News from FR/WHR

Its an April Fool's joke. Made by an April Fool. Don't go there for too many facts....

 

With the FR broken at Minffordd for the bypass bridge installation, the first WHR public service trains ran from Porthmadog over the cross town link and out to Hafod y Llyn yesterday. And the sun even came out.

 

A Magnificent Achievment! Well Done To All Involved! And The Best Engine Gets To Take The First Train! I'm Presuming That Taliesin Is Taking All Of These Trains?

 

Heritage Lottery funding for F&WHR
http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/Ffestiniog_Railway.aspx

 

Many congratulations to all involved.

It is nice to see that the option of Lottery money is still out there for Heritage Railways.

Good luck with obtaining full funding.

Rich.

 

I will have to do the full length of the line from Caernarfon to Blaenau during the spring, just to say that I've done it!!

I travelled the new section between Porthmadog and Hafod-y-Llyn on Wed 12th Jan. It is a massive achievement by both FR & the WHR.

 

...and very welcome you will be too, James/Jeff.

However, careful study of the Welsh Highland Railway March-October 2011 timetable against the Ffestiniog Railway March-October 2011 timetable reveals that there are only a limited number of occasions when you will be able to do so...

...specifically on those dates when the WHR is operating a 'pink' service and the FR a 'blue' service.

You will also find that while the journey you specify - "Caernarfon to Blaenau" - is possible, you cannot complete a round trip - "Caernarfon to Blaenau to Caernarfon" - in a single day by any timetabled F&WHR services...

All contributions to the Phase 5 Appeal gratefully received..!

Roger D

 

FR/WHR New Home of the Cambrian landcruise then?

 

So who is going for a ride on the public through trains next week? I've managed to convince a few of my firends to go walking in Wales for a few days! We're staying at Snowdon Ranger YHA and I hope to have a ride to Portmadog and a few celebratory pints in Spooners on the Friday. Just looked at the loco roster and it looks like Lyd will be double heading with the K1 on one of the trains - a mouthwatering prospect!

 

I'm Heading down on Wednesday, To Chase Taliesin and Merddin About! hope to see lyd and K1!

 

Blanche and Merddin today. Tal is on the naughty step.

First service train from Port-Caernarfon...

 

Blanche's first trip over the whole WHR too I believe. What's wrong with Taleisin, is it likely to be working this week? Personally, I think Blanche and Merddin is the perfect pairing.

 

Failed on shed this morning - with a leaking steam pipe, I think...

I've not heard from Boston Lodge, so I can't answer your second question...

 

I've just finished updating the latest collection in my fotopic gallery.

Take a look at Picture Desk - February 2011 for photographs of Saturday's WHR Caernarfon to Porthmadog Special Train... but only if you're interested, of course!



:yawn:

It's now 03:39 - should I go to bed or stay up to get an early start on another day's photography..?

:sleep:

 

Viewed from the rear of the train on the return working from Caernarfon to Port, Blanche looked absolutely perfect and in her element heading Merddin coming down round the S curves into Beddgelert. Sadly, I was relaxing with a beer and failed to take any photographs. Will try harder tomorrow.

 

Different edit of ITN piece broadcast on Friday:

http://www.itv.com/news/first-train-since-193674981/

Hwyl,
A.

 

With Any luck she'll be back. Great Photos Roger, absolutely Marvellous!

 

An interesting comment, given the background of who's rebuilt the line.

 

Delighted to see the trains running over the Welsh Highland yesterday with a superb mix of locos. relatively sunny with hardly any wind, plus the trains looked well patronised. A personal thanks to all of the staff on the railway for providing such a wonderful spectacle.

A video of the morning train from Porthmadog departing Beddgelert double-headed by "Blanche" & Merddyn Emrys" can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg79bXUQHH0

Cheers

Alan

 

Good stuff Alan, I've taken the liberty of linking to it from the F&WHR Facebook page.