FR & WHR & WHHR News

Wasn't there a set like that at Alston?

 

Yes - it gives access to Maenofferen Bach shed.

see picture here : https://www.festipedia.org.uk/w/images/5/54/MinfforddYard3-waylead-E_BellassB.jpg

 

The London Area Group, well, Ron Walker and I, refurbished the point indicator associated with the 3-way stub point. We did it as a homework project at Ron's workshop in South Harrow. Here's a couple of pictures that I took after we had taken it back to Port. and reinstated it on the post and reconnected it to the point:

R775. 3-way signal at Portmadoc. November,1961. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

R776. 3-way point indicator at Portmadoc. November, 1961. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

Click on the photos to see the full size picture,

TTFN,

Ron.

 

I believe the three way point was originally a Spooner & Co demonstrator for potential customers. It's certainly been used at both Boston Lodge and Porthmadog.

As has been mentioned it is now provides access to the Maenofferen Bach heritage store. The condition of the rails are quite poor but in this location it sees little traffic and it isn't submerged in mud or ash.

The point indicator is now in Spooners too.

Tim

 

A short clip of Beyer-Garratt 130 putting the stock away at the end of the day's services:



TTFN,

Ron.

 

Here's the latest instalment of my 1993 video shot at the Ffestiniog Railway's Hunslet Hundred Steam Gala:



Hwyl fawr,

Ron.

 

The F&WHR is looking to reinstate opportunities to alight at intermediate stations, initially for members and staff only. This is a hopeful first step towards returning to something more resembling an actual train service.

 

I hope you are right. The latest FRS mag seems very unclear what message is actually being communicated. Some parts report (as you say) a return to a real railway, with the facility to travel between intermediate stations. However, the GM offers a strong, and well reasoned, defence of the "Experiences" concept and the move towards becoming a linear theme park. The letters section is universally opposed to the "Experiences" concept. I guess only time will tell, and ultimately where my money goes, both in terms of travel and membership.

 

Delightful news from a gricer's perspective. I wonder, to judge from the recent Moving Pictures video release .... might the timing have something to do with No.8's impending completion?

What I keep hearing is that the "name brand trip train" has been popular with the punters (s'pose an hour plus could be a chore for parents with ankle biters in tow). Of course, traffic levels permitting, there's no operational reason, of which I'm aware, that some sort of T-y-B service couldn't provide a regular run out for the "Englands" and vintage stock.

 

I don't suppose Paul's entry in the journal is particularly recent given production lags. I suspect internally, there is growing disgruntlement with the move away from the Real Railway approach, and volunteers need to be kept and recuited if the railways are to survive.

I can see why the the GM is remaining cautious, given the worsening coal and economic situation.

 

I suppose it depends on how many people actually wanted to just go to Tanybwlch, or were they getting what they could because they were unable to book a through service (fully-booked over a month in advance)? I understand that the desire to "do the whole thing" was what did for previous Tanybwlch services. Maybe the service branding will attract more people this time around?

 

It's good news for the railway's relationship with both the local community and supporters. While it might be financially beneficial not to do this during these tricky times. I think in the long term the effect on the railway's reputation would have had negative consequences.

With running speeds back to normal and both the Tan-y-bwlch sets being effectively 7 coaches, we might not see so much of England engines this year.

Tim

 

I suppose the difference previously was that timetabled (rather than 'name branded') services gradually extended to Dduallt, T-y-G and Blaenau, with the option of the Gelliwiog Shuttle, for some of those years before the New Moelwyn Tunnel opened. Beyond an ice-cream and watching the loco run round, there certainly wasn't an awful lot to do at Dduallt in the early 1970s!

 

Video of DLG and Blanche on Sunday's service.

 

Would that be the letters section that probably wouldn't pay anything for travel?

Paul has produced a very good presentation which had (amongst other things) profit lines, inflation and a few other bits and pieces. This showed where the Company was heading (and him out the door if it had carried on - his own words). So, something had to be done. Covid gave this opportunity to stop carrying 200k passengers in 500k seats and look for a better way of operating.

 

Is there a link anywhere?

 

It’s the FfR Society members’ magazine - only 34 quids to join
https://www.ffestiniograilway.org.uk/join_us

 

What is most notable is that this isn't just a pandemic thing - alarm bells were already ringing in 2019, with rising staff costs a serious cause for concern. The pandemic and the coal crisis have only expedited the process.

 

It’s a theory, being tested elsewhere too. I’m personally not convinced that the shift to pre booking and restricted itineraries is a long term answer to those real underlying problems.

I know that as a willing buyer last year, the combination of restricted operations and elevated fares ensured that I didn’t travel on the WHR.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I know that as a willing buyer last year, the combination of restricted operations and elevated fares ensured that I didn’t travel on the WHR.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

It's a good job lots of other people didn't take that view. If they did, there wouldn't be a WHR.