WHR/FR news

Video now up on YouTube...

[video=youtube;csppZDIX_FQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csppZDIX_FQ&feature=player_profilepage[/video]

 

Well done and about time !! I hope thing's can finally move forward now.

 

Err, I think I speak for everyone on yesterday's train who thought things were already moving forward in a very real and significant way.

 

Good to see things are on the up.

Gelert sounded well in the video, must have been good for the WHHR crews to have the chance to let Gelert "stretch her legs"

 

The Roster has just changed again and 138 is shown as remaining in traffic for the next ten days and 143 not appearing anywhere. (before anyone makes plans for tomorrow)

Congratulations everyone on the weekends events

 

It was an innocent comment by Baldwin. You're always so blunt.

 

Does anyone know what the problem with 143 is?

 

No 'problem' - just sorting out the usual minor niggles that arise during a 'running-in' period...

I think the LocoCrew Supervisor got a bit over-excited at the prospect of driving No.143, so was a bit 'previous' when he added it to the Loco Roster.

:lol:

 

It seems that the relative popularity of full-length services on the WHR has prompted the FR to run a Port-Pont Croesor shuttle - no news on what will run it as yet.


Due to the popularity of services covering the new section of the Welsh Highland Railway opened in April, F&WHR management have evaluated options for enhancing the Summer timetable to offer more opportunities for return journeys over the whole line from both Caernarfon and Porthmadog.

"It is highly unusual to contemplate significant changes to the timetable once the season is underway," says General Manager Paul Lewin, "But traffic figures show a clear preference for services which cover the whole railway rather than those terminating at Pont Croesor.

"We are continually working to improve the experience offered to our customers and the addition of extra through services gives passengers more choice and offers more opportunities to savour the unique experience of watching two major heritage railways operating an intensive service from the same station at Porthmadog."

The most significant enhancement is an improved service on Fridays and Sundays in July and August, when two Porthmadog - Pont Croesor shuttle services will connect with Caernarfon trains, offering a choice of three full-line return trips a day from both Porthmadog and Caernarfon.

And from July 19 until September 8, an additional shuttle service will operate from Pont Croesor to Porthmadog on most weekdays, allowing passengers a choice of two return times from Caernarfon.

The existing bus links between Pont Croesor, Porthmadog and Caernarfon will continue to operate as advertised.

Chris

 

It's not a 'shuttle' as such - as that implies short, frequent trains...

The additional Porthmadog - Pont Croesor - Porthmadog trains will utilise a standard FR rake of carriages.

The enhanced 'Yellow' service uses the stock that arrives in Porthmadog from Blaenau Ffestiniog at 16:30 to form a diesel-hauled 17:00 to Pont Croesor and return.

The new 'Purple' service - operating Fridays and Sundays from 22 July to 26 August - will use the spare FR set that is not required for the FR's 'Blue' service.

The revised timetable for the July-October period is attached below...

View attachment Enhanced WHR Timetable.pdf

Please Note: The wording of the Press Release quoted by Chris is slightly wrong. It should read -
"The most significant enhancement is an improved service on Fridays and Sundays in July and August, when two Porthmadog - Pont Croesor shuttle services will connect with Caernarfon trains, offering a choice of three full-line return trips a day - two from Porthmadog and one from Caernarfon."

 

Oooh...

 

I know she has run like that before, but oooohh that is good!

 

There are some subtle differences to Linda now and Linda in PQR guise (1995 edition) - most obviously is the fact that the PQR lining seems to have been done as white and red this time round - from 95 - 2004 she had blue and red lining. Other differences are the original handrail and dome cover, and the lack of the dogs around the smokebox door - all good aesthetic improvements, and the temporary removal of the vacuum pipes, and come to that, the ejector exhaust pipe. I also notice that she doesn't seem to be running around with the tank-in-a-waggon tender this time, which I can only assume means she's been turned back into a rock-gobbler - nice!

I've always liked Linda in black, seemed to me to suit the lines far better than the somewhat slabby green that Blanche wears, and that, I hear, Linda will reappear in shortly. Ah well, thems that does the job gets to choose the weather protection pigment I suppose.

Nonetheless, great job done there, and nice to see her back.

John

 

All may not be as it seems... If you're not doing a 54-mile turn, you don't need fuel for a 54-mile turn!

Did you notice the PQR sand-pots and the rectangular cover under the driver's cabside..?

 

Moving pictures now available at http://youtu.be/DRw4-UZIOnc

 

95 spec linda had white lining initially before going to blue lines, I think.
Any word on when Lyd goes green as the paintshop seems to be in overdrive at the mo?

 

What dogs were those then?

Pale blue actually, but much paler than that used in 2001 (which was matched off Charles at Penrhyn Castle). See http://follansbee.info/trips/uk/1999/13/1999-08-19%2015%3b48%20Linda%201.jpg

 

It lost them in 1995 when it got a new smokebox door.
There are some other changes as well. The Lempor exhaust has been removed so it makes the right noise again, and the chimney moved back to its original position. Also the fire iron brackets have been re-fitted on the tank and the frames lined on the firemans side as well. The unpopular "tarts handbag" cab arrangement has also been changed back to something more original.

Blanche has had the same paint job since 1993 so it's not done too bad (138 has been repainted 4 times in a shorter time frame). It will great to see them both in green and looking their best.

Tim

 

Hope it steams adequately. Concern with the sort of chuffing noises made, as opposed to performance, could be misconstrued as being a tad gricerish.

P.H.

 

Simply Stunning!

Really good to see her looking so fine. Loving the original sand boxes and also nice to see the original style dome cover back on now the safety valves have been relocated back into the cab.

I assume that she will not be running in this guise for long??

For me, the best looking narrow gauge loco's ever built, absolutely gorgeous.

congratulations to all involved, brilliant to see.

Rich.