WHR Superpower Weekend - King of The Hill- 10th & 11th September

It says on the thread that a "complete" DHR train will be running. Is that just No19 and the two DHR coaches from the BLR or have more coaches been brought in from somewhere?

 

I believe that a DHR loco and two DHR carriages makes up a complete DHR train... maybe not the longest, but certainly complete!

:wink:

 

I've just learnt that, due to his being rostered to drive a service train, Rob Coulson will not be steaming 'Britomart' at Dinas.

'Britomart' will be on display, but only 'Lilla' will be providing footplate rides...

 

Golly Gosh, this is getting confusing...

Rob Coulson has now managed to 'be excused' from the footplate roster, so both 'Britomart' and 'Lilla' will be in steam - and providing footplate rides - at Dinas on Saturday. However, on Sunday, Rob is 'otherwise engaged' so 'Britomart' will be resting...

Please note the alterations to parking and mini-bus arrangements as detailed in the 'WHR/FR' thread...

...and finally - for now - we've just been informed that Spooner's Café will be open from 07:30 on Saturday and from 07:45 on Sunday for early breakfasts.

 

Any news of this exciting event please - hope it's not been a wash-out for those concerned ....

 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150796608435716.736834.240578110715

 

Because we can, OK?

 

Had a brilliant day on Saturday, riding the trains all day. I managed to get a seat on the DHR train and had an enjoyable and noisy run to Dinas and back to Rhyd Ddu. This then became a triple header with the two double fairlies which I sampled as far as Beddgelert from the delights of the combination car. I then had a noisy run back up the bank with 143 followed by an even noisier run behind 87.

As far as gala's go this was up there with the best I've been to. An intensive service, interesting formations, a variety of locos all working hard, I can't think of a bad thing to say in fact! I can't wait for next year!!!

 

Unfortunately Lyd had to be pulled from service to no great surprise.

 

Why? And why no great surprise?

 

Apparently modifications to her experimental oil burner hindered, rather than helped, steaming...

Chris

 

She seemed in total control on her timing run between Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu, in fact she was in so much control she easily accelerated to line speed up the remainder of the climb when leaving the 15mph restricted area throught forest. My first Superpower event and definitely won't be my last. This was up there with the best galas I have been to with lively running, great variety of locos and, well, what a railway! One thing that struck me was the number of European visitors to this gala with French, Beligium and German plated cars chasing the trains, clearly this railway is now highly regarded internationally as well as at home - and so it should be!
Highlights were the double header with the Mallet and Darjeeling loco, boy that loco makes some noise! First time I had seen either of these and very impressive they were too. First time I had seen Lyd too, what a beautiful loco she is and a credit to her builders, if she has snags I hope they are sorted as she has plenty of power in store and will be a useful loco for both lines. Finally, the superbly ridiculous triple header of Garratts was the perfect end to the weekend, thrashing around the long sweeping bend on the appraoch to Pont Croeser will stick in the memory, as will the impromptu line up at Portmadoc.
I have a fair few pictures to sort through, some more soggy than others, but we shan't mention the weather!

 

The triple headed NG/G16s were quite a sight but my personal highlight was the double headed double Fairlies with the Darj tacked on for good measure. They made a lovely sight winding through the curves above Beddgelert.

I don't know if it has ever happened or ever will but I think Merddin on the slate wagon rake approaching Rhyd Ddu would be a sight to behold. Next time perhaps?

 

Lyd was failed due to contaminated fuel. The filter was found to be clogged at Caernarfon and was cleaned. Three miles up the hill at Dinas it was found to be clogged again and the loco was withdrawn from service.

 

Thanks putting the record straight Andrew.

 

The bosses just have to be persuaded to allow unfitted, loose coupled trains on the WHR, this'd require some quite big exceptions to the rules.

 

Ever heard of a posession, William?

 

Incidentally, if anyone has decent hi-res pix of the weekend they'd like to be put on the Press section of the F&WHR website, give me a shout at andrew.thomas@festrail.co.uk

I can't promise you any cash, but guarantee a namecheck if any of them are used in the press.

Check out www.festrail.co.uk/press

 

I have funnily enough, but I reckon it'd still take some persuading.