkey ran round at 10:20 at the same time as the Fairlie. The WHR platform was needed for the Woodland Wanderer which was due in ECS at about 10:30. In fact David Lloyd George arrived with the ECS arrived at 10:35 and with the mystery ECS still blocking the WHR platform, the Woodland Wanderer had to enter the FR yard instead. Once the 10:45 departed it was possible to shunt the rake into the FR platform as the loco had already run round in the yard. The mystery ECS eventually departed at 11:02 back to Boston Lodge. This was followed by the 11:10 which left on time.

 

This easterly view (4/9/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog arriving at Porthmadog in the WHR platform where it stayed for well over an hour, blocking other timetabled movements. Eventually it left ECS back to the depot at 11:02. The rake may have been stabled at Porthmadog because of congestion and the need to shunt the Carriage Shed at Boston Lodge but the through road or one of the Carriage sidings could have been used with less disruption to other services. Click on the image to enlarge. Click again to enlarge fully (if available) This image is copyright F&WHR and was taken on a webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

 

DLG arrived back in the WHR platform at 13:00 and ran to the yard to fuel and water promptly. The Mountain Spirit pulled in later and the locos swopped by 13:50 ready for the 14:10 departure. Merddin Emrys coupled to the Woodland Wanderer at 14:30 which left on time 5 minutes later.

At the end of the afternoon trains returned to Porthmadog. At 17:15 Merddin Emrys was subject to a short delay running round as the yard crossover needed to be manually wound over. The following train, the Mountain Spirit was held at the home signal on the Cob and eventually rolled in behind DLG at 17:33. Merddin Emrys departed with its ECS at 17:39 while DLG ran to get water and fuel shortly afterwards. the loco returned to its train at 18:02 and departed with the ECS at 18:08 to close the days activities.

 

Phase 1 images

The 40 mile Dream page features the Phase 1 History and a small selection of the images your webmaster took of the building of phase 1 of the WHR. The new Phase 1 page will cover all the images from that period. For example there are 3 images questionably dated 30/8/95 but there were 12 in all including two covering the FR. See Phase 1 page for new images.

 

F&WHR 3/9/23

Sunday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a sunny day with temperatures of 15-20C, though starting with sea mist indicating a change in the weather from the generally cold cloudy damp weather of July/August. Sunday's service pattern was for four FR trains and three WHR trains, namely two The Aberglaslyn trains and the Gelert Explorer.

Garratt turned up with the ECS for the 10:15 The Aberglaslyn at 09:45 as the sea mist was clearing and the sun came out to herald a fine warm day. David Lloyd George arrived in the FR platform shortly after 10:00 with the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit and the loco had run round by 10:15. Merddin Emrys arrived later with the ECS for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer into the WHR platform. The run round came before the 10:45 departed.

The Fairlie swop occurred at lunchtime. Trains began to return after 16:00 with The Aberglaslyn first followed by the Woodland Wanderer at about 16:50 with DLG in charge. Finally Merddin Emrys arrived back at 17:11 with the Mountain Spirit allowing DLG to depart with its ECS a minute later. Merddin Emrys ran to the yard to fuel and water as normal after the ECS had left. The loco returned about 15 minutes later and departed with the ECS to close the day's activities.

 

Bygones Gala will feature James Spooner

Click on the image to enlarge and reveal details of the FR's Bygones event which will feature new Fairlie James Spooner, gravity slate trains from the Power Station Summit and even a few additional services on the WHR to Beddgelert with Lyd. This image is courtesy F&WHR.

 

Glan-y-pwll video 2/9/23

David Laister has kindly published a Facebook video of the rarely seen preparation of The Quarryman. This stables in the new carriage shed at Glan-y-pwll and, after extraction from the shed, the rake is propelled down the branch to Glan-y-pwll Junction before working forward into Blaenau Ffestiniog ECS to pick up its passengers.

 

F&WHR 2/9/23

Saturday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for a sunny day with temperatures of 13-21C. Saturday's service pattern was for five FR trains including The Quarryman and just two through WHR trains.

Merddin Emrys hauled the 10:45 Mountain Spirit passing Minffordd at 10:55 on time. David Lloyd George followed on the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer passing Minffordd at 11:20 on time with a well loaded train. At 12:27 No.130 arrived on the Snowdonia Star at 12:23 and the loco ran to the yard to water a few minutes later. The loco waited to complete its run round while Blanche arrived in the FR platform at 12:58 with The Quarryman. It was coupled up by 13:05 ready for the return working at 14:05. Blanche also ran round to shunt its rake clear of the FR platform to the yard and leave it free for the return of the two FR trains.

The Woodland Wanderer arrived in the FR platform at 13:25 hauled by DLG. The rake was propelled out of the platform and hauled back into the yard at 13:32 to clear the FR platform for the arrival of the Mountain Spirit which arrived behind Merddin Emrys at 13:53. The Fairlie swop took place shortly afterwards and the Garratt departed to Caernarfon on time. As soon as the Woodland Wanderer departed, Blanche shunted its train to the FR platform for the 15:05 return working of The Quarryman, which left on time.

First of the returnees was No.87 on The Harbourmaster which pulled in at 16:48, some 23 minutes late. Merddin Emrys arrived minutes later at 16:51 with the Woodland Wanderer so the Garratt was able to leave with the ECS without delay at 16:56. The Fairlie ran round at 17:00 and pulled forwards to the starter to await the incoming Mountain Spirit. DLG ran to coal and water as soon as the ECS left and rejoined its train at 17:40. The ECS departed 3 minutes later to close the day's activities.

 

This westerly view (1/9/23) shows David Lloyd George arriving at Porthmadog in the late afternoon sunshine on the returning Mountain Spirit while Merddin Emrys waits in the FR platform to take the Woodland Wanderer ECS back to the depot. Click on the image to enlarge. Click again to enlarge fully (if available) This image is copyright F&WHR and was taken on a webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

 

Timetable 2/9/23-8/9/23

Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright F&WHR.

 

Loco roster 2-8/9/23

With the main Summer Holiday period behind us, the F&WHR train services are easing into a fresh pattern for the Autumn. Fewer trains requires fewer locomotives, so this coming week there will 'only' be SIX steam locos in service...
On the Ffestiniog Railway: David Lloyd George and Merddin Emrys will be in charge of services from Porthmadog, while Blanche will haul trains starting in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The Welsh Highland Railway will see all three members of our fleet of NG/G16 Garratt locomotives in action, Nos. 87/130/143 sharing the loco roster between them.
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NOTE: This information is provided in good faith, solely as a guide, but could be subject to change at any time.

 

The Baldwin No.608 mystery

It had escaped your webmaster's notice that the FR's Baldwin No.608 had visited Dinas. This loco has had various unsuccessful outings on the FR and WHR which have ended in notable failures during tests or photo-calls since it arrived at Boston Lodge in October 2019. The loco has never featured in a public event or been available for public haulage. After its latest failure the loco was again repaired at Boston Lodge and moved to Dinas on 25/5/23 for some light engine test running. On 9/7/23 it ran light engine from Dinas to Caernarfon in its wartime drab green camouflage livery for the first time and since this is a new section of the WHR, this was the first time a Baldwin had visited Caernarfon!

The loco has had a very low profile on the F&WHR and not much has been said about its future, presumably to avoid taking the shine off the launch of No.590 (actually No.794) at the WHHR. Sadly, No.590 failed with a hot bearing and did not make it to the WHR100 event (23-25/6/23) much to the annoyance of many enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it seems No.608 was not quite ready to step into the breech on the day but finally appeared 2 weeks later on its test run to Caernarfon. The Baldwin story has gone quiet again since July with the WHHR saying the No.590 repair will take some time due to its unusual bar frame design and might be subject to negotiation with the restorers at the VoR. Nothing further has been heard about No.608 either.

While the reappearance of No.590 for general passenger train use on the WHHR may be a longer term question it seems there is nothing to stop No.608 appearing in Gala use on the F&WHR unless subject to some secret agreements between the F&WHR and the WHHR. Last year No.608 was due to appear at the WHR Members Day in September but failed to do so at the last minute leading to what many described as a 'damp squib' event. Let us hope that No.608 appears at the WHRS Members Weekend (16-17/9/23) this year as it is listed as available for footplate rides for the second year running (see below)!

 

WHR Society Members' Weekend 16-17/9/23

The AGM weekend will be a 'Members Only' event focussing on some of the projects the WHR Society has been supporting and providing information about some exciting projects to come. There will be a chance to get up close to the NG15 as it enters its final stages of restoration and a rare opportunity for a detailed tour of Boston Lodge to see at first hand the building work and plans for the future.
Please note that although this is a Members Only Event, accompanied guest day tickets are available should members wish to bring a friend or relative along with them. There is a small charge for this as indicated below.

Saturday 16/9/23
Members are free but must book (see below),
Accompanied guests - £15.00.
Based in Caernarfon – Dinas – Waunfawr section.
Additional shuttle trains for members (times and traction not specified):
Caernarfon – Dinas – Waunfawr – Dinas – Waunfawr – Dinas – Caernarfon.

In Dinas Goods Shed open 09:00 to 16:00:

• NG15 information stand and items for sale
• WHRSoc stand, information about volunteering and Winter Works programme. A chance to
chat about how to get involved and the various jobs to be done.
• Information about volunteer accommodation including Station View, Motorhome Aire,
Snowdonia Parc camping.
• Light refreshments
• Pre-owned bookstall.
• Dinas redevelopment plan and information


Dinas Loco Shed and yard:

Yard open 09:00, activities from 10:00:
• NG15 and workshop tours will start from the NG15 stand at regular intervals. Book in at the stand.
• Baldwin No.608 in steam for footplate rides (subject to availability)
• Lilla in Steam offering ‘Drive an engine’ opportunities.


Waunfawr:
• Informative talk on the micro ETS project by Roland Doyle when shuttle train arrives. 12:15 and 13:30.

AGM Notes: Caffi de Winton will remain open on Saturday evening with food from their normal menu with last orders for food at 18:30. They will stay open until 19:00 for pre-AGM drinks. Menu includes toasties, paninis, and jacket potatoes.

Sunday 17/9/23
Special Train Caernarfon to Boston Lodge for depot visit

*Must be booked in advance*
Members £11.00, Accompanied guests £40.00, both include a Gelert Picnic Lunch.
Caffi De Winton open from 08:15 for breakfast baps to eat in or take on the train.
• Special train, Garratt hauled departing Caernarfon at 9:30 for Boston Lodge, picking up at Dinas, Waunfawr, Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert.
• Arrival at Boston Lodge 11:45 for guided tour including the new Carriage Shed facilities and the latest developments and plans.
• The F&WHR has been lucky to acquire, at scrap value, two ten-year-old electric tunnelling contractor locomotives. These were last used on the Tideway project under the Thames. The locos will be used as a test bed to better understand the challenges of working with electric vehicles in the future. It is hoped to use them for shunting and short trip works trains from Boston Lodge and Dinas. These will be available for you to see during your visit.
• Depart Boston Lodge 13:30. Train double headed with a Garratt plus Vale of Ffestiniog to Beddgelert.
• At Beddgelert, swap over into reserved carriages on the Gelert Explorer service back to Caernarfon with double headed Garratts arriving at 16:00.

To book your attendance for the weekend:

Visit: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/festrail/items/484314/
Or telephone our booking office on 01766 516024.
Remember you will need your membership card details so have it with you.

 

Bygones Weekend 6-8/10/23

Full timetables are now available for the FR's Bygones Gala from Friday 6/1023-Sunday 8/10/23 unlike for the WHR soc Members' Weekend. See Bygones Event website. On Friday 6/10/23 Lyd will haul two trains from Porthmadog to Beddgelert. All other WHR services are suspended that day. New Fairlie James Spooner will be on display in a gathering of 3 Double Fairlies in the evening at Porthmadog.

 

Click on the image to expand for Friday's Bygones services.

 

On Saturday there are the two through WHR services, The Harbourmaster/Snowdonia Star and James Spooner will feature on display at Porthmadog and in a Night Glow photo call with freight at Minffordd.

 

Click on the image to expand for Saturday's Bygones services.

 

Sunday sees James Spooner on display in Harbour Station again and a Gelert Explorer on the WHR but no WHR services out of Porthmadog.

 

Click on the image to expand for Sunday's Bygones services.

 

Calls for Oswestry-Gobowen reopening

Lib Dem MP for Shropshire North Helen Morgan has called on the Tories to make a decision to fund the reopening of the short Oswestry-Gobowen rail link. The link was one of the 13 successful applicants in the third round of the 'Roll Back Beeching' policy. A full business case was made 12 months ago and the Government missed its own deadline to make a decision by this Spring. The railway has two Class 143 units ready for use and owns the bay platform at Gobowen. One problem is the obstructive attitude of the Highways Authority which objects to reopening the level crossing across the busy A5 trunk road just east of Oswestry. However, recently the HA has been overruled for the A21 level crossing on the K&ESR extension to Robertsbridge so there is hope. The rails are still present across the A5 and all the signage and crossing lights equipment are still present. An intermediate halt at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital just east of the A5 adds weight to the case for the reopening.

 

F&WHR 1/9/23

Friday's weather forecast for Porthmadog was for an improving day with sunny periods in the afternoon and temperatures of 14-19C. Friday's service pattern was for four FR trains and just one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer trains. This represents a sharp end to the peak season with only one train departing Caernarfon. The timetable beginning Saturday 2/9/23, loses both the Woodland Wanderer additional trains and The Cwellyn.

The first train today was David Lloyd George on the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit which arrived in the FR platform at 10:18. The loco uncoupled promptly and shunted the extra Observation Car onto the front of the rake from the seawall siding. Merddin Emrys arrived with the ECS for the Woodland Wanderer but the run round had to await the departure of the Mountain Spirit.

At 13:40 Merddin Emrys ran to the signalbox ready for the Fairlie swop after coaling and watering as DLG approached across The Cob. The swop duly took place and the train left on time with Merddin Emrys running to the yard to coal and water after it departed. Lyd turned up light engine by 14:20 in the WHR platform returning from its outstabling duties on The Cwellyn at Dinas now those services have finished for the season. The loco departed for Boston Lodge at 14:22. Upnor Castle returned to the yard at 14:52 with a brakevan soon after the 14:35 had cleared The Cob section. The train departed hauling two B wagons of loco ash at 15:00. At 15:11, the 3 wagons were propelled into Minffordd yard. B1848 appeared loaded whereas B1834/5 were empty.

 

This westerly view (1/9/23) shows Upnor Castle arriving at Porthmadog hauling van No.51. Click on the image to enlarge. Click again to enlarge fully (if available) This image is copyright F&WHR and was taken on a webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

 

At 15:53 Upnor Castle emerged from the yard with the three wagons, now all filled with coal but with the van left in the yard. Two minutes later the loco propelled the train back towards Porthmadog. At 16:43 DLG arrived unusually in the WHR platform with the returning Woodland Wanderer. Attention was being given to the points at the time. DLG completed its run round at 17:05 as Merddin Emrys approached across The Cob with the returning Mountain Spirit, arriving by 17:10 into the FR platform. This allowed DLG to depart at 17:11 with its ECS while Merddin Emrys went to coal and water. The final movement was at 17:25 with Merddin Emrys rejoining it train and departing with the ECS to close the day's activities.

 

Loco refurbishment report

New Fairlie James Spooner is nearing the end of its building programme with paintwork being applied. It will be turned out in a Victorian plum livery similar to Welsh Pony. The loco will feature at the FR's Bygones Gala in October and may make some shunting moves in Porthmadog station. A full launch into passenger service will feature after a special train for those who contributed to the appeal to build the loco.

The new blue Hunslet loco Moel-yr-Hydd purchased from Adrian Shooter's collection will be fitted with air brakes and replace Moel Hebog as the S&T loco. Moel Hebog will be retired and stored as a vintage loco for occasional use e.g. in Galas featuring diesel traction.

With the Tideway Sewage Tunnel project coming to an end in London, the FR took advantage of the sale of its battery powered tunnel construction locos and associated spares. The FR missed out on the first pair to be lifted out of the shaft but these were 20 tonne locos anyway and so beyond the FR's axle loading. However contractors Costain accepted £12,000 for the second pair of 0-4-0 locos and spare parts which at 14 tonnes each were marginally within the FR's axle loading. The spares include 6 batteries and four chargers. The locos are 10 years old and will have to be regauged from 750 to 600mm gauge. Fortunately the design of axle anticipated the pressing in of wheels to 610mm and with a bit of extra work to the FR's 600mm gauge. The locos will allow the FR to experiment with battery loco technology possibly initially as depot shunters at Boston Lodge and Dinas with instant availability. Let us hope the battery technology does not disappoint as much as battery powered cars which rarely get more than 50% of the distance claimed by the battery indicator before requiring a charge or the locos may never venture along the F&WHR as PW locos for fear of running out!

Volunteer progress with Taliesin paused a couple of years ago but now Boston Lodge staff are working on the firebox stays, replacing a row at a time. This is a slow project and the boiler must be re-tubed before hydraulic testing. The power bogie must also be refurbished as it will be the first time this seventh Fairlie bogie will have received attention.

Progress with Linda saw its boiler tested during COVID. Some additional work was done last winter by was halted when David Lloyd George needed completion. Linda will reed a new hydraulic test to give it a 10 year life on its boiler. The new tender fittings are nearing completion with a new coal bunker and water tank. The loco will appear in green livery and be available by Xmas. Eventually new slide valve cylinders will be required in 5-10 years time and will soon be finished and put in store thanks to fund raising efforts.

At Dinas, there is rapid progress with NG15 No.134. The cladding sheets for the boiler have been rolled in a mangle to the correct curvature. The main change for the weekend was that volunteers swapped the tender and loco around in the Loco Shed so as the tender could be moved to the Goods Shed later in the week to enable the tanks to be prepared for painting. The Goods Shed is a far cleaner environment to do such jobs, and indeed is where the previously sandblasted cladding sheets are currently being painted with a first undercoat applied to the inside of the sheets in August.

With the tank up the volunteers were able to fit the lubrication pipework needed for the tender bogie centre pivots. This lubrication will be provided by a pair of oil-pots just underneath the tender body on the outside of the frames and so the mounting brackets for these were made ready for fitting next time. A small amount of work was also done on the brake rigging on both the tender and loco, though this still needs further work to fully complete.

On the tender, the vacuum pipework was progressed resulting in the addition of the rear vacuum pipe stanchion and dolly. The pipework now runs half way down the tender body to the vacuum cylinder location. All that remains to do now is to connect the vacuum cylinder and then two straight pipe runs to the front ready for the flexible hose connection to the loco. There is hope the loco will be completed next year.

England original side tank replica Mountaineer is making steady progress away from the railway. On 19/8/23 it became a rolling chassis at North bay Railway Engineering Services, Darlington. The original side tank loco was scrapped after just 13 years in 1879. The next job is to fit the valve gear but some £24,000 is required to be raised first. This loco will fill a gap in the FR's history but it is a pity there is currently no similar project to make a replica of WHR single Fairlie Moel Tryfan which as an 0-6-4T would be a much more powerful loco and both useful and appropriate on WHR services such as The Cwellyn.

 

Inaugural Meeting of Heritage Group CIO 8/10/23

The Welsh Highland Railway Heritage Group is being reconstituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and existing members will be simply transferred over. The inaugural meeting will take place during the FR's Bygones Weekend on Saturday 8/10/23 in Waunfawr Station building starting at 14:00. This change in status allows the organisation to apply for charitable grants and apply for Gift Aid etc.

 

Cambrian Christmas

The CHR at Oswestry will be running Santa trains to its Weston Wharf terminus during the first 3 weekends of December. The railway suffered a vandal attack at its isolated Llynclys site twice in July, spraying a DMU with graffiti, breaking doors and damaging an 08 shunter.

 

Barmouth Bridge footpath closed

Because of the bridge renewal works, the footpath across Barmouth bridge will be closed from 31/8/23 to 3/12/23.

 

Some years in our live 2011-2022 YouTube Video of F&WHR (March 2023)

Click on the YouTube link to watch 56 minutes 38 seconds of compiled video from 2011-2022 covering FR events. This YouuTube was published in March 2023 but your webmaster missed it as he was in hospital for 2 months at that time. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

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