F&WHR 24/6/23

The weather forecast for Saturday 24/6/23 was partially correct but drizzle continued through the morning before clearing up in the afternoon giving photographers something to be pleased about at last. Two Mountain Spirit trains were planned on the FR and two retimed through trains on the WHR. a woman in traditional Welsh dress met passengers at Beddgelert reprising the style of the 'station mistress' who performed a similar function in the 1930s.

There were some surprise workings because of the disappointments of the previous day.

Russell passing Llyn Bach car park on the 10:50 to Rhyd Ddu. The weather was still drizzling at this time. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Welsh Pony, substituting for the failed No.590, arriving at Beddgelert on the 11:35 ex Porthmadog. The weather was still drizzling at this time. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Russell arriving at Beddgelert on the 13:25 ex Rhyd Ddu and stabled by the heritage water tank. The weather was still drizzling at this time. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Russell at Beddgelert on the 13:25 ex Rhyd Ddu a few minutes layer with the weather starting to clear up and a heritage headlamp fitted. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Russell departing Beddgelert on the 12:25 from Rhyd Ddu. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Welsh Pony preparing to run round at Beddgelert for the 13:40 departure. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Welsh Pony passing the heritage water tower at Beddgelert during the run round for the 13:40 departure. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Welsh Pony coupling up for the 13:40 departure. The train was then shunted via the northern shunt limit to the southbound platform. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Merddin Emrys arriving with a Heritage set on a substitute working. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Welsh Pony departing Beddgelert possibly on the retimed 13:40 which had been planned to be No.590. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Merddin Emrys stabled at Beddgelert. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Merddin Emrys running round at Beddgelert. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Merddin Emrys watering from the heritage tank at Beddgelert. This may have happened a very few times in the 1920s! This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The two through services passed at a quiet, cold, misty Rhyd Ddu some 20 minutes late. The two trains were very quiet with several coaches empty marked as reserved for WHR100 passengers.

No.87 arriving at a windy cold Rhyd Ddu some 20 minutes late. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

No.130 passing at Rhyd Ddu some 20 minutes late. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

No.130 standing at Rhyd Ddu some 20 minutes late. This image was taken on a Canon EOS2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 23/6/23

The weather forecast was correct and heavy rain swept over most of the WHR on Friday afternoon spoiling photography for those who came for the special WHR100 Gala Trains. Two Mountain Spirit trains were planned on the FR and two retimed through trains on the WHR.

Down at Caernarfon traffic looked very sparse for the Snowdonia Star with car parks around the station area empty. Caernarfon Castle was in the headshunt alongside the station building with the Garratt attached at the other end well before departure time.

No.87 rolling across Britannia Bridge as viewed from the Harbour Station access road. This train was the 15:05 from Beddgelert using The Harbourmaster set. This image was taken on an iPhone from the security of a car waiting at the traffic lights.

Emma with F&WHR B wagons with loco ash and the SAR brake van. Click on this image to enlarge and click again to enlarge fully where available. This image is copyright Andrew Goodwin (WHHR) and was taken on a phone camera.

Lilla with part of the F&WHR's Woodland Wanderer rake. Click on this image to enlarge and click again to enlarge fully where available. This image is copyright Andrew Goodwin (WHHR) and was taken on a phone camera.

Gelert (still with its 70th birthday headboard) with a rake of WHHR coaches. Click on this image to enlarge and click again to enlarge fully where available. This image is copyright Andrew Goodwin (WHHR) and was taken on a phone camera.

Russell and Welsh Pony near the heritage water tank in B&W. Click and on this image to enlarge and click again to enlarge fully where available. This image is copyright Mark Herbert (WHHR) and was taken on a phone camera.

The Curse of the Baldwins strikes again!

Following on from the frequent failures of the FR's Baldwin No.608, the WHHR's Baldwin loco No.590 has also been failed with a driving axle bearing problem discovered on a test run to Beddgelert with Russell on 21/6/23 and will not be available for WHR100. This will cause much annoyance and disappointment to those who have purchased the expensive tickets for the Gala. Some intending passengers may cancel their booking which was possible up to 16:00 on the day before travel. This loco was used intensively during its launch weekend from 27/5/23 at the WHHR and there are many photos and videos in the archive. Let us hope the loco is made available for the WHRS Members' Day in September if not before?

If that was not bad enough news, the weather forecast has changed to heavy rain all Friday afternoon at Porthmadog!!

WHHR statement
It is with considerable disappointment that despite much hard work by Welsh Highland Heritage Railway engineers, with input also from Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway colleagues, the re-incarnated Baldwin ‘WHR 590’ will not be able to appear hauling services at the WHR100 event as planned on 23rd, 24th and 25th June. The locomotive has encountered a technical issue with a driving wheel bearing during pre-event trials to Beddgelert, which cannot be rectified in time for the event.
The same timetable will be operated on all three days, but with Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway locomotives substituting for ‘WHR 590’ on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th, and Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway carriages substituting also on Sunday 25th. Russell will operate with Welsh Highland Heritage Railway carriages on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th, as planned.
At the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, ‘WHR 590’ will be on display at Gelert’s Farm on all three days, and Gelert will be substituting on train services on Friday 23rd, alternating with a Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway locomotive as timetabled.

Porthmadog Gala Weather forecast

Friday 23/6/23 is forecast to have a very wet afternoon with temperatures between 17-18C. The weather will slowly improve over Saturday 24/6/23 with temperatures of 16-20C. Sunday is likely to be the best day with sunshine and showers predicted and temperatures of 13-21C.

F&WHR 22/6/23

Thursday 22/6/23 was a day of improving sunny periods at Porthmadog with typical temperatures of 15-22C. There were five FR trains offered, including The Quarryman, and two through WHR trains. There were liable to be a few extra departmental trains today with final preparations for the WHR100 Gala.

David Lloyd George was on the Mountain Spirit passing Minffordd at 10:57 followed by Merddin Emrys on the Woodland Wanderer at 11:21.

Caernarfon Castle turned up in the WHR platform and shunted into the yard at 11:25 to collect stock from the seawall siding. This maybe for final preparations for WHR100 which begins on Friday 23/6/23. At 11:30 Upnor Castle came over The Cob and entered the yard with a B wagon of coal to ensure the fuelling point was topped up ready for the 16 loco WHR100 Gala. At 11:37 the Funkey drew out the two DZ wagons before propelling them into the WHR loop. The loco ran round via the platform road and waited at the starter while the driver had a lunch break. Meanwhile Upnor Castle departed with 2 B wagons of loco ash at 12:07.

Caernarfon Castle unusually waiting at the starter on the WHR through line with two DZ wagons in tow. The platform road was left clear for the arrival of the Snowdonia Star. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

No.130 arrived at 12:30 with the Snowdonia Star and ran to the yard to refuel and water. this allowed the Funkey to depart at about 12:35. At 12:56 Blanche was shunting the recently arrived The Quarryman working into the yard to clear the FR platform for the next arrival. The Woodland Wanderer arrived at 13:36. The Garratt ran back to the Snowdonia Star at 13:41. A few minutes later coal wagons were being shunted in the sea wall siding with locos in the middle of the train! At 13:58 David Lloyd George arrived in Porthmadog on the Mountain Spirit. The Fairlie swop occurred and Merddin Emrys ran round and coupled at 14:04 for the 14:10 afternoon working. Both trains left on time. At 14:40 David Lloyd George shunted the Woodland Wanderer rake back into the platform for the 14:35 afternoon working. The final departure came at 15:30 when Blanche took the returning The Quarryman out of Porthmadog some 25 minutes late!

At 16:41 No.87 arrived with the returning The Harbourmaster. Vale of Ffestiniog was standing in the WHR loop. Welsh Pony was shunting bug boxes out of the seawall siding. David Lloyd George arrived at 17:05 with the Woodland Wanderer about 20 minutes late and No.87 left with the ECS two minutes later. Welsh Pony took the Woodland Wander rake apart and shunted them into new rakes. At 17:50 the England loco propelled a rake onto the rear of the Funkey which disappeared towards Pen-y-Mount shortly afterwards to deliver the rake to the WHHR.

Vale of Ffestiniog awaiting duty in the WHR loop. while No.87 waits to dispose of The Harbourmaster. Welsh Pony was busy shunting the sidings which continued for some times. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Merddin Emrys arrived back with the Mountain Spirit at 1755, about 45 minutes late, and Welsh Pony resumed shunting duties in the yard. The Fairlie ran round at 18:20 while Welsh Pony continued its shunt. The Fairlie left with the ECS at 18:29 but Welsh Pony continued to shunt bug boxes. At 18:39 the Funkey returned from it delivery run to the WHHR light engine and shunted tor the yard at 19:01 and took a long rake back to the depot at 17:10. Welsh Pony departed light engine at 19:27 to close the day's activities with pleasant evening sunshine that belied that weather forecast for Friday!

Spooners Weekend opening times

'WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY 100':
23-25/6/23
Spooners is looking forward to a busy weekend, with visitors arriving from all over the UK (and beyond) to enjoy the WHR centenary celebrations. With trains running from early in the morning, and into the evening, we've made some amendments to our opening times and menu selection.
FRIDAY:
Breakfast Menu - 09:00 to 11:30
Light Bites Menu - 12:00 to 16:00
Centenary Menu - 16:00 to 20:00
SATURDAY:
Breakfast Baps - 07:30 to 09:00
Breakfast Menu - 09:00 to 11:30
Light Bites Menu - 12:00 to 16:00
Centenary Menu - 16:00 to 20:00
SUNDAY:
Breakfast Baps - 07:30 to 09:00
Breakfast Menu - 09:00 to 11:30
Carvery Lunch - 12:00 to 15:30
Curry Night - 16:30 to 20:00
The usual range of sandwiches, cakes, hot and cold drinks etc will be available throughout the day from the Café counter.
SPOONER'S BAR will be open as usual, from 12:00 each day - until 23:00 on Friday and Saturday / 22:30 on Sunday
Come along and enjoy the busy station, take time out with drinks and food, inside or out on the beer terrace. Whatever your choice - Spooner's will have something for you..!

'WHR 100' EVENING MENU...
Spooners has prepared a fresh menu selection for their evening meal service this Friday and Saturday - as mentioned above, this 'Centenary Menu' will be served from 16:00 to 20:00 on both days.
----------------------------------------
MAINS:
Lasagne - with chips and peas or salad - £13.50
Cottage Pie - with vegetables - £14.50
Vegetable Curry - with chips and/or rice - £13.95
Chicken Tikka Curry - with chips and/or rice - £14.95
Wholetail Scampi - with chips and peas - £11.95
Tuna Pasta Bake - with garlic bread and salad - £13.50
BURGERS:
Lamb Burger - with chips, onion rings and salad - £13.95
Beef Burger - with chips, onion rings and salad - £13.95
Vegan Burger - with chips and salad - £14.95
DESSERTS:
Lemon Tart - with fresh berries - £6.50
Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding - £6.50
Chocolate Fudge Cake - served with ice cream - £6.50
Selection of Ice Cream - with a crispy wafer - £3.50
----------------------------------------
Don't forget Spooner's Carvery Lunch (12:00 to 15:30) and Curry Night (16:30 to 20:00) on Sunday - they will be a great way to round off your weekend..

F&WHR 21/6/23

Wednesday 21/6/23 was a day of improving sunny periods at Porthmadog with typical temperatures of 13-19C. There were five FR trains offered, including The Quarryman, and three WHR trains, two of The Aberglaslyn trains and a Gelert Explorer.

First up at 09:30 was No.130 with The Aberglaslyn in the WHR platform. Merddin Emrys arrived with the ECS Mountain Spirit into the FR platform at 10:15 as the Garratt departed. The Fairlie ran round at 10:26 ready for the 10:45 departure. At 10:32 the ECS for the Woodland Wanderer came over The Cob with David Lloyd George hauling. The train left on time and was noted departing Tan-y-bwlch on the return leg at 12:50 after the hour lay over there. The Quarryman passed Minffordd at 12:49 heading towards Porthmadog.

No.130 arrived back at 12:55 on The Aberglaslyn and left on time clearing the platform for the returning Mountain Spirit. David Lloyd George coupled up to the rake after swopping from the recently arrived Woodland Wanderer and left on time at 14:10. there was a school visit with children in hi-vis yellow jackets around 14:00. At 14:22 Merddin Emrys shunted onto the rake in the FR platform and Blanche ran round its train in the yard. The Woodland Wanderer left on time. Blanche ran round The Quarryman rake at 14:45 in the yard and shunted the rake to FR platform for the 15:05 departure which left on time.

At the end of the afternoon the trains returned to their depots. No.87 was the first back at 16:25 indicating a loco swop with the Gelert Explorer at Beddgelert. The Woodland Wanderer was next at 16:45. The Aberglaslyn ECS left a few minutes later. Merddin Emrys ran round and coupled up to the Woodland Wanderer at 17:01 and departed with the ECS after David Lloyd George arrived back at 17:12 with the Mountain Spirit. the Fairlie ran to refuel at 17:18 and departed with the ECS at 17:35 to close the day's activities.

Tim Dunn advertises WHR100

Click on the YouTube link to watch a short video of Tim Dunn advertising reasons you should visit the Top left Hand Corner of Wales for WHR100.

Locos at WHR100 Gala

WHR100 weather forecast

The Met Office has predicted temperatures of a mild 17-19C for Friday 23/6/23 with light rain in the afternoon. Saturday 24/6/23 has improving weather with a brighter afternoon and temperatures of 17-21C. Sunday 25/6/23 is forecast have temperatures of 14-19C with showers and sunny periods.

DHR 19B auction success 21/6/23

The news from the auction is that DHR 19B and the two coaches from the disposal of Adrian Shooter's Beeches Light Railway have been won by the UK group led by F&WHR volunteer Jeremy Davey, chair of the Darjeeling Tank Loco Trust and will now go to Statfold as their permanent home. It is the intention of the owning group that train will visit suitable 2' gauge railways around the UK, including the WHR once refurbished.

F&WHR 20/6/23

Tuesday 20/6/23 was a day of sunny periods at Porthmadog with typical temperatures of 15-20C. There were five FR trains offered, including The Quarryman, and just the two through WHR trains. First up today was Blanche which took the ECS The Quarryman rake up to Blaenau Ffestiniog after its maintenance turn at Boston Lodge, passing Minffordd at 09:57. As usual it will operate TWThO this week. No.87 must have hauled The Harbourmaster as No.130 arrived light engine from the WHR later and No.143 was on the Snowdonia Star.

At 10:20 David Lloyd George was running round the 10:45 Mountain Spirit and steam was being raised at Boston Lodge for the Woodland Wanderer. The ECS is timed to come over to the WHR platform so that it does not impede the 10:45 departure. Sometimes this requires a Funkey haulage if the steam loco is not quite ready. Merddin Emrys arrived at 10:38 and promptly detached for the run round. Normally, running round is not allowed with a few minutes of departure of the Mountain Spirit but today the loco needed fuelling and watering so it sprinted for the yard just 3 minutes before the 10:45, which left on time, the new fuel leaving a huge pall of smoke across The Cob. Merddin Emrys reappeared at 10:53 and completed the run round. The train left 5 minutes late.

A PW train returned to Minffordd Yard at 11:06 from Tan-y-bwlch double headed by Upnor Castle and Harlech Castle. At 12:13 Upnor Castle propelled two DZ wagons out of the yard that had been in the consist and 3 mins later hauled them towards Porthmadog. Upnor Castle crossed The Cob and approached Porthmadog yard with the two empty DZ wagons about 10 minutes later.

Upnor Castle arriving with a short freight from Minffordd Yard while No.143 uncouples from the Snowdonia Star and runs to the refuelling point. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The Snowdonia Star arrived at 12:21 hauled by No.143 with Upnor Castle approaching across The Cob. The Garratt detached and followed the departmental working into the yard to fuel and water. At 12:34 the diesel ran round in the yard. Blanche arrived at 13:31 with The Quarryman. Further diesel shunting took place before Blanche ran round The Quarryman at 13:06 and shunted it to the yard to clear the platform for later arrivals. Upnor Castle then took refuge in the seawall siding while the Woodland Wanderer arrived at 13:35. At 13:38 the diesel left light engine for Boston Lodge.

With the Woodland Wanderer also shunted to the yard David Lloyd George arrived with the Mountain Spirit into the FR platform at 14:02, just over quarter of an hour down giving a tight turn round as the train was due out again at 14:10. The loco swop occurred and Merddin Emrys ran round to couple up as the Garratt departed at 14:05. Part of the loco swop might be because there is insufficient time to fuel and water the Fairlie off the Mountain Spirit. At 14:30 David Lloyd George ran round and shunted the Woodland Wanderer to the FR platform departing at 14:46 over 10 minutes down. Blanche ran round its rake at 14:40 and at 15:00 began shunting The Quarryman back to the FR platform for the 15:05 departure.

First back was David Lloyd George on the Woodland Wanderer at 16:53. This was followed by David Lloyd George on the Mountain Spirit. The last move of the day came at 17:44 when David Lloyd George departed with the ECS.

WHR100 weather forecast

The Met Office has predicted temperatures of a mild 20-21C for the 23-25/6/23 Gala event. Friday is likely to be overcast light cloud but the weather will improve on Saturday with sunny periods in the afternoon and Sunday will have extended sunshine and a few showers in the afternoon.

DHR 19B auction 21/6/23

The auction for Adrian Shooter's Darjeeling loco 19B takes place on 21/6/23. Any last minute donations to ensure the loco remains in the UK at Statfold and possibly returns to F&WHR Galas can be made at the DHR Crowdfunder. Money will be refunded if the bid is unsuccessful.

F&WHR 19/6/23

Monday 19/6/23 was a day of sunny periods at Porthmadog with typical temperatures of 14-19C. There were four FR trains offered and just one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer.

The first moves came at 07:00 when Vale of Ffestiniog arrived light engine at Minffordd wrong line and 5 minutes later shunted back into the yard. At 07:21 the loco reappeared hauling the cherrypicker and a wagon and departed towards Tan-y-bwlch. No.130 hauled the freight from the seawall siding to Dinas in preparation for the WHR100 event just before 10:00.

David Lloyd George passed Minffordd at 10:58 with the morning run of the Mountain Spirit. This was followed by Blanche at 11:19 on the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. At 11:48 Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd yard with a PW train and headed towards Tan-y-bwlch.

At 13:25 Blanche arrived back in the WHR platform with the returning Woodland Wanderer. The afternoon Mountain Spirit passed through Minffordd at 14:32 about 10 minutes late with Blanche supported by Vale of Ffestiniog inside on this heavy consist. They were followed by David Lloyd George on the Woodland Wanderer at 14:57 with the two steam locos having swopped duties. The WHR starter signal was showing green for some time from 16:00 and No.130 passed through light engine at 16:10 to Boston Lodge.

At 17:08 David Lloyd George ran round the Woodland Wanderer and departed ECS a few minute after the Mountain Spirit arrived in the WHR platform at 17:34. Blanche detached and briefly ran to the yard while the Funkey ran round coupled up and departed with the ECS. Blanche left light engine a few minutes later at 17:43 to close the day's activities.

Blanche running to the fuelling point while the Funkey ran round to take the ECS back to Boston Lodge. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 18/6/23

Sunday 18/6/23 was an overcast day at Porthmadog with typical temperatures of 15-20C and thunderstorms in the late afternoon. There were three FR trains offered and just one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer. Merddin Emrys was used on a gravity train in the afternoon hauled to Dduallt. The mixed freight train was still stabled in the seawall siding.

First up today was David Lloyd George with the ECS Mountain Spirit. At 10:25 the loco ran round ready for the 10:45 departure. Lyd arrived with the ECS for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer into the WHR platform. Run round was immediate but had to wait for the Fairlie's departure as it was signalled as soon as the ECS was in the WHR platform. Hugh Napier arrived light engine at 11:05 and shunted the yard. Lyd left a few minutes late and Merddin Emrys was due to follow it up the line at 11:25 hauling the Gravity working from Pen Cob Junction to Dduallt. The train was noted passing Minffordd at 12:04 over 30 minutes late.

Lyd passes Minffordd at 11:22 but at 11:41 the light reversed into Minffordd Yard and 11:44 Vale of Ffestiniog arrived from Boston lodge to run through the loop and take the train forward. At 12:06 Hugh Napier was propelling the empty B wagons from Porthmadog fuelling point into Minffordd loop before drawing them into the yard minutes later. The two wagons loaded coal went out at 14:32 towards Porthmadog. Mysteriously Lyd emerged from Minffordd Yard at 12:08, light engine, before reversing towards Boston Lodge 3 minutes later.

Blanche arrived light engine at Porthmadog at 13:37. Vale of Ffestiniog arrived with the Woodland Wanderer just before 14:00, about half an hour late after some problem at Tan-y-bwlch had required a loco swop. This must have impacted the gravity train (see below). The loco left light engine at 14:05. Blanche departed with the Woodland Wanderer at 14:55 some 20 minutes late having substituted for Lyd which hauled the morning service. A rather wet gravity train rolled through Minffordd loop and into the yard at 15:05 over an hour late as Blanche approached on the Woodland Wanderer. It seems the gravity train had problems at Dduallt which impacted the returning Mountain Spirit.

At 16:16 David Lloyd George passed Minffordd with the Mountain Spirit (due 13:30 and apparently running 165 minutes late!). This train had been held at Tan-y-grisiau for over 2 hours while a problem with the Dduallt points was dealt with possibly associated with the gravity train. The loco ran round at 16:50 and the train departed ECS shortly afterwards. Meanwhile at 16:50 Merddin Emrys passed through Minffordd light engine returning from its gravity train duties. Blanche passed through at 17:13 with the returning Woodland Wanderer, over 40 minutes late. The loco ran round at 17:40 and the ECS departed at 17:50. At 17:52 Vale of Ffestiniog hauled the 7 coach The Quarryman rake out of the yard to Boston Lodge to close the day's activities.

Loco roster from 17-22/6/23

These are the details of the Loco Roster until Thursday 22/6/23 - with the addition of those locomotives working the main service trains on Friday 23/6/23-not the WHR100 Gala services. There will be plenty of other locos in action that day, as it is the first day of WHR100. A separate roster list will be added later in the week to cover that event.
So, this week's Loco Roster currently features six different locomotives on passenger turns.
On the FR: David Lloyd George, Merddin Emrys, Blanche and Lyd will be in action on the regular train services - with the Double Fairlies also appearing on the Gravity Slate Waggon trains on Saturday and Sunday.
On the WHR: NG/G16s Nos. 87/130 will be the mainstay of the service train roster.
 

The WHR100 Loco Roster will feature around 15 steam and diesel locos in action - so there will be plenty of variety for visitors to see next weekend!
______________________________
NOTE: This information is provided in good faith, solely as a guide, but could be subject to change at any time.

DHR Loco appeal progress

F&WHR volunteer Jeremy Davey, chair of the Darjeeling Tank Loco Trust, has been successful is raising substantial funds to try and purchase Adrian Shooter's DHR B Class Loco and possibly the two carriages, spanners and associated equipment from the estate when it comes up for auction. If successful the loco will be based at Statfold Barn where it will receive a thorough refurbishment. The loco would subsequently be available to visit Galas at 2' gauge railways. The DHR society has contributed £40,000 towards the Appeal but still more would be welcome to ensure the loco remains in the UK and visits the F&WHR in the future. See Rail Advent story. The auction is on 21/6/23 but donations are still gratefully received.

F&WHR 17/6/23

Saturday 17/6/23 was an overcast day at Porthmadog with typical temperatures of 16-21C and showers in the evening. There were four FR trains offered including 10:45 Mountain Spirit and The Quarryman service and the two through WHR trains. David Lloyd George will be used on gravity trains in the afternoon.

First up today was David Lloyd George on the gravity slate run to Dduallt passing Minffordd at 09:29. The Harbourmaster left Porthmadog on time with No.87 in charge while Merddin Emrys was running round in the FR platform. Lyd came across The Cob next arriving with the ECS for the Woodland Wanderer at 10:40. Lyd ran round at 10:47, as soon as the Mountain Spirit had cleared the shunt limit on The Cob. The Fairlie arrived in Minffordd at 10:55 and waited for the first gravity train to pass at 11:01. Welsh Pony performed the job of 'Bottom Shunter' and after the rake came to a halt on The Cob propelled the slate wagons into the safety of the WHR loop before going light engine to the fuelling point. Departure of the Woodland Wanderer was delayed until 11:22, over 10 minutes late! Welsh Pony stabled in the seawall siding.

Welsh Pony, acting in the role of Bottom Shunter, propelling the gravity rake across The Cob after it had come to rest into the safety of the WHR loop. Boston Lodge was to provide David Lloyd George to take the train to Dduallt for a second run in the afternoon. Lyd on the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer was delayed over 10 minutes by the shunting. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

No.87 arrived on the Snowdonia Star at about 12:35 and at 12:38 made its way to the fuelling point in the yard. At 13:20 Fairlie left the yard and coupled up to the gravity slate train. Blanche turned up at 13:33 to shunt the Mountain Spirit out of the FR platform ready for the 14:35 Woodland Wanderer. David Lloyd George exchanged duties with Merddin Emrys at Tan-y-bwlch after some fault with the latter. Merddin Emrys  must have returned light engine and was unexpectedly readied for the gravity working to Rhiw Goch after apparently being fixed. Merddin Emrys departed at 13:44 with the gravity slate working which allowed the No.87 to run round and couple up to the Snowdonia Star at 13:55 and depart at 14:05. Lyd arrived back minutes later with the morning's Woodland Wanderer. Blanche was noted shunting the yard at 14:10.

David Lloyd George arrived back with the Mountain Spirit at 14:34, almost 50 minutes late showing there had been some problem and Lyd left on time a few minutes later with the Woodland Wanderer. Blanche shunted The Quarryman rake back into the FR platform at 14:47 ready for its 15:05 return working. At 15:06 David Lloyd George returned from the yard to take the ECS Mountain Spirit back to Boston Lodge, but waited for the late 15:05 The Quarryman to depart at 15:18, presumably retimed to wait in a loop for the gravity train to pass. The ECS finally left at 15:32.

Lyd hauled the ECS Woodland Wanderer back to the depot at 17:24. Blanche hauled the final train into the FR platform at 17:54. This appeared to be the ECS stock from The Quarryman returning from Glan-y-pwll, due for maintenance. Blanche ran round at 18:02 and departed light engine at 18:11 to close the day's activities.

Moving Pictures YouTube No.80 16/6/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 27 minutes 42 seconds of video covering the Beer Festival, Britomart Wedding special, preparations for WHR100, No.590 to Beddgelert and gravity slate trains. This video was published on 16/6/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

Cambrian problems 16-17/6/23

The occasional FO Aberystwyth Kronspan siding (station loop) to Chirk log train was loaded Friday afternoon but due to delays on the Cambrian which also affected a planned engineer's train due to run from Tywyn, the path was abandoned and the engine shut down overnight and staff sent home on the cushions. An STP was forced early the next morning to allow the freight to get to Chirk, departing 03:40 with two Class 37s (an NR 97/3 and a Colas 37). The over rationalisation of the Cambrian for ERTMS means that the system is operating near capacity in daylight hours. Maybe it is time to put back the lost loops at Borth, Dyfi Junction, Cemmaes Road etc. The train eventually arrived at 08:31 as booked after reversing at Chester (the Kronospan siding at Chirk is only accessible by shunting back off the southbound line at Chirk).

WHHR (Tremadog Road) WHR100 events 23-25/6/23

Over the course of the WHR100 event weekend, Tremadog Road will be a hive of activity with plenty to see and do! Take a read through some of the highlights that you can look forward to over at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway during the celebrations. Most event passenger trains will be offering opportunities to connect at Pen-y-Mount Junction (though you will have to occupy the front 3 carriages as the platform is short).

The first chance to ride behind Baldwin No.590 during the WHR100 celebrations

The Baldwin locomotive No.590 is synonymous with the post 1923 WHR, over the last several years the WHHR have had the Baldwin locomotive restored and turned out to look exactly as No.590 would have looked while operating on the WHR. The locomotive was finished in late Spring (in a red livery consistent with the FR lease period) and was launched to donors and supporters at the end of May. The first opportunity to see the locomotive during the WHR100 event will be between Porthmadog (WHHR) and Pen-y-Mount on Friday 23/6/23.

Visiting F&WHR loco hauling a passenger train

WHR100 is a truly joint event between the WHHR and the F&WHR. Each day you will have the opportunity to see a different locomotive from the wider F&WHR fleet operating the train service between Porthmadog (WHHR) and Pen-y-Mount. It will be familiar locomotives in an unusual setting giving a rare chance to travel behind a visiting locomotive on the WHHR.

Demonstration construction train

Motorail 2197 was one of the locomotives used on the original 1922 construction contract for the WHR. We are fortunate that this locomotive still survives and will be paired with a suitable rake of tipper waggons to show how the original WHR route would have been constructed 100 years ago. The event will kick off on Friday morning with the demonstration construction train running between Porthmadog (WHHR) and Pen-y-Mount. This locomotive is on loan from the Moseley Railway Trust collection at Apedale.

Live steam on 7 1/4″ railway

The Porthmadog Woodland Railway runs around the site at Gelert’s Farm. Normally motive power is one of the internal combustion engine powered locomotives. However, during the gala a number of visiting steam engines will be hauling trains around the site.

3 1/2″-5″ gauge live steam train rides

If one miniature railway was not enough for you then for the WHR100 event we will have a second temporary 3 1’2″ and 5″ Gauge railway available for train rides. This will feature a selection of live steam models over the course of the weekend, some WHR themed and some not. There will also be a static display of as many examples of the FR and WHR fleet as we can manage in 3 1/2″ gauge, with locos being brought from all across the UK this promises to be a special gathering of FR and WHR models never seen together before.

16mm live steam models

Yet more live steam on an even smaller scale. There will be a plethora of mini steam powered models featuring examples for NWNGR, FR and WHR from over more than 160 years of Welsh narrow gauge history. With an ever-changing roster of locomotives there will be something different to keep you coming back for another look.

Two new build loco groups with display stands

Covering over 160 years of Welsh narrow gauge we have representatives of two new build locomotive projects. The Mountaineer 1863 new build locomotive group are building a replica of one of the original George England locomotives in the form that they were first delivered to the Ffestiniog railway in 1863 with side tanks rather than a saddle tank. They will be displaying progress so far and helping to raise the profile of this project. The Gowrie project by the Gowrie Locomotive Trust is building a replica of the Hunslet built 0-6-4 single Fairlie, which was built for the NWNGR in 1908, just after Russell. They will have a display stand showing their latest progress along with some bits destined to find themselves in the finished locomotive.

The Russell Café will open between 07:30 – 17:00 on all three days and will be serving a selection of breakfast and lunch options plus a range of cakes and hot and cold snacks alongside tea, coffee and cold drinks.

F&WHR 16/6/23

Friday 16/6/23 was a day of sunny periods at Porthmadog with typical temperatures of 16-26C. There were four FR trains offered including both Mountain Spirit services and one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer.

First up was Harlech Castle which propelled the FR Mess Car out of Minffordd Yard at 08:32 and presumably headed towards Tan-y-bwlch. At 09:01 the loco hauled the Mess car towards Boston Lodge, now with many volunteers on board.

David Lloyd George was on the 10:45 Mountain Spirit passing Minffordd on time at 10:55 in sunshine. This was followed by Merddin Emrys on time passing Minffordd at 11:36. The first of several Gravity trains due this weekend made an appearance at 11:36 when Harlech Castle propelled the gravity train out of Minffordd Yard and at 11:43 hauled it towards Porthmadog. The loco must returned light engine shortly after 09:00.

At 13:22 the Woodland Wanderer was back in Porthmadog and Merddin Emrys detached and ran to the yard a few minutes later before swopping duties with David Lloyd George. However Lyd turned up for the afternoon Woodland Wanderer so David Lloyd George was returned to the depot for use on the Gravity trains after shunting the wagons at the fuelling point. A short freight including the ex SAR ballast wagon is still stabled in the seawall siding.

Lyd returned at 16:47 with the Woodland Wanderer into the WHR platform.

The gravity train passed through Minffordd about 15 minutes late at 18:40 and had suffered a shower on the way. David Lloyd George returned from Dduallt passing Minffordd at 19:10 some 20 minutes late to close the day's activities.

Gravity weekend workings 16-18/6/23

Today, Friday 16/6/23, the Slate Waggon team will be running an early evening gravity train as part of their regular testing and training schedule. However, not only will it be running on Friday, but also on Saturday and Sunday as well.
FRIDAY:
David Lloyd George takes Slate Wagons to Dduallt.
- 16:50 depart Boston Lodge
- 17:40 arrive Dduallt
GRAVITY Slate Train
- 17:45 depart Dduallt
- 18:30 arrive Boston Lodge
David Lloyd George returns Light Engine
- 18:00 departs Dduallt
- 1810-18:25 waits at Tan-y-Bwlch
- 18:55 arrives Boston Lodge
----------------------------------------
SATURDAY:
David Lloyd George + slate waggons
- 09:15 depart Boston Lodge
- 10:10 arrive Dduallt
GRAVITY Slate Train
- 10:15 depart Dduallt
- 11:05 arrive Porthmadog
David Lloyd George returns Light Engine
- 10:35 depart Dduallt
- 12:20 arrive Porthmadog
David Lloyd George + slate waggons
- 13:20 depart Porthmadog
- 13:45 arrive Rhiw Goch
GRAVITY Slate Train
- 13:50 depart Rhiw Goch
- 14:10 arrive Boston Lodge
David Lloyd George returns Light Engine
- 14:10 depart Rhiw Goch
- 14:30 arrive Boston Lodge
----------------------------------------
SUNDAY:
Merddin Emrys + slate waggons
- 11:25 depart Boston Lodge
- 12:35 arrive Dduallt
GRAVITY Slate Train
- 13:20 depart Dduallt
- 13:55 arrive Minffordd
Merddin Emrys returns (coupled to an Infrastructure Dept. train)
- 13:40 depart Dduallt
- 14:30 arrive Porthmadog
----------------------------------------
NOTE: This information is provided in good faith, solely as a guide, but could be subject to change at any time.

WHR100 timetables Sunday 25/6/23

Sunday June 25/6/23
(Theme of the Day: Revival & 21st Century WHR)

08:00 – The Harbourmaster RETIMED (returns 11:10 ex Caernarfon)
Garratt hauled service trains between Porthmadog and Caernarfon, running with double-headed Garratts on the Dinas – Porthmadog return leg of the journey (included in Rover ticket).

08:50 – No.590 & WHHR Stock to Beddgelert

09:30 – Welsh Pony & Vintage to Rhyd Ddu

11:35 – No.590 & WHHR Stock to Beddgelert

12:45 – Welsh Pony & Vintage to Dinas

13:00 – Snowdonia Star RETIMED (returns 15:35 ex Porthmadog)
Garratt hauled service trains between Caernarfon and Porthmadog, running with double headed Garratts on the Porthmadog to Dinas leg of the journey and a mixed goods train between Pont Croesor – Dinas (included in Rover ticket).

13:45 – The Harbourmaster RETIMED (returns 15:55 ex Caernarfon)
Lyd & Russell double-headed hauled service between Porthmadog and Caernarfon (included in Rover ticket).

14:15 – Castell Caernarfon & Goods Dinas to Pont Croesor
Loco returns light-engine 17:00 ex-Pont Croesor

* Shuttles running between Porthmadog & Minffordd using Double Fairlie

F&WHR 15/6/23

Thursday 15/6/23 was a sunny day at Porthmadog with typical temperatures of 14-26C. There were five FR trains offered including The Quarryman rake which was due to run TWThO this week, and the two through WHR trains.

Merddin Emrys left on time on the 10:45 Mountain Spirit while David Lloyd George ran round on the Woodland Wanderer in the WHR platform. The 11:10 Woodland Wanderer also left on time. At 11:40 Vale of Ffestiniog was shunting the station yard. The Snowdonia Star arrived by 12:30 and the loco promptly detached and ran to the yard to refuel and water.

Following the return departure of the Snowdonia Star from Porthmadog, the Baldwin No.590 was allowed to make a test run up to Beddgelert from Pen-y-Mount with the loco now working on air brakes with a WHHR rake. This test train might be passed by The Harbourmaster due to depart Beddgelert at 15:40, or come back with a fast turn around after taking water, before that train.

David Lloyd George arrived back at 17:38 with the Mountain Spirit indicating the usual loco swop had occurred at lunchtime. Run round came at 17:59 and the ECS departed at 18:03 to close the day's activities.

WHR100 'teaser 'YouTube 15/6/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 1 minutes 25 seconds of video giving a taste of what WHR100 might be like from 23-25/6/23. This video was published on 15/6/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

WHR100 at the WHHR 23-25/6/23

Click on the image to enlarge. this image is copyright WHHR.

Click on the image to enlarge. this image is copyright WHHR.

On Friday 23/6/23 No.590 will be taking alternate turns with Lilla at the WHHR and there will be 10 turns of each loco. On Saturday and Sunday Blanche and Gelert will be taking alternate turns with 24 departures Saturday and 20 Sunday.

It is just a week from tomorrow that the 2023 WHR Centenary celebrations begin - a weekend that will involve FIFTEEN locomotives in action, on three railways, over the three-day event.
▪ Here are outline timetables of the 'WHR100' services running on the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway / Rheilffordd Ucheldir Cymru, Porthmadog. Friday, in particular, is a great day to visit them - with newly-restored No.590 working with Lilla on frequent trains between Tremadog Road and Pen-y-Mount Junction. There are also plenty of other things to see and do at Gelert's Farm. Start your day at the WHHR and you can then use your 'WHR100' ticket to join F&WHR trains at Pen-y-Mount Junction, including the evening trains to Beddgelert!
▪ Full details of the Loco Diagrams, Stock Rosters and Working Timetables will be included in the Event Guide, which can be ordered online along with your tickets.
More information on activities on the WHHR are available on the Event web-page - along with the link to the online booking system. See
https://www.festrail.co.uk/whr-centenary/.

WHR100 timetables Saturday 24/6/23

The special timetable that will operate on Saturday 24/6/23. Image copyright F&WHR.

Saturday June 24/6/24
(Theme of the Day: WHR “Like the Photos”)

08:50 – Welsh Pony & Vintage to Beddgelert

10:50 – Russell & WHHR Stock to Rhyd Ddu
Vintage train running from Porthmadog to Rhyd Ddu

11:35 – No.590 & Vintage to Beddgelert
Vintage train operating between Porthmadog and Beddgelert, connecting with WHHR at Pen-y-Mount Junction

12:25 – Welsh Pony & Vintage to Beddgelert (via Minffordd!)

14:55 – Russell & WHHR Stock to Rhyd Ddu

15:40 – No.590 & Vintage to Beddgelert
Vintage train running from Porthmadog to Rhyd Ddu

16:25 – Mary Ann ‘Demolition Train’ to Pont Croesor
Evening “demolition” train to Pont Croesor

* Shuttles will be running between Porthmadog & Minffordd using Welsh Pony including nonstop run through Porthmadog Harbour Station

F&WHR 14/6/23

Wednesday 14/6/23 was a sunny day at Porthmadog with raised temperatures of 16-26C. There were five FR trains offered including The Quarryman rake which was due to run TWThO this week, and three WHR trains, including the Gelert Explorer and to of The Aberglaslyn trains.

At 10:00 No.143 was already present in the WHR platform with the 10:15 morning run of The Aberglaslyn. A Fairlie turned up with the ECS for the Mountain Spirit at 10:15 into the FR platform. It was no surprise after the hour long difficulties putting the ECS David Lloyd George away last night that Vale of Ffestiniog turned up at 10:25 on the Woodland Wanderer ECS in the WHR platform. However David Lloyd George was on the Mountain Spirit passing Minffordd at 10:57 so the problem must have been resolved. At 12:59 Blanche passed through Minffordd on The Quarryman. Maybe the Funkey only hauled the ECS as Merddin Emrys was noted working the returning Woodland Wanderer rake at 13:26 as it passed through Minffordd.

Vale of Ffestiniog dragging the WHHR stock back from RTR inspection at Boston Lodge while David Lloyd George runs round the Mountain Spirit in the FR platform. Presumably the Funkey was hauling the air braked stock back to Pen-y-Mount under a Special Working rules! Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

At 14:55 Blanche was noted running round its 6 coach The Quarryman rake in the yard before shunting it back to the FR platform at 15:00 for the 15:05 return service. The train departed 6 minutes late as the last departure of the afternoon. The Mountain Spirit was back at Porthmadog's FR platform by 17:30 and David Lloyd George ran round at 17:38. The ECS left at 17:42 to close the day's activities.

WHR100 timetables Friday 23/6/23

Click here for the special timetable that will operate on Friday 23/6/23. Image copyright F&WHR.

It is just over a week until the WHR Centenary celebrations begin - a weekend that will involve 15 locomotives in action, on three railways, over the three-day event. Here are outline timetables of the F&WHR's 'WHR100' services, so you can see what passenger trains are running over the weekend. There will also be frequent trains running on the WHHR - with locos from the WHHR and F&WHR fleet. Full details of the Loco Diagrams, Stock Rosters and Working Timetables will be included in the Event Guide, which can be ordered online along with your tickets.

Friday June 23/6/23

(Theme of the Day: Pre 1923 & Opening)

11:30  Mary Ann ‘Inspection’ Train to Pont Croesor: Inspection Train Porthmadog to Pont Croesor

12:15  Welsh Pony & Slates to Hafod-y-Llyn: Slate wagons through Porthmadog and to Pont Croesor Hafod-y-Llyn

14:15 Russell and WHHR stock to Beddgelert: Vintage train operating between Porthmadog and Beddgelert, connecting with WHHR at Pen-y-Mount Junction

15:10  Merddin Emrys and David Lloyd George (standing in for the original James Spooner) ‘Test’ Train to Rhyd Ddu: Afternoon ‘test’ train reconstruction to Rhyd Ddu to test bridges

16:05 Welsh Pony & Vintage train to Pont Croesor

17:40 Welsh Pony & Vintage train to Beddgelert: Evening vintage trains to Beddgelert for photo opportunities

18:20 Russell & Vintage train to Beddgelert: Evening vintage trains to Beddgelert for photo opportunities

F&WHR 13/6/23

Tuesday 13/6/23 was yet another day of sunny periods at Porthmadog with raised temperatures of 17-28C. There were five FR trains offered including The Quarryman rake which was due to run TWThO this week, and the two through WHR trains.

First up today was No.143 with the ECS for The Harbourmaster at 9:30 due out at 10:05. Merddin Emrys turned up a little later into the FR platform with the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit. Unusually the Woodland Wanderer had not arrived by the time the time the Mountain Spirit was due to depart. David Lloyd George appeared with the ECS at 10:49 into the WHR platform allowing the Mountain Spirit to depart 5 minutes late at 10:50. The loco uncoupled immediately and ran round at 11:00 ready for the 11:10 departure.

No130 was noted on the Snowdonia Star. Blanche passed Minffordd at 12:45 with The Quarryman. At 18:10 the Mountain Spirit was back in the FR platform waiting the run round. David Lloyd George ran round at 18:22. After some trouble coupling up (possibly obtaining a vacuum) the train left at 18:45 but came to a stop on The Cob possibly with brake problems with the rear of the train just clear of the king point. The train was eventually removed at 19:15 to close the day.

F&WHR 12/6/23

Monday 12/6/23 was yet another day of sunny periods at Porthmadog with raised temperatures of 16-23C with the possibility of thunderstorms later. There were four FR trains offered but just one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer.

First up today was Vale of Ffestiniog with one coach passing through Minffordd at 9:30, presumably on its way to Glan-y-pwll to reform The Quarryman rake which was due to run TWThO this week.

A surprise visit by Russell occurred when the loco brought the WHHR vintage rake over to Boston Lodge for a ready to run test by F&WHR staff.

This easterly view (12/6/23) shows Russell crossing NR at Cae Pawb on its way to Boston Lodge with the Heritage Train for a ready to run check by F&WHR staff.  Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is copyright Mark Herbert WHHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Russell crossing Britannia Bridge on its way to Boston Lodge with the Heritage Train for a ready to run check by F&WHR staff.  Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is copyright Mark Herbert WHHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Russell passing through the WHR platform at Porthmadog on its way to Boston Lodge with the Heritage Train for a ready to run check by F&WHR staff.  Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is copyright Mark Herbert WHHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Russell crossing The Cob to Boston Lodge after bringing over the Heritage Train  from the WHHR for a ready to run check by F&WHR staff.  Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Russell on the pit road at Boston Lodge after bringing over the Heritage Train for a ready to run check by F&WHR staff.  Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is copyright Mark Herbert WHHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

At 10:30 Merddin Emrys was already coupled up in the FR platform for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit and steam was being raised at Boston Lodge for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. Lyd turned up with the ECS and uncoupled at 10:44. Run round had to wait until 10:49 for Mountain Spirit to clear The Cob shunt limit.

The Fairlie pulled into Minffordd at 10:56. Harlech Castle was waiting to pass in the loop with the S&T train which headed directly for Minffordd Yard at 10:58. At 11:21 Lyd passed through Minffordd on the Woodland Wanderer. At 11:51 Harlech Castle propelled the 3 wagon rake used at the weekend out of the yard. At 11:55 the Works train headed for Porthmadog.

At 13:55 both FR trains were back at Porthmadog with locos refuelling. Russell approached across The Cob having visited Boston Lodge in the morning. At 14:03 the loco headed back across Britannia Bridge to the WHHR.

Russell to Boston Lodge. The loco is captured making its way back to the WHHR light engine after depositing the Heritage Train at the works for a check up.  Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

There are also several images on Paul Lewin's Facebook page showing the loco and its train crossing Britannia Bridge earlier in the day and at Boston Lodge.

Following Russell's departure, the Fairlie left on time with the afternoon Mountain Spirit from the FR platform. Lyd returned from the fuelling point and coupled up at 14:30. The train departed at 14:50 in a hailstorm, some 15 minutes late. The Fairlie passed Minffordd on its return at 17:26 and would have reached Porthmadog 10 minutes later. the ECS was disposed of by 18:00 to close the day's activities.

F&WHR 11/6/23

Sunday 11/6/23 was yet another day of sunny periods at Porthmadog with raised temperatures of 15-21C with the possibility of thunderstorms later. There were only three FR trains offered with the morning Mountain Spirit running and just one WHR train, the Gelert Explorer.

The first train of the day was the works train hauled by Harlech Castle. This left Minffordd yard at 08:44 with the same rake as yesterday no doubt to complete the lineside clearance near t started yesterday. The ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit was first into Porthmadog's FR platform and Merddin Emrys ran round at 10:15. Lyd arrived at 10:36 with the ECS Woodland Wanderer into the WHR platform. Lyd ran round by 10:34 and departed on time.

Lyd returned with the afternoon Woodland Wanderer on time. The loco ran round at 16:45 and departed ECS at 16:55 for the depot. At 17:39 Harlech Castle was noted passing through Tan-y-bwlch towards Minffordd with the water tank wagon to close the day's activities.

Timetable 10/6/23-16/6/23

Click on the timetable to enlarge. This timetable is copyright F&WHR.

Early WHR operations 1923/4

The WHR opened throughout on 1/6/1923 and the trains were hauled by a mixture of WHR and FR locos using England engines. Princess worked the first WHR train from Porthmadog to Dinas. Palmerston, Prince, Welsh Pony and Little Giant  were all noted on such duties in subsequent months. Russell and an ailing Moel Tryfan operated too from the WHR's fleet. No.590 arrived a month later on 4/7/23 to supplement the fleet after a few alterations and probably started work that summer. Occasional use was made of double Fairlies despite the concerns about long boilers on 1 in 40 grades needing careful water management! Single Fairlie Taliesin is recorded working to Porthmadog New but was in poor condition when the WHR opened. In 1924 the boiler was condemned and the remains scrapped in 1935 so there is doubt it ever operated all the way to Dinas. It is a pity the loco is not available to run the route this year but there are hopes Taliesin may be returned to traffic in the not too distant future.

To celebrate the 1/6/1923 opening, Russell and Garratt No.143 were posed side by side at Pen-y-Mount junction on 1/6/2023 to show the two halves of the WHR working together to celebrate the WHR 100 anniversary.

Russell standing in the WHHR headshunt and No.143 on the WHR main line at Pen-y-#mount junction to celebrate the opening of the WHR on 1/6/1923. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is copyright Chris Parry (F&WHR) and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

F&WHR 10/6/23

Saturday 10/6/23 was yet another day of sunny periods at Porthmadog with raised temperatures of 15-26C with the possibility of thunderstorms later. There were only two FR trains offered with just the morning Mountain Spirit running. The Festival Shuttles hauled by Caernarfon Castle between Caernarfon and Waunfawr! There were seven shuttles on Saturday starting at 11:00 and a final departure from Waunfawr at 22:50 with a more fragmented service than Friday. See special Beer Festival Shuttle timetable. The absence of Woodland Wanderer trains today was a little perplexing and the stock may have been repurposed for a special with Britomart but intending passengers could use the Mountain Spirit service and 'hop off' at Tan-y-bwlch for an extended stay if they wished.

The first train of the day was the works train departing Minffordd Yard at 08:52 with the 3 wagon rake from Friday, plus shredder and FR mess car. This was in the hands of Harlech Castle and headed towards Tan-y-bwlch. The Brambles Working Party was working between Tunnel South and Dduallt between passing trains. The train was shunted at Dduallt to dispose the waste but was passed the eastbound Mountain Spirit at Tan-y-grisiau.

Harlech Castle with a works train heading towards Tan-y-bwlch. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

At 10:45 Merddin Emrys departed the FR platform on time with the morning Mountain Spirit. At 12:04 Britomart departed the FR platform with brake coaches Nos. 11/12 from the Woodland Wanderer rake on a Wedding Day Special. The train arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 12:46. At 13:17 the Fairlie returned to Tan-y-bwlch with Britomart still simmering on its train in the eastbound platform. The Mountain Spirit left at 13:25, some 5 minutes late. The decorated Britomart ran round at 13:28 and departed for Porthmadog at 14:00. No.130 was on the returning Snowdonia Star at 14:05.

Merddin Emrys passed through Tan-y-bwlch at 16:34. No.143 pulled into Porthmadog with The Harbourmaster at 16:55 some 30 minutes late. The ECS has to wait for the arrival of the Mountain Spirit which occurred at 17:12. The ECS departed a minute later. The Fairlie detached and refuelled and watered before running round at 17:30. This in turn had to wait for a special departmental working hauled by Hugh Napier to arrive at 17:40 with a couple of B wagons loaded with coal for the fuelling point. With The Cob now clear, the Fairlie departed with the ECS at 17:41 to close the day's activities.

Boston Lodge tour for locals 28/6/23
Later this month, the F&WHR is running a special ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of Boston Lodge - exclusively for people from the local area to show them 'What's going on'. Join the tour group at 17:30, Wednesday, 28/6/23, where guides will show visitors the latest developments at Boston Lodge - including restoration works on the historic buildings and the construction of new facilities, as well as an after-hours peek ‘behind the scenes’ of the erecting shop and the carriage works. This tour is free, but must be booked in advance by contacting James Kindberg. Email: jkindberg@ffwhr.com.

F&WHR 9/6/23

Friday 9/6/23 was yet another day of sunny periods at Porthmadog with raised temperatures of 17-27C. There were three FR trains on Friday with just the morning Mountain Spirit running. What is surprising is that on a Gala Day for the Beer Festival there are no WHR trains running other than the Festival Shuttles hauled by Caernarfon Castle between Caernarfon and Waunfawr! There were seven shuttles on Friday starting at 11:00 and a final arrival back at Caernarfon at 23:20 with the ECS getting back to Dinas around midnight! See special Beer Festival Shuttle timetable.

At 09:45 the ECS for the Mountain Spirit was already in the FR platform. and David Lloyd George ran round 10 minutes later ready for the 10:45 service. Meanwhile steam was raised at Boston Lodge for the Woodland Wanderer. The Mountain Spirit left on time at 10:45. Lyd emerged from the yard at 10:50 to couple up to the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer in the WHR platform which departed on time. A couple of loaded B wagons carry fuel for the locos at the Porthmadog fuelling point.

Harlech Castle was shunting the seawall siding at 11:09 presumably to extract the B wagons for loco ash. At 10:20 the diesel extracted two coaches, two DZ wagons, the SAR brakevan and two B wagons from the sea wall and propelled them into the yard, leaving a ballast wagon in the seawall siding. The B wagons on the rear were left in the carriage sidings while the rest were shunted back into the seawall siding. At 11:40 the two coaches were extracted and shunted into the yard and the loco came back at 11.44 to couple to one of the two B wagons in the yard. This was then propelled slowly to the fuelling point presumably to collect loco ash. At 12:00 Harlech Castle left the station yard hauling a B wagon a DZ wagon and another B wagon heading for Minffordd where the train reversed into the yard at 12:13 with B1146/1680.

Lyd passed Minffordd at 16:40 on the return afternoon Woodland Wanderer and probably arrived in Porthmadog at 16:50. The final movement of the day would be the ECS back to Boston Lodge shortly after 17:00 to close the day' activities.

Loco roster from 10/6/23

Lyd is rostered for the Woodland Wanderer on Sunday and Monday.

Merddin Emrys is set to haul the 10:45 Mountain Spirit WFX  and the 14:10 SuTThX

David Lloyd George will be on the !0:45 Mountain Spirit WFO and the 14:10 TThO

Blanche has taken over The Quarryman duties TWThO

No.87 is allocated to the Gelert Explorer SuO and the Snowdonian Star TO.

No.130 is allocated the Snowdonia Star SO and the Gelert Explorer MO

No.143 is allocated The Harbourmaster STO

Britomart is allocated a private charter 12:05 Porthmadog-Tan-y-bwlch

Caernarfon Castle shuttle duties Caernarfon-Waunfawr from 11:00 SO

F&WHR 8/6/23

Thursday 8/6/23 was yet another sunny day at Porthmadog with temperatures of 12-22C. Thursday's trains were a repeat of Tuesday's services with five FR trains, including The Quarryman and the two through WHR trains.

A Garratt hauled the 10:05 The Harbourmaster and Merddin Emrys the Mountain Spirit passing Minffordd on time at 10:54. At 11:11 a chimney-first Welsh Pony and Vale of Ffestiniog departed the WHR loop with a short rake of 5 coaches bound for Dinas. David Lloyd George was on the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer that departed at 11.24, almost quarter of an hour late for no apparent reason.

Welsh Pony with Vale of Ffestiniog on its way to Dinas chimney first! It appears the loco came back light engine later making this a test run to familiarise staff running chimney first up the WHR 1 in 40. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The train arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 12:00, still 15 minutes late. At 12:16 Blanche passed through Tan-y-bwlch with The Quarryman. This duty is normally the responsibility of Welsh Pony but that went to Dinas earlier in the day. No.87 pulled into the WHR platform at 12:35 with the Snowdonia Star, some 10 minutes late. Five minutes later the loco ran to the fuelling and watering point in the station yard. Blanche pulled into the FR platform at 12:56 with The Quarryman. After running round, Blanche propelled the rake into the sidings at 13:10 clearing the FR platform for the return of other services.

At 13:18 No.87 ran round and coupled up the return working of the Snowdonia Star, due out at 14:05. The Woodland Wanderer returned at 13:35 into the FR platform with David Lloyd George in charge. The loco propelled the rake out and drew it back into the sidings at 13:43 to clear the FR platform for later trains.

Blanche was shunting in the yard while Merddin Emrys pulled into the FR platform on the returning Mountain Spirit at 14:00, about 15 minutes late. The Garratt left on time and after a fast turn round the Mountain Spirit also left, just 6 minutes late, behind David Lloyd George as the two Fairlies swopped duties as usual. At 15:00 Blanche shunted The Quarryman back into the FR platform for its return working.

The afternoon Mountain Spirit passes Minffordd at 17:36 on its return to Porthmadog and arrived about 10 minutes later about 35 minutes late. The ECS would have been disposed at about 18:00 to close the day's activities.

Bodysgallen upgrade

Pullman coach No.2115, Bodysgallen is at Boston Lodge for an upgrade. It has not actually arrived in the workshop yet but is being cleaned ready to do so once the Tal-y-llyn carriage has been finished and leaves for delivery.

F&WHR 7/6/23

Wednesday 7/6/23 was another sunny day at Porthmadog with temperatures of 10-20C. In an inversion of the usual service, there was only one FR train booked today, the morning Mountain Spirit, but three WHR trains, comprising two of The Aberglaslyn trains and the Gelert Explorer/  The Woodland Wanderer set was repurposed for a special train in association with a railtour arriving at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

First up was No.87 which hauled in the ECS for The Aberglaslyn which departed at 10:15. The second movement was the ECS for the Mountain Spirit which arrived with David Lloyd George at around 10:00 in plenty of time for the 10:45 departure. Meanwhile steam was being raised at Boston Lodge Carriage Shed for a third unadvertised train. The Fairlie on the Mountain Spirit had run round by the time the Garratt departed, almost 5 minutes late.

Merddin Emrys arrived into the FR platform at 11:17 with an extended Woodland Wanderer rake. The loco ran round at 11:36 after fuelling and watering. The train departed at 10:40 with 11 bogies including the usual Woodland Wanderer brake coaches Nos.11/12 on the rear. The train passed Minffordd at 11:51 as an ECS working. The train waited time at Tan-y-bwlch until about 12:30 and was probably intended to make a rare passing move at Tan-y-grisiau with the returning Mountain Spirit. The train was planned to meet the Snowdonia Statesman excursion from Hull due in at Blaenau Ffestiniog at 12:59. The FR part of the excursion will be a trip to Tan-y-Bwlch and back as the NR train leaves Blaenau Ffestiniog at 16:08. David Lloyd George passed Minffordd at 13:48 on the return journey to Porthmadog.

The Aberglaslyn arrived back late due to a fire adjacent to Nantmor Station (reported at 09:30 before any trains ran so not rail related). The Aberglaslyn had been held at Pont Croesor for over an hour and this led to some changes for the rest of the day's schedules of the train. When the train reached Beddgelert it now overlapped with the Gelert Explorer and it appeared a loco swop ensued whereas this would not have been the case if the train had been on time. The Aberglaslyn arrived back at Porthmadog about an hour late. At 14:50 No.143 was standing in the WHR platform but the afternoon working of The Aberglaslyn should have departed half an hour previous. The train departed at 15:00. There were signs of scorching to the Nantmor station fence but no apparent damage to the station building. Two fire appliances were still blocking the road below the level crossing damping down.

At 17:19 Merddin Emrys passed through Minffordd with the ECS from the special and the train ran through to Harbour Station where run round was signalled at 17:31. The return working of The Aberglaslyn rolled in behind No.143 at 17:43, well over an hour late due to late running caused by the earlier fire. The Garratt departed with the ECS at 17:50 while the Fairlie waited its turn to return to the depot in the FR platform The Fairlie departed with the Mountain Spirit ECS at 17:59 to close the day's activities.

'Harbour Lunch in June' YouTube 6/6/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 10 minutes 29 seconds of video covering all trains at Porthmadog seen over a busy lunch hour on 6/6/23. This video was published on 7/6/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

Preparations for WHR100 7/6/23

Welsh Pony was turned on the wagon turntable at Boston Lodge so the front of the loco is at the north end when running from Porthmadog to Caernarfon. This will match the loco's orientation in some archive photos from the WHR period 1923-36.

Time-lapse YouTube of 'Small Loco Shed steelwork erection' 7/6/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 2 minutes 18 seconds of video covering the period 11-24/5/23 showing the erection of steelwork for the Small Loco Shed. This video was published on 7/6/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

Dyfi bridge & Corris Railway news

This northerly view (20/5/23) of the Dyfi Bridge Bypass at Machynlleth shows the viaduct across the River Dyfi floodplain nearing completion nearing completion. The trackbed of the Corris Railway and the replacement Millennium footbridge can be seen top right to the east of the road bridge. Click on the image to expand and click again to expand to full size where available. This image is copyright John Rawlings and was taken by a quadcopter camera.

WAG has issued a new update on the A487 New Dyfi bridge scheme at Machynlleth. See WAG Project website. the new road will be opened late Autumn this year according to the website.

This easterly view (20/5/23) of the Dyfi Bridge Bypass at Machynlleth also shows the NR station and the former exchange yard with the Corris Railway (centre). The gabled building on the access road close to the main road junction is the former Corris terminus station building. Click on the image to expand and click again to expand to full size where available. This image is copyright John Rawlings and was taken by a quadcopter camera.

The Corris Railway plans to operate on the 75th Anniversary of its closure on 20/8/48. See Corris Railway News for details of the Model Railway Exhibition 26-27/8/23. There has been no update about the Corris Railway's Southern Extension for a while.

Chris Magner advises: 'In August 1948, 75 years ago, Machynlleth Station master Edward Campbell Thomas became a pioneer of Welsh narrow gauge railway preservation when he stopped the two Corris locos going for scrap.  Covering them with tarpaulins he hid them in the lower yard at Machynlleth until March 1951 when they went to the TR.'

F&WHR 6/6/23

Tuesday 6/6/23 was another sunny day at Porthmadog with temperatures of 9-20C. There were five FR trains scheduled including the both Mountain Spirit and The Quarryman and two trains on the WHR, The Harbourmaster and Snowdonia Star. The signalling and points controlled by the Porthmadog signalbox seemed to be operating normally today after yesterday's hand signalling and clamping of pointwork.

No.87 arrived ECS with The Harbourmaster at about 09:45. Merddin Emrys arrived with the ECS for the 10:45 Mountain Spirit at 10:03 into the FR platform. The Garratt left on time leaving the WHR platform free for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. At 10:49 David Lloyd George waited in the WHR loop as Merddin Emrys departed. The loco then completed the run round and coupled onto the Woodland Wanderer

Welsh Pony passed Minffordd at 12:46 heading towards Porthmadog on The Quarryman. This was followed at 13:12 by David Lloyd George on the returning Woodland Wanderer. No.143 was on the Snowdonia Star and departed back to Caernarfon on time at 14:05 closely followed by David Lloyd George  which departed on the Mountain Spirit at 14:10 having swopped duties as normal. The loco can be easily identified from the south side by having chunky greedy bars on top of the water tanks to allow a greater fuel load due to the lower energy density of the ovoid/ foreign coal type fuels currently used compared to Ffos-y-fran Welsh coal.

There was still a freight train parked in the seawall siding on Tuesday. Blanche swopped with Welsh Pont on The Quarryman so that Welsh Pony could go into Boston Lodge for attention.

Darjeeling loco campaign on BBC 6/6/23

Adrian Shooter's Darjeeling loco will come up for auction on 21/6/23 and members of the F&WHR and others are raising funds to retain it in the UK based at Statfold Country Park railway museum. It is the only loco of its type that has been exported from the famous Indian mountain railway. See BBC News story.

No.130 test run 5/6/23

No.130 undertook a test run to Caernarfon on 5/6/23 after recent problems. The loco may appear back in traffic soon.

F&WHR 5/6/23

Monday 5/6/23 was a sunny day at Porthmadog with temperatures of 10-22C. In fact Porthmadog recorded the highest temperature in the country for four of the last seven days reaching 25.1C on one occasion! There were four FR trains scheduled including the both Mountain Spirit trains but just one on the WHR, the Gelert Explorer.

At 11:02 David Lloyd George departed from the FR platform with the 10:45 Mountain Spirit over 15 minutes late. The loco was producing thick brown smoke at times from the rear chimney. Meanwhile the 11:05 Woodland Wanderer was still stabled in the WHR platform and Merddin Emrys was receiving attention from the crew and also producing some brown smoke. A new batch of coal/ovoids might be the reason. The loco ran round at 11:06 but was held in the WHR loop until 11:17, before departing at 11:28, over 20 minutes late. Maybe the poor coal delayed raising steam?

Merddin Emrys still looked smoky as it departed Tan-y-bwlch at 13:06, still 20 minutes late. David Lloyd George arrived back at Tan-y-bwlch at 13:33 and departed at 13:36, over half an hour late. Unusually Merddin Emrys led the train into the WHR platform and the loco worked to the yard to fuel and water, possibly because the points had been left set for this route since the morning departure and it would take time to clamp them. David Lloyd George arrived back into the FR platform at 14:22, well over half am hour late.

The two locos swopped duties and Merddin Emrys backed onto the afternoon Mountain Spirit at 14:30 after the yard king point had received some attention. Many signalling staff were working and the signalling disconnected as the train left against adverse signals at 14:41. More attaching turnout clamps allowed the second Fairlie to exit the yard shortly afterwards. David Lloyd George was hand signalled through the pointwork and then the clamps were changed again to allow the loco to reverse onto the Woodland Wanderer in the WHR platform. The train was hand signalled away at 15:16, over 40 minutes late.

David Lloyd George running back to the Woodland Wanderer through clamped points and under hand signalling regulations due to a problem with the signalbox. As a result trains operated very late today. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The late afternoon produced some unusual workings with the Vale of Ffestiniog turning up at Minffordd from Porthmadog with 3 B wagons, Harlech Castle in mid-train and the FR Mess Car at 16:16. This reversed into the yard four minutes late but at 17:06 the Funkey emerged from the yard to propel the 3 B wagons to Porthmadog.

The passenger trains returned late as expected with the Woodland Wanderer passing Minffordd at 17:22 and arriving back in Porthmadog about 50 minutes late. The final train of the day was the Mountain Spirit and this passed Minffordd at 17:35, arriving back in Porthmadog about 45 minutes late to close the day's activities.

Sunday special workings 4/6/23

Lyd hauled a charter train for PTG Railtours taking in the full length of the railway on Sunday. Starting from Porthmadog, the train ran to Caernarfon, then to Blaenau Ffestiniog and finally back to Porthmadog. The train used a shortened rake of 5 coaches, including the Observation Car and Service Car, as Lyd is not passed for a full length train on the 1 in 40 of the WHR. Some images are available on the Friends of the F&WHR Facebook page. It appears that Blanche hauled the FR section.

Blanche went over to the WHHR in the afternoon light engine to collect the 'bug boxes' that had been borrowed for the No.590 launch the previous weekend. The WHHR's Glaslyn brought them to Pen-y-Mount where Blanche picked them up in the early afternoon to return them to Boston Lodge.

Glaslyn hauling the four wheeler rake back to the WHR at Pen-y-Mount. at 13:27. Blanche picked up the rake shortly afterwards to take back to Boston Lodge. Click the image to enlarge. Click again for full size where available. This image is courtesy WHHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Open coaches

Both Woodland Wanderer rakes are now accompanied by open coaches. The coaches offer a pleasant open air feel ideal for the summer months. Seats in these coaches are not pre-booked so passengers can opt to sit in them or join them from 'hop on-hop off' traffic. FR coaches Nos.37/8 are usually used for this service, whereas the more ornamental No.39 is retained for Galas.

The WHR also has two open carriages, now made out with a central compartment similar to the WHHR's Gladstone Car. These are numbered Nos. 2021/2 and may be attached to any of the WHR services such as the through trains, The Harbourmaster/Snowdonia Star.

F&WHR 4/6/23

Saturday 4/6/23 was a sunny day at Porthmadog with temperatures of 12-22C. There were three FR trains scheduled including the morning Mountain Spirit trains and unusually none on the WHR. However Lyd is expected to make a private charter run on the WHR on Sunday. All three webcams were out of action on Sunday morning indicating a major failure of the F&WHR's Porthmadog IT. However they were reset by 10:00 and showed some main line view on the webcam home page before reverting to local scenes.

The Mountain Spirit was in the FR platform shortly after 10:00 and David Lloyd George was running round at 10:17 ready for the 10:45 service. At 10:46 Merddin Emrys was running round the Woodland Wanderer in the WHR platform as the Mountain Spirit departed.. The 11:10 left on time too.

Merddin Emrys arrived back with the second Woodland Wanderer at 16:57. The train left ECS at 17:16 to close the day's activities. As the signaller finished his shift shortly afterwards it appeared that Ly's special train had already returned and that was the end of the railway activity for today.

F&WHR 3/6/23

Saturday 3/6/23 was a sunny day at Porthmadog with temperatures of 12-21C. There were four FR trains scheduled including the morning Mountain Spirit trains and The Quarryman and just the two through trains on the WHR.

No.87 was on the first train of the day arriving ECS in the WHR platform at 09:32 with The Harbourmaster. The ECS for the Mountain Spirit arrived before 10am into the FR platform. The Garratt stated on time but came to a stop on Britannia Road Bridge possibly due to a traffic incident with the rear of the train still in the platform. The Harbourmaster resumed its progress about 4 minutes later. David Lloyd George ran round at 10:15. The ECS for the Woodland Wanderer arrived at about 10:30 into the WHR platform. Lyd uncoupled to run round at 10:37 but was held in the WHR loop for 15 minutes as the 10:45 was signalled to depart, which occurred at 10:48. Lyd then completed the run round and coupled up by 10:53 once the Mountain Spirit had cleared the shunt limit.

KS4415 test 2/6/23

Yesterday's evening works train running round at Minffordd around 19:00 has been revealed to be a gauging test of KS4415. Simplex MaryAnne hauled the partially complete Kerr Stuart pioneer diesel loco through the FR platform at Porthmadog late in the evening. The aim is to display KS4415 at WHR100.

Loco roster 3-9/6/23

Eight different locomotives are planned on passenger turns this week ahead. On the Ffestiniog Railway David Lloyd George and Merddin Emrys will feature on the Mountain Spirit and Woodland Wanderer. Lyd and Blanche may also take turns on the Woodland Wanderer while Welsh Pony will be based at Glan-y-pwll to haul The Quarryman.
On the WHR Funkey Diesel Caernarfon Castle will be busy on Beer Festival shuttle duties between Caernarfon and Waunfawr on Friday 9/6/23 (and 10/6/23 too), while NG/G16s Nos.87/130 will be working the service train roster but may swop duties at Beddgelert.
Lyd will also make an appearance on the WHR working a private charter train on Sunday 4/6/23.

Timetable 3-9/6/23

Click on the timetable to enlarge. This timetable is copyright F&WHR

F&WHR 2/6/23

Friday 2/6/23 was a sunny day at Porthmadog with temperatures of 9-21C. There were four FR trains scheduled including both Mountain Spirit trains and two Woodland Wanderer trains and just one train on the WHR, The Gelert Explorer.

Merddin Emrys was on the 10:45 Mountain Spirit, passing Minffordd at 10:54. David Lloyd George was on the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer from the WHR platform.

At lunchtime, David Lloyd George was on the 14:10 Mountain Spirit which departed on time. Merddin Emrys was 14:35 Woodland Wanderer so the Fairlies had swopped duties to even out mileage.

At 18:12 Vale of Ffestiniog passed Minffordd with a train consisting of a single coach, possibly a Service Car, heading for Boston Lodge. At 18:56 Simplex MaryAnne (complete with roof) worked through the Minffordd crossover from the westbound to the eastbound track, presumably running round a works train, to close the day's activities.

Moving Pictures No.79

Click on the YouTube link to watch 28 minutes 17 seconds of video covering the return to traffic of David Lloyd George and ongoing preparations for WHR100. This video was published on 2/6/23 and is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

Corwen reopening 2/6/23

Mark Hambly advises: The Llangollen Railway ran three steam-hauled "opening specials" for Llangollen Railway Society members and other supporters between Llangollen and Corwen on Thursday 1/6/23, ahead of the formal official opening on Friday 2/6/23. Public services begin on Saturday 3/6/23. Trains were formed of four BR Mk1 suburban coaches and a GWR inspection saloon. Trains were worked double-headed by two Leeds-built industrial locomotives; Kitson 0-6-0ST (5459 of 1932) AUSTIN 1 which worked the first passenger train of the preservation era at Llangollen back in 1981, and Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST (1752 of 1943) built to the Hunslet 'Austerity' design and currently running (fictitiously) as ex-BR Class J94 68067 but perhaps better remembered as Bold Colliery's ROBERT, which was one of the stars of the Rocket 150 celebrations in 1980.

More No.590 YouTubes

More video footage of No.590's launch has emerged on YouTube. See King Orry Channel.

F&WHR 1/6/23

Thursday 1/6/23 was a sunny day at Porthmadog with temperatures of 9-22C. There were six FR trains scheduled including both Mountain Spirit trains and three Woodland Wanderer trains plus The Quarryman. There were three trains again on the WHR, including two through trains and The Cwellyn. The week timetable has been adjusted to take account of the fact that the maximum four Woodland Wanderer trains only operated on Tuesday, perhaps indicating that the Half Term Holiday has not been as busy as anticipated.

After the 10:05 Harbourmaster had left it was time for the Fairlies. David Lloyd George was on the Mountain Spirit rake at 10:33 in the FR platform as Merddin Emrys pulled into the WHR platform with the ECS for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer. The loco ran round immediately and the train departed on time. Blanche was on the 12:05 Woodland Wanderer.

Blanche at speed passing Minffordd with the 12:05 Woodland Wanderer. This webcam view is available again now the scaffolding has been taken down from the station building This image is courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

The Snowdonia Star arrived in the WHR platform shortly after 12:30 and No.143 detached and ran to the yard. At 12:55 the loco emerged to run round and couple to the return working due at 14:05. Meanwhile Welsh Pony arrived at 12:59 on The Quarryman. The loco ran round at 13:03 and, four minutes later, dragged the rake out of the platform and propelled it into the yard to make space for later trains.

At 13:10 No.143 was surprisingly detached and headed off up the WHR light engine. The loco returned 30 minutes later after a photocall with Russell at Pen-y-Mount in the strong sunshine to celebrate the WHR opening day 1/6/1923. In the meantime Merddin Emrys arrived back at 13:32 with the return of the first Woodland Wanderer into the FR platform. David Lloyd George arrived back at 13:49 into the FR platform with the returning Mountain Spirit. The Fairlies swopped duties so it Merddin Emrys that coupled up at 14:09 ready for the 14:10 Mountain Spirit which left a couple of minutes late as a result.

At 18:06 Lyd emerged from the yard and coupled up to the rake in the WHR platform, departing at 18:12 ECS to close the day's activities. This was probably The Cwellyn rake returning from its Half Term Holiday duties out of Dinas. There is no The Cwellyn booked on Friday. This allowed the signaller to close the box and go home after another long shift.

Closed WHR halt signs

Those visiting the WHR100 event should see the following eight former halt signs (north to south)

Bettws Garmon

Salem

Glan-yr-Afon

Pitt's Head

Hafod Ruffydd

Hafod Garregog

Ynysfor (for Llanfrothen).

The signs are likely to be accompanied by additional signage indicating that the halts are in fact closed!

Locals Discount Week 11-18/6/23

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

Having cancelled Y Cerdyn the F&WHR is making good its promises of discount travel for locals.

F&WHR announcement

We’ve some exciting news for our neighbours, as we are holding our first LOCALS’ DISCOUNT WEEK between the 11-18/6/23. We are offering a 50% discount (for the whole family) to local residents with their primary address in postcode areas LL22 - LL78 inclusive (Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd-Ed). This discount will be available on all Woodland Wanderer trains from Porthmadog, and on the Gelert Explorer and Snowdonia Star trains from Caernarfon. Use voucher code JUNE50 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. 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 before the 11/6/23 or after 18/6/23, or on trains other than the Woodland Wanderer, Gelert Explorer and Snowdonia Star. We hope to hold further LOCALS’ DISCOUNT WEEKS later in the season!

The area covered is everywhere west of Abergele and Bala plus north of Aberdyfi within North Wales.

Site development

If you have suggestions for development of this site, please contact me by email from the link on the Stop Press page.

Click here to return to Stop Press page

Comments

Please add comments in my Guestbook.

Click here for Guestbook

Page Version 4.1 Dated 23/7/23