FR & WHR & WHHR News

A note on various locos on all the railways.
Nothing seems to have been said by FR recently (AFAICS) about Welsh Pony - which would seem to be ideal motive power for The Victorian and the Woodland Wanderer. WP is also a very popular loco with enthusiasts, which must count for something. BL is obviously very busy, and it must be hard working amongst all the building activity - but last time I heard, WP's problem was not terminal, and the boiler ticket is ticking away.....
Also - has anyone heard anything about the current situation with Russell and "590"? Things seem to have gone very quiet indeed. The former has been out of use since just after the WHR100 gala, and the latter famously failed just before it! The Baldwin is back at the VoR and (presumably) in the works - but no news is coming out of there, either via VoR or via WHHR. And to complicate matters, Russell is out of ticket later this season. Lots if us (probably all of us) would like to see these two locos working together (ideally to Beddgelert), but that seems less likely - at least for several years - as time goes on.
James

 

I spotted 590 outside the shed at the VoR when I visited on 18th April.
It looked like it was in steam, but I wasn't expecting to see it there so only got a brief glimpse from the train and didn't have a chance for a photo. It had disappeared back inside by the time I got back to Aberystwyth.
Hopefully that's a good sign that it's not far off coming back.

 

Woodland Wanderers are usually hauled by a double engine as the loco does a Mountain Spirit followed by a WW or vice versa. This is because the turn around for the Mountain Spirit is quite tight. There is a second diagram on peak days that uses a single engine but it doesn't run that often.

There's a lot of locos to look after. Boston Lodge has been focused getting Merddin overhauled in time for the Snowdonian weekend, followed by the bottom half of Taliesin so it is ready when the volunteers finish the boiler.

Welsh Pony is due in for repairs soon. As it will be off its wheels to sort the loose crank pin the rest of the motion will be overhauled too. Blanche is also in serious need of a mechanical overhaul now that Linda has settled down in traffic.

Prince has had the tank taken off for repairs to start, followed by the boiler for assessment.

The boiler inspector has assessed Palmerston at Aberystwyth and it is ok to return with just a re-tube. The motion will require a little bit of attention when it returns but overall it's in good condition.

 

It is very unfortunate for Welsh Pony to have developed such a fault so soon after a comprehensive restoration, but s--t happens, as they say.

 

I think it should be noted that Welsh Pony has done far more work than anyone could ever have predicted when it was restored. Woodland Wanderers (& to extent the Quarryman) have provided regular work for smaller locos that previously only appeared on High Days and special events. It has probably already completed as many miles as it would probably have achieved in an entire 10 year ticket under its predicted usage!

Paul Lewin did mention Welsh Pony on one of his excellent workshop roundups on YouTube. Priority has been to get sufficient service locos ready over the winter period and Welsh Pony is hoped to be brought in over Summer. It is also hoped to similarly progress Taliesin as and when workshop time allows.

I think it is fantastic that the railway sees a working future for all of its fleet, it would be very easy to stuff and mount some of these antique locos, especially when the FR is so adept at building new ones.

 

No mention of NG15 134. I understand that its overhaul/restoration is nearing completion at Dinnas.

Peter

 

Hoped to be launched at the Superpower weekend in September according to the last FR News.
Mountaineer has a provisional slot booked at Boston Lodge for its boiler this winter if sufficient funds can be raised too.

 

What would the FR be without its gravity trains?

 

Going downhill fast?

Tom

 

But with its Double Fairlies it goes uphill fast!!

 

A couple more from North Wales:





Ron.

 

James Spooner leaving Beddgelert this morning.

 

The Penrhyn Ladies at Blaenau Ffestiniog:

RD26840vs. The Penrhyn Ladies. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

Ron.

 

A video of BLANCHE departing from Blaenau with the members' train on the 4th May; taken from the Dorvil Road bridge:

RD26854vid. BLANCHE departing from Blaenau Ffestiniog. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

 

MERDDIN EMRYS arriving at TyB:
RD26861vid. MERDDIN EMRYS arriving at Tanybwlch. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

Ron.

 

The Ffestiniog Railway on the 8th June 2024 featuring 'James Spooner' hauling 'The Ffestiniog Express', plus 'Blanche' and 'Merddin Emrys' on the normal passenger services.

Video Available Here

 

Wonderful, I wonder when a train of heritage bogie carriages of that length ran?

 

It happens several times a year usually in connection with a Statesman Railtour.

 

A flying visit to the railway yesterday, courtesy of LSL's "Snowdonia Statesman" tour. We had a round trip between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Tan Y Bwlch.

Here are a few photos.

 

I was disappointed to find when I visited the FR last week that the buffet service no longer offers any hot drinks, although these appeared to still be provided to passengers in the observation cars, so presumably not now a casualty of “health and safety”. (They are still available to all on the WHR services as well). The ladies operating the refreshments trolley were clearly not happy about it either as they were saying that they were fed up of having to apologise to people.