A week on Ffestiniog & WHR

Just returned from a week in North Wales chasing trains on Ffestiniog & WHR.
FFESTINIOG



WHR




More @ http://kenneth-f-baker.fotopic.net/c1705213.html

 

Wonderful photos, and in perfect weather too. im hoping this'll mean some more of your great videos as well?

Chris

 

You guessed correctly, may have the WHR film up shortly.

 

Great photo over the Estuary at Porthmadog... =D>

Just one problem though - the last picture shown here was taken from PRIVATE property... [-X

Last time I checked, the gate leading across the railway to reach that location had been padlocked by the landowner. So accessing this viewpoint would have involved climbing over a padlocked gate or lineside fencing. The land on both sides of the railway from Rhyd Ddu to Pont Cae'r Gors is off-limits as the Open Access areas do not start until much further up the hillside...

Could I please ask that photographers check the latest editions of OS Explorer maps OL17 and OL18 when visiting the F&WHR, to ensure that they do not wander where they are not allowed - and help us maintain good relations with our neighbours.

The 'Countryside Council for Wales' also have an online Countryside Access Map...

There are plenty of photographic locations available which do not involve trespassing - especially on the newest sections of the Welsh Highland Railway. If anyone wants any further information - just ask! ;-)

 

Gate was wide open, no sign, I was driving down the road looking for a photo location and saw the road junction just the same as any other road in that area, there was no intentional trespass, how could there be, I had no indication that the location anything other. Also I took the photo standing next to a footpath Level Crossing. If the gate had been shut and locked as you stated or some sort of sign to tell me other wise I would not have been there but it was not.

HMM.. Wrong picture my response, see second one.

 

Oh, gate I went through wasn't locked, I walked up a path some distance.

 

It is a nice photo though.

 

Hi Kenneth

That's a farmer's access track, not a public footpath - which is why I recommend referring to an up-to-date map. Unfortunately, the presence of a crossing - locked or unlocked - does not indicate a Public Right of Way...

Yes, William - it is a nice photo, and a superb location. I can certainly understand the attraction of the rock outcrop there, with its viewpoint over Llyn y Gader and the Nantlle Valley - and, equally, share the frustration that it's on Private Land...

 

Just checked you link and it does confirm, oops, left my OS map at home in error, got all of them but some how left that one behind, looking at it now it doubly annoying the area is open access all around it but not in that small area.

 

Hey, I just checked my link as well - and it's so much better than it used to be... =D>

With the recent upgrade it now provides much more information and advice, plus showing the permissive access areas and temporary access restrictions... 8)

Still doesn't allow us onto that piece of land though... :cry:

 

WHR Film now up,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAPoVXY-k0g

You will notice that it is just 143, I thing on the pass overs they were swopping over for some reason, so 143 did the first steam, then came back to Rhydd Dddue and then swapped over, so staying up at Aberglaslyn end, then running back all the way to bring the last steam of the day, don't know if this is now normal practice?

 

On dry days they are swapping over due to the recent fire problems, might be wet ones aswell I'm not sure and I doubt it.

Great video.

 

Yes, while the weather is warm/hot and dry ("Red Red Days"), and the risk of lineside fire is higher, coal burning steam locos are not allowed south of Rhyd Ddu (i.e. the Rhyd Ddu - Beddgelert - Hafod Y Llyn section): they have to swap at Rhyd Ddu (or Waunfawr) with an oil burner. This seems to be true for both of the current operational coal burners (87 and K1), as I travelled the line on Sunday (and had a fantastic day): Caernarfon to Dinas was behind Vale of Ffestiniog (Diesel), Dinas to Rhyd Ddu was behind K1 (coal burner) and Rhyd Ddu to Hafod Y Llyn was behind 143 (oil burner): made for an interesting journey. I caught the last train of the day back from Beddgelert, which was of course 143 all the way.

Nice photos and video Kenneth - thanks.

 

As stated else where I was fireing most of the week(end) and have some pictures up myself at http://www.chappers.fotopic.net/c1706661.html

Where was your middle WHR shot - I can't reconsile it in my mind with the route and orientation of the loco

 

Looks like it's just coming up to Hafod-Y-Llyn.

 

Tut, tut Mr Chapman - need to polish up your route knowledge...

It's at LC 50.52 Gw?l y Dwrgi (Otter's Holt) on the approach to Hafod y Llyn...

(Well done William - I take back everything I said earlier ;-) )

 

Your right there. I have never noticed the lake - and I've been down there enough now - too busy hurrying to make the time up and have enough steam to climb that bank

 

...and you never will, 'cos that's a river - the Afon Glaslyn, in fact. ;-)

 

correct just before the run around loop starts, I took this shot just after the one in quistion, which should help.



there a gate and a level crossing for a footpath.

 

A couple of shots on the Cob taken last week as well

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 179&nseq=4

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 066&nseq=1


STEVE