FR & WHR & WHHR News

Perhaps true, but 608's runs to Beddgelert are a far greater loss particularly as they were all solo, rather than Russels all needing to be doubleheaders or top and tail as they are using FR vac fitted stock (Apart from the two WHHR evening trips)

In respect of the WHHR evening trips, are timings published/available for these anywhere? As gala related services I'd expected them to be shown on the working timetable but they don't feature.

Chris

 

I popped into Harbour Station earlier to buy a 3 day rover for the weekend but surprisingly they were still to receive the event booklets. Could someone please tell me whether Palmerston is on the 0900 & 1310 or 1050 & 1540 departures from Porthmadog on Friday?

As for the trips with Russell on Friday & Saturday evening they were advertised as a 6pm departure returning around 8pm.

 

There is a gathering of 1215, Moelwyn, Mary Ann and Mountineer at Harbour station on Friday 6pm to 8pm. Info from https://m.facebook.com/festrail/photos/gm.804354133299379/10161946149195716/?type=3&theater

 

10:50 and 15:40 on Friday.
Chris

 

Where are the evening Russell trips advertised, I can't find them? Are they running CFON to BEDD and return, or where?
Just received the edited timetable from the railway, but no mention there.
Thanks.

 

I saw it advertised on the WHHR Facebook page, unsure if it was promoted elsewhere. It runs from Porthmadog (WHHR) to Beddgelert and return.

 

They are also sold out!

 

I don't follow the point of the negative posts on here.

To see Russell steam into Beddgelert makes the whole event very significant, and enough of an attraction in it's own right.

It also hopefully marks a significant rapprochement with those who own and operate Russell and all thing WHR related and to the further good in the long term.

Cheers,

Julian

 

Starting at 18:30 from WHHR?

 

Isn't it just! I guess that, in this 'ere modern age of instant gratification, courtesy of many websites, some of the significance has been diluted, because many of us will have seen images of Russell's test trains. Short version ..... we're all being spoilt!

Oh, boy .... yes! This aspect can't be overstated IMHO. It's most welcome and bodes extremely well for the future.

 

Shucks! Just have to be content with some pix.

 

A few pictures from Friday on the WHHR.
All trains seemed very well loaded!

 

Lyd is replacing Palmerston today due to a mechanical issue and Taliesin will replace Palmerston on Sunday

 

The Welsh Highland Railway on the 22nd June 2019 during their 'Past, Present and Future' gala featuring the long anticipated return of Hunslet 2-6-2T No.901 'Russell' to Beddgelert. Also in service was 'Taliesin', 'Prince', NG/G16 No.138 and NG/G16 No.143.

Video Available Here

 

In the end, despite making plans, I was only able to attend on the Saturday, but I did manage to get to Beddgelert three times, once behind Russell. Additionally, I made use of one layover at Pont Croesor to visit the Osprey Project.

 

I appreciate that running three or four coach trains are not going to cover the bills so the WHR are not going to operate on that basis. However to me the sight of Russell, the England engines etc with a few carriages is quintessential welsh narrow gauge and especially the WHR. Although I was not able to attend, seeing pictures and videos of those loco's working smaller trains is delightful.

Nothing against the Garratts and long trains, as I said I recognise they are required to pay the bills, but I have never really warmed to.

 

Yet for many familiar with Natal the new line is so like that area that the Garratts seem right at home - and the right locos for the services. For this enthusiast it's the Garratts that keep encouraging my return to the area.

 

Which is why events like this are so attractive - they don't stop the usual "bread and butter" services, but give something extra occasionally to add to the interest. And the F&WHR are well equipped with smaller locos and heritage stock to do such occasions. Keep them coming!

Steve B

 

One of the "Kalahari" 2-8-2 South African tender engines, K1, Russel, a Baldwin and Lyd all would add help to attract people.
Just one or a couple together, three at most.

Could I suggest an obvious regular three weeks twice a year. "Shoulder Peak" when the regular services were not as full as high summer holidays but busier than the ends of the season
- early summer and autumn say May and September/early October. This would help to spread the peak loads and give those those who were particularly interested in something a time of year to plan towards.
Dependable times for visitors to check and the railways to promote.

Also not as a promise but making it the time when you could normally expect to find in traffic anything that was back in traffic the previous year after a heavy overhaul or indeed out new:
the last Garratt or Fairlie, Welsh Pony or James Spooner....possibly an annual spot for Lyn from the Lynton and Barnstable. I expect it would develop its regulars and simply the locos
should still be freshly painted, spick an span the second summer after they were out shopped.

Galas by all means but some steadier attractions too. (I realise I have never attended any galas on the FR/WHR due to concerns it would be too busy.)

 

It would be interesting to work out, if at all possible, at what point the "New WHR" estimated passenger mileage overtook the old WHR equivalent figure - I would assume that that has already happened. It will only be another 5 years or so until the Rhyd Ddu-Port stretch has been open in preservation for longer than it was open originally