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WHR/FR news

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by Sheff, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Well, well; lots of dosh, good for the tourist industry though. Thanks for the reply.

    Regards
     
  2. Roger Dimmick

    Roger Dimmick Member

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    Correct - there are now three disc signals controlling the approach to the station area.
    Upper left - Platform Line
    Lower left - Sidings
    Lower right - Welsh Highland line

    Sorry - forgot to be pedantic (for once)... There were already two disc signals, so only one has been added..!

    Ah, the subject of much discussion and speculation. UNLIKELY - as the S&T Manager is not in favour of restoring a bracket signal due to the exposed location and ongoing maintenance requirements.

    NO - there's no need, as it's interlocked already...
     
  3. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    At a cost of a million quid, I might add.
     
  4. Roger Dimmick

    Roger Dimmick Member

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    That's the Cob widening - not the interlocking...
     
  5. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Yes, a third illuminated ground disc has been added to the group of two which controls access to the station yard, but a fourth has replaced the abolished dumb disc which controlled access to the main line from the yard. It's interesting that the stack of two discs to control access to the station yard work in the opposite sense to the way stacks of subsiduary signals work out on the 'big railway'. Ie the top one is not the 'first left' if it were on a bracket.

    On the topic of interlocking, surely the two somersault arms on the cob aren't interlocked? And I've seen the aspect of the stack of two ground discs giving some rather odd indications. I'm sure the railway is being operated safely, because the train staffs are all important, but I'm not convinced that that the signalling at Porthmadog really shows the real world as it would be signalled elsewhere.

    Regards
     
  6. odc

    odc Member

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    The FR as an independent railway dose not conform to standard gauge signalling practice. That said the interlocking is set up to allow both the starter and home on the Cob to be off at the same time for unmanned operation of the ground frame. There are also some long wire runs that react to direct sunlight/heat and can give ambiguous indications, but the rule is if in doubt, stop.
     
  7. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    And here's a picture to prove it :

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/5524169742/in/set-72157627326071690
     
  8. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    You really don't need to 'prove it', as I intimated in an earlier post as was there in August and you can see my films on YouTube if you want which show this additional signal. But, it isn't the only new signal at Porthmadog, another ground disc has replaced a dumb disc in the station yard; and I'm still sceptical about the degree of interlocking at Porthmadog.

    As I said earlier, I'm sure the Ffestiniog is being operated safely, the train staff is everything, but it does look a bit odd sometimes
     
  9. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    Superpower shuttle bus and car parking

    Please note that due to the recent inclement weather, the special car parking facilities at Beddgelert that we had hoped to offer will not now be available.

    We regret not being able to provide dedicated parking facilities, however, there will now be a minibus service departing from Pont Croesor at 08.00 hrs on both Saturday and Sunday for those wishing to visit Beddgelert.

    The minibus will travel direct to Beddgelert Station car park, from where it will commence its scheduled shuttle service between Beddgelert and various points in the forest.

    Starting from Beddgelert Station car park, the minibus will stop at the following points:

    Cwm Cloch Crossing
    Forest Campsite entrance
    Pont Cae’r Gors
    Hafod Ruffydd Crossing
    Meillionen Crossing
    Cwm Cloch Bridleway entrance

    ...before returning to Beddgelert.

    The bus will leave the car park at 09:00, 11:00, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15 and 16:15 - taking around 45 minutes to complete the full circuit through the forest.

    Special arrangements have been made at Cwm Cloch for minibus passengers to have access to the field in the middle of the S-curves. Use the farmer’s access track from the level crossing and enter the field at the gated crossing. Please remember that all of this area is private land - so, unless you take advantage of the dispensation for minibus passengers, you must keep to public footpaths.
     
  10. Roger Dimmick

    Roger Dimmick Member

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    Further to the above...

    The mini-bus service may be free - but please note that it is only available to holders of valid Rheilffordd Eryri/Welsh Highland Railway ticket.

    It is also important to remember that the mini-bus does not return to Pont Croesor at any time. Please use the advertised train services between Pont Croesor and Beddgelert if arriving after 08:00 - and to return to your car at the end of the day.
     
  11. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    FR Vintage Weekend October 15-16. Slates through the streets of Porthmadog...

    [​IMG]
     
  12. SillyBilly

    SillyBilly Member

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    This monster will be back too.
    [​IMG]
     
  13. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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  14. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Thanks - that's compulsory viewing! Will i-player be simultaneous or will we non Wales residents have to wait a bit?

    Sorry to be such a dinosaur!
     
  15. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    Should be iPlayable shortly after the broadcast. Should be up on YouTube at some point too.
     
  16. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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  17. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    How is the cob widening work coming on?

    Regards
     
  18. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    Haul road across station complete, six road (nearest the sea) removed, ramp down to beach constructed. 5,000 tons of rock to be delivered after Christmas. You can see the haul road on one of the webcams here Camtest although you'll need to be patient as they are painfully slow.
     
  19. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, Andrew.
     
  20. banburysaint

    banburysaint Member

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    The documentary is most enjoyable - dont forget for part two that if you have sky you can get BBC 2 Wales on Channel 991.

    One part was particuarly interesting was the footage of the original WHR as this is the first i have seen. I know in Peter Johnson's book on WHR he mentions that a promotion film was produced by Gaumont but it has not been found, i presume the footage from last night's show is some private cine film, and the search for the film goes on!
     

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