The Met Office reported Porthmadog was forecast a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 13-18C. Friday's train service was five trains on FR (both Mountain Spirit/Woodland Wanderer) and one WHR services (Gelert Explorer from Caernarfon). The TThSX Works Tour shuttle was operating today. All three webcams were running normally today.

Lilla was standing in the WHR platform at 10:00 with its three coach Works Visit shuttle rake. Merddin Emrys pulled into the FR platform at 10:10 with the 10:40 Mountain Spirit. At 10:30 David Lloyd George arrived with the Woodland Wanderer rake in the WHR platform. Merddin Emrys returned at 13:50 and the Fairlie swop took place with DLG coupling to the front at 13:57 while the other Fairlie fuelled and watered. Merddin Emrys coupled to the Woodland Wanderer at 14:25 and left on time. Lilla emerged from the yard at 15:27 with the afternoon 15:45 Works Tour shuttle.

Click on the YouTube link to watch 18 minutes 28 seconds of video showing a test run on the VoR with Palmerston. Sadly the video did not catch Baldwin No.590 out on test as ticket holders hoped this loco would return to the F&WHR in September to fulfill its promised duties as part of WHR100 after failing last year immediately before the event with a hot box.  This video is copyright F&WHR and was published on 24/5/24. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome and was videod on a 4K camcorder by John Wooden (F&WHR).

Loco roster w/c 27/7/24

The station was busy as 10:05 as The Harbourmaster prepared to depart hauled by No.143 as David Lloyd George arrived in the FR platform with the ECS for the 10:40 Mountain Spirit. Merddin Emrys arrived in the WHR platform with the Woodland Wanderer at 10:35 and run round commenced immediately.

At 12:31 No.87 arrived on the Snowdonia Star in the WHR platform and the loco promptly detached. Blanche arrived with The Quarryman at 12:53 as No.87 exited the yard and ran round its on rake. At 13:00 Blanche coupled to the rear of the newly arrived The Quarryman rake in the FR platform to shunt it to the yard to clear the platform for later arrivals. Blanche now became station pilot and shunted the newly arrived Woodland Wanderer rake out of the FR platform at 13:37 to the yard. DLG arrived at 13:55 in the FR platform with the return working of the Mountain Spirit and the Fairlie swop took place with the afternoon train leaving at 14:21 behind Merddin Emrys.

There was congestion at 10:10 as Merddin Emrys arrived with the 10:40 Mountain Spirit at the same time as Blanche needed to depart with it first Works Shuttle. The signaller could have run the FR train into the vacant WHR platform but instead the ECS arrived in the FR platform. The short shuttle rake waiting in the yard then had to shunt out of the yard and set back onto the short length of platform free at the end of the FR platform. The three coach rake was more than sufficient for the several blue tabard wearing guests who had booked onto the first Works Visit. The shuttle set off promptly at 10:15 for Boston Lodge Halt and must have shunted to Minffordd Loop or the Old Loco Shed as the main line through Minffordd was required by advertised services by 10:50. David Lloyd George hauled the Woodland Wanderer ECS into the WHR platform at 10:38 and promptly ran round, waiting for the 10:40 Mountain Spirit to clear The Cob first.

The Works Tour Shuttle was back around 12:20 and shunted to the yard at 12:25. Blanche detached and was used to shunt The Quarryman rake to the yard to clear the FR platform for later arrivals. DLG arrived back at 13:21 in the FR platform with the Mountain Spirit. Merddin Emrys arrived back at 13:46 in the WHR platform with the return working of the Mountain Spirit. The Fairlie swop took place while DLG waited in the loop.

Kerr Stuart No.4415 came to the WHR as a demonstrator over summer 1928 and is now the oldest UK diesel loco in existence. The preservation group is hoping to complete the loco by its centenary in 4 years. A short section of track on the Bryngwyn branch at Tryfan Junction or Rhostryfan station could be used to demonstrate the loco with a prototypical mixed train as it was in 1928. A public trial was held on the branch on 15/11/1928. Performance was said to be good on the short trains involved on the original Bryngwyn Branch tests.

The first train today was the ECS for The Aberglaslyn, hauled by No.130, which arrived in the WHR platform by 10:00. David Lloyd George arrived with the ECS for the Mountain Spirit at 10:10. DLG ran round at 10:18.

Blanche departed with the ECS  Woodland Wanderer rake at 17:14 for Boston Lodge. It may have been a late addition to Sunday's roster if the F&WHR had found more traffic on offer than they anticipated as there was no 14:50 Woodland Wanderer shown in the published timetable for Sunday.

F&WHR 18/7/24

The Met Office reported Porthmadog was forecast sunny periods Thursday with temperatures of 15-21C. Thursday is a copy of Tuesday's train service ere with five trains on FR (The Quarryman and two each Mountain Spirit/Woodland Wanderer services). There are also the two through WHR trains. All three webcams were running today.

At 10:35 XX was running round with the Woodland Wanderer in the WHR platform but had to wait for the 10:40 departure of the Mountain Spirit behind James Spooner. At 11:40 Criccieth Castle was waiting in Tan-y-bwlch station for a return path to Minffordd Yard with the morning PW. The train was waiting the arrival of the Woodland Wanderer.

Virgin responds to Open Access request 18/7/24

Virgin Rail has responded to the North Wales Business Council request for Open Access services now the company is proposing to re-enter the rail market. The initial suggestions from Virgin do not involve any North Wales services so it is a good question to ask if Virgin is really serious about taking on Open Access North Wales trains. In addition to DMUs offered in previous years, Virgin could choose from the Class 68/Mk5 rakes recently sidelined by Northern if it wanted to make a splash with top quality express services with the latest stock. See Daily Post story.

F&WHR 17/7/24

The Met Office reported Porthmadog was forecast sunny periods Wednesday with temperatures of 14-20C. There are two trains on FR (The Quarryman and morning Mountain Spirit). There were four WHR trains with two The Aberglaslyn from Porthmadog, the Gelert Explorer and the new The Cwellyn service from Caernarfon. All three webcams were running today.

Blanche departed with the return working of The Quarryman at 15:28. Vale of Ffestiniog appeared to be shunting at Pen Cob Junction at 16:10 and propelled a short rake with a steam loco towards Minffordd. Another steam loco was noted in the Old Loco Shed area. No.130 arrived back from Beddgelert at about 16:15 with the return working of The Aberglaslyn.

This view (17/7/24) shows Linda hauling 4 empty B wagons and the Funkey. It is possible the train reversed into Minffordd Yard. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR taken on a digital camera.

Small engine shed populated

The small engine shed now houses a range of small locos, some of which are awaiting attention. The main purpose of the shed is to be running shed for such small locos rather than just a storage shed. The current inhabitants include KS4, Battery Electric No.2, Lilla, Hugh Napier, Welsh Pony (on wagon No.80), Nesta and Britomart.

NLHF Update YouTube 7/2024

Click on the YouTube link to watch 6 minutes 27 seconds of video with Dr Edwina Bell showing the latest progress with the Boston Lodge NLHF Project.. This video is copyright F&WHR and was published on 24/5/24. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome and was videod on a 4K camcorder by John Wooden (F&WHR).

Avanti in trouble!

With Labour set to renationalise the railways as franchises come up for renewal as advised in the King's Speech, Avanti is in their crosshairs! Avanti has already been in deep discussions with the Government after revealing 20% of its North Wales trains have been cancelled in recent times. The North Wales Business Council has called on Virgin Boss Sir Richard Branson to consider adding an Open Access service to North Wales in addition to his plans for the north west. The Virgin group ran the service until August 2019 when their joint bid with Stagecoach was judged 'non-compliant' over the issue of pensions.

Summer Saturday cab rides at Porthmadog

Holidays and weekends away are something we all look forward to - and summer school breaks are now just around the corner. If you are looking for a little extra family fun, the F&WHR is bringing back their popular footplate rides every Saturday for the next few weeks!
Come along to Harbour Station, Porthmadog between 10:00 and 16:00 on any Summer Saturday (from 20/7 until 31/8/24 inclusive) and you will find one of the smaller locomotives steaming through the station sidings offering footplate rides to all visitors - whether booked on a train or not.
The locos in use are planned to be VELINHELI for the first four weeks and LILLA for the last two - although LILLA will be used instead of VELINHELI if it is raining, as the large cab is nice and cosy and will keep you as dry as possible!
Both locomotives were built by the Hunslet Engine Co. of Leeds to work in North Wales' slate quarries - VELINHELI in 1886 for Dinorwic Quarry and LILLA in 1891 for Cilgwyn Quarry.
Footplate rides are free, although donations towards the cost of coal are always welcome. There is no need to book, simply turn up and take your turn to join the engine driver, when you can enjoy a taste of times past as you steam through the station in front of friends and family! At the moment there does not seem to be an offering at Caernarfon station in the school holidays which will leave the station silent for much of the day.

F&WHR 16/7/24

The Met Office reported Porthmadog was forecast sunny periods Tuesday with temperatures of 13-19C. There are five trains on FR (two Woodland Wanderer trains, two Mountain Spirit and The Quarryman). There were just the two through WHR trains. All three webcams were running today

The final train of the day, the return working of the Mountain Spirit, was back by 17:45, hauled by Merddin Emrys. The loco ran round at 17:55 before departing with the ECS 3 minutes later.

Increase in 30 mph 'exceptions'

Gwynedd has 85 'Exception 30mph zones', more than all the other North Wales Councils put together. Ken Skates, the Welsh Transport Minister, released new 20mph zone policies on 16/7/24 which will allow a greater number of 30mph exception zones throughout Wales. This will improve travel in North Wales for tourists. See Daily Post story for full details.

Boston Lodge tours launched Monday 22/7/24

The F&WHR is very excited to announce that the ‘behind-the-scenes’ Guided Tours of Boston Lodge will be officially launched next Monday, 22/7/24.
Thanks to the efforts of the F&WHR's NLHF team and external contractors, the railway is now able to expand the range of visitor experiences beyond train journeys, with an opportunity to enjoy the much-loved railways from a whole new perspective.
The Guided Tours - led by a passionate railway volunteers - will allow you to discover the fascinating story of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways during a walk-around the historic, 200-year-old, Boston Lodge Engineering Works.
Your guide will help you discover how the railway shaped local landscapes and communities and influenced railway development around the world.
Learn how heritage skills developed through three different centuries are still used today to build and maintain steam locomotives and carriages.
See many of the large collection of famous steam locomotives at close quarters.

This view (13/7/24) shows Taliesin being reassembled by a volunteer working party assisted by staff. This well loved single Fairlie loco might appear in traffic this season after four years absence. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR taken on a digital camera.

Hear all about the iconic gravity trains, learn about when the site was a munitions factory staffed by women, and how the railway was saved by volunteers in the 1950s.
Running on various dates between July and October, the Guided Tours will start from Porthmadog’s Harbour Station and include an enjoyable train ride across The Cob embankment to/from the works.
⚠ Please note: Some restrictions apply - due to the nature of the ground surface and activities of a working environment.
ℹ Tickets for our Guided Tours are now available to book on our website: https://www.festrail.co.uk/boston-lodge-tours-and-workshops/

The shuttle departs Porthmadog 10:10 or 15:45 TThSX most weeks in July/August from Monday 22/7/24.

'How a steam loco works' launch

These visits to Boston Lodge will be on Fridays from 26/7/24 at 10:40 and 14:20 via a shuttle from Porthmadog.

F&WHR 15/7/24

The Met Office reported Porthmadog was forecast sunny periods Monday morning with a weather warning for heavy rain midday until midnight and temperatures of 13-20C. There are four trains on FR (two Woodland Wanderer trains, a Mountain Spirit and The Quarryman). There was just one WHR train (the Gelert Explorer). All three webcams were running today and the signaller opened the box at 09:30.

First up was James Spooner with the ECS for the Mountain Spirit which arrived in the FR platform at 10:13. Run round came by 10:20. the ECS for the 11:10 Woodland Wanderer had to be held at Boston Lodge as it would conflict with the 10:40 departure. The Mountain Spirit eventually left at 10:47, seven minutes late. Criccieth Castle arrived with the FR mess van and some spoil trucks in the WHR platform at 10:55 while shunting was signalled in Harbour Station yard. At 11:00 Lyd propelled the Woodland Wanderer rake back into the FR platform having run round earlier. Lyd will transfer to Dinas on Tuesday ready for Cwellyn duties which commence Wednesday. Linda is likely to take over these duties by the end of the week from James Spooner, Merddin Emrys and Blanche. Lyd ran round at Tan-y-bwlch at 11:55.

The Quarryman passed through Tan-y-bwlch at 12:12 and Minffordd at 12:40, unusually hauled by Merddin Emrys.

Merddin Emrys arrived in the WHR platform at 09:56 with the ECS for the 10:40 Mountain Spirit. James Spooner was running round the Woodland Wanderer in the WHR platform as the Mountain Spirit departed at 10:43.

Staff special 13/7/24

A staff special working was run on the evening of Saturday 13/7/24 to say thank you to Young Rail Professionals who have been volunteering on the line this week. The working was probably from Porthmadog to Tan-y-grisiau with Blanche in charge. The train returned to Porthmadog arriving after 22:00 and the ECS returned to Boston Lodge at around 22:40 with lights ablaze as darkness fell!

NR substitutes diesel for NWC steam 14/7/24

Sunday's Liverpool Lime Street-Holyhead was diverted to Llandudno. Black 5 No.44871 that was due to run today was substituted by a Class 37 on the extra move to turn the train on the Chester triangle so the steam loco could lead in both directions.

Moving Pictures No.95

Click on the YouTube link to watch 26 minutes 39 seconds of video showing the delivery of Pixie and the refurbished Bodysgallen. This video is copyright F&WHR and was published on 24/5/24. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome and was videod on a 4K camcorder by John Wooden (F&WHR).

F&WHR 10/7/24

The Met Office reported Porthmadog was overcast all day Wednesday with showers and temperatures of 12-16C. There are four trains on FR (two Woodland Wanderer trains a Mountain Spirit and The Quarryman and 3 trains on the WHR, two The Aberglaslyn and a Gelert Explorer). All three webcams were running today.

At 16:15, Vale of Ffestiniog was on test with a steam engine shunting back and forth across The Cob. At the end of the day No.143  returned on the final The Aberglaslyn which exchanged locos with No.87 that joined the Gelert Explorer back to Caernarfon.

Brecon result gives new opportunity for HoW line

One of the tighter constituency battles of the General election saw the Liberal Democrats win Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe by a majority of about 1,500 votes. This was one of their 64 gains which gave them a powerful 72 seat pressure group in the House of Commons. The new MP David Chadwick gained the seat from the Tory incumbent, former Welsh Minister, Fay Jones who had been elected in 2019 GE after David Chadwick won the Recall by-election held over alleged Tory corruption issues. The new MP is keen to meet groups interested in seeing some progress with the Heart of Wales line. To achieve anything before the next election planning work needs to start now!

As previously noted one group is seeking to extend the TRAWS route to South Wales by an alternative route. This could provide a link from North Wales via the Cambrian Coast through Bangor, Caernarfon and Afon Wen. The new route utilises the Cambrian Coast Railway from Machynlleth to Caersws before providing a new curve at Moat Lane onto the former Mid-Wales Railway. After passing the summit at Pant-y-dwr the new route joins the Heart of Wales Line just south of Builth Road station. There is an opportunity for a new route between Rhayader and Llandrindod Wells so that traffic serves the major conurbation on the HoW line.

TfW current proposals see the timetable being cut to fewer trains and already this service is limited to a single car DMU. Travel to work/school/college opportunities may be lost if TfW go through with their cost saving measures. The new Mid Wales proposals would lead to an intensive service at the south end of the line through Llandeilo to Swansea/Cardiff.

F&WHR 9/7/24

The Met Office reported overcast conditions at Porthmadog on Saturday with rain in the morning and temperatures of 13-18C. There were five trains from Porthmadog and the two through trains on the WHR. The Garratt departed with The Harbourmaster at 10:05 and later the Mountain Spirit. At 10:34 James Spooner appeared in the WHR platform with the ECS Woodland Wanderer.

At 16:27 No.87 arrived with the return working of The Harbourmaster. The ECS departed at 16:35 for the depot. At 17:25 the Woodland Wanderer was shunted clear of the FR platform to the yard with the return working of the Mountain Spirit due shortly. The ECS departed after the Mountain Spirit arrived at 17:43. Run round came at 18:00 with James Spooner now on the Mountain Spirit having swopped duties at lunchtime. The loco departed with the ECS at about 18:03 to close the day's activities.

Alco Mountaineer report July 2024

July 2024 working party report-
The team this time has been consolidating their previous work.
The cab has been the focus on two fronts, more fittings has been added back in to further explore the ergonomics for the fireman. This included a visit from that days The Quarryman' fireman who said it would be ok to fire but if it was up to them they would prefer a higher shovelling plate. This will be an option going forward.
Mock ups of sliding side windows were also created as these would increase the side airflow through the cab on hot days.
The full size model of the ash pan has had its base built up to see how it fits into the frames. This is quite a large area as it turns out and has been designed by one of our young volunteers Gwion with advice from staff at Boston Lodge.
The smoke box saddle casting has had the last two studs removed. This required the use of the magnetic drill as they were rusted in. This leaves this area now clear.
Plans were to remove the brake shaft but due to other tasks taking longer it was decided to keep this till next time. Some cleaning and finding out how it came part was carried in preparation for next time.
Measurements were taken of the super heater flues to see if suppliers had the correct tools in stock.
There were also discussions involving the water tanks. Due to the historical importance of these we are planning to repair and retain them on the engine. Focus was on how to preserve them as they were coated with cold galvanising, which has been suggested by one of our volunteers. Thoughts were also given on how to improve access into the water space to the tanks. As at least the baffles and the supporting angles will need to be replaced. Thoughts are to add an access hatch in the centre on the back of each tanks between the baffles. This would increase the safety of working inside the tanks and also increase the pool of people able to do this as the filler holes are quite small.
Outside of the working parties we have also had a visit from the boiler inspector now that all the NDT testing has been completed. We are awaiting his report but have been informed that there's nothing to worry about.
Lastly, taking advantage of the afternoon sun on both days we helped the Glan-y-Pwll caretaker, who also works for the railways S&T depart to dismantle the GPO van at the back of his house as it was life expired.
That's all for this time.
Please find our appeal page on the Ffestiniog Railway Society web site.
https://www.ffestiniograilway.org.uk/.../mountaineer-appeal
We have our own website, where we have a selection of items for you to purchase to support the project.
https://www.alco1265.org.uk/
Finally if you would like to get involved please contact pbooth@ffwhr.com for more information on how you can do this and you can send a message on this page.
Team Mountaineer

Pixie relaunch 6/7/24

This archive photo from the early 70s shows the Rev. Teddy Boston and his beloved Pixie on the Cadeby Light Railway around the Rectory gardens. In Autumn 1970 your web editor was part of a group of students from Aberystwyth University Transport Society who were invited by Teddy to run both his garden and extensive model railway. The loco was recently restored at Boston Lodge and is now at the Richmond Light Railway. Photo credit RLR.

F&WHR 7-8/7/24

The weather on Sunday was overcast with temperatures 14-20C at Porthmadog.

Relaunch of No.2115 Bodysgallen
Glenn Williams, Carriage Works Supervisor provides a run-down of the overhaul/refurbishment of Pullman Carr. No.2115 Bodysgallen
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With Carriage No.2115 Bodysgallen re-entering service on Sunday the F&WHR thought you might like to see the extent of the work undertaken to bring the carriage back to a First Class standard.
No.2115 entered the carriage works late May/early June last year, to allow as much volunteer effort to strip the carriage as was possible. Luca who visits us once a year largely did this work, which included removing the exterior roof skin to allow the insulation to be replaced.
The carriage didn’t see much attention over the winter due to other demands but the seats continued to be worked on. The seats can only be removed from the carriage via a window opening with the window unit removed. The seats being in very poor condition needed stripping and then the frames completely rebuilding prior to being sent to our local upholstery firm. They arrived back a week before the carriage re-entered service.
The electrical system has been completely renewed, mainly due to a derailment which severed cables underneath some years ago, but while the outer skin was off it seemed a good idea to do the upper body too. It also now has the standard USB charging sockets just under the tables.
All the lower side panelling has been replaced, most being beyond repair due to water damage, with new black Walnut faced ply. The old window frames being of a poor design, using sealant rather than being welded at joints allowed water into the interior of the carriage causing significant damage to the veneers.
Most of the brass work has been professionally polished and then lacquered to maintain the shine. New light fittings installed in the two ends and overhauled and cleaned lights in the main saloon. The ceiling has been repainted and lined along with the upper black/gold cant rail. The remaining panels were carefully sanded/scraped prior to sympathetic repairs to the veneers and lots of varnish coats.
The end vestibule floors were very rotten and have been reinforced with a few extra bits of metal and now have the standard recycled plastic boarding fitted. Staff have also installed the same sound deadening board in the saloon, as they did with Obs No.150 this last winter, before the new carpet was installed.
There were numerous other jobs such as re-staining the end vestibules, including the new panels in these areas. Overhauling all the door locks and making them operate correctly. Fitting new door buffers and other door related jobs, just to mention a few.
One of the final finishing jobs was to fit the new antimacassars. These being stitched by a volunteer for us, to whom staff  are very grateful, before sending to the embroidery company to add the upholstery colour matched F&WHR garter too.
The team have worked very hard and produced some great work over the last 5/6 weeks to get the carriage finished. A big thank you to them all and the sponsor, Peter Campbell, and staff hope passengers enjoy riding in the coach for some years to come.

Personal Note 4/7/24

There will be some disruption to the website for a few weeks as your webmaster must go into hospital for some treatment. It may be possible to offer some reduced web news service over this period.

F&WHR 1-4/7/24

On 1/7/24 Vale of Ffestiniog hauled the afternoon Woodland Wanderer. See Paul Welton's Facebook video.

On 2/7/24 David Lloyd George hauled the ECS Mountain Spirit back to the depot at the end of the day.

On 3/7/24 Linda hauled The Quarryman from Blaenau Ffestiniog and No.130 on the Snowdonia Star.

Y Stesion Caernarfon food offering

Looking for a tasty treat before your train ride, a quick bite or a leisurely lunch? Caffi De Winton has something for everyone - come along and enjoy some freshly-prepared food from the kitchen!
Caffi De Winton is open daily from 09:00-15:00
Breakfast served 09:00-11:30
Lunchtime menu from 11:30 onwards.
Don't forget - the shop is also open daily, from 09:00-17:00, with a wide range of gifts and souvenirs for you to choose from.
'Y Stesion' is open to all visitors - you don't have to be travelling on one of the trains * - so why not pop in and take a break here when you're next in Caernarfon town...
* The F&WHR would love to see you on one of the trains as well. Visit festrail.co.uk/trains and click the link to 'Trains from Caernarfon' for details of all journey options from 'Y Stesion'.