Bala lake Railway.

Though given the concerns expressed on Nat Pres about passengers being locked in on the narrow gauge I can imagine the fuss if there weren't any doors at all...

Steve B

 

Two-plus-one seating with a central gangway within a maximum external width of 5' 7½" looks very tight

What does the old bridge cross? Did the river run under there at one time?

 

It does indeed. I suspect that that will have to be amended to 1+1. The doors into the "saloon" from the end balcony might be tricky as well, and as others have pointed out, no details of access doors from the platform shown. Speaking of which, there will have to be access from both sides when the proposed Bala Town station is built.
The river used to run underneath but it is now "dry". It is a Cadw protected structure and I've not seen anything yet to suggest that Cadw will permit trains across it.

I must admit that I have dismissed the BLR as a bit of a "flat trundle" in the past, but the proposed extension could be a game changer for the railway. With Julian Birley driving it, it has every chance of succeeding. The plans for Bala Town station are really good and it could be one of best NG termini in the UK.

 

Totally agreed with above re the proposed extension. Have popped into Bala a couple of times over the past three years & found it completely different to previous memories. A nice ride with good scenery & friendly volunteers with a nice little terminus at Llanuwchllyn. With the Bala link & terminus (a great looking proposed building, properly thought out with volunteer accommodation etc) and some more comfortable coaches it really has the potential to become a little gem. Wish them the best of luck.

 

They've not shown the route of the line leaving the new station northwards and circling around the town and back onto the old trackbed for the dual gauge extension to Corwen....

 

removed

 

I must admit that I have dismissed the BLR as a bit of a "flat trundle" in the past

There are three significant humps between Bala and Llangower then a steady climb with half a mile at 1 in 70 to Llanuwchllyn so anything but "flat"! I'll let you have "trundle"...

 

They are inspired by the Leek & Manifold coaches. One problem at the BLR is that we have raised platforms, a legacy of the original 2' gauge miniature railway concept. That affects the width of coaches, even though there is plenty of clearance at bridges along the line

 

Yes I was already well aware of that, and the 1 in 70 is a decent enough challenge for the Quarry Hunslets. Hardly compares with any of the other Welsh NG lines though due to the SG origins. As I said, the extension will be a game changer.

 

I've always liked the coaches. Their unique shape (mini tube or mini MK1) is very engaging I think. After all, there isn't really a prototypical passenger train you can pull behind a quarry Hunslet. We used to stay in Landrillo every summer so was a sort of frequent temporary local... It's a splendid line, friendly and fun with great scenery.

 

I must admit I've grown to like those carriages too, their shape is so odd and unique to see on a narrow gauge line. So if the railway plans to eventual replace them all with these new Leek & Manifold inspired coaches, I do hope they find good new homes.

 

The BLR is holding a "mini-gala" over the bank holiday weekend. No guest locos this time but all the home fleet should be in action, including "Holy War" for the last time before its 10-year overhaul.

http://www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk/events/default.html

 

I like the coaches and also Meirionydd I suspect because they are what I associate with visits to the Bala Lake when I was a child.

I do think some railways are a bit neglectful when it comes to their recent heritage, as if after 1945 isn’t important or of value and so worth keeping or saving.

 

I visited at Easter and camped in the campsite right next to the station. It’s a really underrated line. I had a lovely chat to Julian about his Hunslets and Rob, the line’s chief engineer. Everyone was very friendly and the atmosphere was great.

It’s refreshing to go to a line where everything seems to be going in the right direction. It’s good to see a move to chopper couplings, they look more suited to narrow gauge stock than weird mini buffers. I do wish they’d go for a wider loading gauge/platform clearance before committing to the new stock, but that’s a very minor gripe as the rest of the experience is so positive. I can’t wait to see the extension get going.

 

I will be firing at the BLR next week (Mon-Sat except Wed) so please say hello if you are visiting.

 

The President's Appeal for funds to restore the signal box has been re-opened with a new target of £5000. Further repairs to woodwork means the old target needed to be increased.
If you'd like to support this appeal please see: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfun...cNac6qkuZl60b5nvwbfPFjji8t12HNICD_W0KLR6Bd954

 

We called in at the Bala Lake Railway this weekend and caught Winifred looking picture perfect:







That's Aran Fawddwy rising up in the background, with a fair bit of its 2,969 ft hidden in the clouds. I didn't appreciate what a great spot Llanuwchllyn is for hill walking and outdoor pursuits. With sailing and kayaking on the lake, there's loads to do as well as the railway, and of course it links everything together beautifully.



We followed the line of survey pegs along the line of the extension to the site of the new Bala Town station, which had track panels neatly stacked on the far side of the site. The view along Llyn Tegid was amazing. It will be gerat to be able to enjoy this from a train:



Also - is that Cadair Idris on the far horizon, in the middle of the shot? Weird to realise that the Corris and Talyllyn's local moutain might have sneaked into the picture.

 

Thanks for the pics. I suspect the bit disappearing into the mist leads up to Aran Benllyn, Fawddwy being on the ridge beyond. I see there is a "new" route up to the Arans, which I must try sometime, from the south end of the ridge starting at a car park in Cwm Cywarch near Dinas Mawddwy. Could be Cader (as we used to call it) in the other shot. Llyn Tegid is on the same fault[?] line as Talyllyn / the Fathew Valley.

 

Just a quick note of this urgent appeal at the BLR, which appears to be quite crucial to the proposed extension into the town

https://www.balalakerailwaytrust.org.uk/feb2021appeal.html

 

How much have they raised so far ?