WHHR - Winter Newsletter

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway - Winter Newsletter 2010

** RUSSELL – A MAJOR STEP FORWARD...... restoration of the only surviving locomotive from the original Welsh Highland Railway has reached a key milestone: assembly to rolling chassis stage.

The locomotive was reunited with its wheels at the end of December, marking the end of a lengthy restoration of the frames, axleboxes, spring gear, pony trucks and driving wheels. Many of the components were restored some time ago, but have been stored until the point when they could all be reassembled.

The two Restoration Engineers working on the project report that everything fitted together perfectly, a testament to the quality of the work. It was a joy not to have to persuade lumps of metal with a hammer as is sometimes the case when dealing with steam locomotives.

There’s still plenty to do on Russell; the next step is likely to be the overhaul of the various rods which make up the motion, along with preparing drawings for the air cylinder. Can you help us to cover those costs? If so, click here to make a donation online instantly:
- http://www.whr.co.uk/index.php?pid=31

You can also see pictures of the re-wheeled chassis here:
- http://whr.fotopic.net/c1788050.html

** HERITAGE TRAIN TAKES SHAPE...... the latest carriage in the Welsh Highland heritage train is about to enter service. No.25 is a replica of the long-vanished coach built by Ashbury Railway Carriage & Iron Company in 1894, and later used on the Welsh Highland Railway.

The original No.25 was one of a pair of carriages, the other being the Buffet Car, which still survives and re-entered service in May 2009. But while the Buffet Car has been restored to 1928 condition, the new carriage replicates the condition of the original as new in the late 19th century.

No.25 has a small piece of historical pedigree: it was the first British saloon vehicle with fixed transverse seating NOT intended for dining purposes, whether narrow or standard gauge.

A sneak preview of the carriage is here:
- http://whr.fotopic.net/c1801459.html

** MAY GALA 2010...... This season’s main gala event has an international theme. “From Wales to the World” takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, 1st – 3rd May 2010. The gala will focus on how the small railways of Porthmadog showed the way for others around the world. Plans are at an advanced stage for at least two visiting locomotives, an intensive two passenger train service and events at all three stations along the line.

This event is taking place in conjunction with “Porthmadog Narrow Gauge”, a model railway exhibition which takes place opposite our station on the Saturday & Sunday.

** SNOW SCENES...... If you haven’t had enough of the white stuff, here’s what happened when it fell on Porthmadog recently, the first significant snowfall in almost ten years, despite us being in Snowdonia:
- http://whr.fotopic.net/c1799467.html

 

Good to see progress on Russell making vis able progress , hope to see it in steam early next year.

 

Good to see all the progress.

Unfortunately won't be able to make the gala (exams and band involvement) although it does sound good.

I remember the snow as I was in Porthmadog at the time but didnt manage to go over to see it at the WHHR.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10524162&l=91e7b370f6&id=694480709

All the best with Russells restoration and I'll have to try and make sure I see the WHHR when I'm next down

Regards

Duncan