FR & WHR & WHHR News

No it does not always state it has been edited. I have edited posts shortly after posting to amend an error and there has been no reference to me editing the post.

 

Going back to the subject, is it not possible that a locomotive parked on the headshunt would block the view for the signal box of the yard, may of been wiser to have put the box on the platform side if not actually on the platform ?

 

This is getting tedious ...... thought you'd got over your WHR vendetta but clearly I was wrong.

 

No vendetta whatsoever and there never has been, i can assure you, i think the view of the yard is important at all times.

 

Short trap sidings leading to the base of a signal box are hardly unknown!

http://m.flickr.com/photos/austin7nut/8067673949/lightbox/. (Not my photo).

Tom

 

I agree, but that box is higher ?

 

All the further for the signalman to fall during a collision then

Tom

 

Seeing as it was stated earlier in the thread that this is a short trap siding which is never intended to see anything on it under normal circumstances, I'd guess having the signaller's view blocked by a locomotive sat just outside the window might be considered a useful feature to alert them to the fact that a technical balls up has just occured! ...just in case they hadn't already noticed.

 

99.9% of our passengers couldn't tell the difference.

DIET: Sorry, this was a response to the bullhead vs FB discussion further up the thread.

 

A locomotive wont be parked on the headshunt, because it isn't a headshunt as has been stated several times now. The signal box has a clear view of all the points and signals it controls. There will be an indicator by the water tower to instruct locos to run round via 2 or 3 road to avoid any confusion there. All yard pointwork is manual and not controlled by the box. If it was on the platform with a train sat at the FR starter (signal 7B) the view of the entire station would be blocked. Also there would be no room for passengers.....

 

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland to lend Pioneer Garratt to WHHR
K1, the world's first Beyer Garratt locomotive, is to appear at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway's May Gala over the weekend of May 3-5. The locomotive and a rake of vacuum-fitted stock will appear in place of the WHHR's flagship loco, Russell, which is currently undergoing restoration.

"When we heard that Russell's return to service had been delayed, we felt the obligation to help our neighbours from the other end of Porthmadog, says F&WHR General Manager Paul Lewin. "We would encourage all our supporters and members to pay a visit over the May Day weekend to help the WHHR's fund raising efforts.
"We look forward to seeing Russell in steam on its return later in the year."

It will be the first time that a Garratt has travelled on WHHR metals and provides a unique opportunity to see Garratts in steam on two adjacent railways. K1 and its rake of carriages is being made available to the WHHR on a no-cost basis.

 

Wonderful news, the only problem i can thin of is will K1 fit in the head shunt at the station?

 

If memory serves me right, it is possible to fit a NGG16 in the head shunts...

 

WHHR on K1 visit:

The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway is delighted to be host to the K1 Garratt, formerly employed on the North East Dundas Tramway in Tasmania, along with a train of FR stock, at their Gala on May 3rd-5th.

In addition to K1 (built in Manchester and used in Tasmania), the Gala will have an international feel with Gertrude (built in Kilmarnock Scotland, by Andrew Barclay), and the mighty LYd2 (built in Romania and used in Poland) all in use.

WHR Ltd Chairman Martyn Owen said “It goes to show what can be achieved when enthusiast groups work together and we are particularly looking forward to welcoming visitors from our neighbours at the other end of Porthmadog. This will be a very special occasion for the members and friends of both railways”.

Whilst at the WHHR, remember to visit the bookshop – one of the best stocked railway bookshops in the UK, ride on the miniature railway, and explore the museum at Gelert's Farm and learn about the history of narrow gauge railways in North Wales and how their use expanded worldwide.

The Gala is also a celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the Welsh Highland Light Railway (1964) Company Ltd - now renamed the Welsh Highland Railway Ltd; the pioneers of the WHR restoration story.

Russell, the sole surviving original steam locomotive from the original Welsh Highland Railway is currently being restored for use on the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway and should be in steam later this year. For more information visit the WHHR web site at www.whr.co.uk and Facebook page www.facebook.com/WHHRly.

 

NG/G16 number 87 became the first steam loco to arrive at the completed Harbour Station yesterday. It also became the first Garratt to run the length of the FR platform road. It missed the canopy. Just.

Service trains on both railways start using the new station tomorrow. The official opening will be on May 22nd.

 

That first shot is a lovely picture Andrew, with the backward look from the driver and the streaks of rain. I'm aiming for the FR/WHR circuit tomorrow, hoping Arriva don't let me down with the connections at Llandudno Jct and Blaenau.

 

Great shots, Andrew. Nice to see that:-

a) It missed the canopy.

b) It missed the platform edge, and

c) North Wales weather is performing to spec!

Regards,

jtx

 

Congratulations to everyone involved in getting the work done and the Station open in time - very, very impressive - well done

Steve B

 

JTX, the rain was at aprox 45 degree angle therefore it was only a light shower by Porthmadog standards.