FR & WHR & WHHR News

I think I'd assume a change of train at Porthmadog, given the way the prose reads.

 

Yes I took it to mean the two sets of passengers swap trains.

 

Thanks for pointing out what I missed.

 

I’m sure they’ll be a change of trains somewhere from the one that departs London …

Tom

 

Well, they could always try to relay the line from Bangor to Caernavon...

 

They've done it without a change of stock in the past, passing the two charters at Pont Croesor, though I believe it makes the timings a bit awkward.

 

Never used to make the timings awkward pre-Covid. Loco swap took place at Pont Croesor at the Port end. With advance bookings, it should make the time easier as you don't have a timetable per-se as you can make the departure(s) of other services suit to fit. Of course, the biggest issue is if there's an issue on national network.

 

I see in the latest Steam Railway magazine that there is going to be a parade of working locos across the cob on 22 June, in conjunction with Railway 200.
We probably will all welcome this, and I assume this is going to end up as a free event as there is public access along the cob?
Donation buckets going round?

 

22 June is the Sunday of the 'Seventy Years of Post-Preservation Passenger Trains' event. Info from the F&WHR Facebook.

 

F&WHR Events 2025 and 2024 Review
mentions that The Snowdonian will run "in the spring" and that tickets are now available. The Ffestiniog Travel website offers a package including the train https://www.ffestiniogtravel.com/tailored-rail/uk/the-snowdonian . But nowhere on the main website https://www.festrail.co.uk/ can I see how to book for the train only. Adding to the confusion, UK Railtours have The Snowdonian from London including a ride for the whole distance but on a different date and presumably with a change at Porthmadog.

 

I don't think he says they are on sale yet does he? He says ordinary services are on sale but the Snowdonian is usually classed as an event. If they are up they are usually under the events section of the website.

The UK railtours trip is a different thing. The F&WHR Snowdonian is a full round trip from Porthmadog to Bleanau, Caernarfon and back to Port. Usually with a stop for lunch at Beddgelert. The train uses the same stock all day with a loco change at Boston Lodge. It also tends to run non stop where possible including straight though Porthmadog.

 

Just announced via the WHHR Facebook page:

"Coming soon... Welsh Highland Heritage Railway announces Russell's last runs before it bows out of service for a 10 yearly overhaul.

With thanks to our friends at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Trains will depart Porthmadog Harbour station on the following dates,

Porthmadog Harbour to Beddgelert:

Saturday 5th April 2025

1125

1500

Saturday 12th April 2025

1055

1330

Porthmadog Harbour to Caernarfon

Friday 18th April 2025

1110

Last chance to ride behind Russell on the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway will be Saturday 19th April.

Booking information will be available shortly."

Sadly I probably won't be able to make any of those dates, but I hope Russell gets a good send-off.

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The Ffestiniog Railway has unveiled a new look for Double Fairlie Merddin Emrys.
The new green livery reflects the livery worn in the 1950s and 60s by Talliesin:

 

Absolutely fantastic.

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Details of the Snowdonian https://www.festrail.co.uk/the-snowdonian-3

 

Thanks - and while on the topic of specials - tickets for Russell's "last" trips (well - last for a while.....) on the main line from Harbour to Beddgelert - and (once) to Caernarfon- are now available. Apparently a "five-coach train", so Hudson toast-rack No 42 will be out as well, for the first time since the original testing. You can find the link on the WHHR's Facebook page (for those dinosaurs like me who don't do that, it's a bit clunky, but there is a link to the ticket provider, EventBookings.com). James

 

Ticket booking links for Russell’s special trains if people have not found them elsewhere.

Caernarfon:
https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/russell-hauled-vintage-train-to-caernarfon

Beddgelert:
https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/russell-hauled-vintage-train-to-beddgelert

 

Always fancied this one year. Mind you makes a CME look cheap.

 

Yep - agree: really painful when you add in travel and accommodation. At least the FR's Platinum Jubilee Gala - later on this year - allows decent membership discounts....
Although the main event in that - the cavalcade - will of necessity be free to attend, as it's on the Cob.

Still - I hope that all the profit from the Russell trips, after expenses, goes into his upcoming boiler work.

I was lucky enough to be on the staff special after the 2022 Dinas WHR Gala - Russell and the heritage train from Dinas to Gelert's Farm - an experience to be treasured, despite one rogue photographer and an emergency stop. James