FR & WHR & WHHR News

I presumed it was related to work being done to get UNESCO status for the historic welsh slate railways. I know that several railways are working together on this with bodies and that they are on the TR today so I put two and two together. Obviously from what you my answer of five is totally wrong.

 

Doesn't No.5's lined livery look fantastic? .... and carriage 15 is looking great in it's finery, too. What a credit both are to the team in Blodge's paintshop. Can't wait for my first sight of the loco with it's nameplates in place. Who'd have guessed, just a 12 month ago that WP would be straight back in at the deep end, on frontline duties. Every cloud ..... eh?

Edit: just watched the naming ceremony. Loco and train all looked superb in the rainshine at Dduallt. Barrie Hughes reported a bit of slipping .... not too surprising, with what looked like a max load, on the little used rails above T-y-B.

 

I totally agree, this is a stunning livery and needs to be kept...... to the point of, if an 'England' is to be painted Green, how about 'Prince' as it is really a 'Super England' (enlarged cab etc)????

 

I imagine that Prince in Green would be far closer to historically correct than Prince in its current livery given how much it has been rebuilt.

The paint work looks superb and it is amazing to see it looking like this considering how it was in the 1980s when on a plinth outside Port and seemingly missing everything.

Nice to see the nod to Allan Garraway and other friends who aren't there to see it. Having mentioned the plinth, it was one of the things that P&G under Eileen Clayton always seemed to be tending to back then.

 

Welsh Pony looks absolutely wonderful in it's new fantastic livery!

The unveiling of the nameplates today was quite wonderfully captured initially and later on.

Well done to Paul Lewin and his team. Fantastic day for the Ffestiniog today.

(I might suggest that AG's cheque for £100 might not have Welsh Pony with AG green - it wasn't a particularly significant donation I would suggest. And not one to tie in a particular livery of his?)

 

Since locomotives, active ones at least, tend to need repainting every few years there is surely no reason not to cycle them through as many livery options as may be desired by painters and/or funders. The current livery is absolutely superb as, no doubt, will be the Garraway green in due course. I must say it’s so pleasing to get back to a good old-fashioned livery debate- exactly what NP is meant to be all about

 

Speaking as someone who was a bit sceptical when rebuilding Welsh Pony was first mooted, I'm perfectly happy to admit I was wrong and eat my words. She looks magnificent and is a fantastic achievement. Yet another Boston Lodge miracle.
How wonderful to have three Englands in steam.
It's been a terrible year for everyone, but this is one bright spot. And, while we all lament the reason for it, its been lovely to see the Englands and the Ladies keeping up the service through the summer.
This FRS member has been glued to the webcam through many a dull work meeting

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Threading the Pass.

 

Three excellent days, particularly enjoyed riding to BF for the first time this year, behind WP on Saturday, and riding to Beddgelert yesterday afternoon.

Normal mix of Welsh weather, but a few photos at https://flic.kr/ps/nqbeq

 

Just think 30 years ago

No track in the pass.
Van 10 was being restored
24 didn't exist
Welsh Pony was on a plinth outside Port.

Not one but several huge achievements.

 

FR locos usually get at least 10 years out of a paint job. Sometimes with a re-varnish to freshen things up again in between. It costs around £10000 to paint a locos properly so they tend not to do it all the time.

I believe Welsh Pony will stay like this for a while, but how long probably depends on how well it lasts. It's only really had one coat of the purple brown to get it out the door.

Tim

 

Photo gallery from the weekend: https://preservedrailway.wixsite.com/narrowgauge/bygones2020

 

The Ffestiniog Railway during their 'Bygones Weekend' on the 10th October 2020. Thanks to everyone at the FR for putting on the weekend, despite the weather it was a superb day out!

Video Available Here

 

Some from the Sunday, when we were blessed with some sunshine too.

 

Some more content I'm afraid... We popped by for the 1315 & 1420 on Wednesday, featuring Palmerston & Welsh Pony. Some shots below and more at https://www.flickr.com/photos/24236352@N02/









Also some videos... First is from Bygones weekend, the second from this Wednesday

 

Don't apologise, we really appreciate them!

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From Facebook, near total shutdown as of Friday:



Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

WELSH ‘FIREBREAK’ LOCKDOWN: SERVICES POSTPONED ANNOUNCEMENT…
This afternoon, the Welsh First Minister announced a ‘firebreak' lockdown, due to begin at 18:00 on Friday, 23rd October until Monday, 9th November.
In line with government regulations, we will not be running train services from the 23rd October onwards.
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The 11:00 ‘Back to Beddgelert’ service on Wednesday, 21st October will be our final service on the Welsh Highland Railway prior to the ‘firebreak’ lockdown.
The 14:20 ‘Heritage Trains’ service on Thursday, 22nd October will be our final service on the Ffestiniog Railway prior to the ‘firebreak’ lockdown.
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Caernarfon Station’s Café De Winton and the station shop will close at 16:00 on Wednesday, 21st October.
The station shop at Porthmadog Harbour Station will close at 15:00 Friday, 23rd October.
Please note, up until these closure times and dates, all our establishments will be operating under regular working hours.
Further announcements on the closing dates of both Spooner’s and Tearooms at Tan-Y-Bwlch will be made shortly.
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The commercial side of the railway will be closed until Monday, 9th November at the earliest, with the exception of the online shop.
We are as yet unable to comment on what will happen following the culmination of this ‘firebreak’ lockdown.
The developing situation will be kept under constant review, with a further announcement being made in due course.
We urge everyone to adhere to these new Government regulations.
Thanks for you continued support.