Ffestiniog Railway Quirks & Curiosities Weekend April 30th - May 3rd

It has been reported that Lyd passed its steam test today.

Meic

 

The wonders of Facebook! There are plenty of quirks not on the website to see, so there is some very slight element of suprise.

 

The Old Wickham Trolly Has Been Restored and Is Back on the Ffestiniog, Along with "The Ratty".
http://www.ffestiniograilway.org.uk...inute-preps-type-title&catid=3:news&Itemid=50

 

Day 1 report.
http://www.ffestiniograilway.org.uk...iosities-report-friday&catid=3:news&Itemid=50
and blimey Upnor's There now aswell!

 

http://www.ffestiniograilway.org.uk...weekend-rolling-update&catid=3:news&Itemid=50
Blimey! I'm Off To Get there in an Hour, Lyd Is also being lit at 11:15

 

What a brilliant event - big thanks to everyone at the Ffr behind the scenes and front of house - and the various stock owners for making it possible. Never has train-chasing in the car been so much fun! Looking forward to the 150 celebrations in 3 years' time now.

 

We had 3 perfect days, Nice to see a major event again at Ffestiniog, film footage in the pipe line, here are few of the many photo's.


Blanche leaving Tanygrisiau

http://images.fotopic.net/12ib0n.jpg

More @ Ffestiniog Railway May Bank holiday 2010

 

The day after Q&C, the FR ran a gravity slate train for the benefit of BBC TV crews. Hauled up to the summit by Merddin Emrys, it culminated in a run down to Port where we managed to get halfway across the Cob before locomotive assistance was required.

Matt Baker's film can be seen on BBC1's Countryfile this Sunday, May 16th, 1910-2010.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00shnps

 

Part 1, featturing Princes last day along with early morning footage of the quirks on shed.
[video=youtube;Iv1PQbMmhIQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1PQbMmhIQ[/video]

Part 2 will also have footage of prince's last day.

Several more part to come and I also managed to catch the train ealy sunday morning with what turned out to be the country file team filming, only got got the gravity train going down at ddault but managed to back some good footage along with several shots of the gravity train being taken up the line.


Country File train at Ddault.

 

The Countryfile filming took place on TUESDAY morning...

 

doh, should have said tuesday, I arrived early sunday and stayed till tuesday night, the photo shows the countryfile film crew at ddault.

 

That'll be DDUALLT then... :wink:

Hi Ken :wave: - at last I've managed to put a face to your name... I'm the bloke who said I recognised your dog (in Boston Lodge Yard). Trust you enjoyed your visit!

 

HI

Yes we had a good weekend, looking forward to returned next week after next.

Second part of sundays footage which also turned out to be Prince's last day.
[video=youtube;y20Z0B-ze9w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y20Z0B-ze9w[/video]

I also noticed they turned blanch on her second run, is there a turntable ?

ps: I slipped in a shot of Blanche as well on monday to make up the footage, she ddin't run solo on the sunday but did monday as she took Prince's duties on the monday.

 

Sorry, but you're mistaken about 'Blanche' - she wasn't turned, as we don't have a suitable turntable.

It has been known for 'Prince' or 'Palmerston' to be turned using a waggon turntable, but even then it requires the loco and tender to be split.

We've just been informed that it has been agreed that 'Prince' will make one final run on the last day of his boiler ticket. Therefore, he will double-head the 13:35 from Port on Sunday 23rd May...

 

I don't think we did, because there isn't one.

 

Thats good it will be my first full day back down there on the sunday. I didn't think there was a turn table, but if you check part 2 out above around 4.40 you will see blanch pointing to porthmadog behind DLG.

 

That shot is of a down train on Gwyndy Bank, Blanche is pointing towards Blaenau, and the whistling (2 long) is at the down distant signal on the approach to Minffordd. If its an up train, not only has Blanche been turned, but so has the rest of the train, and the stock remarshalled so the Obs is on the Blaenau end.

The nest shot in the sequence shows the aforementioned distant signal with Merddin on an up train.

John

 

Only if you do a 'reverse' Dan Cruikshank-stylee...

You're filming from the NW side of Gwyndy Bank (at approx Grid Ref SH603390), with the lane leading to the Clayton's house (from where you filmed the long approach shots of the trains climbing Gwyndy Bank) visible to the left of the bridge... The train is running left to right across the frame, in a south-westerly direction, with 'DLG' leading and coupled to 'Blanche's tender. Immediately behind Blanche is Driving Observation Car 111... Therefore this is a Down train approaching Minffordd - and 'Blanche' has not been turned as the smokebox is facing Blaenau Ffestiniog...

You've got some great shots in those videos Ken...

 

ah, forgot i filmed it from the other side later on due to the sun.

 

Lovely videos from all concerned. Wish I could of been there (uni work put an end to it) Look forward to hopefully being up there in the summer.

Regards

Duncan