As requested an update on No.143 following last week's update on No.138. No.143 was expected to be available for service for its last season in 2020. It passed annual inspection without problems in February 2020. The expected out of service date being late September. The boiler insurers changed their rules at this time and subsequently told us that the boiler needed immediate withdrawal for inspection and hydraulic test. Whilst we knew that rules were changing to make the ten ticket run from hydraulic test our previous arrangement was ten years from steam test. This arrangement served us well without problem for the last twenty years. Fighting this decision was futile as by the time the situation was understood there was only a few months left to the expected withdrawal. We now re-hydraulic our boilers with lagging in place immediately before steam test to gain the full ten years of service. For No.143 though this meant a quiet and unmarked end to 9 years service following the outstanding efforts of Tony Williams and the Dinas team to put it in the best of order.

So in 2020 all attention went to completing No.130 whilst No.87 hauled the limited train service. Knowing that we urgently need a third Garratt in service to back up the other two we set about a plan to use the best parts of No.138 and No.143 to achieve a working loco as soon as possible. It is important to remember that most of our Garratts have seen parts interchanged over the years. We decided to take the completed boiler ex No.129 from Puffing Billy in place of the current boiler which was previously in No.140. The cradle frame from No.143 has been overhauled. It is the cradle frame which determines the number the loco carries. The power units under No.143 are fit for a further five years service. If pressed these units were to be deployed again. However we took the opportunity in 2020/21 to completely overhaul the very tired units from No.138. This included a new cylinder on the rear unit. Again due to the foresight of Tony Williams we had a new casting ready. The rear unit was brought to the loco in September 2020, the front unit should make the same journey from Boston Lodge this month.

The cladding, cab, bunker and tank from No.143 are all to be reused as they are all in good condition. There is a new smokebox with this boiler and largely new spark arrestor gear. The old SA parallel chimney is good to go again which means the casting for an original shape chimney on hand will be used on No.138. New steam pipes replace the very thin old ones. The loco will be painted in the Splendid Brunswick green livery carried in the previous ten years of operation whilst No.138 will carry LMS red.

This southerly archive view (26/7/03?) shows Upnor Castle propelling two loaded ballast wagons over Plas-y-nant bridge. It is rumoured that John Sreeves, the WHR's volunteer bridge engineer, stood under the first such passage to assess the deflection of the beams which were to be replaced in Spring 2021! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (26/7/03?) shows Upnor Castle propelling two loaded ballast wagons for a ballast drop south of Castell Cidwm bridge. As can be seen from the temporary gates across the line, there was still some obstructive behaviour from the farmer at Caeau Gwynion and it is rumoured that the he received a visit from the Special Branch before Prince Charles visit. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

On 26/7/03 Upnor Castle hauls a ballast train north to collect ballast from the pile just north of Waunfawr at Cyrnant at 0800 and returns south full at 0830. Conway Castle and tamper are at Plas-y-nant and all three small locos at Rhyd Ddu.

Owing to misinformation from the night before and no mobile signal in the Nant-y-Betws Pass, I miss the first visit of Prince to Plas-y-nant and Ty'n-y-weirglodd cutting. Fortunately Ben Fisher was there and gave me these images.

This northerly archive view (26/7/03?) shows Prince with coaches Nos.23 and 10 about to cross Plas-y-nant bridge. Staff were keen to test out the train but your webmaster missed it as he was visiting the Fairbourne by train and the return service was 25 minutes late!! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on an SLR camera by Ben Fisher (permission was given to copy at the time).

This northerly archive view (26/7/03?) shows Prince with coaches Nos.23 and 10 emerging from Ty'n-y-weirglodd Cutting and finding the Matisa tamper in section. Fortunately Prince was travelling very slowly due to a 5 mph speed limit on Staff were maybe a little too keen to test out Prince but the tamper operator was indicating to the train to stop! Future runs would see F&WHR Control insist all PW trains were safely locked in sidings before Prince was let out to play!! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on an SLR camera by Ben Fisher (permission was given to copy at the time).

Once the rake was propelled back to Plas-y-nant, Conway Castle performed the shunt release so that Prince could lead back to Dinas.

WAG revisits Aberystwyth-Carmarthen rail project (24/11/21)

With the Bangor-Afonwen/Aberystwyth-Carmarthen rail link in the Welsh political news again it is interesting that the previous Feasibility Study into the Aberystwyth-Carmarthen reopening originally produced 19/9/18 has been updated very recently on 24/11/21. However, a check of the documents so far does not show any revisions.

Christmas Santa Specials booking well 29/11/21

Half of the 12 Santa Specials are already fully booked 2 weeks before the first train runs. Five of the six afternoon trains are now fully booked with only 22/12/21 available. However, in contrast five of the six morning trains are still available to book with only 19/12/21 fully booked. All 12 of the Christmas Glaslyn and 8 Christmas Cwellyn trains are still available to book. The WHR has benefitted from the cancellation of Santa Specials on the Llanberis Lake Railway this year.

Free Gwynedd car parking 

Gwynedd Council car parks will be free 11-28/12/21 to encourage local shopping. This means that both Caernarfon and Porthmadog council car parks close to the F&WHR stations will have free parking. Sadly for people booked on Christmas Cwellyn the free period ends just before the four booked train run 29-31/12/21 and 1/1/22.

Main Line update 17-28/11/21

The North Wales Coast line seemed to have been forgotten over the weekend by TfW with the advertised service largely abandoned on Sunday 28/11/21 following Storm Arwen leading to more accusations that the organisation is focussed on South Wales.

PW work at the weekend saw the Llandudno Junction-Holyhead service bustituted. Class 70 No.70014 ran training trips Holyhead to Llandudno Junction on 17/11/21 and was followed by 66506 the following day in preparation for the PW work.

Spooner's Festive afternoon tea from 1/12/21

When Afternoon Teas were introduced by the Tea Room at Tan-y-Bwlch Station they were an instant hit. With the Tea Room closed at present, the tea room manager has moved down to Spooner's for the Winter season. The F&WHR is pleased, therefore, to bring visitors the news that she will now be preparing her popular Festive Afternoon Teas for Spooner's customers to enjoy. These will be available Tuesday to Sunday throughout December from 1/12/21. Costing £10.00 per person, they will include sandwiches, mince pies, scones and mini homemade cakes with tea/coffee. Please note - Festive Afternoon Teas cannot be booked on the day, as items are freshly baked/prepared for each reservation. Please book - at least 24 hours in advance - by phoning 01766 516032. Come along and treat yourselves to a relaxing afternoon tea in Spooner's - and get your festive celebrations off to a tasty start!

Storm Arwen wreaks havoc 27/11/21

Storm Arwen roared in over North Wales over the night of 26-27/11/21 bringing down trees and power lines. Electricity was cut off in the Porthmadog area until 4pm. There was snow on the Crimea Pass and gritter/snow ploughs were out keeping the mountain passes open. Some North Wales Coast trains were cancelled due to high winds including the 10:34 to Birmingham International and there was bustitution to Holyhead (presumably for planned PW works). The Conwy Valley line was running to an amended timetable. The F&WHR may have received some storm damage.

This northerly view (27/11/21) was taken from the san dunes at Black Rock Sands showing overnight snow on the mountains north of Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a mobile phone camera and is copyright Melvyn Hughes.

Castell Caernarfon progress 26/11/21

The long sidelined WHR Funkey Castell Caernarfon has now received its new steel cab to replace the previous fibreglass version. Hopefully the much needed loco will be back in service in 2022.

This Boston Lodge view (26/11/21) shows Castell Caernarfon with the new completed welded steel cab fitted to the loco. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a digital camera and is copyright Paul Lewin (F&WHR).

Adventure Week April 2003

During Adventure week 24-30/5/03 Linda, in lined black livery, was moved by low loader to the F&WHR and hauled trains over several days. The loco coped admirably with her load of five coaches (2 opens, a saloon, the FR's Obs/Brake 3rd- No.11 and WHR No.23) and could be heard chuffing all the way from Dinas to Tryfan Junction! In fact the driver was keen to take 6 coaches!!

Linda was required for driver experience courses on the FR on Saturday 31/5/03 and was withdrawn from WHR service at Dinas at 1230 on Friday after working the first train of the day. This was normally worked by No.138. No.143 took over Linda's diagram for the rest of the day. Linda was soon on the low loader and was safely back on FR metals by the afternoon. The chimney was capped and lagged during transit to prevent the cool air draft stressing the still hot boiler too much. These views are bracketed by slides with known dates from a sunny 26/5/03 and a dull 28/5/03 and so are either late afternoon of 26/5/03 or 27/5/03.

This northerly archive view (26-27/5/03) shows Linda on running round at Waunfawr. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (26-27/5/03) shows Linda on running round at Caernarfon with the original container ticket office and Portaloos. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (26-27/5/03) shows Linda ready to depart Caernarfon on a late afternoon working. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (26-27/5/03) shows Linda taking water at Waunfawr. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (26-27/5/03) shows Linda ready to depart Waunfawr in the late afternoon. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (26-27/5/03) shows Linda passing Hendy crossing with a late afternoon working. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

Caernarfon Christmas Market 27-28/11/21

The Christmas Market in Caernarfon is a two-day event taking place this weekend in the new units on Cei Llechi (the Slate Quay) and in Y Stesion - the Welsh Highland Railway's station building. There's a fantastic range of stalls with a wide variety of products and produce. So come along and support this new venture - and have a look at the striking new development on Caernarfon's waterfront. Of course, 'Caffi de Winton/De Winton Cafe' will be open as usual for you to take a break from your Christmas shopping. Check out the Marchnad Nadolig Cei Llechi Christmas Market' Facebook page for more information. In previous years the F&WHR might have operated special trains in association with special events like this.

Garratt update 24/11/21

Paul Lewin (F&WHR General Manager) writes: NGG16 No.138 doesn’t feature in our news very much at present. It was withdrawn for its ten year overhaul a few years ago and the pandemic meant that No.143 leapfrogged No.138 in the overhaul queue as it needs less work. This year with help from Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Eryri/ Welsh Highland Railway Society we have made good progress with both engines. No.138's power units, now heavily overhauled, will see service under No.143 next. The boiler from Puffing Billy No.129 goes to No.143 also. The boiler No.7017 ex No.143 in 2009 will now see service with No.138 and is progressing well at Israel Newton’s. A new Bunker for No.138 is nearing completion at Brunswick Iron Works. The old water tank had rotted through prompting replacement. We expect to paint new bunker for No.138 at BL in the New Year and it will continue to appear in LMS red.

This Brunswick Ironworks (Caernarfon) view (24/11/21) shows No.138's new water tank under construction. It will soon be transported to Boston Lodge for painting red in the New Year. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a digital camera and is copyright Paul Lewin (F&WHR).

Labour and Plaid agree on West Wales rail link

Nation Cymru report that the price of Plaid supporting Labour in the Senedd will be moving forwards with the Bangor-Carmarthen North-South Wales rail link which uses the old trackbed between Bangor-Afon Wen and between Aberystwyth-Carmarthen. The Bangor-Afonwen proposal is currently part of North Wales Metro plans. For full details see Nation Cymru website.

FR Diesel Gala 21/10/01

It's been a while since there was a diesel gala on the F&WHR but back in 2001 the FR put on a good show despite the weather not being as good as SuperPower. Maybe the F&WHR should revisit the event when they have put Castell Caernarfon back together and include the WHR this time?

This southerly archive view (21/10/01) shows Mary Ann on a freight in Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This easterly archive view (21/10/01) shows Vale of Ffestiniog in its short lived National Power livery on a train to Porthmadog passing through Minffordd. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This westerly archive view (21/10/01) shows Mary Ann  and Criccieth Castle hauling a passenger train to Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This westerly archive view (21/10/01) shows Harlech Castle stabled in the Rhiw Goch siding with the PW Mess Car both is a yellow and grey Works Livery.  Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

F&WHR 'Black Friday' deals

The F&WHR webshop is offering free postage on all sales from 26/11/21 to 2/12/21. They are also offering 5% of the price of the book 'Railway to Adventure'.

WHR Santa specials booking fast

People wishing to book the WHR Santa Specials are advised to do so early as with the Llanberis Railway cancelling their Santa operation this year, Gwynedd residents only have the WHR Santa Special option or the Porthmadog Santa Grotto. Trains operate at 09:15 and 13:00 with a 3.5 hour return journey from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu on 11-12/12/21, 18-19/12/21 and 22-23/12/21. Although the F&WHR website states that the 'duration is 3.5 hours' it is actually 2.75 hours as 45 minutes is allocated for checking in and collecting hampers before departure. So the 09:15 departs at 10:00 and the 1300 departs at 13:45. This allows about an hour layover at Rhyd Ddu for Santa and the elves to attend to children and the loco to run round and be watered. Already four of the six afternoon trains are sold out on 12th, 18th, 19th and 23/12/21! A Christmas Hamper is provided as part of this festive offering for each family with drinks, mince pies and a Christmas Cracker. Presents are provided for all children 0-15.

All of the Festive Season trains over the New Year period are still available to book with both the Christmas Cwellyn/Glaslyn operating various dates in December and New Year's Day. The Christmas Cwellyn runs two trains a day over four days 29/12/21-1/1/22 at 10:45 and 13:45 Caernarfon-Rhyd Ddu. The Christmas Glaslyn runs two trains a day at 10:50/14:15 from Porthmadog to Beddgelert on 18th, 19th, 22nd, 30th, 31/12/21 and 1/1/22.

The Caffi de Winton will be open before the Christmas Cwellyn departs for passengers to pick up some Xmas fare (no refreshment service on train). The 2½ hour service includes time for a run round at Rhyd Ddu and photos. Spooners will be open before the 2¼ hour Christmas Glaslyn round trip for purchase of Xmas fare (again no refreshment service on board) which allows a few minutes at Beddgelert for the train to run round and photos before a 'leisurely' fuel saving ride back to Porthmadog.

WHR Santa special working timetable

Christmas Cwellyn working timetable

Christmas Glaslyn working timetable

This is a work in progress. Any amendments gratefully received. The train will be COVID cleaned at Caernarfon/Porthmadog between the first return and the second departure on the next service.

Spooner's Italian night 25/11/21

Thursday 25/11/21 sees Italian Night at Spooner's with buffet food available from 17:00 until 20:00 priced at £9.95 or £11.95 with a drink.

Spooner's Sunday Carvery 21/11/21

Despite the appearance of being a closed building site with scaffolding Spooner's is actually open (Mondays excepted). The popular Sunday Carvery has returned for the Autumn/Winter season from 21/11/21. You can't beat a traditional Sunday Roast dinner, especially when you don't have to cook it yourself! So why not take it easy on a Sunday - come to Spooner's and let the F&WHR look after you! Carvery served between 12:00 and 16:00. Phone the F&WHR on 01766 516032 to reserve a table.

Gwili Railway receives Class 43 powercar (20/11/21)

The Gwili Railway, based on the old Carmarthen-Aberystwyth route, will receive an HST powercar, the first to be donated to a Welsh railway. Porterbrook has given HST power car, No.43056 Royal British Legion to the Welsh Railways Trust, which is based at Bronwydd Arms on the Gwili Railway, just north of Carmarthen. After several months cosmetic restoration it will be put on show at Easter 2022. Hopefully this presages a more accepting view towards heritage diesels by the Gwili Railway which rarely makes its Class 03 available for public use.

EAG meeting 9/12/21

Stephen Sullivan reports:

The meeting itself is called 'Members Slides', although technology has moved on! You are invited to bring a USB stick with photographs or video of railway interest - and please don't hold back! It may be the festive meal beforehand, but this is one of our meetings that almost always over-runs the 10pm end-time. Please contact Richard Watson if you have any special requirements or questions.'

Main line news 20/11/21

No.67010 hauled a special working on Saturday 20/11/21 from Holyhead. It seems the loco is usually on the east end from Holyhead in recent times and on the rear from Chester to Cardiff as it reverse at Chester to use The Marches route via Wrexham. There is often a Saturday stock movement to Crewe for weekly maintenance purposes that is used as a service train rather than operating as an ECS.

The Jolly Slateman railtour ran on 20/11/21 with three green heritage diesel locos (this livery has been absent from BR for over 50 years-its seems to be LSL's policy not to use blue BR locos sadly). D8096 (20096) with D8107 (20107) were nose to nose and D6851 (37667) led into Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Class 37 went on the back on the return and detached at Llandudno Junction to follow light engine as the Llandudno run round is not adequately track circuited for long excursions these days by some accident of NR design. The Class 37 was on the rear from Llandudno Junction back to Derby having followed light engine from Llandudno.

This northerly view (20/11/21) shows D8096 and D8107 running round at Blaenau Ffestiniog on the Jolly Slateman tour. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a digital camera and is copyright Mark Hambly..

The Rail Head Treatment Train 3S71 was commandeered for rescue duties on 20/11/21 after failing with water jet issues at Rhyl on the westbound run. However, 6M76 on the heavy Margam to Shotton steel coil train had come to a stand on the steep gradient between Pen-y-ffordd and Buckley. The Class 56s (Nos.56078/96) top and tailing the RHTT worked back to Chester, Wrexham and then up the Borderlands Line to assist the failed freight over the Buckley summit.

Even more from SuperPower 2001 (23/9/01)

This easterly archive view (23/9/01) shows No.138 returning to Caernarfon passing Tryfan Junction. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840. and is copyright Barrie Hughes

This westerly archive view (23/9/01) shows Taliesin, this time on its own, hauling the heritage rake towards Waunfawr approaching Tryfan Junction. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This easterly archive view (23/9/01) shows Taliesin, returning from Waunfawr passing Tryfan Junction. At this time Tryfan Junction was just a shell. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (23/9/01) shows No.138, in the late afternoon sunshine, arriving at Caernarfon with one of the last trains on the Sunday. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (23/9/01) shows No.138 running round at Caernarfon. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF2840 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

Mark Drakeford, the Welsh First Minister, announced on 18/11/21 that he was considering extending the use of Welsh COVID passes. The Gwynedd outbreak has been one of the highest in the UK. Currently COVID digital passes on smart phones are required for anyone over 18 attending large public events such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls and night clubs. In early December WAG will decide if it should be extended to pubs and restaurants such as Spooners and the Caffi de Winton (De Winton Cafe) at Y Stesion, Caernarfon. The move is unlikely to affect WHR Santa Special train services and the Christmas Cwellyn/Glaslyn services.

Harlech Castle 14-18/11/21

With the line now split for PW work it appears that Harlech Castle was allocated to duties based on Tan-y-bwlch or Glan-y-pwll and outstabled. On the 14/11/21 it was involved in the Drain Train and on the 18/11/21 worked around Dduallt with the cherry picker.

This westerly view 14/11/21 shows Harlech Castle on the Drain Train. The train also picked up laundry from Coed-y-bleiddiau which is part of the rental agreement along with ferrying people to and from the cottage via this one coach platform. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a digital camera and is copyright Glenn Williams (F&WHR).

Coast Line problems 10-15/11/21

It appears that WalesRail (aka TfW) is having Class 67 loco availability problems as several recent loco hauled Holyhead-Cardiff trains have been substituted by DMUs or turned back mid journey. This maybe because so few locos have been adapted to work with the Mark 4 coach sets and the remedy might lie in  TfW converting additional Class 67s? All 6 trains ran normally on 9/11/21 but on 10/11/21 the loco hauled 05:33 from Holyhead was terminated at Chester and went ECS to Crewe, presumably for attention. On Friday 12/11/21 train 1W96, the 17:16 from Cardiff, was loco hauled to Shrewsbury (the previous legs of the diagram having been worked by DMUs) where it swapped sets with a DMU on 1V98 in order to get back to Cardiff. All the other loco hauled trains that day were DMU substitutions. Again on 15/11/21, only one loco hauled set was in traffic. This rather spoiled the gentle introduction of the restaurant service on these loco hauled sets.

Spooner's reopens for cooked food 18/11/21

The F&WHR is really pleased to announce that Spooner's kitchen is open once more for Bar Meals from 18/11/21. A new menu has been introduced for the change of season and this will be available on Friday evenings (17:00-20:00) and from midday on Saturdays (12:00-20:00). Come along and enjoy a great time at Spooner's - the staff are looking forward to seeing you here..! The first of this Autumn's themed evenings brings the warming tastes and smells of curry and spice back to Spooner's. Come along and enjoy an Indian Buffet, accompanied by your choice from a selection of drinks from the bar. The bar has a variety of curries available from 17:00 to 20:00 - served Buffet style with rice and sundries, for only £9.95 per person. Why not have a drink with your curry for just £2 extra at £11.95? The drinks offer includes a pint of Lager / Cider / Ale, a 175ml Glass of House Wine or a Soft Drink.

Steam back at Llangollen 14/11/21

Steam was back in action at Llangollen on 14/11/21 in the form of No.3802, back from tyre turning at WCR Carnforth, for the end of the Autumn season. On Remembrance Sunday the loco carried The Remembrance headboard and a wreath. The 13:15 departure to Carrog was formed of 4 suburban coaches and retimed to accommodate the Remembrance service in Llangollen. Some supporters are wondering when the Mk1 TSO coach sets will appear again. The train was blessed with sunshine and autumn colours as the leaves turned orange. Winter Service trains resume with Santa Specials from 4/12/21 and Mince Pie specials 27-28/12/21 and 3-4/1/22. See new Llangollen website for full details.

More from SuperPower 2001 (23/9/01)

This northerly archive view (23/9/01) shows Lilla on cab ride duties the following day. The siding is closed off with a large wooden buffer in case of overruns! Also visible in Castell Caernarfon on freight wagons in the bay platform. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This easterly archive view (23/9/01) shows No.138 on a regular service from Waunfawr to Caernarfon passing Cae Moel. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This westerly archive view (23/9/01) shows Prince and Taliesin on a heritage service from Caernarfon to Waunfawr passing Cae Moel. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This easterly archive view (23/9/01) shows Prince and Taliesin on a heritage service from Waunfawr to Caernarfon departing Waunfawr. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This westerly archive view (23/9/01) shows No.138 on a heritage service from Caernarfon to Waunfawr passing Tryfan Junction road bridge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

SuperPower 2001 (22/9/01)

SuperPower 2001 took place quite late in September over the weekend of 21-23/9/21. Prince was present and ran short Heritage trains, sometimes paired with Taliesin which also hauled Heritage trains on its own too. The Heritage Train operation presaged the two train Eryri Express/Heritage trains of the peak 2002 timetable which also ran unadvertised in the Spring Bank Holiday period. Lilla ran footplate rides in Dinas Yard on the Sunday. No.138, in its short lived apple green livery, was the Garratt on duty.

This southerly archive view (22/9/01) shows Taliesin with Prince watering in the since removed water siding. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This easterly archive view (22/9/01) shows Taliesin with Prince shunting out of water siding. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (22/9/01) shows Prince with Taliesin hauling the short heritage rake southbound at Dinas. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This southerly archive view (22/9/01) shows No.138 on the standard WHR rake passing Prince with Taliesin hauling the heritage rake southbound at Dinas. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (22/9/01) shows Taliesin with Lilla shunting in North Yard at Dinas with an RRM in the foreground. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

This northerly archive view (22/9/01) shows Taliesin with Lilla shunting two coaches in the bay platform at Dinas. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.

Wylfa B under discussion again

The BBC reported 1/10/21 that the Prime Minister has set in motion discussions to choose a new contractor to build Wylfa B Nuclear Power station and reduce dependence of the UK on coal for continuous baseload electric supply. The previous Japanese contractor pulled out earlier this year but a new funding proposal has attracted two serious bidders. The power station proposed by Bechtel will be much more powerful than Wylfa A and require a duplicate Super Grid connection. An alternative is to use SMRs (see story below) and a wind farm that will obviously employ a lot less people. If Wylfa B does get built it will mean reactivation of the Valley Nuclear Electric siding and GBRf's North Wales freight again. The move is probably partly to protect the future of the Tory MP for Anglesey. See BBC story.

Carriage Works update 13/11/21

NWNGR replica No.24 has come into the Carriage Works for a repaint and attention to wood rot in the end gutters. The vehicle was scrubbed down to remove grease and grime before sanding down. Observation Car No.150 in also in receiving attention with the curved glass end removed to be used as a template for a new one. There is also some rot to be dealt with in the end next to the emergency door. Boston Lodge shunter Moel-y-gest is in the paint shop after receiving mechanical attention. No.143's cab is also slowly being prepared for a repaint. Meanwhile the new FR Super Saloon No.808 is making good progress and looks to be structurally complete. The number 808 is supposed to look like BoB to celebrate the donor Bob Bloodworth who left a legacy allowing its construction.

This Boston Lodge view 13/11/21 shows NWNGR replica coach No.24 receiving a wash down before rubbing down and repainting. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a digital camera and is copyright Glenn Williams (F&WHR).

This northerly archive view (29/4/01) shows a small group of volunteers working on Sunday afternoon to lay track at Llwyn-y-bed alongside the A4085 just north of Betws Garmon. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. This image was taken on a Sigma SA300 camera on Fujichrome 200ASA slide film and scanned with a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III AF284 and is copyright Barrie Hughes.