FR & WHR & WHHR News

If they are, then they need replacing.

 

I'm unclear .... do you mean the axe-handles, or the folk doing the grinding?

 

Misinformation repeated enough always appears to become fact.

This is a far more complex situation than has been noted above. If you reduce it to a couple of ill informed sound bites it all looks very one sided. It is not my place to debate this in a public space (nor do I wish to).

The WHHR board are desperate for this not to become another “he said this”, “they said that” public debate as that will not help in progressing this from either side. Just be aware that it is not a one sided or clear cut as everyone would like to make out.

Fruitful discussions have been had but the odd banana skin can still be found along the way. Jumping in with two feet may find they both land on said skins.

Patience is still required but be assured progress is being made!

 

Ooooooooooor the FR/WHR set unacceptable preconditions that the WHHR board have no choice but to turn down. I'm sure the truth is lost somewhere in all this rumour and hearsay...

 

Seems a depressingly familiar state of affairs across the board these days!

Back to the subject in hand ..... issues with services pipes routed onsite and planning were news to me (or perhaps I'd forgotten about 'em!).

Whatever solution is eventually agreed on, fingers crossed it'll be a good one. Without seeking cast blame in any direction (and tbh ... I don't even know if any question of blame is relevant in the first place) , it's just terribly sad that, for whatever reasons, the two lines are unable to enjoy the benefits which closer ties would bring to both.

 

Another consideration is that Russell through the Aberglasyn Pass for the first time in preservation would be an event in its own right... and for the first occasion shouldn't be a side show or overshadowing another important event.

 

Both

 

It is also an event which the WHHR would no doubt, and quite rightly, wish to publicise in a way that benefited their own railway as well as the WHR. E.g. if the first train originated at Tremadog Road and ran over the junction with appropriate fanfare. This might not work so well as part of a FfR/WHR gala - both for signalling and PR reasons.

 

.... preferably with 'loud' pedal firmly depressed ... Bring it on!

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-crossing-welsh-highland-railway-10-june-2018

 

As a past Chairman of WHR Ltd., I agree with this measured analysis. Strange how almost all the posts on this forum automatically assume that FR is right and WHR Ltd. (the legal title, BTW) is wrong, with no real evidence.

Since I left in 2010 I have had no connection with WHR Ltd., but I was heavily involved in negotiations with FR for several years before that - on the Extension, on running WHR Ltd.trains on RhE, on coal firing, on signalling, on brake systems, on rule books - and so on and so on. (Meanwhile I was working on various sections of FR's RhE as part of the WHR Ltd. tracklaying team, part-funding the NWNGR freight train and NWNGR/WHR passenger train, and fund-raising for the Traeth Mawr extension, which remains the only part of RhE to be funded entirely by individual, private donations, because FR would not allow grant applications).

I remember incidents like FR's "offer" to take ownership of (and demolish) the WHR Ltd's station and works at Gelert's Farm for no payment, and FR's refusal even to talk about the WHR Ltd. offer to run heritage trains to Pont Croesor, thus enhancing the FR's tourism offer - and to pay FR the commercial rate for this by passenger or by train (rejected), and the WHR Ltd. offer to build a third (junction) platform at Pen-y-Mount, to feed passengers onto RhE, and enhance FR's offer by allowing their passengers to access the museum and the main line station (rejected), and WHR Ltd.'s many offers to provide a heritage service on RhE at various times with appropriate commercial agreements (rejected).

If the current WHR Ltd. management refuse to be bullied, then good on them.

 

I take back my rash words, based on misinformation and rumour.

 

A fine summers day at the wonderful Ffestiniog

 

Hmm. So you agree with this "measured analysis" which included a very sensible warning about the non-advisability of debating sensitive and difficult matters on a public forum, but you then proceed to "put the boot in" by raking over stuff that happened many years ago. As an ex-Chairman, people are likely to take some notice of what you say. How is this remotely responsible or going to help this situation?

Sounds to me like you have an agenda here and/or a big chip on your shoulder?

 

Indeed. But there is also a question of right of reply, and this outside observer (last visit to N Wales was when the head of steel was in the Aberglaslyn Pass, and I have yet to visit the WHR) notices that there are many posts that do appear to presume that the issues lie with one side and not the other.

Personally, I wish both parties would grow up, bury the hatchet, and find a way to co-operate to their mutual advantage.

 

Pity that's a tad long for a thread title!

 

I last visited the Welsh Highland Heritage last year and after a pleasant time in that excellent shop they have and a visit to the cafe my colleague and I went to catch the train. At which point a very enjoyable day was punctured by the guard deciding what we wanted to hear was a long diatribe about the iniquities of the FR, the problems of his own railway etc. After the monologue had rumbled on and showed all signs of continuing for the duration of the visit I'm afraid it was time for him to be told we wished to hear no more. I shall visit again but may pack some ear plugs.

 

Why did you leave in 2010?

 

Google is your friend.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/claim-former-railway-chairman-stabbed-2749366.amp

 

Interestingly, if you go back to the start of this thread, it shows that within a couple of years of Mr Felten leaving his successor had improved relationships to the point that the WHHR and F&WHR were cooperating on special events. It is a shame things have apparently deteriorated since.