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WHR/FR news

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by Sheff, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Thank you!
     
  2. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    NG/G16 number 143 was rolled out this morning and a small wood fire lit in the firebox to dry out the brick arch before running-in trials towards the end of next week.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Dumphrey

    Dumphrey New Member

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    Doesn't that look good!!

    Ian
     
  4. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    That livery really suits a Garrett.
     
  5. 48DL

    48DL Member

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    I think its the best livery yet.
     
  6. kalahari

    kalahari New Member

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    What, a traction engine? But seriously it does look rather good :)
     
  7. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    143 visits Harbour Station for the first time since 2009 on its first running-in turn.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Eagle1711

    Eagle1711 Well-Known Member

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    is this by chance the same green that prince and others where painted in the earlt days of the FR?
     
  9. Roger Dimmick

    Roger Dimmick Member

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    No... The grapevine has it that this is Craftsman Paint's GWR Green - apparently the same shade as used on 'City of Truro'.
     
  10. lynton&barnstaple

    lynton&barnstaple Member

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    As usual, a credit to all those who have worked on her.
     
  11. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    Looks stunning, just perfect :)
     
  12. Roger Dimmick

    Roger Dimmick Member

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    NG/G16 №143 has been rostered to enter service next week - see the F&WHR Loco Roster for details.

    Although not shown specifically as such, №143's first duty will be to pilot the 14:15 departure from Porthmadog on Monday - so this train will be double-headed by NG/G16s №143 and №138...
     
  13. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Good to see that she is now going to start working for a living... How long is it since work originally started on her?
     
  14. Roger Dimmick

    Roger Dimmick Member

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    NG/G16 №143 was withdrawn from traffic in January 2010 - so she's been out of service for 18 months...
     
  15. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    An historic moment this evening, and one that bodes well for the future - the first train from the WHHR to operate on the completed WHR headed to Nantmor for braking trials, double headed by Gertrude and Gelert.

    Chris
     
  16. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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    First WHHR test train runs on completed Welsh Highland Railway

    Porthmadog, Saturday June 25, 2011: The first Welsh Highland Heritage Railway train has run on the challenging gradients of the Welsh Highland Railway. The test train, double headed by WHHR locos Gelert and Gertrude, was run in conjunction with Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland engineers to test braking systems. The WHHR operates air-braked stock, while F&WHR trains are exclusively vacuum-braked.

    The train left WHHR metals at around 1800 and headed for the foot of Nantmor Bank - the start of the almost continuous 1 in 40 six mile climb to the summit of the line at Rhyd Ddu which makes the WHR the toughest railway in the UK.

    After the satisfactory completion of brake tests from speeds of up to 20mph to measure stopping distances on the level and on Nantmor Bank, Gelert proceeded through the Aberglaslyn Pass and tunnels to Beddgelert to take water, before returning to Hafod y Llyn to rejoin Gertrude and the train for the run back to Porthmadog, arriving back at around 2230.

    This is the first time a WHHR train has travelled beyond the site of Traeth Mawr Loop - the end of the section of the railway laid by WHHR volunteers as their contribution to the rebuilding of the whole 25 miles of the Welsh Highland. The location is now marked by one of the 'Tin Tunnel' accommodation bridges built for farm access.

    "This is an historic moment for both railways," says WHHR Chairman Martyn Owen. "At times it seemed that it would never happen, but the wait has definitely been worthwhile."

    Further tests are planned over the coming months and the next movement from Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland to WHHR metals is likely to be the visit of historic de Winton vertical boiler locomotive Chaloner on its way from Caernarfon to Porthmadog in July.

    "We're very pleased to be working with our colleagues at the WHHR," adds F&WHR General Manager Paul Lewin. "The new spirit of cooperation can only bring benefits to both our organisations and to tourism in the area."

    /ends/

    For further information contact:
    F&WHR - Andrew Thomas 01766 516072 andrew.thomas@festrail.co.uk
    WHHR - Martyn Owen 01766 513402 martyn.59@btinternet.com

    Pix will be done tomorrow morning. Too wet and knackered to do them this evening when I got back to Port at 2230.
     
  17. lynton&barnstaple

    lynton&barnstaple Member

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    More good news. I do hope that when WHHR 'heritage trains' do eventually run on RhE metals they will be using either Russell or the regurgitated Baldwin 590. Gelert, Gertrude and the like have no 'heritage' vis a vis the WHR.
     
  18. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

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  19. DJH

    DJH Member

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    Great news and all the best for the rest of the trials.

    Regards

    Duncan
     
  20. Taliesin

    Taliesin New Member

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    Great to See the two companies seeing eye to eye again,
    Taliesin
     

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