Welshpool and Llanfair 2016 timetable

Paul, without wanting to sound rude I know all this, I grew up in Llanfair and I'm a life member of the railway. I accept the line is difficult and tests engines but you're missing my point. Chevallier is only due to be used on one passenger train a day to Cyfronydd but is scheduled to work two other goods trains to Cyfronydd per day (one to Castle). I'm questioning why it sees such limited use on passenger trains, why not turn those goods trains into passenger turns? Same route, same mileage, same timings, same stress, different stock?

According to the W&L yahoo group, attempts are being made to alleviate the overheating so there is a chance the timetable will be amended. We'll have to wait and see.

 

I am afraid I shall be a little rude in reply. You just cannot mess around in the way you suggest. I have been a W&L operating volunteer in the past and involved in dealing with the consequences of breakdowns but not, thankfully, on Gala days, the busiest of the year. If the heating problems can be sorted to the extent which enable the use of the machine to be extended then what are you complaining about? Equally, if the problems persist, restricting its use to comparatively gentle duties, then you still have a guest locomotive. Again, what are you complaining about? Certainly those with direct responsibility will have more idea of the situation than you or I.

PH

 

You're completely missing my point and I'm not sure I can make it any more succinctly.

Anyway, hopefully it will be sorted and it will successfully run at the gala. I'll be there for the three days as it's always a good weekend with the garden railway show too.

I've a trip to the Isle of Wight before that, perhaps I'll bump into you there?

 

You cannot run a public railway according to gricer's priorities. If those responsible have doubts as to a machine's abilities to cope with the hardest use (i.e. in this case scheduled full line passenger services) then their views must be respected. They are not tyros!

PH

 

I'm not talking about full line passenger trains, I'm talking about more shorter passenger trips.

What is the point of a gala if it isn't to meet gricers priorities?!

 

If this can be done responsibly. You and I have no idea how "Chevallier" is. It is gricerish to ignore condition issues.

PH

 

If you fancy something slightly different I would take a trip on the 09:45 Ex Welshpool or the 17:00 Ex Llanfair Tuesday to Thursday this week, as these services are Diesel hauled most likely by No.7 Chattenden, so far these trains have been formed of 2 "Zillers" 4w Austrian coaches.

 

Any report back from the Gala? How did Chevallier manage? Any photos?

 

Some images from the Friday of the Gala can be found at http://paulsimpson.zenfolio.com/p678483439
Chevallier managed fine on the its only passenger turn on the Friday. Joan hauled the morning goods instead.
The Countess have a problem with the brakes on the return of the first run, was late leaving Welshpool and have to stop after climbing the bank.
The railway was very busy probably because the forcast was so bad for the Saturday.

 

Was a bit damp on Saturday, so I stayed at home.

Had a pleasant time on the Sunday though. Nice ride to Welshpool on the DG and even invited to fire it back to Llanfair, which much to my surprise was done with the safety valves feathering a lot of the time (I can't take the credit though, that has to go to Mr. Goddard in the drivers seat!)

Was slightly puzzled by the organiser's comment the previous weekend about how there wasn't enough space in the yard for a 10 ton Aveling, especially given a number of the regulars from previous years weren't wanted this time, but Hey Ho - their event, they can invite who they like.

I seem to recall seeing Chevallier on some passenger workings on the Sunday, so clearly the timetable was shuffled a bit from what was published in advance.