This southerly view (27/9/16) shows the Tuesday Gang chamfering the middle timbers for Weirglodd Isaf crossing. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Tony Baker and was taken on an Olympus digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

SuperPower 10/9/16

This southerly view (10/9/16) shows No.143 running round at Caernarfon at 0949 on the 1000 to Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (10/9/16) shows Palmerston running round at Beddgelert at 1244 on the 1135 from Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows Hugh Napier hauling the Slate Shunt at Dinas at 1445. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows Hugh Napier hauling Slate Shunts at Dinas at 1447 with a Victorian train in the background. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows No.19 shunting at Dinas at 1452 with a Victorian train in the background. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows Lilla on the Victorian train at Dinas at 1452 with a Victorian train. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows Prince shunting at Dinas at 1453 with a 'Drive and Engine' duties. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows Lilla on the Victorian train at Dinas at 1453 with the 1255 ex Beddgelert mixed train in the background. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view inside Dinas Loco Shed (10/9/16) shows No.140's boiler and frame. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view inside Dinas Loco Shed (10/9/16) shows No.130's boiler frame on ambulance bogies. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view inside Dinas Loco Shed (10/9/16) shows No.130's bogie units under refurbishment. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view inside Dinas Loco Shed (10/9/16) shows the frame under construction for the new FR Observation Car No.152. It is not clear why this FR vehicle is being made at Dinas, maybe through lack of space at Boston Lodge. The consequence is that No.134, which previously occupied this space, has been moved to a much less convenient space in the Carriage Shed without access to tools and as a result some disgruntled volunteers have sadly left the project. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows Lilla, Prince and Britomart in Dinas North Yard at 1604. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Richard Watson and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Ligne de Cerdagne appeal

Robert Kay appeals: I know this is nothing directly to do with the FR/WHR, however it concerns all us railfans. If you can think of any way of publicising the matter no harm will be done. Apparently there is a proposal by the SNCF to close the Ligne De Cerdagne ("Yellow Train") in the Pyrenees. The proposal is apparently wholesale closure. I suspect this is a bargaining ploy designed to force objectors ultimately to accept partial closure, i.e. leave the eastern end running and close the remainder. I'm sure many FR/WHR followers know about the L.de C. I can think of a host of reasons why it should stay open in its entirety, not only sentimental but also concerning the economic health of the area. If the Yellow Train is closed the next line to follow will be the feeder line from Perpignan, leaving the whole eastern Pyrenees almost wholly without a rail link.

SuperPower 2016 YouTube

Click on the YouTube box above to view 28 mins 15 secs of video of SuperPower 2016 'Great and Small III' 9-11/9/16 published 16/9/16. This video is best watched in 1080p HD format available on Chrome, Firefox and IE/Windows 8.1 etc. Video taken by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional camcorder.

FR Victorian Gala 7-9/10/16

The annual FR Victorian Gala 7-9/10/16 features the popular England to Beddgelert working on the WHR. On Friday there will be three workings on Friday through the Aberglaslyn Pass at 1000, 1300 and 1600; there are no normal WHR service trains on Friday in the Yellow timetable that now applies. The England to Beddgelert service is not repeated on Saturday or Sunday. There are only 50 seats on this train so advance booking is essential and a special ticket is required in addition to the Gala ticket-FR/WHRS members free travel is suspended for the Gala. For full details see F&WHR website and for timetable see FR Facebook.

Britomart off to NYMR for 30/9/16

Britomart will attend the North York Moors Railway Gala 30/9/16-2/10/16. The loco will haul two bug boxes on a short length of track. According to Heritage Railway magazine, track will be laid through the original Stephenson 1836 horse-worked Grosmont Tunnel, currently the footpath that leads to the depot.

Funkey rescue 16/9/16

Following a failure of the booked NG16 at Dinas, Castell Caernarfon was called into action on 16/9/16. When it arrived at Porthmadog FR Funkey Vale of Ffestiniog was coupled for the return journey as the train faced the long 1 in 40 climb to Rhyd Ddu which would have been too much for a single Funkey with a full load. The F&WHR admits there is interest in their fleet of diesels as well as the steam locos so maybe there is a case for a diesel Gala in the future?

This northerly view (16/9/16) shows Vale of Ffestiniog leading Castell Caernarfon crossing Britannia Bridge with the 1405 Porthmadog-Caernarfon. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Comings and goings 20/9/16

Gasworks Siding in the Llyn Bach car park was busy on 20/9/16 with two locos arriving and one departing during the evening. Lautoka No.19 and Marchlyn were arriving from Bethesda where they had visited the nascent Penrhyn Quarry Railway over their gala event 17-19/9/16 and Lyd was going away to visit the L&BR Gala on 24-25/9/16. See L&BR website for more details.

This easterly view (20/9/16) shows Lyd heading north during the evening to Gasworks Siding to be transported by low loader to Woody Bay for the L&BR Gala the following weekend. The loco is being propelled by Criccieth Castle. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (20/9/16) shows Marchlyn and Lautoka No.19 arriving by lowloader in Gasworks Siding. Lyd awaits to be loaded (following the unloading procedure) to the right propelled by Criccieth Castle. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

SuperPower 11-13/9/16

The weather continued to improve during the weekend and the special trains used during SuperPower were returned from Dinas to Porthmadog over the next few days.

This southerly view (11/9/16) shows Prince heading north at 1034 passing Beddgelert Forest Campsite with the 1020 to Dinas which was to pause at Tryfan Junction for a photo opportunity. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (12/9/16) shows Hugh Napier and Velinheli (with the GM driving) passing Beddgelert Forest Campsite heading south at 1331 with bugboxes returning to Porthmadog after SuperPower. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (13/9/16) shows No.19 heading south with a brakevan at 1332 returning to Porthmadog. This was the last working to put the SuperPower trains 'back in their box'. No.19 was to be an unexpected guest at the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Gala the following weekend. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Size issues 22/9/16

Following the problems at the Snowdon Mountain Railway when booked passengers were bumped off trains due to the large size of other passengers, the F&WHR has responded concerning the design of its newest rolling stock, which takes into account this increase in the average size of passengers over the last 100 years. See Daily Post story.

Cambrian Coast 'Ghost Train' issue resolved 12/9/16

After a vigorous campaign by locals, the 2000 Barmouth-Pwllheli, which operated as a limited stop service, will now stop at all stations on request from 12/9/16. See Cambrian News story.

No.138 update 20/9/16

After appearing on service trains for a few days after SuperPower e.g. 13/9/16, the mid-term overhaul of Garratt No.138 has commenced as the loco had been clanking a bit. The front power bogie has been removed from the locomotive and dismantled, reports Martin Kressman. On 20/9/16 volunteers were cleaning all the filth from the frame and the wheelsets which have been removed. Good progress has also been made on the manufacture of the underframe for new FR Observation Carriage, possibly to be numbered as No.152.

This northerly view (13/9/16) shows No.138 heading south at 1120 with the 1000 from Caernarfon on one of the last days the loco was used before its mid term maintenance. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

New temporary station building chosen 10/9/16

The General Manager Paul Lewin announced at the WHRS AGM on 10/9/16 that a lease had been signed for the empty Age Wales building on the opposite side of the road at the south end of Caernarfon station on 9/9/16. The building has a shop and toilets and a small car park. While there is some on road parking nearby the nominated agreement with the Harbour Trust involves a current £5 parking charge up from £2 at the WHR car park. Fortunately the owner of the waste ground next to De Winton's has opened their land as a car park for £2 all day and it is closer than the Harbour Trust car park. As the southern station entrance has steps a small area will be reserved at the existing station building location at the north end of the platform for disabled access during the proposed works.

The GM also referred to the Brexit vote and how the small victory for Leave had regrettable created uncertainty about funding the new station project. Both Owen Smith, the contender for the Labour leadership, and Tim Farron Liberal Democrat leader at the Lib Dems Annual Conference this week have called for a final binding referendum (as opposed to the recent advisory referendum) on the outcome terms of the Article 50 negotiations to leave the EU when we know what the real economic cost of Brexit will be rather than the claims of people during the referendum campaign.

This northerly view (14/9/16) shows the former Age Wales building at Caernarfon, deserted since the charity vacated the building in May. The little used southern entrance steps to the platform can be seen 100m away to the right on the other side of the road. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

SuperPower 10/9/16

The weather improved during the day on Saturday and eventually the sun came out. There was plenty of prototypical 'frontier' working at Beddgelert, including use of the newly fitted water tower to recreate historical tableaux of England engines watering as in the 1930s.

This westerly view (10/9/16) shows the newly fitted mainline side watering arm fitted to the original Beddgelert water tower. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows No.138 watering at Beddgelert at 1233 having arrived with the 1110 mixed from Dinas including 8 ex-SAR B wagons. This loco had to run round quickly and depart from the Up line at 1255 due to the arrival of Palmerston at Beddgelert Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This southerly view (10/9/16) shows Palmerston arriving at Beddgelert at 1244 with the 1135 from Porthmadog hauling a short prototypical rake from the 1930s. This train had laid over at Pont Croesor on it journey. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This westerly view (10/9/16) shows Palmerston at 1312 watering at the newly fitted mainline side watering arm fitted to the original Beddgelert water tower as it would have done in the 1930s. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows Palmerston at 1321 ready to depart from the Down platform at Beddgelert with the 1345 for Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (10/9/16) shows Palmerston at 1405 passing Ynysfor level crossing with the 1345 Beddgelert to Porthmadog historically accurate short train. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (10/9/16) shows Britomart at 1617 at Dinas having been used for various activities in the yard. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (10/9/16) shows No.19 at 1621 at Dinas having been used for various activities in the yard. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This easterly view (10/9/16) shows No.9 at 1715 at Dinas. The shunter did not appear to have moved despite the diesel enthusiasts hoping it would. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

SuperPower 9/9/16

Friday 9/9/16 was a foul day with rain and windy conditions that tended to spoil the 'frontier' working with prototypical short WHR rakes.

This southerly view (9/9/16) shows Linda heading north with Britomart and the curly roofed van rake on the 1500 from Porthmadog at 1547 after watering at Beddgelert. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (9/9/16) shows Prince heading south with  a short rake on the 1510 from Dinas at 1621 at Rhyd Ddu. The train called at Tryfan Junction  for a photo opportunity on the way. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

This northerly view (9/9/16) shows Linda heading south with a short rake on the 1730 shuttle from Caernarfon at 1553. The train is top and tailed with Britomart which was to lead the shuttle back to Caernarfon at 1800 from the Up Line platform. Click on the image to enlarge. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on an iPhone 5 digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

Busman's holiday 8/9/16

There will be no further updates to this website until 19/9/16 as your webmaster will be on holiday at the WHR.

SuperPower latest

The F&WHR is running SuperPower this weekend 9-11/9/16. Final details of events, including timetables, are shown on the F&WHR website. The Snowdonia Park brewpub at Waunfawr station is holding a mini Real Ale festival with 123 real ales.

Tuesday Gang report 7/9/16

Trackwork Volunteering 2015/16

Keeping the permanent way, in particular, and the infrastructure in general, fit for trains to run is an essential task. Volunteers have a lot to offer by assisting with this. We have a mix of weekend and weekday working parties. The Black Hand, Tuesday Gang and Rest of the World Gangs will be very glad to accept your help. Contact the relevant organiser to let him know when you plan to join us. Please do not just turn up as that makes it difficult for us to plan ahead.

Please note dates for 2016 notified 26/7/15.

The programme for the remainder of 2016 is as follows:

^ Bank Holiday weekend

If you intend to join one of the weekend or Tuesday Gang days, please contact the appropriate organiser. If you are interested in weekday working or have any queries about track work volunteering, please contact Paul Bradshaw. See Contacts page.

Gradient graph

John Hopkins has contributed this image of the gradient profile of the WHR. It makes clear how much of a mountain we have climbed and how steep the drop through Beddgelert is. Maybe most of all, it reveals the challenge facing northbound trains after they stop at Beddgelert!

This image is courtesy/copyright John Hopkins and is derived from data courtesy John Sreeves with additional work by Michael Bentley. Click on the image to enlarge.

Events 2016

Site development

If you have suggestions for development of this site, please contact me by email at the address at the top of the page.

Comments

If you would like to make a comment about this website, why not visit my Guestbook? If you have a correction or require a reply please leave your email address or, more simply, send an email directly to my email address shown near the top of this page, just after the list of links to other pages.

Maps & Plans and links

Click here for Steve Harris' /WHRS' full list of Historical Maps and Gradient Profiles

DVD material can be purchased from Jon Marsh who is the WHRS' (DVD Only) Mail Order officer. All other materials are now sold in the F&WHRS shop.

Click here for the Mail Order web page

Click here for the Official WHR website

Click here for Official WHHR site

Click here for FR Company websites

Click here for Welsh Highland Heritage Group

V4.3351 updated 30/9/16