FR & WHR & WHHR News

Looking at these I am rather suprised that the Garratt didnt simply pull the bug boxes off the track on bends

 

It did seem a bit optimistic putting the least powerful loco on a solo full-line run at the end of the day with questionable coal.
Even if she'd made it beyond TYB, the drizzle that was just beginning may have made life 'interesting' going further up the line.

I wonder if any consideration was given to stabling Upnor and a crew in the siding at TYB as a Thunderbird loco to rescue anything that got stuck

 

In the old days, they'd have sent the Top Shunter down from G-y-P. Wasn't that one of Palmerston's regular duties?

 

It was a sensible load for Palmerston even in the drizzle. We are short of engines so there wasn't really much other option. If you want to run a diesel on it you need find another crew. Not easy on a Sunday afternoon. I could just about keep to section time with it on Friday if I stopped at Rhiw Goch for a couple of minutes to fill up. Then knocked the pressure right back after Plas halt. Obviously the crew of Sunday afternoon had a different experience.

 

How different an experience are three working Englands? I recall comment about WP's regulator during the first steaming clips and noted a definite 'technique' on the reg restarting a vintage train at T-y-B (impressed by lighting arrangements on the water tower, btw). From what I've seen, that extra 6" on the loco's wheelbase makes a lot of difference to the ride and I'm guessing the superheated Prince is livelier than 'vintage spec' Palmerston.

I did feel for the Mountaineer group. They go all that trouble to pull the loco across The Cob, only for Moelwyn to drag it back! What next for the Alco? Will it be staying at Blodge pending assessment?

I'd imagine the main winter effort will centre on maintaining the frontline fleet (are the NGG16 fleet Dinas's problem?). On top of that, with No.8 getting close, Tal still to go through the works and Linda to be completed, they've got their work cut out during what's left of the closed season these days!

 

Ask three different people you'll get three different answers. I'd take Palmerston over the other two any day. It's great thing to drive and sounds amazing, plus it looks better. Also the cab doesn't rattle and bang about. The ride on Prince is terrible, the regulator is really stiff and there is no seat. It might be more capable having bigger cylinders and superheat but that isn't everything. Welsh Pony is quite free running but often gets stuck in dead center which is really annoying. The exhaust is strangely soft which is quite boring to be honest. The regulator was fitted with a pilot valve which made it much better.

The Alco team are preparing the workshop at Glan-y-pwll for dismantling the loco. I belive it will need a new roof though and this has been pushed back due to contractor availability. This needs to be done before work can start.

DLG is now being dismantled for a 10 year boiler overhaul. This will be done by an outside contractor.

Blanche probably also needs a retube now after problems with corrosion under the dome caused several failed tubes this year. The motion needs attention too.

Linda's overhaul is still moving forward.

Work is progressing on James Spooners cab fittings and pipework but there is still a long way to go.

Taliesin is a volunteer project mostly focused on the boiler at the moment.

Palmerston will be out of ticket in November. I believe the plan is to double head it on the Blaenau trains at October half term.

I belive there are some jobs to do on 130 and 87 over winter before starting on a major overhaul of 138.

Castell Caernarfon is finally in the paint shop for finishing off now.

So as you can see there is a huge amount to do. Also they should be breaking ground on the new loco shed at Boston Lodge very soon.

Tim

 

Is the Bygones weekend usually the first weekend in October? Enjoyed it this year and would like to go again in 2023... thanks!

 

Many thanks for the comprehensive update there @meeee. Glad to hear G-y-P is finding a use. Looking at that lot, Blodge could probably use some of the pressure taken off. I can't imagine there's not at least a couple of 'live' outside contracts ongoing too (the TR carriages, for starters).

I caught Castell Caernarfon on an edition of MP a few weeks back. Like the colour. I expect Dinas will let out a big sigh of relief when it makes it's way home.

 

Finally got round to uploading my video from the Bygones weekend. A very enjoyable couple of days and we attended the photo shoots on Saturday morning and evening, very well organised by the team at the railway.
https://youtu.be/gRVmMv0aYlA

 

A few further photos of service trains this week, a couple more on my Flickr. Also noticed DLG without tanks, cab etc outside Blodge on Fri - the FR don't hang around!

 

In some unwelcome news. a level crossing incident at Beddgelert at around 11:30 today. One person taken to hospital by road, no further details:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-63424629

 

More details here
- https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/live-updates-after-steam-train-25379342

 

Afternoon All,

Part one of a three part video shot on the WHR is now on YouTube. If anyone would like to have a look, here's the link:



Parts two and three to follow in due course...

TTFN,

Ron.

 

This is part 2 of my WHR video:



Hope you like it.

TTFN,

Ron.

 

Evening All,

Two more WHR videos:





Hope you like 'em.

TTFN,

Ron.

 

Many thanks for posting the clips folks. What a lovely way to spend a nondescript cold Saturday afternoon!

Amongst so many great images (I'm still loving that recently completed WHHR Pickering Brake btw .... superb looking carriage. Roll on the Spooner NWNG 'bogie Ashbury' ), really nice to see Dduallt seemingly busier than at (I'm guessing) pretty much any time since 1977.

Looking at the bullhead track on the ex-loop at Dduallt, got to say it really is the icing on the cake for a true "Ffestiniog look". I do understand (and reluctantly accept) the reasons for the switch to flat-bottomed, but couldn't help but feel nostalgic seeing Palmerston trundling along chaired track.

Could anyone please shed any light on the two sets of Std.Gge bogies, minus wheelsets, sitting opposite the works and alongside the running line, as it emerges from Boston Lodge Curve?