Welsh Highland Heritage Railway – Spring 2009 Newsletter

In this edition
- One month until Baldwin WHR visit
- Heritage train progress
- First visitors for new museum

** DONATE £15 AND MAKE HISTORY...... The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway is offering the chance to travel on a historic first train during its gala event over the May Bank Holiday weekend (2nd-4th May 2009)

The special service, which leaves at 10:00 on the Saturday is the first time a Baldwin has operated over Welsh Highland metals since 1936, and the first trip in revenue earning service of the historic WHR Buffet Car, following its four year restoration.

It’s hoped that a further heritage carriage, the replica of Ashbury Number 25 will also be completed in time to run in the Heritage Train. To raise money to complete this work, the WHHR is making an appeal for donations. Anyone who contributes over £15 will be invited to travel on the first train of the gala, which includes a cup of tea from the Buffet Car, and a tour of the new museum.

The Baldwin, which is visiting from the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway, will haul its first unfitted freight service since restoration, and will operate alongside Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0ST locomotive Irish Mail and the WHHR’s resident Bagnall 0-4-2T Gelert.

You can make a donation by clicking here:
- http://www.whr.co.uk/index.php?pid=2

More information on the gala event:
- http://www.whr.co.uk/index.php?pid=37

** NWNGR “VARNISH” LIVERY FOR NEW CARRIAGE – The WHHR’s newest carriage is to revive a very historic livery.

The replica of Ashbury Carriage No.25, currently under construction, will be outshopped in a dark varnished wood finish, similar to the six wheel Cleminson carriages which also ran on the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways in the late 19th Century.

The WHHR has taken the advice of Welsh industrial historian Cyntaf Ebrill, who has uncovered documents in the county archives suggesting that this livery was also considered for the two Ashbury corridor coaches when they were first delivered in 1893. The papers show that the paint code applied by the Ashbury works was 01/04 FWL.

To see the first picture of the new carriage, and give your comments on the new livery, click here:
- http://www.whr.co.uk/index.php?pid=45

** MUSEUM – the new museum building at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway has now opened to visitors. The new facility tells the story of Porthmadog and its two foot gauge railways, from the early days of gravity slate trains to some of the largest two foot locomotives in the UK.

Many of the displays are still being developed, as are some of the interactive elements. Pictures can be found here:
- http://whr.fotopic.net/c1674291.html