F&WHR events 2023

SuperPower will not return for 2023. Instead there will be a WHRSoc Members' Weekend in September to match the Society AGM. The major WHR event of the year will be the WHR 100 Event. WHRSoc Weekend in September 2022 was relatively poorly attended and the promised Baldwin did not turn up at Dinas due to mechanical problems leading some to describe the event, for which they had travelled a long distance, as a 'damp squib'. The event features trains on both the Saturday and Sunday. Let us hope that the Baldwin is made fit enough over Winter to reliably participate in the 2023 WHR 100 event or the September Members' Weekend. As last year, it seems the Snowdonian Limited has been dropped from the schedule and a Members' Weekend has been reinstated rather than a Members' Day for the WHRSoc AGM 16/9/23.

Peter Manisty award for Slate Wagons project 13/3/23

For almost 40 years the Ffestiniog Team have been working to preserve North Wales’ Slate Heritage alongside running an enormously popular tourist railway. The HRA has awarded its most prestigious award - the Peter Manisty Award for Excellence - to the Ffestiniog Team that has rescued, restored and continues to restore and operate the unique gravity slate train. Based at the railway’s Boston Lodge Works (itself the subject of a current £4m heritage development project) the team have rescued over 200 waggons; thought to be the largest collection of heritage waggons indigenous to a particular railway. These are available for public viewing during special events held at the railway throughout the year. As part of the National Lottery funded project, new volunteers will be invited to join special workshops to learn the skills associated with the collection and to also get involved themselves.

The Peter Manisty Award is not granted every year and is only awarded for exceptional achievements in the heritage railway world. The Team’s submission not only included preservation work on the train, but also their success in constructing a building to house the 200 waggons in Minffordd Yard, the creation of a workshop in the original forge building at Boston Lodge and all the work needed to operate the train safely in the 21st Century. The railway was originally graded downhill all the way from Blaenau to Porthmadog but now has a summit at the Power Station so the gravity train only operates between Dduallt and Porthmadog.

Paul Lewin (FR GM) said 'The award could not come at a better time. The efforts of this team over more than thirty years are truly outstanding and it is more than overdue that their contribution to railway conservation should come into focus. The team involved are one of the longest standing and most committed in the world of railway preservation. We are working hard to tell our story of the Ffestiniog Railway’s part in the slate industry world heritage site. The gravity train really brings that alive and shortly visitors will be able to hear the full story, learn new skills and get involved, but for now we will be taking a little time to celebrate this award and the achievements of over three decades work.'

F&WHR 11/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Saturday 11/3/23 was for a cold cloudy day with rain in the afternoon and temperatures rising to 9C in the evening as the cold snap breaks. Snow was forecast for Blaenau Ffestiniog and around Rhyd Ddu in the afternoon. There was lying snow at Tan-y-bwlch and on the Rhinogs to quite low levels. The temperature is forecast to warm to double figures by Sunday. No trains were noted on Saturday.

F&WHR 10/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Friday 10/3/23 was for a sunny day with a maximum temperatures of 6C but snow forecast for Blaenau Ffestiniog and around Rhyd Ddu until midday. There was lying snow at Tan-y-bwlch and on the Rhinogs to quite low levels. The temperature is forecast to warm to double figures by Monday.

At 08:52 Moelwyn arrived light engine wrong line at Minffordd from Boston Lodge. Two minutes later the loco reversed into the yard. At 10:27 Moelwyn left yard propelling six slate wagons into the station. Two minutes later the train departed towards Boston Lodge.

This westerly view (10/3/23) shows Moelwyn propelling a slate wagon rake out of Minffordd Yard at 08:52 presumably for attention at Boston Lodge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 9/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Thursday 9/3/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 4C but snow and sleet forecast and in Blaenau Ffestiniog and around Rhyd Ddu until Friday midday. There was lying snow at Tan-y-bwlch. The short cold snap is forecast for a few days before the temperature is forecast to warm to double figures by Monday.

The Porthmadog webcam was offline in the morning but the other FR webcams showed a little snow at Minffordd and accumulations at Tan-y-bwlch. The Minffordd webcam was a little jerky later in the day, possibly suffering from wet weather.

In a repeat of yesterday's practice runs, the Funkey turned up at Minffordd home signal at 09:58 before hauling its 3 coach rake into the station at 10:04 signalled manually. At 10:15 Vale of Ffestiniog ran round and departed back to Porthmadog at 10:22. It seems that the blizzard persuade staff not to make a run to Blaenau Ffestiniog as yesterday which was a pity as Tan-y-bwlch looked quite pretty decked out with full snow cover in the morning.

This westerly view (9/3/23) shows the wintry scene at Tan-y-bwlch at 10am. It is a pity that no trains ran through Tan-y-bwlch today. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 8/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Wednesday 8/3/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 3C but snow or sleet forecast for Thursday and in Blaenau Ffestiniog and around Rhyd Ddu until Friday midday. A little snow was still visible on the Rhinogs and a dusting above Harlech. There is a short cold snap for a few days before the temperature is forecast to warm to double figures by next weekend.

At 09:40 Harlech Castle propelled the PW train and FR Mess car out of Minffordd Yard so it must have returned there late the previous day. Pressure cleaning of the platforms was continuing at the west end of Tan-y-bwlch today.

Vale of Ffestiniog was noted on a 3 coach test train today heading up the FR. At 10:21 it arrived at Minffordd Home signal and waited for several minutes even though the points were set. At 10:28 the train ran into the station and at 11:06 the loco ran round departing back towards Porthmadog 4 minutes later. The train was back at 12:37 and was manually signalled wrong line into Minffordd. A second run saw the train arrive in Tan-y-bwlch at 14:33 in a blizzard and proceed towards Blaenau Ffestiniog at 14:38.

This westerly view (8/3/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog arriving with the test train at Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The same train returned through Tan-y-bwlch wrong line at 16:54 and continued after less than 1 minute towards Porthmadog, passing Minffordd at 17:35..

Loco fleet news 8/3/23

Merddin Emrys is almost ready for its steam test and will be the early season mainstay along with Blanche, Welsh Pony and Lyd on the FR. David Lloyd George will join later in the season. It's boiler is expected back from re-tubing at Israel Newton's by the end of March and will be reassembled quickly. Linda, currently stored in the Old Loco shed following winter work, will be completed and join the fleet later in the season giving the sight of two Ladies at work for the first time in several years. Blanche will be the standby loco in the early season.

James Spooner, the new Fairlie, has been trial fitted with tanks but these are now coming off for work behind them. The loco will be sand blasted and painted soon and there is a chance it might be steamed late in the season. Vale of Ffestiniog developed some engine problems early in March on PW trains and received some corrective attention. Its appearance on ECS trains on the FR on 8-9/3/23 might have been test trains to see if the problem was fixed.

On the WHR, Garratts Nos. 87/143 are in good condition and will haul the early season trains. No.130 will join them later in the season. The boiler cladding in currently receiving paintwork attention after discovery of corrosion less than 2 years into service. The cladding is being sand blasted, primed and painted before the loco returns to traffic in a few weeks giving the WHR three Garratts to run its increased services. The WHR's rescue loco, Funkey Caernarfon Castle, is performing well and is available for duty.

Moving Pictures No.76 YouTube 8/3/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 27 minutes 18 seconds of video covering the maintenance of locos at Boston Lodge. This video was published on 10/3/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional 4K Betamax camcorder.

Loco availability

The WHR will be operated initially by Nos. 87/143 with No.130 joining later after its paint job at Boston Lodge. The FR will be operated by Merddin Emrys, Welsh Pony, Blanche and Lyd with David Lloyd George and possibly the new Double Fairlie James Spooner later in the season.

F&WHR 7/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Tuesday 7/3/23 was for sunny periods with a maximum temperatures of 6C but snow or sleet in Blaenau Ffestiniog. and around Rhyd Ddu Wednesday-Friday. Overnight snow had given the Rhinogs a dusting above Harlech. There is a short cold snap for a few days before the temperature is forecast to warm to double figures by next weekend.

At 14:38 Harlech Castle arrived at Tan-y-bwlch from the west with the PW train and two minutes later the loco ran round. At 14:52 it departed back towards Minffordd.

FR reduces concessionary travel

Statement by the FR Society

'We are now looking forward to the train services for 2023, and it is important that these services generate as much income as possible, so that the Company has a secure financial position, and we can all enjoy the Railway for a long time to come. In order to maintain the Railway’s income stream, we have, in cooperation with the Company and the WHR Society, looked at what travel concessions are given to FR Society members, as it is clearly no longer possible to give unlimited free travel to members when the cost of travel for non-members has had to rise significantly in order to deal with the rapid cost increases that the Railways face. For example, coal is now four times more expensive than it was pre-pandemic.

However, the Company does recognise the considerable support it receives from the FR Society and, therefore, wishes to show its appreciation of this by still granting concessions to members. Therefore, for the 2023 season, there will be an allocation of 10 free tickets per member of the FR Society to travel free of charge on the FR, or at privilege rate (50%) on the WHR. This will only apply to fully-paid-up members. Please remember that instant membership does not grant instant travel privileges. If a person makes an application to join the Society it does not grant them instant concessions, they must wait for their membership card to arrive and for their details to be programmed into the system. This process can take up to two weeks to be fully implemented. This also applies to renewing members. The additional concession for friends, relatives, etc., that was in place during the Covid-restricted services will no longer apply. The previous facility to take accompanied persons at privilege rate on three occasions has also been withdrawn. Privilege rates are not available after the allocation of 10 free tickets has been used up.

Bookings must be made ahead of travel and members MUST check in and show their membership card when they arrive at their main station departure point. Bookings can be made on-line or at the booking office at Porthmadog or Caernarfon, quoting your membership number. Any tickets booked but not taken up will be deducted from the allocation of 10; if you decide not to travel then you MUST inform the booking office as soon as possible in advance of the train’s departure for your allocation to be restored. Once the train has departed it will count as part of the allocation and cannot be restored. If you decide to travel from an intermediate station or halt this will be at the discretion of the guard as it will not be possible to book on-line. A membership card will need to be shown to the guard, who will allocate a seat if one is available. Currently such trips will not be deducted from the allowance of 10 free tickets.

Records show that the vast majority of members make less than 10 free trips per year, so will not be directly affected by these changes. At the present time, Life Members will continue to receive unlimited first-class travel (though without the guest facility). We would ask Life members to be sensible in their use of this benefit – for example, please don’t book multiple trains simply because you are unsure on which one you will travel. The travel concessions that are now on offer remain generous when compared with similar heritage railways, and we are sure that members will understand the necessity to make these changes to help ensure the continued viability of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to negotiate what may be difficult times ahead.

Graham Cole, on behalf of the Board of the Ffestiniog Railway Society'

Glan-y-pwll shed restored

With the FR's Glan-y-pwll Loco Shed restored to use, Prince and the Alco Mountaineer were moved over the weekend from the long shed at Glan-y-pwll to inside the depot awaiting their turn for restoration to service. A loco will outstable there for use on The Quarryman service and was initially planned to be Welsh Pony. See video on Friends of F&WHR Facebook page.

Tan-y bwlch clean up 7/3/23

Tan-y-bwlch was clear of construction vehicles on 7/3/23. Workers undertook a tidy up with the platforms being pressure washed to remove winter detritus in preparation for the new season.

F&WHR 6/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Monday 6/3/23 was for a drizzly day with a maximum temperatures of 7C but snow or sleet in Blaenau Ffestiniog. and around Rhyd Ddu. There is a short cold snap for a few days before the temperature is forecast to warm to double figures by next weekend.

No train movements were noted today but the car park at Tan-y-bwlch was levelled after all the construction work and resurfaced with ballast gravel. The hired excavator was removed by trailer at the end of the day indicating an end to the work there.

TfW fires lead to stock shortages

The Class 175 fires in the last few weeks have led to an urgent maintenance programme and shortages of stock on the North Wales Coast. There have been three recent fires and these are thought to be caused by an accumulation of detritus in the underframe over the Winter. See Deeside News.

F&WHR 5/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Sunday 5/3/23 was for a drizzly day with a maximum temperatures of 7C but snow or sleet in Blaenau Ffestiniog. and around Rhyd Ddu. There is a short cold snap for a few days before the temperature is forecast to warm to double figures by next weekend.

At 09:01 Harlech Castle emerged from Minffordd Yard hauling the same rake as yesterday but with the addition of a B wagon No.B921 The DZ wagon was loaded with concrete troughing and lids. The train arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 10:31. After the loco ran round the train departed to the west at 12:08 carrying construction material carried from Tan-y-bwlch. The train passed through Minffordd at 14:07 and was stabled in the WHR platform at Porthmadog by 14:25. The loco ran round at 14:30 while the Scouts made their way to the station presumably for a tidy up or a lunch break.

This easterly view (5/3/23) shows Harlech Castle running round the lineside clearance train at Porthmadog at 14:30 while the volunteering scouts head for a break at the station.. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The loco then removed the B wagon with lineside cuttings from the rear of the train and shunted it to the station yard. It returned at 15:34 without the B wagon and the volunteers returned to the FR Mess Car. The train departed at 15:44 and arrived in Minffordd wrong line at 16:28 before setting back down the Mineral Line for the yard at 16:31 to close the day's activities.

Caernarfon Castle on WHR works train 4-5/3/23

The WHR's Funkey was active over the weekend of 4-5/3/23 with the North Wales Track Gang improving lineside signage and preparing for reopening on 25/3/23. The train worked from Dinas to Rhyd Ddu on both days.

This southerly view (5/3/23) shows Caernarfon Castle with the works train at Rhyd Ddu. This train worked to Rhyd Ddu on both Saturday and Sunday restoring signage and preparing for the new season. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Tom Waldren and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (5/3/23) shows Caernarfon Castle returning through Waunfawr. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Tom Waldren and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 4/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Saturday 4/3/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 7C and the weather much the same for the week ahead.

At 08:49 Lilla arrived light engine wrong line at Minffordd before shunting into the yard at 08:51. The loco left the yard passing through Minffordd at 09:36 hauling a DZ wagon, the FR Mess Car and van No.51 towards Tan-y-bwlch. The volunteers are the Solihull Explorer Scouts (including Girl Scouts) working on the lineside and clearance trains, basically tidying up the lineside before the new season begins on 25/3/23. They worked around Tan-y-grisiau after a trip up the Glan-y-pwll branch line before the loco ran round to return them to Minffordd yard.

This westerly view (4/3/23) shows Lilla hauling a PW train departing Minffordd Yard at 09:36 for PW work near Tan-y-bwlch. It is interesting to note that the volunteers chose to sit outside in the DZ wagon in the cold rather than the presumably warmer FR Mess van! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The train arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 10:31 showing both PW possessions west of the station are back in use. The train departed to the east at 10:47.

This westerly view (4/3/23) shows Lilla arriving with the PW train at Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Lilla arrived back at Tan-y-bwlch with its train at 16:33 before continuing to Minffordd a minute later. The train arrived at Minffordd at 17:09 and ran straight into the yard. The loco left the yard light engine at 17:20 and a minute later reversed towards Boston Lodge. The loco arrived at Pen Cob Junction at 17:27 before reversing back into the depot.

WHHR Baldwin '590' launch 27/5/23

The long running saga of the restoration of the WHHR's Baldwin is coming to an end having been in the WHHR's possession since at least 2004 and at the VoR's workshops in Aberystwyth for several years. Following some possible test runs on the VoR, the lookalike Baldwin No.794 to carry the No.590 will be delivered to the WHHR this Spring. Following testing there the launch day is Saturday 27/5/23 at Gelert's Farm. There will be a ceremony and events for donors and sponsors only (plus Company Directors and some guests). Russell will be in steam too, pairing these two locos for the first time since the 1930s. So it is possible it will be ready for the WHR100 event 23-35/6/23, just 4 weeks later! Hopefully there is time for some good test running, under load, to Rhyd Ddu (bearing in mind what happened to the F&WHR's Baldwin).

It will be interesting to see the livery and direction the loco faces. Prior to 1934 the original No.590 was in WD black livery as delivered to the WHR for its opening in 1923, and faced Porthmadog. However in the FR lease period from 1934 it faced Caernarfon and was painted red. The loco frequently worked into Harbour Station and to Boston Lodge but was banned from the rest of the FR as being out of gauge. In the final years of operation the loco was restricted largely to freight use due to rough riding in reverse with no pony wheels under the cab end of the loco. The status of the similar Baldwin No.608 based at the FR is currently unknown following disappointment last year when it failed to make its booked appearance at Dinas on the WHR AGM Supporters Day 16-18/9/22. It was last seen on 6/9/22 on a test run from Boston Lodge to Harbour Station.

Buffet trolley service restored

A buffet trolley service has been restored this year on several services which use modern stock. This is in addition to those trains that offer the pre-booked hamper service such as the Snowdonia Star, The Harbourmaster and The Gelert Explorer. The hamper services is also available on the summer dated Cwellyn service.

Blaenau Ffestiniog station shop to provide 'light bites'

The Blaenau Ffestiniog station shop will provide light bites to passengers using The Quarryman and Mountain Spirit services. Food can be pre-ordered for collection when booking tickets.

Meillionen Halt reopens fully

Although nominally open for hop-on-hop-off traffic last year, the halt is fully operational this year and The Harbourmaster will stop to pick up for a return journey to Caernarfon. The same train also offers tickets from Beddgelert and these services tap the well-heeled cabin dwellers of the Beddgelert Forest Campsite which still has a small number of pitches for touring caravans.

NLHF Boston Lodge reconstruction update 3/3/23

The Small Loco Shed concrete work has been completed including the track slabs. The steel superstructure will soon be added and track laid later this year.

Click on the YouTube link to watch 7 minutes 4 seconds of video covering the continuing development of Boston Lodge funded by NLHF. This video was published on 3/3/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional 4K Betamax camcorder.

F&WHR 3/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Friday 3/3/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 8C and the weather cooling slowly for the week ahead with night time frosts.

At 14:28 Moel Hebog arrived back at Minffordd from the WHR with the S&T train and reversed into the yard at 14:31 to close the day's activities.

SAR Class 91 diesel

Kevin Dakin writes: 'An ex-SAR Class 91 diesel loco is on its way to the U.K. purchased by a Mr Matt Dolby. The loco is dual fitted for brakes and is fitted with FR style chopper couplings and is 2' gauge. There is no indication as to its destination in the U.K. Mr Dolby purchased a German built 0-10-0T from Indonesia last which is being restored at private workshop X in North Derbyshire Killamarsh?'

The F&WHR has been looking for a powerful rescue loco such as this for some time but there are doubts as to whether such a loco could fit the WHR loading gauge without major alterations to both height and width. The loco has a traditional GM American style and its livery is Spoornet orange. This class of 20 Bo-Bo GM diesels were built as recently as 1973.

Spooners closed 6/3/23

Spooners will be closed on Monday 6/3/23 to have a new coffee machine installed and remove the old one. Hopefully, they will reopen on Tuesday at 9 am with freshly ground coffee from the new machine.

Dates of operation

The F&WHR has provided more details about days of operation of this year's train services. The two full length WHR services will now operate three days a week throughout the season which is an improvement on last year's services. However, The Cwellyn will not operate for the full school summer holidays period as previously advised and will now operate just in August missing the July start of the holidays.

Snowdonia Star/The Harbourmaster TThSO throughout the timetable

Gelert Explorer Dates vary

Mountain Spirit Most days

The Quarryman Dates vary

The Aberglaslyn Dates vary

Woodland Wanderer Daily

The Cwellyn TWThO in August

F&WHR 2/3/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Thursday 2/3/23 was for a day of sunny periods with a maximum temperatures of 9C and the weather cooling slowly for the week ahead.

Porthmadog signal box was opened at 07:40 so it was possible some movements were planned today.

At 09:52 Harlech Castle arrived light engine at Minffordd wrong line from Boston Lodge and at 09:54 it reversed into the yard.

At 09:11 Vale of Ffestiniog departed Porthmadog hauling the S&T train towards Pont Croesor with Upnor Castle on the rear with brake van No.51 in the rake. The train may have been servicing the water tower at Beddgelert.

This easterly view (2/3/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog hauling an S&T train departing Porthmadog at 09:11 towards Pont Croesor with Upnor Castle on the rear. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 28/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Tuesday 28/2/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 8C and very similar maximum temperatures for the week ahead.

At 08:46 Criccieth Castle hauled the PW train including Romanian ballast wagon and FR Mess Wagon out of Minffordd Yard and headed to the PW worksite near Tan-y-bwlch.

This westerly view (28/2/23) shows Criccieth Castle hauling a PW train departing Minffordd Yard  at 08:46 for PW work near Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR booking site now open for business

The F&WHR FareHarbor booking site is now available with descriptions of the trains offered, including The Cwellyn although dates for these services are not available except for it being an afternoon trip. However, the F&WHR's recently removed calendar website was still not available on Tuesday. See F&WHR website.

Rhyd Ddu snacks offering to Cwellyn passengers this summer

When The Cwellyn Caernarfon-Rhyd Ddu operates during the school Summer Holidays drinks and light snacks will be offered at Rhyd Ddu, presumably from the waiting shelter/operations room. The TWThO service dates are likely to be from Tuesday 25/7/23-Thursday 31/8/23, some 18 days. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there will be two Cwellyn trains a day at 12:00/15:15, taking a leisurely hour to get to Rhyd Ddu, giving a half hour break there, and arriving back at Caernarfon at 14:35/17:45. On Wednesdays there is only one Cwellyn which departs at 12:30 and gets back at 15:00. This is an improvement on last year's service after suggestions by WHR Soc. members that one train a day from Caernarfon (the Gelert Explorer) was not the best use of the WHR after such a large investment in Caernarfon station.

F&WHR timetable

The F&WHR has provided a full timetable for those who need it, such as hop-on-hop-off passengers. Not all trains operate on all days so click on the day of choice on the calendar view to see which trains are available. The dates for The Cwellyn service have not yet been loaded.

F&WHR 27/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Monday 27/2/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 8C and very similar maximum temperatures for the week ahead.

At 09:27 the S&T train was propelled out of Minffordd Yard by Moel Hebog, before reversing in Minffordd station and continuing towards Porthmadog. The train proceeded onto the WHR and is believed to have been installing fibre optic cable between Porthmadog and Pont Croesor.

GVT restoration making rapid progress 27/2/23

A new North Wales tourist railway is making rapid progress at Chirk. The Glyn Valley Tramway is currently restoring their station site adjacent to the NR station at Chirk. A record number of volunteers turned up at the end of February and progress was made with track, the station building, the platform and the future rolling stock shed. A decent length of track has now been laid against the platform and a point has been delivered to be installed for the future run round loop. An area south of Station Road bridge has been cleared and marked out for the future depot. It is the GVT's 150th anniversary this year and celebratory items can be purchased from the railway's website to raise funds for the reconstruction of the initial mile of track to Pont Faen. GVT Facebook page. Your webmaster's sister made a special visit to record progress on 27/2/23. There is a GVT Museum in Glyn Ceiriog, the former terminus of the railway.

There is a GVT Museum in Glyn Ceiriog, the former terminus of the railway, which houses the remains of a Baldwin, purchased 1921 (ex WD 10-12-D) like the WHR to supplement traffic. There were 3 characteristic tram locos Sir Theodore, Dennis both of 1888 and Glyn of 1892, all from Beyer Peacock. Passenger services were abandoned in 1933 and freight in 1935 with the line being lifted and the locos and rolling stock scrapped in 1936.

This northerly view (27/2/23) shows the GVT's station site being returned to use with recovered bricks from the station building being cleaned for reuse and track laid in the platform. The NR platforms are visible over the fence. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Meryl Lloyd and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (27/2/23) from the NR station footbridge shows the GVT's station site with the new point ready for placing for the run round. The NR platforms are visible over the fence to the left. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Meryl Lloyd and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (27/2/23) shows the cleared site south of Station road bridge where the GVT's depot building is planned to be built. The tracked continues for a further mile to Pont Faen in the Ceiriog Valley. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Meryl Lloyd and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This view (27/2/23) shows the GVT's advert with a restored station and tram engines for roadside use in the Ceiriog valley. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Meryl Lloyd and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR timetable 2023

The calendar of train service plans was released over the weekend covering the period from 25/3/23 to Tuesday 31/10/23 but with reduced information on special event days such as WHR100 23-25/6/23, so no details of special trains yet.

This year, visitors will be able to book a full return journey, a one-way ticket between stations or hop on and off trains (depending on capacity and service frequency).  A notable addition to the 2023 journey options is a new service - The Quarryman - providing an opportunity to start and finish journeys at Blaenau Ffestiniog though missing a connection from the Conwy Valley Line by just 4 minutes!!.

Passengers on The Quarryman will follow the route of the old slate trains, which transported their valuable cargo from the quarries to the harbour at Porthmadog. Leaving Blaenau Ffestiniog, the train passes the impressive slate tips, stark reminders of the town’s industrial past, before heading through the picturesque Vale of Ffestiniog. Arriving in Porthmadog, passengers will have time to explore the harbour town, visit the maritime museum on the quayside and enjoy some lunch, before the return journey to ‘the town that roofed the world’.

Other notable amendments to the 2023 services timetable will be the ability for passengers to make a full-day of their trip to Beddgelert via the renamed The Aberglaslyn service. Passengers can book a seat on the outward morning service and return on the afternoon service, providing them with a longer break to explore all that the idyllic Beddgelert village has to offer.

The summer dated The Cwellyn service returns running from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu but, in some omission from the originally published version of the Calendar, is not shown and not bookable. Full details of the 2023 services will be found on F&WHR website once updated (still waiting on 27/2/23). Bookings for trains between late 25/3/23 and 31/10/23 are now OPEN and could be booked from the F&WHR Calendar until it was withdrawn for correction on Tuesday 28/2/23 apparently.

Service analysis

Most of the usual trains are present with additional trains on the FR which gains The Quarryman from Blaenau Ffestiniog. Some alterations have been made to the Glaslyn Venturer which now runs as The Aberglaslyn (Half Day) or The Aberglaslyn (Full Day) with an option to start from Beddgelert on the same train called The Aberglaslyn (Beddgelert). The result of all these changes looks very Porthmadog centred which is surprising after the General Manager's statements at the end of the year that Caernarfon needs to be marketed better!

The Harbourmaster

This service runs from Porthmadog to Caernarfon at 10:05, arriving back at 16:25.

The Snowdonia Star

This service runs from Caernarfon to Porthmadog at 10:10, arriving back at 16:25.

The Mountain Spirit

This service runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog at 10:35/14:30, arriving back at 13:35/17:00.

The Quarryman

This service runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog at 11:30, arriving back at 16:00.

The Woodland Wanderer

This service runs from Porthmadog to Tan-y-bwlch at 11:00/14:25, arriving back at 13:10/16:35 but it is likely additional trains will run at peak times as last year.

The Gelert Explorer

This service runs from Caernarfon to Beddgelert at 11:30, arriving back at 16:00.

The Aberglaslyn (Half Day)

This service runs from Porthmadog to Beddgelert at 10:15/13:40, arriving back at 12:55/16:25.

The Aberglaslyn (Full Day)

This service runs from Porthmadog to Beddgelert at 10:15, arriving back at 16:25 utilising the  same rake as above.

The Aberglaslyn (Beddgelert)

This service runs from Beddgelert to Porthmadog utilising the return working of the 10:15, departing at 12:15, arriving back at 14:20.

The Quarryman

This service runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog at 11:30 and arriving back at 16:00. Strangely this service is timed to depart 4 minutes before the arrival of the 10:20 from Llandudno denying a public transport option from Llandudno and the North Wales Coast!

A more detailed analysis and comparison to previous year's service levels will be made later this week when all the detailed changes have been published.

The Snowdonian 2023

The Snowdonian offers an 80 mile round trip over the whole railway with a variety of motive power and will run on April 22nd 2023. There will also be organised tours of Boston Lodge on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Friday 21/4/2023

Optional works tours at 14:30 and 17:00 with a shuttle service from Porthmadog to Boston Lodge where participants will be met by the guides (NB: Only open to those with Snowdonian train tickets). It is important to note that because Boston Lodge is now a building site, it is not possible to accommodate anyone with mobility issues or walking aids, or wheelchair this year. We do apologise but the ground is not suitable. Optional Spooners evening meal with set menu @ £14.50 per person. There will be two sittings at 17:30 and 19:30. This must be pre-booked.

Saturday 22/4/2023

The Snowdonian

Route: Porthmadog – Blaenau Ffestiniog – Caernarfon – Porthmadog. Depart at around 08:45 am and returning around 19:00

Steam locomotives: Merddin Emrys and Welsh Pony (on FR leg), NG/G16 143 (on WHR leg).

Visiting Locomotives Eigiau and Jenny at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

A light Breakfast, Spooner’s will be open from 0700 for light breakfast which may be taken in the café or on the train.

Lunch at Waunfawr and on train Tea and Cakes.

Fares

Ordinary Third-Class seats £250.00

First Class Pullman seats £400.00

First Class Observation Saloon £500.00

For all enquiries, or to book your tickets, please call the Booking Office on 01766 516024

F&WHR 26/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Sunday 26/2/23 was for a day of sunny periods with a maximum temperatures of 9C. Unusually, the maximum temperatures for the week ahead are forecast to remain identical with no sign of a cold snap, though the Daily Post suggests a 'big chill' is coming in March!

At 08:53 Harlech Castle hauled the FR Mess Car and PW train out of Minffordd Yard with Moel Hebog on the rear. This time the brake van No.51 was to the rear of Moel Hebog, unlike yesterday, and there was no cabling reel wagon in the rake. The train arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 11:43 after detaching Moel Hebog and headed towards Blaenau Ffestiniog at 12:04 with the Young Rail Professional volunteers taking advantage of an open air ride in the DZ wagons. Harlech Castle returned through Tan-y-bwlch wrong line with the DZ wagons and Mess Car at 13:58 before heading for Minffordd Yard. The train picked up Moel Hebog's train in the afternoon passing through Minffordd at 14:52, propelling the brake van and cable drum wagon which had been left on site overnight. The two locos were coupled together this time in the middle of the rake with the DZs and FR Mess Wagon at the rear.

This westerly view (26/2/23) shows Harlech Castle hauling a PW train with Moel Hebog on the rear, departing Minffordd Yard  at 08:53 for PW work near Tan-y-bwlch. It appeared the train was going to split into two separate worksites. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 2023 timetable-at last!

With just 4 weeks to go before the new season, the F&WHR has finally released some timetable information and trains can be booked, but the normal FareHabor booking site is not yet active. A full analysis of 2023 train services will feature in tomorrow's edition. See F&WHR calendar.

WHR 100 news 23-25/6/23

As well as the through trains, The Snowdonia Star and The Harbourmaster, a number of special trains are planned over the three days of the WHR100 event (23-25/6/23) and One Day/Three Day Rover tickets will be available.

This is Moel Tryfan at Beddgelert probably after having recently arrived from Porthmadog. Intriguingly, the crew have the smokebox door open and there may have been some difficulty climbing the 1 in 40 gradient to the station. Sadly there will be no single Fairlie at the event and possibly not even a double Fairlie. Click on the advert to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Friday 23/6/23 Pre-WHR Day

This will feature a horse-drawn Croesor Tramway train crossing Britannia Bridge presumably using the slate wagon rake. A construction train will also be run probably with Moelwyn and the skip wagon rake. The official Government Inspection train will be recreated with MaryAnn and period rolling stock. In the evening Welsh Pony and Russell will be present at Beddgelert to recreate historical tableaux. Long closed Halts such as Hafod Garregog will be provided with station name boards, though trains will not be stopping! Pen-y-Mount will become an interchange point between the two railways for the weekend and connecting trains will be provided as there are also trains on the WHHR and a display of artefacts such as parts of Moel Tryfan. The short platform on the WHR at Pen-y-Mount may need to be extended to the south to the footpath crossing to allow more people safely to detrain from non corridor heritage rolling stock.

Saturday 24/6/23 WHR 1923-37 Day

This will feature Russell, England Engines and hopefully the WHHR's Baldwin No.794 running as No.590 to recreate historical tableaux at Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu using coaching stock of the period. The FR based Baldwin No.608 might be available as a back up but has proved unreliable, missing last year's WHR100 event. In the evening two non-stop through trains will be provided between Minffordd and Pen-y-Mount.

Sunday 25/6/23 WHR Reopening Day

The Vintage trains will continue between Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu but the emphasis will be on the modern WHR post the 1997 reopening. There will be two through trains from Caernarfon to Porthmadog and from Porthmadog to Caernarfon, probably passing at Rhyd Ddu. Mixed trains have been suggested recreating SuperPower events of the early 2020s with SAR freight stock and brakevan. Some of these trains may be double headed and might feature Funkey Caernarfon Castle. To finish the day Russell and Lyd will haul a train back to Porthmadog where Russell can drop off at Pen-y-Mount to return to its home.

Bus links

With historical displays of photos and artefacts at both the WHHR and in the Gweithdy Minffordd a bus link will be provided throughout the weekend and possibly unadvertised shuttles when there is space in the timetable.

Fairlies

It seems one thing missing from the event will be a Fairlie. No mention has yet been made of the use of double Fairlies though they were regularly used for a while on the WHR both in the 1923-37 period and more recently, prior to COVID, on the reopened WHR. The Taliesin replica is currently out of service awaiting its turn for restoration so not even a single Fairlie will feature in the event. It is uncertain if the original Taliesin ever worked on the WHR prior to the modern era as it was in poor condition in 1923 and withdrawn in 1924. While the remains of the WHR's single Fairlie Moel Tryfan will feature at both the FR/WHHR over the WHR100 event, it has remained an ongoing mystery why there has been no replica project for this iconic 1875 NWNGR loco, a loco that was combined with the best of Snowdon Ranger in the final days of the NWNGR and cut down and used on the FR on trains to Blaenau until 1935. In comparison, projects to build replicas of NWNGR Gowrie and side tank version of the FR's England Mountaineer (scrapped 1879) are progressing, though the locos of dubious operational value to the F&WHR!

Holyhead-Cardiff excursion with 40013 1/3/23

Saphos Trains is offering a Holyhead-Cardiff Welsh Marches Express railtour on St David's Day 1/3/23 with LSL's Class 40 Diesel 40013 Andania as D213 in green livery, a common loco from the early days of main line diesel locos hauling express passenger trains on the North Wales Coast.

The Cambrian Coast sees another Cambrian Coast Express on 21/4/23 before the autumn Barmouth Bridge closure. Currently the steel girders at the north end are surrounded by scaffolding in preparation for the upgrade. A pair of 97/3s will haul the Shrewsbury-Pwllheli section of the excursion setting down at Minffordd for the FR/Portmerion and Porthmadog for the WHHR.

On 1/5/23 the NWC line will see two excursions, one via various through lines and goods loops!

See the table below.

F&WHR 25/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Saturday 25/2/23 was for a day of sunny periods with a maximum temperatures of 7C. Temperatures for the week ahead remain similar with no sign of a cold snap, though the Daily Post suggests a 'big chill' is coming!

At 08:53 Harlech Castle drew the FR Mess Car and DZ wagons out of Minffordd Yard. Moel Hebog was attached to the rear with the wiring drum wagon and brakevan No.51 in the centre of the rake. The Young Rail Professionals Group was volunteering on completing the cable ducting in Tan-y-bwlch Cutting. The train returned in the late afternoon.

This westerly view (25/2/23) shows Moel Hebog on a the rear of a PW/wiring train lead by Harlech Castle, departing Minffordd Yard  at 08:53 for PW work near Tan-y-bwlch. It appeared the train was going to split into two separate worksites. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Welsh Week at 'Y Stesion' 25/2/23

From Saturday the F&WHR team at 'Y Stesion' in Caernarfon will be putting on a special ‘Welsh Week’ to mark St. David's Day (1/3/23)! From 25/02/23 - 02/03/23 they will have some tasty Welsh themed Food & Drink offers available, including traditional Leek & Potato soup, Welsh cakes and 'bara brith' fruit loaf.

WHR to benefit from more cruise ship traffic?

Cruise ships are returning to Holyhead with 54 scheduled to call in 2023 and the cruise companies will be looking for tourist attractions that large parties can visit on their days on shore. The WHR from Caernarfon has been considered a suitable attraction in the past and may need to offer additional trains to cope with such tour parties. See Daily Post report for more details.

North Wales main line freight growth 24/2/23

Following on from the successful restart of stone from Penmaenmawr to Tuebrook and the slate waste and limestone workings from Llandudno Junction Yard, a fourth flow started this week with Colas Class 70 number 70814 hauling a ballast working from Penmaenmawr to Longport on Friday as 6M33, the 13:25 STP working. This could become a regular working.

F&WHR 24/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Friday 24/2/23 was for a sunny day with a maximum temperatures of 10C with a cold northerly breeze. Temperatures for the week ahead return to single figures for early March with no sign of a cold snap.

At 15:23 Harlech Castle was noted passing through Minffordd returning to Minffordd Yard with the PW train consisting of the Romanian ballast hopper, the FR Mess Car and other PW wagons.

Beddgelert Station building plans 21/2/23

The Daily Post has published details of the revised plans for Beddgelert Station building originally approved 10 years ago. The Cambrian News has a similar story. The building is based on the concrete plinth built by the original contractors for Phase 4 in 2009 adapted for modern use. The F&WHR is still investigating a funding stream for the project. A new station building would fit in nicely with recent timetables that saw Beddgelert as a 'frontier' station as it was in the FR lease period in the 1930s.

The train service in recent years post COVID provided passengers with a break of an hour or so at Beddgelert to visit the village but some less able-bodied stayed at the station due to the steep path to the village. Some village enterprises objected to the retail and cafe previously but others joined with the railway last year e.g. offering ice cream from the station shop. The temporary pop up cafe, seated area and awning based on the plinth were quite popular last year.

The plans for the station building include a cafe and retail outlet for souvenirs etc as well as ticket office and toilets. As well as a urinals room, toilets appear to be unisex and feature the mini-washbasins in cubicles common in modern doctor's surgeries and food outlets like MacDonald's. Some people find these small basins tend to wet the floors of the toilets. there is an accessible toilet/baby-change cubicle. A covered waiting/seated area (four tables for 6 persons)  is featured at the front of the station building facing the platform to help passengers shelter from inclement weather as there is also external space for six tables for four persons on the north face on a bonded gravel area. There is also an operations room for the tokens including a staff toilet. A ticket office/servery will provide a limited range of food and drink. The General Manager has explained that the cafe/shop is for light refreshments such as a cup of tea as currently served to waiting passengers and will not impact Beddgelert cafes and shops.

The SNPA planning application was submitted on 30/1/23 and the 9 relevant documents can be examined at planning reference NP2/11/634J. Some of the documents are shown below. One of the documents, the Design, Access and Heritage Impact Statement makes interesting detailed reading and contains an archive view of the original 1923 tin-sheeting station building which was apparently demolished soon after 1937 when services were terminated with the FR handing back its lease. The new station building design features two gabled end units and a canopy extending up to the track which is common is many traditional station designs. One operational concern might be the lack of specified crossing point for passengers as currently exists. As trains approach from Porthmadog a specific location is needed for passengers to cross to the island platform safely with limited visibility of trains approaching through Goat Cutting.

The new building will have a local grey/blue slate roof for the side gabled sections and has green credentials with two air sourced head pumps plus 10kW of photovoltaic panels on the central slightly sloped roof section and on the south-facing sides of the gabled roof sections. A stove burning locally sourced logs could be added to supplement heating in winter and reduce demand on the fluctuation power supply that might need to be upgraded. The building will be finished in local untreated larch which ages to a silver-grey finish.

The planning application was produced by Chambers Architecture Conservation of Tattenhall, Cheshire. Most of the photographs were taken on a wet miserable day. The report states that the existing pattern of service will require the existing large numbers of passengers taking a break of journey continuing into the future. This confirms the F&WHR sees that station and timetable continuing in its current 'frontier' mode. The station is designed to be operated by one person in the off peak and must have security with such large areas of glass windows. Maybe there will finally be a webcam on the WHR!

These planning views come from the SNPA public resource website. Click on the images to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. These images are courtesy SNPA. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Cold snap predicted

A cold snap has been predicted for March that could see the return of snow after a rather mild February. Meanwhile the USA has experienced blizzards and even North Africa has seen snowfall, which compounded by BREXIT has lead to shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables on shop shelves and rationing by supermarkets. See LBC report.

F&WHR 23/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Thursday 23/2/23 was for a sunny day with a maximum temperatures of 8C with a cold northerly breeze. Temperatures for the week ahead remaining very similar into early March with no sign of a cold snap. The first train today was Lilla with a two coach special passing through Minffordd at 10:03 towards Tan-y-bwlch possibly as part of the MIC training. Presumably it ran to Rhiw Goch loop before returning to Porthmadog as there are PW works beyond there. However the train was not noted returning before 17:00.

This westerly view (23/2/23) shows Lilla on a staff inspection train passing Minffordd in an easterly direction. It may have returned later after running round in Rhiw Goch loop. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Harlech Castle returned to Minffordd Yard in the afternoon, passing through Minffordd at 14:49 hauling the Romanian ballast wagon and the FR Mess Car.

This westerly view (23/2/23) shows Harlech Castle hauling the PW train back to Minffordd Yard. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

No train movements were noted at Tan-y-bwlch.

WHR 100 event details

More details have emerged about the WHR 100 event. The F&WHR has announced that the event will mostly take place in and around the Porthmadog area. As the railway between Porthmadog and Rhyd Ddu was opened 100 years ago, let us hope the event also include scenes recreating historical tableaux at Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu! In 1923 FR trains were diverted to Porthmadog New (1923) just south of the Cae Pawb NR crossing, close to where the concrete stand of the water tank still remains.

TfW rail fares to rise by 5.6%

The Daily Post has reported that rail fares controlled by the WAG will rise by 5.9% in line with England. See Daily Post report. 

Rhyd Ddu opening 2003 video

Your webmaster took D8 video of the preparations for Prince Charles visit to the WHR in July 2003 and the opening of the WHR to Rhyd Ddu 18/8/03. When playing back these tapes a digital error can be seen on some clips which might be a recording or playback feature as the camcorder concerned, a Hitachi VM D865LE, is over 20 years old! Unfortunately as no one makes a simple D8 player the tape is being sent away for professional restoration. When the tape comes back it will be edited and uploaded to YouTube to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the WHR opening and the 20th Anniversary of the Rhyd Ddu Opening Day.

F&WHR 21/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Tuesday 21/2/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 8C and temperatures for the week ahead remaining very similar into late February with no sign of a cold snap.

At 09:14 Criccieth Castle appeared at Tan-y-bwlch wrong line from the east and 2 minutes later continued to the west. Work around the former Tan-y-bwlch station master's house continues with the aim of providing drainage so that it can be let as a holiday cottage like Coed-y-bleiddiau.

GVT 150

There has been major progress  at the Glyn Valley Tramway, Chirk, with track laid in the station. 2023 is the 150th Anniversary of the Glyn Valley Tramway. The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust has produced a GVT 150 mug and special events will be advertised soon. The railway laid two panels of track in their Chirk station next to the NR station, last November. See GVT Facebook page for more images and details of how to purchase the mug and support the project which has the initial aim of reopening the steeply graded 1 mile wooded hillside section down to the B4500 road at Pontfaen Fish Hatchery.

This easterly view (4/1122) shows two panels of track laid on fresh ballast against the GVT platform at Chirk with the NR station visible over the fence. The foundation of the GVT station building is visible and there is plenty of space for the run round against the retaining well. The track gauge chosen matches that of the Tal-y-llyn and Corris Railways at 2'3" and, while not prototypical, the different from the original 2'4.5" will not be obvious. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 20/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Monday 20/2/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 9C and temperatures for the week ahead remaining very similar into late February with no sign of a cold snap.

At 08:46 Harlech Castle emerged from Minffordd Yard with headlights ablaze in the gloom propelling a DZ full of plastic sleepers, a DZ with ballast and hauling the Romanian ballast wagon at the rear. The train returned to Minffordd Yard at the end of the afternoon passing Minffordd at 15:58 with the loco hauling the ballast wagon and three DZ wagons. With the Romanian ballast wagon now behind the loco, the loco must have run round the wagon somewhere, possibly Rhiw Goch loop.

F&WHR 19/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Sunday 19/2/23 was for a day of light cloud with a maximum temperatures of 9C and temperatures for the week ahead remaining very similar into late February with no sign of a cold snap.

At 09:32 Vale of Ffestiniog arrived at Minffordd from Boston Lodge with the MIC train and was joined by staff and volunteers. Run round cam at 09:45 and the train set off for Porthmadog at 10:03. The train arrived in the FR platform by 10:15 and staff and volunteers were looking at the signalbox area before the train advanced down the platform a few minutes later. Run round manoeuvres followed from 10:25 with the light loco accessing various tracks in the yard providing interest for onlookers who were probably on holiday. They may have been disappointed to find there was no public train service, unlike the Tal-y-llyn and Bala Lake Railways who are both offering 9 days of trains over the Half Term Holiday period. Shunting movements continued for over an hour.

This easterly view (19/2/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog conducting a number of shunting movements at Harbour Station for the Mutual Improvement Class with the new season just over a month away. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

At 11:30 the loco shunted out on The Cob and worked into the WHR platform to practice the procedures to cross Britannia Bridge Tramway section.

This easterly view (19/2/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog in the WHR platform for the Mutual Improvement Class with the new season just over a month away. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The light engine crossed Britannia Bridge at 11:40 and returned at 11:44 having practised energising the crossing traffic light system to remind members of the Mutual Improvement Class. At 11:49 the loco was back in the FR yard. and drew the 3 coach inspection train back into the platform at 11:55. At 11:59 the train set off for Minffordd arriving in record time at 12:06. The loco ran round at 12:19 and the train left for Porthmadog at 14:09, arriving in the FR platform at 14:17. The loco immediately detached and ran round before heading for the Carriage Shed at 14:30 to close the day's activities.

F&WHR 18/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Saturday 18/2/23 was for a cloudy day with a mild maximum temperatures of 10C and temperatures for the week ahead returning to more typical February averages of single figures.

At 13:38 Vale of Ffestiniog hauled a 3 coach inspection train into Minffordd from the Porthmadog direction. A large group of staff and volunteers gathered at junction at around 14:00 to discuss the operation point motors and signalling as part of a Mutual Improvement Class. This was probably the first of three MIC familiarisation trips for guards, footplate staff and volunteers in advance of the new season on 25/3/23. The party departed in the three coach inspection train at 15:22 back towards Porthmadog.

This easterly view (18/2/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog on a staff inspection train returning to Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

A55 Bangor-Llanfairfechan roadworks finally complete for Easter

After running a year late and taking an incredible 3 years to complete the A55 Bangor-Llanfairfechan road improvement scheme will be completed by mid-March removing a 40 mph limit and speed cameras from miles of this major trunk road. This scheme provided a side road on the north side for farm access and removed flooding problems. The scheme should improve access to the F&WHR at Caernarfon for the start of services on 25/3/23. See Daily Post story for full details. The paper has also reported on the anger felt by North Wales residents about the cancellation of almost all road improvement schemes in North Wales in favour of South Wales improvements.

Avanti trials new Class 805 trains for North Wales Coast

Avanti, the WCML franchisee is testing its new Class 805 bimode DMU/EMUs on the WCML prior to rolling them out on Holyhead-Euston services. The trains will be electrically powered between Crewe and Euston helping the Government's Net Zero campaign. The trains come with improved WIFI, charging at seat and real time passenger information systems. See Daily Post report.

F&WHR 17/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Friday 17/2/23 was for a cloudy day with a mild maximum temperatures of 12C and temperatures for the week ahead returning to more typical February averages of single figures.

At 08:59 Harlech Castle emerged light engine from Minffordd Yard and headed east towards the PW worksite near Tan-y-bwlch. This was the only movement noted as PW work wound down for the weekend.

Caernarfon station pancakes

With Shrove Tuesday coming up on 21/2/23, the WHR's Caernarfon Station cafe will be offering pancakes over the two Half Term Weekends, that is 18-19/2/23 and 21-23/2/23. The £6 offer consists of a hot drink and a generous helping of pancakes available 10:00-14:00. It's just a pity there are no Half Term trains to ride in contrast to the Tal-y-llyn and Bala Lake Railways which both have Half Term Holiday trains.

Click on the advert to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

UK Railtours 'The Snowdonian' 1/4/23

This tour from Euston (picking up at principle stations to Rugby) to Llandudno Junction with a coach link to Caernarfon or Blaenau Ffestiniog and a special train with a break at Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog/Caernarfon respectively to complete the whole F&WHR journey before another coach back to Llandudno Junction. This means two special workings on the F&WHR to cope with the clockwise and anticlockwise choices of the passengers (or reserved space on normal service trains). The tour may be affected by the RMT strike announced for that date. 'Early bird' fares are available. See UK RailTours website for details.

F&WHR 16/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Thursday 16/2/23 was for a misty day with a maximum temperatures of 9C and temperatures for the week ahead mostly in double figures, with no sign of a cold snap.

At 10:17 Criccieth Castle arrived light engine from the west. At 10:40 after some light maintenance, it headed east towards Blaenau Ffestiniog before returning to the worksite west of the station a few hours later.

At 13:49 the loco arrived back light engine from the west before continuing to the east at 13:53 after delivering some items.

WHR lineside clearance 15/2/23

A lineside clearance train operates regularly on the WHR lopping back overhanging trees and dealing with bushes and brambles that might scratch rolling stock paintwork or hit people in open coaches. The clearance can also improve views for passengers as some sections of the line were becoming a 'green trench' which spoiled the FR a few years ago. More images of the trains are available of the F&WHR Facebook page.

This easterly view (13/2/23) shows an early start at Dinas with the lineside clearance train hauled by No.9 in place of Vale of Ffestiniog which was probably run to Porthmadog (see below). Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 15/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Wednesday 15/2/23 was for a day of sunny periods with a maximum temperatures of 9C and temperatures for the week ahead mostly in double figures, with no sign of a cold snap.

At 11:24 Criccieth Castle hauled two DZ wagons fully loaded with ballast spoil through Tan-y-bwlch. The loco propelled the two empty wagons back through the station at 12:29, presumably after unloading at the Dduallt disposal site.

At 11:55 Vale of Ffestiniog passed through Minffordd wrong line light engine towards Boston Lodge. Following this the junction points were tested several times between 13:50 and 14:00 with no train present.

At 16:03 Harlech Castle returned to Minffordd with the PW train with the ballast wagon, Mess Car and PW wagons and entered the yard.

WAG defund North Wales road schemes

There is anger in North Wales as WAG has cancelled all road schemes in North Wales and shifted investment to South Wales. The justification for this is to meet Zero CO₂ policy and not to increase road speeds or encourage increased car use. The proposed second Britannia Bridge crossing to reduce queues at this location has been cancelled with the sop of some study into other 'greener' public transport solutions following a future Menai Corridor study. There is some hope this might include the Amlwch Line restoration and Park and Ride train options. The Wrexham A483 Multimode Corridor study might include redoubling the short length of single track between Wrexham and Rossett that causes delays to North Wales-South Wales train services. The Daily Post has the full details including a list of cancelled road improvements and those few that are still going ahead. One cancelled scheme is the Flintshire Bridge to Northop easement of the A55 which is often congested around Ewloe at peak times and in holiday periods. This scheme would have eased flows of visitors to the F&WHR from the North West conurbations.

F&WHR 14/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Tuesday 14/2/23 was for a day of light cloud with a maximum temperatures of 12C and temperatures for the week ahead mostly in double figures, with no sign of a cold snap.

At 08:46 Harlech Castle propelled the FR's Mess Car full of volunteers out of Minffordd Yard and towards the PW works near Tan-y-bwlch. The loco returned light engine later for an afternoon ballast run up to the PW relay site.

At 09:50 Criccieth Castle hauled two DZ wagons fully loaded with ballast spoil through Tan-y-bwlch. The loco propelled the two empty wagons back through the station at 10:50, presumably after unloading at the Dduallt disposal site.

At 13:43 Harlech Castle propelled the Romanian ballast wagon out of Minffordd Yard to the east and at 15:45 the train returned, passing through Minffordd with the empty ballast wagon and the FR Mess Car and running through into the yard.

GLTW discount card '2 for 1' offer

The Great Little Trains of Wales organisation has produced a discount card that allows discounts off its 12 railways (now including the Corris Line) and participating local accommodation. The GLTW offer is two cards for the price of one and is valid until 22/2/23. The £20 card gives 20% off adult full round trip fares and becomes active for 12 months after first use. See GLTW website for full details including accommodation list.

Llanbedr Bypass protest

WAG's decision to axe the £14m Llanbedr Bypass between Barmouth and Harlech has angered villagers who are set to block the road in protest. The A496 through this congested village is the only unimproved bottleneck south of Harlech and impedes visitors to the F&WHR from the popular Barmouth resort area. See Daily Post report.

Fisherman's Path repair 14/2/23

The National Trust has provided further detail about the Fisherman's Path repair. See NT news story (but please excuse the use of the awful word 'train line'!). This resulted in some confused stories in the national press where Lilla was apparently saving the railway from being washed away!!

Lilla and Fisherman's Path repair 14/2/23

The Fisherman's Path through the Aberglaslyn Pass is inaccessible to construction vehicles so on a gloomy 14/2/23, Lilla with a B wagon, assisted staff, volunteers and National Trust representatives by taking materials to the site. The wagon was propelled back for a second load later in the day. These days the Fisherman's Path between Bryn-y-felin and Pont Aberglaslyn is used more by walkers/canoeists than people fishing.

Click on the YouTube link to watch 9 minutes 29 seconds of video covering the assistance offered by Lilla to the repair of the Fisherman's Path in the Aberglaslyn Pass, including drone footage of the CTRL. This video was published on 2/2/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional 4K Betamax camcorder.

F&WHR 13/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Monday 13/2/23 was for a sunny day with a maximum temperatures of 9C and similar temperatures for the week ahead, mostly in double figures, with the long range forecast unchanged.

At 9:05 Harlech Castle propelled the PW train out of Minffordd Yard including a large number of volunteers in the FR's Mess Car and continued towards Tan-y-bwlch.

Vale of Ffestiniog headed light engine towards Dinas from Harbour Station at 13:39 after waiting a short while in the platform. The loco was back light engine at 15:18 departing for Boston Lodge 3 minutes later after a possible test run to Beddgelert.

This easterly view (13/2/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog on a light engine turn up the WHR, possibly a test run to Beddgelert and back. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Still no timetables!

The F&WHR is still not advertising any timetables for the 2023 season even though the start of the season is less than 6 weeks away on 25/3/23. In contrast the Tal-y-llyn Railway has a full year's timetable on its website with daily Half Term trains from 18-26/2/23. The Bala Lake Railway also has a full timetable on line and is also offering nine days of trains from 14-26/2/23. While the FR cannot run trains due to major PW work around Tan-y-bwlch, the same is not true of the WHR which just has a lineside clearance train operation cutting back vegetation on occasional days. Such a train could work around a Half Term Service on the WHR but the management has decided against that after running February Half Term trains for many years prior to COVID. In 2016 the WHR operated trains on 11 days in Half Term period between Porthmadog and Rhyd Ddu.

Winter weather may return!

The Daily Post reports about the possibility of cold weather returning to North Wales for the end of February after a week of mild Spring-like weather.

F&WHR 12/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Sunday 12/2/23 was for a day of sunny periods with a maximum temperatures of 8C and similar temperatures for the week ahead, some in double figures, with no cold snap in the forecast as far as late February. However the Independent was warning of a potential return of the 'Beast from the East' in late February. No train movements were noted on Sunday and it appeared no PW work was underway at Tan-y-bwlch.

F&WHR 10/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Friday 10/2/23 was for a foggy day with a maximum temperatures of 9C and similar temperatures for the week ahead with no cold snap in the forecast as far as mid February.

At 09:33 Moelwyn propelled a rake of 6 slate wagons into Minffordd wrong line before hauling them into the yard at 09:35 where they are normally stored in the Waggon Shed. Presumably the wagons had been under maintenance in Boston Lodge.

This westerly view (10/2/23) shows Moelwyn reversing at Minffordd to take 6 slate wagons back into Minffordd Yard for storage. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 9/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Thursday 9/2/23 was for a day of sunny periods with a maximum temperatures of 8C and similar weather for the week ahead with no cold snap in the forecast as far as mid February.

Criccieth Castle appeared at Tan-y-bwlch at 13:51 with two DZ wagons loaded with spoil from relaying at Gysgfa. The train worked towards the Dduallt disposal site at 13:59 and was back at 15:00 propelling the empties west wrong line. The train departed towards Gysgfa at 15:10.

DMU fire blocks main line 8/2/23

A train fire under the Wrexham Bypass brought traffic congestion to the A483 on 8/2/23 and major disruption to train services. The Holyhead to Cardiff DMU 175008 (the rearmost of two car units) caught fire 'due to a hydraulic problem'. The same unit has previously had a fire! This blocked the nuisance short single track section between Rossett and Wrexham. The 04:25 Holyhead-Cardiff DMU was running on time at Rossett Junction where the single track section starts up the Gresford Bank. The unit failed at the top of the gradient just under the A483 bridge approximately one mile short of Wrexham General. After the fire was extinguished the train was brought forwards to Wrexham where it arrived 2.5 hours late and was cancelled. 175008 was left overnight in Wrexham. A number of cancellations and diversion followed including the 05:33 loco hauled Holyhead Cardiff which ran via Crewe to Shrewsbury and arrived in Cardiff 55 minutes late. Services were restored between Wrexham and Chester by midday. See Daily Post report and images.

Half Term blues?

While the F&WHR has not taken the opportunity to run half term trains from Caernarfon, other heritage lines, including others in North Wales like the Tal-y-llyn and Bala Lake, are running trains. See TR timetable and BLR timetable. With Half Term spread over 2 weeks this year starting next week, it remains a mystery why the WHR is not cashing in on this previously annual event as such trains could easily be fitted around the lineside clearance works on the WHR.

More hope for Wylfa B?

With the Prime Minister reorganising the Cabinet and making a Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, there are increased hopes that Wylfa B will now be taken forward seriously as nuclear power is reliable, not affected by lack of wind or sun, and ticks the box for Net Zero with no Carbon Dioxide emissions even for 3GW. Rail may be used for both providing construction materials and dealing with nuclear waste via flask wagons. GBRf is maintaining its driver route knowledge with occasional turns to Valley Nuclear Electric. The Wylfa project is also on the potential site list of Small Modular Reactors as well as for a full size 3GW power station. Trawsfynydd is also on the SMR list. The competing Bardsey Tidal Stream project will be abandoned in March according to a report in the Daily Post citing poor grid links and lack of government support.

WHR East Anglian Group Meeting

This is a reminder that the first EAG meeting of 2023 will be on Thursday 16/2/23 at 8pm at the Six Bells, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5DH. Ian King (Deputy Chairman, WHR Soc., and EAG Treasurer) will be giving an illustrated talk on the Welsh Highland Centenary. You are warmly welcome.

F&WHR 8/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Wednesday 8/2/23 was for a day of light cloud with a maximum temperatures of 7C and similar weather for the week ahead with no cold snap in the forecast. The only movement noted today was Harlech Castle hauling the 3 wagon train back into Minffordd Yard, passing the station at 13:18. There was spare ballast in some of the wagons.

Dee & Mersey Group Working Party 7/2/23

The early February Working Party was focussed on jobs at Minffordd Yard, cutting preparing 100 plastic sleepers for the FR's Gysgfa relay. This involved the standard gauge sleepers being cut in half and two base plate holes drilled each side to gauge. Several other jobs were undertaken including taking Harlech Castle up to the FR relaying worksite near Tan-y-bwlch to recover the PW train.

WHR No.9 on lineside clearance duties 6/2/23

With the WHR Funkey otherwise engaged on a transfer of wagons and material from Porthmadog, 0-6-0 diesel No.9 was used on the lineside clearance train on Monday 6/2/23. It is said to be a slower loco than the Funkey and struggled a little to Tryfan Junction.

This westerly view (6/2/23) shows No.9 with the lineside clearance train just east of Tryfan Junction. This was unusual and presumably mean Caernarfon Castle was being used for other purposes. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Tom Waldren and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

TfW kids go free at Half Term

TfW has released details of a kids go free offer for the upcoming Half Term holiday period. Children accompanying a fare paying adult will travel free with under 11s free at any time and 11-15 year olds free off peak. See TfW website for details.

F&WHR 7/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Tuesday 7/2/23 was for a sunny but chilly day with a maximum temperatures of 7C and similar weather for the week ahead with no cold snap in the forecast.

At 08:51 Criccieth Castle headed west light engine through Tan-y-bwlch wrong line. Harlech Castle propelled two DZ wagons loaded with ballast out of Minffordd Yard towards Tan-y-bwlch at 09:01. Criccieth Castle came back at 10:15 with two DZ wagons loaded with spoil and set off for Dduallt at 10:19. The loco passed back through the station wrong line at 11:20 with the empties before a single wagon of spoil was hauled from the west at 13:48 before departing towards Dduallt at 13:54. The single wagon, now empty, was propelled back wrong line into the station at 14:53 and headed west at 14:58.

This westerly view (7/2/23) shows Criccieth Castle propelling the single DZ wagon through Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

No timetables?

With just over 6 weeks left before the start of the 2023 season on 25/3/23, the absence of published timetables may be impacting the planning of other organisations such as coach companies which rely on timely information from the F&WHR to plan their trips. The WHR in particular has benefitted from almost daily coach tours from North Wales resorts in recent years.

F&WHR 6/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Monday 6/2/23 was for a sunny but chilly day with a maximum temperatures of 8C and similar weather for the week ahead. At 09:26 Harlech Castle propelled three DZ wagons out of Minffordd Yard loaded with ballast and headed east.

This westerly view (6/2/23) shows Harlech Castle propelling its Ballast train out of Minffordd Yard before continuing to the east. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Criccieth Castle reversed the empty DZ wagons into Tan-y-bwlch at 10:28 wrong line from the east and continued to the west at 10:46.

F&WHR 5/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Sunday 5/2/23 was for a sunny but chilly day with a maximum temperatures of 7C and similar temperatures for the week ahead. No activity was noted at Tan-y-bwlch and no trains were noted running on Saturday. It appeared the PW works had been suspended for the weekend.

'590' ownership transferred to WHHR 3/2/23

The Imperial War Museum has announced that their Baldwin No.794 'Tiger', imported from by the IWM from second use in India and now at VoR workshops in Aberystwyth, has been transferred to the ownership of the WHHR. The loco is of the same type as Baldwin No.590 that operated on the WHR. The loco is expected to be revealed to fund donors and supporters at the WHHR in Spring 2023 after a protracted 14 year long restoration. It is possible that the loco may appear at the WHR 100 Event 23-25/6/23 to reprise its role hauling short trains on the WHR in the 1930s. The privately owned version stored on the F&WHR at Boston Lodge has proved unreliable in the past and it is uncertain if it will be ready in time for the WHR 100 Event after its most recent failure to appear at the WHR Soc Members' Day last September.

See WHHR Press Release.

Them and us!

An announcement that 5 new stations are to be built on the South Wales main line might further lead to North Wales residents feeling they are being passed over yet again by the government. The announcement in the Daily Post sees nothing new for North Wales. Meanwhile there are many rail issues facing North Wales such as completing the doubling between Wrexham and Rossett Junction, new stations on Deeside and providing loco hauled crowd buster services to Manchester and Birmingham similar to the Swansea-Manchester trains that have just started.

F&WHR 4/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Saturday 4/2/23 was for a drizzly day with a maximum temperatures of 9C and similar temperatures for the week ahead. No activity was noted at Tan-y-bwlch and no trains were noted running on Saturday. It appeared the PW works had been suspended for the weekend.

New archive images found

Such was the pace of development of the WHR, your webmaster's frequent visits and changes of cameras/media as changes from slide film to digital format occurred that some images were never used and forgotten. During a check of all media a bunch of images have been found on old CF cards used in the Samsung DigiMax camera from 2002-4. Due to the cost of the 8Mb cards these were transferred to floppy and most have survived. Some older pages will be updated with the new images in the near future, such as the Prince Charles Visit of July 2003. Here is an example.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince hauling the a royal test train with a royal headboard departing Dinas at 17:05. Prince Charles , as he was then, drove the train 2 day later from Waunfawr to Rhyd Ddu. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image was taken on a Samsung Digimax 230 digital camera and reduced to 300kb. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 3/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Friday 3/2/23 was for a cloudy day with a maximum temperatures of 11C and similar temperatures for the week ahead.

At 09:05 Harlech Castle arrived at Minffordd from Boston Lodge and headed east light engine.

At 09:12 Criccieth Castle arrived at Tan-y-bwlch from the west with two loaded DZ wagons presumably carrying spoil for disposal at Dduallt at 09:12 which departed to the east a minute later and arriving back propelling the empty wagons at 10:16. The train continued to propel the wagons west at 10:37. The whole process was repeated arriving back from the east at 13:37 departing to the west at 13:39.

Funkey WHR clearance duties 3/2/23

This southerly view (3/2/23) shows Caernarfon Castle with the lineside clearance train just north of Hafod Ruffydd. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Tom Waldren and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (3/2/23) shows Caernarfon Castle with the lineside clearance train returning through Rhyd Ddu. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Tom Waldren and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (3/2/23) shows Caernarfon Castle with the lineside clearance train returning through Caeau Gwynion as seen from the main road. The rake consists of the Mess car, cherrypicker, B wagon for spoil and the well wagon with the chipper. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Tom Waldren and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (3/2/23) shows Caernarfon Castle with the lineside clearance train returning through Plas-y-nant. Note the reinforcement around the northern abutment. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Tom Waldren and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (3/2/23) shows Caernarfon Castle with the lineside clearance train returning through Waunfawr. This was unusual and presumably mean Caernarfon Castle was being used for other purposes. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Tom Waldren and was taken on a phone camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Moving Pictures No.75 2/2/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 16 minutes 50 seconds of video covering the PW trains associated with the Tan-y-bwlch west relay project. This video was published on 2/2/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional 4K Betamax camcorder.

F&WHR 2/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Thursday 2/2/23 was for a day of light cloud and a maximum temperatures of 9C and similar temperatures for the week ahead.

At 09:05 Criccieth Castle ran through Tan-y-bwlch light engine from the east. At 15:08 the short PW train again arrived back at the WHR platform, this time in the hands of Moel Hebog. The train later departed for Minffordd Yard at 16:01, arriving at the station at 16:13 and propelling the rake into the yard at 16:16.

This easterly view (2/2/23) shows Moel Hebog hauling the a short PW train through the WHR platform towards Minffordd Yard with FR Van no.51 on the rear. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (2/2/23) shows Moel Hebog with its short freight arriving at Minffordd Yard before propelling the rake into the yard a few minutes later. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

W&LR received Taiwan diesel 2/2/23

The W&LR received a powerful 2'6" gauge diesel from Taiwan on 2/2/23 to function as standby loco this season. The BoBo diesel is on a 3 year loan from the Alishan Forest Tourist line with which the W&LR has been twinned since 2017. After adjustment to brakes, couplers and test commissioning the loco will replace the line's own diesels which are in need of repair. See Rail Advent report.

F&WHR 1/2/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Wednesday 1/2/23 was for a day of light cloud and a maximum temperatures of 9C and similar temperatures for the week ahead.

At 09:42 Vale of Ffestiniog emerged from Minffordd Yard and left light engine for Boston Lodge at 09:05. Later, Criccieth Castle arrived from Boston Lodge at 09:55 light engine and entered the yard light engine at 10:02. At 11:03 Harlech Castle pulled into Tan-y-bwlch with the PW train and the 3DZ wagons from the Garnedd tunnel area relay site. The loco ran round by 11:42 and propelled the train to the west at 11:46.

This westerly view (1/2/23) shows Harlech Castle propelling the PW train west out of Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 31/1/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Tuesday 31/1/23 was for a day of sunny periods and a maximum temperatures of 9C and no sign of frost in the week ahead never mind snow.

At 08:24 Vale of Ffestiniog emerged from Minffordd Yard hauling the loaded Romanian ballast wagon. The loco ran round the wagon in Minffordd station at 08:38 before propelling it towards Tan-y-bwlch relay works a few minutes later. this is presumably top ballast which will be tamped by the KMX later this week. Meanwhile, down at Porthmadog, a short PW train was propelled into the WHR platform by Moelwyn at 09:24. The train set off towards Pen-y-Mount at 09:31. The train was back in the WHR platform by 16:21 and headed to Boston Lodge.

This easterly view (31/1/23) shows Moelwyn propelling a short PW train through the WHR platform towards Pen-y-Mount. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The Funkey returned with the empty ballast wagon at 10:40 and ran straight into Minffordd Yard. At 12:58 the loco emerged from the yard and at 13:10 headed light engine for Boston Lodge. The KMX tamper-liner arrived at Tan-y-bwlch with its running truck at 13:00 and left at 13:26 to tamp the recently relaid section just west of Tan-y-bwlch. It arrived back at Minffordd Yard at 16:22.

February cold snap predicted 31/1/23

The Daily Post has predicted a cold snap that could chill North Wales during February. However this is at odds with the Met Office which sees temperatures as high as 10C at Porthmadog into early February. See Daily Post report.

F&WHR 30/1/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Monday 30/1/23 was for a day of light cloud with maximum temperatures of 8C and no sign of snow in the week ahead as averages temperatures may reach double figures.

Vale of Ffestiniog was noted emerging from Minffordd Yard at 08:42 propelling a ballast wagon presumably to ballast the track relaid just west of Tan-y-bwlch station. At 10:30 Harlech Castle headed a short PW train from Minffordd towards Porthmadog.

This westerly view (30/1/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog propelling the loaded Romanian ballast wagon from Minffordd Yard towards the east. This may have been to provide top ballast prior to tamping the recently relaid track just west of Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR webcam. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 29/1/23

The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Sunday 29/1/23 was for a cloudy day after a& few sunny periods in the morning. Maximum temperatures of 8C are likely with temperatures rising to 10C by next weekend and no sign of snow.

At 12:32 Vale of Ffestiniog pulled into Tan-y-bwlch from the west with the PW train and FR Mess Car before propelling back to the west after the lunch break. At 14:42 the loco was noted propelling the rake into Minffordd yard..

Why no WHR Half Term trains?

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