FR & WHR & WHHR News

Very interesting StoneRoad - I have not seen those images before. I well remember the stick I got for insiting on buying two underframes (for not a great deal more than the price of one) when there was no plan to use the second one - it was always in the way of any yard shunting.... Still, it worked out well in the end.
I would hope that at some stage the WHHR Heritage Train could be dual-braked - but it's an expensive procedure, and I guess Gelert's Farm (for whom I definitely DO NOT SPEAK!) might wish for some kind of reciprocal action - with the beautiful No 26, for example. However, that has seemingly been firmly ruled out.
[Russell has been dual-braked in the past - but that's an enormous can of worms, politically and emotionally.....so forget I even mentioned it....]
Normal UK 25mph operating rules do allow one through-piped coach in a consist, as long as it is between two braked coaches - but the steep gradients around Beddgelert may preclude this - I am sure someone on this forum can confirm.
James

 

It would be possible to through pipe a summer car and run it in the WHHR train. This has been confirmed as an option at some point. I have been told it will not be No.26 due to funders wishes.

There is money and a plan to dual brake the buffet car and Gladstone but currently time is not available and it is not a high priority.

 

Thanks - it'd be an interesting project - and no gradients to worry about. A cut-down summer car would look good with the Buffet....
It has always struck me as an irony of history that the WHHR has ended up with "corridor" cars, which are really more appropriate for a longer journey, while FR has a complete train of compartment carriages, which, with all those doors, would be easier to operate with, on a short run.
Are there any YouTube vids of the new RhE NWNGR rake in action?
James

 

Ugh, even if it was decades ago, don't remind me of all compartment stock trains, I swear I was getting RSI from the constant un/locking procedures !

 

Yep - irritating. Luckily, we've never had to lock doors between Port. (WHR) and PYM. One of the few advantages of such a short, flat line with a substantial loading gauge.... James

 

You're forgetting that you can get more people in less coaches with the compartment stock though. Quite important for running small engines up steep hills.

Anyway away from the world of aspirations, the bits of infrastructure that were wrong have now been put right so the NG15 is now cleared for regular running though to Porthmadog. It's first full line train is on Friday for supporters of the project.

 

Very good news. I get the feeling that many of the public like a loco with a recognisable "front end". Rode behind it (albeit double-headed) at last year's midsummer gala. Judging by the way it's facing, I assume it will be found mostly on the old NWNGR section (and it'd be pretty hard to turn!). James

 

It doesn't need to be turned having been modified with reverse running in mind. It's been working to Beddgelert regularly out of Dinas so not just limited to the NWNGR section. If it can do that then Port to Beddgelert isn't much of a problem.