The Cambrian 2010

Don't knock the Co-op or any of the off-licences in town. They're handy for the alcoholic anaesthetic which you need after having visited the place.

 

Err, the Co-op is currently undergoing a refit, so for the time being, you won't be able to visit one of Pwllheli's premier tourist attractions.

 

I've finally managed a couple of sunny shots, now we've had a couple of sunny days in the past week or so. It surely can't last?

 

I found great fish and chips in Pwllheli, not to mention the legendary Cadwalader's ice cream available in this part of Wales - never found any ice cream better!

Peter, at the end of a sunny day in Manchester, with happy memories of my ride on the Cambrian the week before last
http://pjhrailpics.fotopic.net

 

Is it? Oh that's a shame. One fewer reason for visiting the town, then.

 

It's a real shame it doesn't stop at Criccieth. That's actually quite a civilised place and somewhere I always enjoy spending some time.

 

Cracking pictures sir

 

Thanks. I was starting to get desperate with only a few weeks left. As I explained to someone last week, I've more locations I'd love to use than I've had sunny days over the past four summers it's operated.

There were a couple of video people around Pont Briwet yesterday morning, one on the land side of the estuary on the sand, and the other one out towards the pylon. Were they anyone from here? Just curious.

 

I had fish and chips from the chippy that is near to the run round loop (suppose it's the road back to civilisation) and got a free sausage, no idea why!

 

Twenty odd years ago when they had a small number of shops only in North Wales I would have agreed with you. I think it was made fresh then daily.

However in my opinion the best ice cream I have tasted is from Holgates just on the edge of Tywyn. The Talyllyn trains pass behind the place to at least give this a slight connection to trains. Their ice cream is unique as it is sold nowhere else and I am sure they would make a fortune if they did judging by the numbers who stop and from a place that really has little passing foot trade as it is on the edge of Tywyn rather than in the centre.
.

 

Myself & 10 others from Llangollen & Severn Valley had an most excellent day travelling on the Cambrian yesterday. Weather was not on our side this time as in previous years when I have travelled on it. Lots os beer was drunk and much fun was had.

A Great Day Out, which we hope to do again next year.... hopefully??

 

I was also on Fridays trip,despite the weather it was just superb,and for the money (£35) fantastic value.It was good to see the train nearly full,I had seen it earlier in the week and it appeared to be little more than half full which is a bit worrying.

One thing struck me,the whole operation of this train seems to be very efficient,with just the guard and train manager to look after the customers. I wondered if the stewarding arrangements on other railtours were actually neccesary,or are they required as part of the deal between railtour company and TOC? Can anyone comment?

 

I travelled myself on Friday 13th August (bad omen for the day?), got a seat in the 4th coach on the outward, & the front on the return. At £35 for the trip, it is excellent value for money, considering the mileage & route involved. Weather wasn't fantastic, with the exception of Tywyn on the outward run where the sun shone very nicely among a nice patch of blue sky. Plenty of noise from 44871 in both directions, certainly a vocal "5". On the return, I arrived at Pwllheli station at 13:55, with a pair of Arriva Trains Wales Class 158's still sat in the station (should've departed at 13:45) with loads of people with luggage coming away from the train. Walked to the end of the platform & saw 44871 still on the wrong end of the train! Turned out the 158's had arrived 25 minutes late after some braking problems of some sort, and eventually departed for Machynlleth depot ECS at 14:05. Eventually, 44871 managed to depart Pwllheli 15 minutes late at 14:30, but the time was caught up, and we arrived back at Machynlleth on time. Definitely can recommend the trip to anyone, with some stunning scenery on the route, and some good gradients to make the loco grunt.

 

Railway friends of mine travelled on it to Pwllheli today and reported that it was well-loaded, though most pax got off at Porthmadog. They also reported that it "goes like stink", storming up all banks.

 

Another photo I took today. Thankfully it was sunny again. The weather seems to be improving next week, just when the season's finished and the kids go back to school.

 

Stunning stuff Richard - I'm not going to get a ride this year now - but Wednesday got me Pont Briwet with water and 8151 at Blaenau without rain - and a £70 chip on the windscreen!!!

 

Thanks Frank. Hope it wasn't the Thunderbird that was damaged. Had it been a sunny day on Wednesday I'd have gone for the 8F as well, but I've already bagged too many dull/wet shots on that branch. A pity that it isn't running again next year so we can have more chances with it. I like the photo of the 8F crew looking at "Earl of Merioneth" - just the thing!

Oh, if there were any other snappers on here who were today around the area of Barmouth where the bridge meets land, and up the mountain road, and drive a black Shogun, the builder whose building site you blocked off was pretty irate about it. He did a patrol of the area in his pickup looking for snappers to find the culprit to get them to move it. Said Shogun had plenty of camera gear inside it and arrived in time for the 5MT.

 

A little consideration doesn't half help - whilst I don't get precious about standing in a field, or people standing in mine - I do ask that they don't cause damage, cut fences etc, and don't block accesses. Live and let live. Yes it was the convertible's windscreen but Autoglass do a good job. The resin repair is almost invisible - but of course it's the propagation to a lost windscreen that I wanted to protect straight off - so now that's done

Onslow Park this weekend with No 6 - anyone else there? and of course 4871 will be coming by on Tuesday

 

Three photos from the last day of operation. Good to have some sun for a change. At Criccieth I saw some of the shots that my friends took and they're absolute cracking shots.







Richard