FR & WHR & WHHR News

Risk is a bit like a balloon - you can squeeze one end but frequently this simply transfers the risk elsewhere. There is a lengthy discussion of door locking in the Ladbroke Grove enquiry, which addresses the issue of balancing the means of egress in an emergency with an increase in risk in doors and windows being opened accidentally or mischievously.

 

I have just been looking through my copy of Peter Johnson's excellent book on the Ffestiniog and the Inspecting Officer, Capt. Henry Tyler regarded the tight clearance of 9in between carriage sides and bridge abutments or other stone walls as insufficient for safety. He therefore recommended bars at all windows and locking all carriage doors while the train was in motion. Johnson also states that modern safety requirements resulted in the removal of the window bars, something I find rather strange. The report was dates 27 October 1864 written while Tyler was staying at the Oakeley Arms Tan-y-bwlch, the very place I had my lunch last Friday.
So there it is, one must assume that at every subsequent inspection, including the reopening, the inspecting officer has been happy with the situation and the Ffestiniog has been carrying passengers safely for over 150 years.

 

Not sure about the vintage bogie stock but certainly the FR bugboxes do also carry an emergency carriage key in a glass box within the coach, presumably because as they are a bit wider it may be difficult for train crew to get past them in some locations.
Of course if you want to travel in a vintage coach but are concerned about being locked in, there is always the "Flying bench" where there are just the leather covers between you and the adjacent rock face speeding past your knees. - The only way to travel! (unless its raining......)

 

Here are 10 photos taken by Les Tindall in 1974. They include the Tasmanian Garratt, Harrogate No 1, Earl of Merioneth under construction and an Orenstein & Koppel 0-8-0 - did it ever run on the Ffestiniog?

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/Britishnarrowgaugerailways/Ffestiniog-Railway-1974/i-LWRMzvq

Cheers

Andrew N

 

Doesn't the rolling stock have to comply with the Ffestiniog loading gauge?

 

There is a difference between the FR and WHR loading gauges. There is no limitation on FR stock being used on the WHR, but WHR locos and stock effectively cannot go beyond Boston Lodge (and I think may be limited within parts of the Boston Lodge complex itself). I believe that one of the NGG16s went a bit beyond the works entry to rescue a failed FR train but cannot go too far.

Steve B

 

Afternoon All,

I've now added a second album of pictures from the Quirks & Curiosities II gala weekend to my Flickr site. This is the link for those interested to see them :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/albums/72157681772112261

Not exactly hot news, I know, but I hope that they're still of interest.

 

WHR Stock including NGG16s is permitted as far as Boston lodge halt. Boston Lodge has various restrictions for various roads, not just on WHR stock.

Some WHR stock has travelled beyond there. 2020 (now 2011) has been as far Garnedd Tunnel, however clearances are next to nothing in some places so it isn't practical on a regular basis.

Some FR stock is restricted on the WHR due to lack of continuous brakes.

Tim

 

Anyone know if there will be a brochure time table for the September WHR event , as there usually is, can't find anything on the site as yet?

 

A very enjoyable afternoon/evening on Ffestiniog on Tuesday, with an enjoyable trip on the evening 'Chippy Train'...
Gallery and video here: http://preservedrailway.weebly.com/ffestiniog…

 

Howdy all - just a quick question... Making my first visit to the FR tomorrow, although I've been a member a short while. Just wondering if it's ever possible to have a look round Boston Lodge? Appreciate it's a working depot so wouldn't want to take the mickey, but would love to have a quick peek if it's allowed!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I was a bit disappointed this week that the evening train we went on was composed entirely of modern corridor stock.

 

You could say Fairlie good there Black five/Lee! Seriously though, it's hard to think that in the past there have also been UK standard gauge versions as well as some built for the Czarist pre-revaloution Russia standard gauge too. Really liked the shot of the Garrett arriving at Portmaddog off the Welsh Highland line as one of the Fairlies was running round on the FR side of the platform. It's hard to think both types are running on the same gauge lines as well.

 

Most of the FR's trains are composed of modern stock. This is partly because that's what the majority of passengers prefer, but also because the vintage stock is kept for strengthening trains when needed at time of heavy passenger loadings. This is usually in the daytime rather than the evenings.

The vintage stock is a very valuable asset and the FR's policy is only to use it when necessary to keep the wear and tear to a minimum. However, they do get all the toys out of their boxes a couple of times a year in Spring and Autumn. The next occasion will be the Victorian Weekend on the 6th to 8th of October. Well worth going to, believe me.

Details here:

http://www.festrail.co.uk/content/publish/specialevents/494.shtml

 

The current view of the board is that people want double glazed superbarns and ugly observation cars. I'm not really convinced myself and I think it would be great if the railway offered a choice. Hiding one the best collections of 19th century rolling stock in a shed for all but 2 weekends a year seems like madness to me.

I think there are some opportunities in the peak timetable to offer a full line vintage train. Sadly the will to try anything different isn't there.


Tim

 

Not too sure the Ffesterbahn's operating department would agree with you Tim.

Anecdotal and photographic evidence suggest that, where mixed trains of "double glazed superbarns and ugly observation cars" are operated with heritage stock in the rake, the vast majority of punters will leave you to savour the delights of the heritage carriages in peace!

 

Twice a year is better than never or stuck in a museum as a static display.

 

Looking at it from a commercial point of view, the corridor stock give the Buffet Car stewards the opportunity to sell cups of tea and coffee, glasses of beer, guide books, etc.

 

Just wondering what the latest is on the possibility of Russell getting a run out on the WHR? I know some WHHR train did some brake trials out on the WHR a few years back - has anything further come of them?

 

I travel the full length of the Welsh Highland Railway 2 or 3 times a year - every time I travel, the (heritage) green Welsh Highland Railway vehicle is at one end of the train. I've never seen anyone travelling in it.