News from the Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog)

** NEW DARJEELING BOOK NOW IN STOCK

Terry Martin’s brand new book on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has now arrived. Lavishly illustrated with colour and black & white photographs as well as detailed maps, this volume captures the atmosphere of the line and tells its story from its building through to the present day. With extensive research and new information this will surely become the definitive work on this famous line.

The Iron Sherpa – Darjeeling and its Remarkable Railway: Volume 1, The History. Written by Terry Martin, published by Rail Romances. Price: £49.00.

Order your copy by e-mail mailto:shop@whr.co.uk or give us a call - 01766 513402. See below for Winter opening hours.

** BOOKSHOP OPEN ALL WINTER

The famous WHR(P) railway bookshop will be open from 10am-4pm on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout Winter 2006-7. We’re also open the same hours on Sundays from February onwards. As ever, we’ve one of the best selections of railway books in Wales. If you’re in the area, do call in and see us – we’re opposite Porthmadog Network Rail station.

Some other titles new in stock:
- Railway Milestones and Millstones – Triumph and Disasters in British Railway History – by Stanley Hall. From GWR Saints to Webb compounds, the APT, the Chunnel and the Pacers – £19.99

- The Selsey Tramway Volumes 1&2 – by Laurie A Cooksey. Two new books on this unusual tramway, with many new pictures - £31.95

- Halifax passenger transport trams buses and trolleybuses – by Geoffrey Hilditch. Oakwood Press - £27.50

- The Culm Valley Light Railway – by Colin C Maggs. Oakwood Press - £10.95

** EXTENSION LATEST

Just a small number of jobs now remain before the WHR(P) extension northwards is ready to open. The main task is the completion of two remaining level crossings, one of which is now half complete. A final push is being planned for December to get as much of the work done as possible on the second crossing at Pen-y-Mount, just north of the current WHR(P) terminus.

WHR(P) volunteers will be doing extension work on 2nd-3rd December, 16th-17th December and throughout Christmas, including Christmas Day (with a break for turkey in the afternoon). If you’d like to join them, contact Mark Holden, the volunteer co-ordinator - http://www.whr.co.uk/email/index.php?username=revd

Final opening plans, including inspection and details are still being worked out with the Ffestiniog Railway (whose railway it is beyond the current WHR-P terminus). More details will appear here very soon – watch this space……

The WHR(P) extension is part of Phase Four of the WHR rebuilding, which will see the line completed through to Porthmadog by 2009

** SPECIAL EVENTS 2007

A May Bank Holiday Weekend spectacular is being planned for Porthmadog over the weekend 5th-7th May 2007. The WHR(P) Spring Gala is being organised to coincide with the annual Porthmadog Model Railway Show, which will be taking place just a short distance from the railway. The theme for both events this year is narrow gauge & industrial, and at the WHR(P), many of our extensive collection of industrial diesels and wagons will be in service – you can even try your hand at driving one.

During the rest of the year, the WHR(P) enormous LYd2 diesel, Number 60, will be in service on certain selected weekends during the year. The loco, which originally saw service in Poland, is one of the biggest narrow gauge engines in the UK. For a small extra charge, adults can ride in the cab of this monster machine – the view of the narrow gauge rails from 12 foot up has to be seen to be believed.

For a full special events listing, visit the WHR(P) website – http://www.whr.co.uk/