FR & WHR & WHHR News

I'm sure there will be no shortage of people wanting to ride round the Circle Line in it.

 

It certainly does not, the frame is not the original specification wooden type, but it doesn't contain any MOD parts. Perhaps you are mistaking it for the bug boxes, some of which are fitted with War Department pattern components.

 

I'm happy to be corrected if I'm mistaken, but isn't there an issue with using vehicles with wooden underframes in public service being mixed with steel underframed stock? Some of the four wheeled coaches started out life with wooden underframes so, if I've remembered things correctly, they would need to have a steel underframe to be used in normal service. As has been mentioned before, sometimes restoration involves compromise.

Steve B

 

Last week (half term) I had the pleasure of staying in North West Wales for a week, reacquainting myself with the FfR for the first time since I was about 6 and meeting the WHR for the first time. I had an absolutely FANTASTIC time, and would heartily recommend both railways to any enthusiast wanting a real 'fix'.

The WHR is utterly spectacular, I especially enjoyed the Waunfawr-Rhyd Ddu section, braving the replica NWNGR coach right behind the Garratt on my return journey to Porthmadog. Quite an experience, at speed the whole thing rocked like nothing I've ever experienced!

Unfortunately the weather on the day I did the FfR was dreadful but it was still enjoyable.

The whole week really opened my eyes to this wonderful gem in the heritage railway industry and I will be sure to revisit there often from now on. Glad I held off for many years though to be able to experience the whole of the WHR. In fact, if I can find the time, I'd love to get involved up there.

Thank you all!

 

I think it probably depends on the individual operators safety case. After all the GWR railmotor is allowed on the national network even though wooden bodied stock is banned. The Festiniog mixes wooden and steel framed stock and at 20mph I expect it would be of little consequence in a crash. At 45 on the underground or 70 odd on the national network it is a different story. So you would write a safety case accordingly.

 

Those Ashbury coaches always did ride badly. They were so unpopular in the old days they got relegated to quarryman's coaches at one point.

 

The Bluebell runs the GN Directors' saloon (wooden underframe) in amongst our steel framed rolling stock.

Tom

 

I think I saw you on both days. I was on the Garratt on your trip back down the WHR - you got in the vintage at Waunfawr? Coming back in the night was nice. The weather at Blaenau was pretty awful the next day. I had done a short trip on the WHR in the morning and drove up to see the driver of Earl of Merioneth before I went home. The weather on the WHR wasn't any better than on the FR that day!

 

In that case I'm very happy to be corrected! Many thanks to both who replied

Steve B

 

Ahha, yes, that was me, uber-enthusiast-nutter! Glad I had thought to throw in my Greatcoat from the Valley when I was packing...worth it just for that 40 minutes!

 

Last night's early evening ITV news and on the web...

149-year-old steam train 'Princess' leaves Porthmadog | Wales - ITV News

Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63164772@N05/sets/72157631974955268/

 

More video from Saturday...

Princess leaves Spooner's - YouTube

Campbell's Cottage

 

Coming soon...

 

Met 353 has left the building...

 

Lush!!

 

A particularly nice touch is that the LED interior lights are covered up by gas mantles, so it looks 100% authentic.

 

Like the W&LLR replicas one wonders whether this is not better than the original! A phenomenal piece of work (and nice pictures too).

 

What an utterly class job! What next for Boston Lodge? a Toplight? a Gresley Teak? a Mk1? It seems, if they can get it across the Cob and through the doors, they can sort it.

 

Exceptional

 

The first class compartment looks simply stunning!

Foxy