WHR

WHR

News Archive Page

2003

Preparations for Prince Charles visit

V4.1 updated 5/1/22

This page is a timeline.

Preparations for the Prince 24-26/7/03

With the announcement of Prince Charles visit to the WHR on 30/7/03 your webmaster booked a caravan holiday based in Waunfawr Snowdonia Parc campsite from 20-27/7/03. Additional staff were taken on to complete tracklaying, ballasting and tamping and Prince and three heritage coaches were brought over from Boston Lodge. Activity was frantic with early morning and late evening ballast runs from the Cyrnant Ballast pile (intriguingly there is still a small supply of ballast there) just north of Waunfawr before the passenger service started. Here is the story of those several hectic days and the three days that followed.

The full story can be viewed on the WHR 2003 archive the final filmstrips scans never made it to the website as Samsung Digimax 230 images were being used at the time. I had purchased a new Jessops Centon DF300 SLR to replace the faulty Sigma SA300 as the Samsung digital camera had lower resolution than scanned slide film (a typical problem for cash strapped photographers at the dawn of digital photograph). It was a surprisingly wet end of July and rainy almost every one of the 10 days your webmaster was present, sometimes with torrential rain!.

All the pw stock was transferred from Rhyd Ddu to Betws Garmon on 5/7/03, following the delivery of DZ1423. The ramps at each location will now be removed. This will allow the completion of the points, headshunt and siding at Rhyd Ddu.

The WHR(P) Barclay shunter was delivered on time at 1700 on 5/7/03 complete with 'on loan' labels and Gelert's Farm 'shed code' on its buffer beams! After a little shunting in the platform, it set off with the single DZ wagon for Snowdon Ranger. FR staff have also managed to resurrect Dolgarrog so this will mean two fitting out trains in action on the isolated Castell Cidwm to Rhyd Ddu section.

Harold was at Betws Garmon along with Conwy Castle and Upnor Castle, two ballast wagons and Daffodil the yellow livery ballast plough. The final rail was connected on the evening of 17/7/03 just north of Castell Cidwm, west of LC44 making the WHR complete from Waunfawr to Rhyd Ddu for the first time since the wartime track lifting.

This southerly archive view (24/7/03) shows Conwy Castle venturing over Plas-y-nant bridge allegedly for the first time and Upnor Castle (out of shot to the right) propels and ballast drop up to the bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (24/7/03) shows Conwy Castle reversing over the bridge with the tool van spreading the ballast that had just been laid north of the bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (25/7/03?) shows Conwy Castle with tool van and Mess Coach 1001 stabled at Plas-y-nant halt in the poring rain. In the distance beyond the undulating subsiding trackbed can be see Dolgarrog at the end of the siding. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

Excellent progress was made over the several days to Saturday 26/7/03. Work had been held up by track laying at Plas-y-nant but a marathon effort to replace the temporary track over the bridge saw the final link up at 1700 on 24/7/03. An intensive pw operation began with up to three pw runs from the ballast dump just north of Waunfawr both before and after public services. On Sunday 27/7/03 these passed Waunfawr at 0715 and 0815 northbound!

The tamper squeezed through OB71 at Castell Cidwm on 26/7/03 and pw gangs have been working with the 3 small locos south of OB71. One pw team has been laying ballast between OB71 and Snowdon Ranger from a small wagon and getting the cross level right by hand in advance of the tamper. This will speed things up on this section. FR wagon No.92 has been brought over to help.

In preparation for the Royal Visit, Prince arrived at Dinas on 26/7/03 (presumably in steam) and was immediately trialled to Plas-y-nant with two coaches (Nos.10/23) carrying the HMRI l/c inspector from Waunfawr. The loco is due to haul the Royal Train but further tests, including a run to Rhyd Ddu are likely before 30/7/03. The loco ran as far as Ty'n-y-weirglodd cutting where the tamper was in action at LC44. It then propelled back to Plas-y-nant where Conway Castle helped the shunt allowing Prince to lead back to Dinas. Some sections were taken at 5mph.

This southerly archive view (26/7/03?) shows Upnor Castle propelling two loaded ballast wagons over Plas-y-nant bridge. It is rumoured that John Sreeves, the WHR's volunteer bridge engineer, stood under the first such passage to assess the deflection of the beams which were to be replaced in Spring 2021! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (26/7/03?) shows Upnor Castle propelling two loaded ballast wagons for a ballast drop south of Castell Cidwm bridge. As can be seen from the temporary gates across the line, there was still some obstructive behaviour from the farmer at Caeau Gwynion and it is rumoured that the he received a visit from the Special Branch before Prince Charles visit. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

On 26/7/03 Upnor Castle hauls a ballast train north to collect ballast from the pile just north of Waunfawr at Cyrnant at 0800 and returns south full at 0830. Conway Castle and tamper are at Plas-y-nant and all three small locos at Rhyd Ddu.

Owing to misinformation from the night before and no mobile signal in the Nant-y-Betws Pass, I miss the first visit of Prince to Plas-y-nant and Ty'n-y-weirglodd cutting. Fortunately Ben Fisher was there and gave me these images.

This northerly archive view (26/7/03?) shows Prince with coaches Nos.23 and 10 about to cross Plas-y-nant bridge. Staff were keen to test out the train but your webmaster missed it as he was visiting the Fairbourne by train and the return service was 25 minutes late!! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on an SLR camera by Ben Fisher (permission was given to copy at the time).

This northerly archive view (26/7/03?) shows Prince with coaches Nos.23 and 10 emerging from Ty'n-y-weirglodd Cutting and finding the Matisa tamper in section. Fortunately Prince was travelling very slowly due to a 5 mph speed limit on the freshly laid track. Staff were maybe a little too keen to test out Prince but the tamper operator was indicating to the train to stop! Future runs would see F&WHR Control insist all PW trains were safely locked in sidings before Prince was let out to play!! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on an SLR camera by Ben Fisher (permission was given to copy at the time).

Once the rake was propelled back to Plas-y-nant, Conway Castle performed the shunt release so that Prince could lead back to Dinas.

Preparations for the Prince 28/7/03

Following operation of the Royal Train on 30/7/03 (preceded by Caernarfon Castle as shunt loco) there were to be further intensive operation to get the track right for the public service, which was now likely to start on 9/8/03. One area of concern is the bent rails through Salem. However, north of Tros-y-gol and south of Snowdon Ranger the PW train has been noted operating at up to the 25mph line speed proposed for the route.

On 27/7/03 I took the caravan back home and was unaware of any movements by Prince but was back the next day staying at a B&B in Caernarfon. The weather on 28-29/7/03 was very dull and wet! It seemed progress on the tamping over the weekend would allow Prince to reach Rhyd Ddu.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train at Dinas preparing for its run to Rhyd Ddu. Prince was carrying its royal crest headboard. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince with coaches Nos.24/23/10 arriving at Waunfawr in the pouring rain for the run to Rhyd Ddu. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince watering at Waunfawr for its run to Rhyd Ddu. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince approaching Pont Betws. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince approaching Plas-y-nant bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train approaching Snowdon Ranger in the pouring rain. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train approaching Rhyd Ddu in the pouring rain. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train standing in the temporary platform at Rhyd Ddu in the pouring rain. A gallery of very wet photographers is visible on the hillock by Ffridd Isaf level crossing. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince reversing over Plas-y-nant bridge. Such were the dull conditions that speed blur was inevitable even at the slow speed the rake was propelled at! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train waiting at Waunfawr as seen from the new footbridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (28/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train with No.143 arriving on a service train in very wet conditions. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

Preparations for the Prince 29/7/03

Initially the weather was better on 29/7/03, the day before Prince Charles' visit. Another practice run was organised to Rhyd Ddu and the train was accompanied by Prince Charles equerry and security staff. The Prince was to take control of the regulator between Waunfawr and Rhyd Ddu so the train was set to stop at various places for staff inspections.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train standing at Waunfawr ready for the start of the practice run. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train departing Waunfawr in better weather for the start of the practice run. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train approaching Pont Betws. The weather was already deteriorating and staff can be seen out of the train inspecting the area by the new Afon Gwyrfai bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince with the full HRH test train approaching Pont Betws. The train sets off again after its brief stop. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince passing under the Pont Cerrig-y-Rhyd bridge just north of Plas-y-nant. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince stopped for inspection of the Plas-y-nant bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince coming to a stop just north of Castell Cidwm bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince at Castell Cidwm bridge with the inspection underway. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince restarting from Castell Cidwm as seen from the A4085 bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This is the final set of slides from the Prince of Wales visit. The Prince was set to drive Prince for part of the journey between Waunfawr and Rhyd Ddu on 30/7/03. Driver Tony Williams supervised and presented a special pair of 'royal' engine driver's gloves to the Prince.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince restarting from a point just north of Castell Cidwm road bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince restarting from a point just north of Castell Cidwm road bridge including the gauge frame which was used to confirm clearance for the maximum size rolling stock such as Castell Caernarfon. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 SLR camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince arriving at Snowdon Ranger. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince waiting at Snowdon Ranger as the weather closed in. The Prince's equerry and staff checked the plan with F&WHR staff. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince waiting at Snowdon Ranger with driver Tony Williams standing proudly by his loco. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (29/7/03) shows Prince arriving in a torrential downpour at Rhyd Ddu as seen from Ffridd Isaf level crossing. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Centon DF300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

Soaked through and with no improvement in the weather forecast, your webmaster beat a hasty retreat home 200 miles back to the East Midlands and was not present for the Prince of Wales visit the following day.

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