The Welsh Highlander - Sat 6 June 2009

And may I just add a little foretaste of the narrow gauge portion that isn't open to the public yet?

 

It looks like there are no service trains running that day, so the practical limitation is probably the length of train that can fit in Hafod y Llyn loop (if your train operates the same way as last Saturday's sponsors' trains, it will run topped and tailed south of there). Depending on choice of carriages (e.g. which service car, taking the observation car or not, ditto the Heritage carriages), capacity should be somewhere either side of 300.

 

I'd be suprised if capacity was a problem for the WHR, VT rarely run with more than 9 passenger carrying vehicles in the formation and thats assuming its fully booked

 

That sounds like the intention is to go as far as Pont Croesor rather than through to the edge of Porthmadog, so about a mile and a half less than the sponsors' trains did last weekend. Still a very worthwhile extra run though (keep a watch out for the ospreys!). So far, photographers seem very happy with no. 87 (an NGG16, there's such a thing as an NG15 but not an NGG15... I'll get me coat) in aircraft grey (not workshop, it's gloss!).

 

Vintage Trains website has been updated today saying the WHR train in now only going as far as Hafod y Llyn.

The Railway Inspectorate have confirmed to the Ffestiniog Railway that our special train may operate as far as Hafod y Llyn. So we will run this far and it includes the Aberglaslyn Pass. We should also have a stop at Beddgelert.

Can anyone in the know edvise exactly where the WHR service is currently operational to and how much extra track participants on this VT trip are actually getting. When advertised this trip was stated as going to the outskirts of Porthmadog but looking at a map of the area Hafod y Llyn seems some distance away from Porthmadog.

 

Hafod y Llyn is the current run round point, as from last Friday, so it doesn't look as though there is any extra mileage involved.

 

Anyone know when Edgcumbe is due to arrive at Llandudno Junction? I was thinking of seeing it as part of a day trip to Conwy.

 

Keep an eye on UKSteam during the week is probably your best bet, not unusual for timings to not be "out" till the thursday before a saturday tour.

 

Hhhmmmmmm.....

I am due another trip to the Snowdonoian mountains.

Rather fancy getting a shot of the train looking down at Beddgelert from the top of Moel Hebog

Or from part way up Mynydd Sygyun, where I had some practice back in April!

 

Interesting pic that, the position of what i assume is a guy in a high-viz jacket gives the impression that the K1 has some VERY serious steaming problems!

Regards

Andrew C
W&LLR

 

Arrives 10.04, Departs 18.40

David

PS www.uksteam.info is temporarily offline this morning as it is moving to a new server. Back soon !

 

Even more so given that the loco is not K1 but no. 143, which is an oil burner...!

Very nice picture - is that one of the pre-Beddgelert opening test trains? It's an unusual set for commercial operation (no First class, and two bike wagons rather than the usual one).

 

No. He was just checking a few things out, and moved out of shot when I politely asked him to. (You'll see he's gone now!).

 

It was taken on 4th April, and I guess it was a test train.

 

Thanks for the times - I'm coming from Liverpool and am already thinking if just seeing the return.
Looks like a seriously early start for the Brummies! (Well worth it of course...)

 

Don't worry about us Ralph, we'll catch the service train to Llandudno and go for a paddle in the sea. 8)