Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway
Stop Press Page
V4.5192
News (19/4/25)
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to this website
Modern images updated from 13/4/25
Archive images updated from 16/4/01
Star Picture
No.590 safely tucked away at Gelert's Farm depot WHHR after loaded test trains between the FR and Beddgelert. It was intended the loco would feature in a launch event at the WHHR and in the WHR100 event at the end of June but the loco developed a hot box after several days of testing. This image is courtesy WHHR and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.
Welcome to Version 4 of this website, launched on 8/9/04 with news about work on Phase 4 of the WHR scheme. In addition to this Stop Press page and a Phase 1/2 page, there are 9 location pages, covering the Phase 3 works between Waunfawr and Rhyd Ddu. There are a further 9 pages covering Phase 4, the full route through Beddgelert, the Aberglaslyn Pass and on to Porthmadog, including the Traeth Mawr to Pen-y-Mount works recently constructed by the WHHR with three regularly updated map links for this area by Laurence Armstrong.
Finally, there are pages covering 'Phase 5', Views from the Line, the history of the abandoned PBSSR works around Beddgelert, Archived News and a Contacts page for volunteers. Another page covers the current operation of the WHHR southwest from Pen-y-Mount.
The above OS map shows the route through the Aberglaslyn Pass and Beddgelert. Click on the image to enlarge. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
Click here to use the free OS Get-a-map service.
Route section pages
Listed below are links to pages featuring progress on different sections of the line or archive views. Jump ahead to News section or follow the section links from page to page. Please note that access to the links below was restored on 2/9/04 at the new website www.isengard.co.uk
Phase 4 pages
Rhyd Ddu to Pont Cae'r Gors (updated 29/6/06)
Pont Cae'r Gors to Hafod Ruffydd Halt (new 8/10/06)
Hafod Ruffydd Halt to Beddgelert Forest Halt (updated 4/12/06)
Beddgelert Forest Halt to Beddgelert Station (updated 1/7/07)
Beddgelert Station Area (updated 30/6/07)
Beddgelert Station to Bryn-y-felin (updated 1/7/07)
Aberglaslyn Pass (updated 2/7/07)
Nantmor to Pont Croesor (updated 16/7/07)
Pont Croesor to Pen-y-Mount (updated 1/4/07)
WHHR (Porthmadog) (updated 1/4/07)
Porthmadog Cross Town Link (updated1/4/07)
Caernarfon Cross Town Link (updated 10/10/10)
Other pages
Phase 1 images (Updated 8/9/23)
Railtours 2023 (Updated 15/12/23)
The 40km Dream Phase 1 (Updated 12/2/21)
The 40km Dream Phase 2 (Updated 1/4/21)
'Phase 6' page (new 2/4/06)
Views from the Line Page (updated 26/2/05)
PBSSR Works Historical Page (updated 25/3/05)
Rhyd Ddu Opening Page (New 14/2/04)
Archived News Page (updated 1/3/25)
Archived Timetables and Events 2024 (updated 2/1/25)
Prince Charles Visit July 2003 (updated 5/1/22)
Snow Scenes (updated 17/12/23)
Rolling Stock News Page (updated 28/12/04)
Phase 4 News Page (updated 3/3/05)
Volunteer Contact details page (updated 23/6/21)
Phase 2 and 3 page list (updated 27/8/08)
Video list (new 9/11/15)
Access to Phase 2 pages is currently being progressed.
If you would like an automated announcement of site updates, email me at the NEW (2013) address below replacing the letters 'dot' with a full stop
Isengard@talktalkdotnet
This has been introduced as an anti-spam feature.
Disclaimer
There has never been any intent by myself to suggest that the views on these pages represent the views, opinions or policy of the F&WHR, the WHRCL or the WHRS.
I am happy to confirm that this is an INDEPENDENT web news service.
Stop Press!!
New construction images/text will be posted on a regular basis.
New text in RED!
Click here for Laurence Armstrong's latest WHR North map dated 5/11/07
Click here for Laurence Armstrong's latest WHR Middle map dated 14/3/10
Click here for Laurence Armstrong's latest WHR South map dated 14/3/10
Click here for Mike Schumann's Phase 4 TWA maps and other maps courtesy of WHRS
Click here for John Sreeves Gradient profile courtesy of WHRS
Click here for Chainages and OS Map References
Timetables and Events
F&WHR timetables 2025
Click on this link to view the full timetables for the F&WHR in pdf form.
North Wales Railtours 2025
| Date | Railtour Name | From-To | Promoter | Loco |
| 1/3/25 | The Mancunian | Manchester Victoria - Holyhead/Llandudno connection PU Stockport | RTC | Steam pool |
| 29/3/25 | The Heart of Wales Explorer | Eastleigh-Llandrindod Wells-Shrewsbury (REV) PU stations to Severn Tunnel Junction | PR | 2xWCR 37 diesel |
| 5/4/25 | The Snowdonian | Euston-Holyhead PU stations to Rugby includes optional travel on full length FR/WHR either clockwise or anticlockwise on The Snowdonian special train with coach links to either Caernarfon or Blaenau Ffestiniog. | UKR |
WCR Diesel 47 or 57 |
| 5/4/25 | The Lakelander | Llandudno Junction PU stations to Preston, Carlisle (2 hours) and return via Cumbrian Coast | Saphos Trains | Steam pool from Preston |
| 3/5/25 | North Wales Coast Express | Birmingham New Street-Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza REV Nuneaton, PU stations to Crewe | VT | Steam to Chester/Diesel |
| 8/6/25 | PTG Charter | Return journeys on WHR and FR from Porthmadog | PTG | F&WHR steam |
| 10/9/25 | Snowdonia Statesman | Cardiff PU stations to Birmingham New Street for Betws-y-coed or Blaenau Ffestiniog | ST | Saphos Trains |
| 10/10/25 | Snowdonia Statesman | Durham PU stations to Rochdale for Betws-y-coed or Blaenau Ffestiniog | ST | Saphos Trains |
PU Picks up/sets down
UKR UK Railtours
PTG PTG Tours
F&WHR Special Events 2025
Shown below is an early version of the F&WHR Special Events list for 2025. This is missing some previously regular WHR events such as SuperPower and a likely launch event for NG15 No.134 or the possible return of Baldwin No.590, which many supporters still hold tickets for from the aborted launch in 2023. At the moment there are tentative plans for the WHR Society AGM in September. Unfortunately the WHHR's Baldwin Russell will be out of ticket so is unlikely to appear alongside the Baldwin compounding the disappointment when No.590 failed just before the Centenary of the WHR event. Nevertheless a series of Goodbye to Russell runs will be held at Easter from Porthmadog Harbour station up the WHR and it seems likely that No.590 will be back in time. As last year, it seems the Snowdonian Limited has been dropped from the schedule and so far there is just the single run of The Snowdonian planned in the April.
Train services start a week later than last year and NO February Half Term holiday services are planned for the second year running despite running such services in pre-COVID timetables and the success of such services on many other heritage railways. There are no winter services for coach operators either which used to be a common feature on the WHR pre-COVID with short trains to Hafod-y-llyn Isaf. There are a few events to support Rail 200, the 200th Anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, which is being promoted by the government as a major opportunity to celebrate the success of railways across the country.
| Date | Event |
| 1/1/25 | Final Day of Festive Trains/RAIL 200 'Whistle Off' |
| 15/2/25-23/2/25 | Half Term Holiday NO SERVICE currently planned |
| 27/2/25-1/3/25 | Model Railway Exhibition, Caernarfon Station. Unadvertised Velinheli cab rides. No WHR service trains currently planned. |
| 7-9/3/25 | Photo charters on WHR NG15 No.134, K1, Russell, Vale of Ffestiniog at Rhyd Ddu/Aberglaslyn |
| 29/3/25 | Start of 2025 Season |
| 21-23/3/25 | Free Boston Lodge depot tours with shuttle trains |
| 5/4/25 | UK RailTours clockwise and anticlockwise tour of the F&WHR |
| 5/4/25 | Russell Special Porthmadog Harbour to Beddgelert 11:25-15:00 |
| 12/4/25 | Russell Special Porthmadog Harbour to Beddgelert 10:55-13:30 |
| 18/4/25 | Russell Special Porthmadog Harbour to Caernarfon 11:10 |
| 19/4/25 | Russell final trip on WHHR before withdrawal for 10 year boiler repair |
| 18-21/4/25 | Lilla cab rides at Caernarfon, small loco cab rides at Porthmadog. |
| 26-27/4/25 | The Snowdonian with Prince and K1/NG16 and NG16/No.134 pairings, cameo appearances by Merddin Emrys/Prince in green retro livery and possibly Baldwin No.590 |
| 3-4/5/25 | Friends of the Ffestiniog events at Porthmadog (probably a standard WHR service) |
| 10/5/25 | Caernarfon Food Fair (connections available via standard WHR service giving over an hour in Caernarfon) |
| 17-18/5/25 | Model Railway Workshop (Gweithdy Minffordd with possible shuttle trains?) |
| 6-8/6/25 | Rail Ale at Snowdonia Parc Waunfawr (with connecting shuttles) |
| 19/6/25 | Mary Ann evening re-enactment of First Train across The Cob |
| 20-22/6/25 | FR Soc. 70th Anniversary (standard WHR service likely) Platinum Jubilee with RAIL 200 events |
| 22/6/25 | 200 wheel Cavalcade on The Cob to celebrate Rail 200 and Vale of Ffestiniog special to Blaenau Ffestiniog |
| 13/9/25-14/9/25 | WHR Society AGM 13/9/24. There will be an intensive timetable including heavy freight with NG15 and NG16 haulage. |
| 27/9/25 | Trailffest with extra train from Tan-y-grisiau paralleling runners |
| 3-5/10/25 | FR Soc AGM and Bygones Gala (probably a standard WHR service) |
| 6-7/12/25, 13-14/12/25, 20-21/12/25 TBC | F&WHR Santa Specials Caernarfon-Rhyd Ddu/Santa's Grotto at Porthmadog |
| 6-7/12/25, 13-14/12/25, 20-21/12/25 TBC | Cab rides at Porthmadog/Shuttle trips Porthmadog-Minffordd |
| 28/12/25-1/1/26 TBC | Festive trains on F&WHR - Christmas Cwellyn/Christmas Mountain Spirit |
This table will be updated as new information
is received. Items marked in black
Timetable w/c 19/4/25
Click on advert to enlarge. This advert is copyright F&WHR.
Loco Roster w/c 19/4/25
The busy Easter period will see a total of NINE steam locos in action over the coming week
FFESTINIOG RAILWAY:
• Double Fairlies MERDDIN EMRYS and JAMES SPOONER
will be sharing duties on Mountain Spirit and
Woodland Wanderer services
throughout the week.
•
Hunslet 2-4-0STT LINDA will be based in Blaenau Ffestiniog, working
The
Quarryman service from there.
• Large England 0-4-0STT WELSH PONY will be working
the Boston Lodge Tours shuttles during the week.
• Hunslet 0-4-0ST LILLA will be busy providing
footplate rides in Harbour Station over the Easter weekend...
WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY:
NG/G16s Nos. 130/143
will be covering the majority of the passenger services - although
No.87 will also make an appearance ahead of the upcoming
Snowdonian special:
• No.130 will start the week working from Caernarfon.
• No.143 will start the week working from Porthmadog.
• The two locos will swap trains at Beddgelert twice
this week, working a complicated diagram between them.
• No.87 will double-head Friday's Gelert Explorer as
far as Beddgelert with No.130, before heading to Boston Lodge.
• Single Fairlie TALIESIN providing footplate rides in
Caernarfon over the Easter weekend.
➡️ Check the captions on each loco portrait for
further details of their individual workings...
--------------------------------------------------
⚠️ NOTE: This information is provided in good faith,
solely as a guide, but could be subject to change at any time in the light of
operational difficulties or exceptional circumstances.
Click on the loco images to find out which duties they are rostered to pull over the week ahead.
F&WHR 19/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Saturday 19/4/25 was for an overcast day of drizzle with temperatures of 7-14C, followed by sunset at 20:23. The temperatures are likely to rise to 17C by the next weekend with mixed weather. Passenger numbers are likely to be high until Bank Holiday Monday.
F&WHR 18/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Friday 18/4/25 was for an overcast day of drizzle with temperatures of 8-14C, followed by sunset at 20:22. The temperatures are likely to rise to 17C by the next weekend with mixed weather. Russell is out on a special Heritage train from Porthmadog to Caernarfon today. being the Easter Weekend starting with Good Friday today traffic is likely to be busier on the roads and railways. Friday was a bit of a washout and passenger numbers probably below expectations.
Despite the at times poor weather Russell's train was full and a small group of hardy linesiders tried to keep pace with the train from Porthmadog to Caernarfon. The passengers in the open coaches must have had a wet ride! The train set off on time and passed the Llyn Bach transfer siding at 11:14 in Porthmadog's main car park (No.590 returned to the WHHR by way Minffordd a few weeks ago). This siding has not been used for a while as there seems to be a preference for road/rail unloadings at Minffordd Yard. A possee followed the loco along at Aberglaslyn/Bryn-y-felin and even the rarely photoed Mynwent Beddgelert Cemetery level crossing. There was a short stop at Beddgelert and then the loco made a spirited attack on the 1 in 40 S curves and gradients of the Beddgelert Forest passing Pont Cae'r Gors at 11:14 and pilling into Rhyd Ddu at 11:20.
Easter Weekend - Porthmadog/Blaenau
Ffestiniog
This northerly archive view (24?) shows Lilla with a shuttle train at Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright F&WHR and taken on an digital camera.
With trains to and
from Caernarfon, Tan-y-Bwlch and Blaenau Ffestiniog over the Easter weekend
there is going to be plenty of activity around Harbour Station. The F&WHR is
looking forward to welcoming lots of visitors - whether to travel on the trains,
to visit Spooner's Café-Bar, watch trains or all three!
The café opens at
09:00 for breakfasts - with lunches, snacks and evening meals served daily. The
real-ale bar opens from 12:00 serving local award-winning ales. You can relax
inside Spooner's or enjoy the views across the estuary, and watch the trains
coming and going, from the popular outdoor terrace (showers allowing!).
Over
the Easter weekend, footplate rides will be available on Quarry Hunslet
LILLA. This popular loco carries the bright green livery of
the Cilgwyn Quarry, which was located just a few miles away in the Nantlle
Valley.
LILLA will be in action between 10:00 and
16:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Footplate rides do not need to be
booked in advance and are free (although donations towards the cost of coal etc.
are always welcome). You do not even have to have a ticket for one of our
passenger trains - just turn up at Harbour Station and take your turn, it is fun
for all the family.
While you are here, do not forget to visit the Gift Shop
with its wide range of souvenirs, gifts, books, toys, models and railway related
items - many only available from the F&WHR.
Come along and spend some time
with us this Easter weekend - there is plenty for all to enjoy!
GOOD FRIDAY - Blaenau Ffestiniog
Passengers on the 10:40 Mountain Spirit
service are invited to join members of St David's Church in Central Square in
Blaenau Ffestiniog at 12 Noon for their Passion Pageant
- A re-telling of the Good Friday story, the Crucifixion of Christ
- with community singing. This is followed by free Hot Cross Buns. Central
Square is just off the end of the station platform. The train arrives at 11:55
and passengers are very welcome to join in this important outdoor community
service.
Friday's train services consist of four trains from Porthmadog (two each of the Woodland Wandere/Mountain Spirit) and one from Caernarfon (The Gelert Explorer).
EASTER FUN AT THE Tan-y-Bwlch Tea Room
The F&WHR are looking forward to
a great Easter Weekend here at Tan-y-Bwlch - and hope you are as well. The
trains are running again and the station is open every day from 10:00-17:00,
with hot food served between 10:45 and 15:00. The newly extended and resurfaced
playground provides great entertainment for children while you enjoy tasty
treats and refreshing drinks from the Tea Room!
Staff have also organised
some additional Easter Activities for the weekend. Friends at 'Winning Moves'
(who produced the Snowdonia/Eryri Monopoly set and rgw F&WHR's very own F&WHR
Top Trumps cards) have produced a station trail and bilingual quiz sheet. There
is also a Craft Tent where youngsters can turn their hands to making Easter
bunting, enjoy painting stones or colouring of various pictures.
Easter
activities will be available between 10:30 and 16:30 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday
and Monday.
You can arrive by train, on foot or by road - it does not matter,
the Tea Room is open to all. Bring the family along and enjoy the fun - it
should be a great time!
Easter Weekend at Caernarfon- Footplate Rides
This northerly archive view (24?) shows Taliesin with a shuttle train at Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright F&WHR and taken on an digital camera.
Come along to 'Y Stesion', here in Caernarfon, over the Easter weekend
and enjoy a footplate ride on TALIESIN - one of our
beautiful Fairlie locomotives.
Unlike its larger 'relatives',
TALIESIN is not a 'push-me/pull-you' double-ended locomotive, but
is a Single Fairlie with just one chimney and one set of powered wheels.
However, it does have a large cab with plenty of room for visitors to ride inand
the power bogie swivels.
TALIESIN will be in action
between 10:00 and 16:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Footplate rides
do not need to be booked in advance and are free (although donations towards the
cost of coal etc are always welcome). You do not even have to have a ticket for
one of our passenger trains - just turn up at 'Y Stesion' and take your turn, it
is fun for all the family.
Caffi De Winton will be open all weekend, of
course - so you can relax with refreshing drinks and tasty treats outside on the
platform or while enjoying the view of Caernarfon Castle from our mezzanine
floor. There is a gift shop, model railway layout and interesting information
panels about our railway to investigate as well.
So come and spend some time
with the F&WHR this Easter!
:
F&WHR 17/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Thursday 17/4/25 was for a day of bright periods with temperatures of 7-13C, followed by sunset at 20:20. The temperatures are likely to rise to 16C by the next midweek.
Moving PicturesNo.106 17/4/25
Click on the YouTube link to watch 37 minutes 18 seconds of video covering the start of the new season including Russell's special trains. This video is copyright F&WHR and was taken by John Wooden on a professional betamx 4K camcorder.
F&WHR 16/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Wednesday 16/4/25 was for a colder wetter day of continuous heavy showers all day long with temperatures of 6-11C, followed by sunset at 20:16. Snow fell on the summit of some of the higher peaks and is likely to wash away. The temperatures are likely to rise to 16C by the next midweek.
F&WHR 15/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Tuesday 15/4/25 was for a colder day of heavy showers all day long with temperatures of 6-11C, followed by sunset at 20:16. Snow fell on the summit of some of the higher peaks and is likely again tomorrow. The temperatures are likely to rise to 16C by the next midweek. Normal steam operations resumed on Tuesday.
Today your webmaster went on the Harbourmaster. Arriving at Harbour Station before 09:30 there was plenty of space in the car park. We collected our hamper but it turned out the Gluten free option my wife had ordered had not been actioned so she had to go back to Spooners and asked again and they rapidly made a sandwichbefore she hurried back to the car. The train left on time with a light shower underway with No.130 performing well. At Pont Croesor we passed Harlech Castle with the drench wagon but no water tank. Passing Hafod-y-llyn later we discovered the water tank wagon on its own in the loop there.
This easterly view (14/4/25) shows No.130 at Porthmadog about to start on the Harbourmaster. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and taken on an iPhone camera.
The train slowed down to 10mph on the 1 in 40 from Hafod-y-llyn, a speed it maintained for the rest of the journey including the falling gradients. The guard opined that the F&WHR had run out of coal and was running on ovoids. A large party joined at Beddgelert and bought hop on-hop off single tickets to Rhyd Ddu. A further small group joined at Meillionen. We passed the Snowdonia Star at Rhyd Ddu hauled by No.143.
Passing Dinas shed depot pilot Bill was visible in green, along with No.87 and new loco No.134. The pointwork for the new connection to the new Carrage Shed had not advanced beyond fitting the new points for the South Junction and the headshunt point as the works had hit a sewer. The lack of progress may mean there is some ability to have events at Dinas this year. Arriving around 13:00 at Caernarfon, there was 1.5 hours until departure and the shop kindly asked if we wanted to leave our part eaten hamper with them. Coach parties left the train to join the bus tours of North Wales. We departed on time and proceded at 10 mph to the summit. Several small construction vehicles had arrived at Dinas by the afternoon which may have been to do with the new Carriage Shed.
We
passed Vale of Ffestiniog at Dinas and stopped to pick
up hop on-hop off passengers at Snowdon Ranger. No.143
was waiting for us at Rhyd Ddu and we picked up speed on the return journey on the downhill leg. Several passengers got off at Meillionen and Beddgelert. The
train arrived back at
Portmadog just after 17:00 as Merddin Emrys
arrived on the Mountain Spirit.
Tornado's second night of testing on the Cambrian
See YouTube video. We must be grateful to these videographers who staked out the Cambrian line in the early hours of the morning! Click here for 8 minutes of video from H18-PDW Photography.
Tan-y-bwlch tearoom NOW OPEN 10:00
- 17:00 EVERY DAY * The F&WHR have a
great range of tasty treats and refreshing drinks for you to enjoy, plus our
popular children’s playground has been resurfaced and extended... New season news It’s official… the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland
Railways are back up and running for another season of steam trains here in the
North-Western corner of North Wales!
At the start of this
new season, we’ve got a spring in our step having picked up the ‘Best
Attraction’ prize at the recent National Tourism Awards for Wales!
The highly anticipated
National Tourism Awards for Wales took place on the 27/3/25 at Venue Cymru in
Llandudno. The ceremony was hosted by Visit Wales and celebrated the best of the
tourism industry throughout the country.In November 2024, we
were awarded the ‘Go Attraction of the Year’ award at the Regional Go North
Wales Tourism Awards and as a result, qualified for these National Wales Awards.
• Woodland
Wanderer : Porthmadog - Tan-y-Bwlch
• The Victorian :
Porthmadog - Tan-y-Bwlch with heritage rolling stock
• Mountain Spirit :
Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog
• The Quarryman :
Blaenau Ffestiniog - Porthmadog
• Gelert Explorer :
Caernarfon - Beddgelert • The Aberglaslyn :
Porthmadog - Beddgelert
• Snowdonia Star :
Caernarfon - Porthmadog
• The Harbourmaster :
Porthmadog - Caernarfon
• The Cwellyn :
Caernarfon - Rhyd Ddu
Bookings are open all
the way up until late October so there is plenty of time to book in your
steam-themed visit to North Wales!
In addition to our
journey options, there are plenty more reasons to visit us here in North Wales. Easter Activities
We are bringing you some extra family
activities this Easter (Friday April 18th - Monday April 21st) making a visit to
our stations even more fun… you don’t even have to travel on a train to get
involved!
Caernarfon Station
(Friday - Monday) Enjoy a footplate ride on one of our smaller
locomotives, ‘Lilla’, at our modern station situated near the castle car park in
St Helen’s Road. Take a coffee out on to the platform or sit on the mezzanine
floor and enjoy the view and have a look in the display space at the various
interpretation panels.
Caffi De Winton open
from 09:00-15:30 for breakfast, lunches and snacks. Shop, event and display
space and toilets open 09:00-16:30
Caernarfon station also
welcomes prearranged small groups to use its facilities. For more information,
contact Eleri, the station manager on 01286 677018 or email enquiries@ffwhr.com
Porthmadog Harbour
Station
(Friday - Monday) Footplate rides on one of our Ffestiniog locos
will be operating in Harbour Station. Enjoy the view and the trains coming and
going from the terrace outside Spooner’s café bar or browse the gifts and
souvenirs in the shop.
Spooner’s café/bar open
from 09:00 for breakfasts, lunches, snacks and evening meals daily and the real
ale bar has a wide selection of drinks including a range of local award-winning
ales.Grab a seat inside or
outside and finish your day with a drink on the terrace or book a table in our
family friendly bar for an evening meal. Tan y Bwlch Station (Friday - Monday) Dates for your diary When you are planning
your visit to Wales, we know it’s useful to know if there’s anything extra
happening around the railway during your time here, so here are a few key 2025
dates for your diary.
FR: Friends of the
Ffestiniog
The Ffestiniog Railway Society AGM weekend will
soon be upon us - with additional attractions and activities for Society
Members.
Caernarfon Food Fair
May 10th 2025
The popular Caernarfon
Food Fair will return this year with a variety of stalls across the city, so
come along and soak up the atmosphere!
2025 Festival |
Caernarfon Food Festival (gwylfwydcaernarfon.cymru)
Model Railway Workshop 17-18/5/25
A selection of small layouts of different
gauges and some model making demonstrations to wet your appetite or help you
with your own modelling plans. Come and chat about model making and pick up some
tips, staged at the Gweithdy, Minffordd Station, LL48 6HF Further details available soon on the Festrail
website. Cwrw ar y Cledrau /
Rail Ale Festival June 6th-8th 2025
Come along We are excited about the Welsh
Highland Railway’s 17th Beer festival based at Dinas station near Caernarfon.
Real ales and ciders, live music, catering vans. Note: this is a limited ticket
event. Tickets will be available soon. ‘Railway 200 – FR Platinum Jubilee Weekend’
June 20th-22nd 2025
Join us as we celebrate two momentous landmarks
– the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and the 70th anniversary of
passenger trains on the preserved Ffestiniog Railway. Super-Power 2025 14-15/9/25 An exciting weekend as Super Power returns with
an intensive timetable including some heavy freight as we celebrate the
successful restoration of the NG15 locomotive as it joins the NG/G16s Trailffest September 27/9/25 The Trailffest Half Marathon is one of the most
scenic you could hope to run, with dramatic changes of scenery and terrain the
whole way to the finish line. Bygones Weekend
3-5/10/25 This end of the season flagship event
celebrates the best of Ffestiniog with heritage carriages, gravity trains,
unusual stock formations and much more. A great atmosphere is guaranteed. A must
for your calendar!
That’s all for now! We hope this newsletter
will entice you to start planning a visit to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland
Railways very soon!
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
Harbour Station
Porthmadog
Gwynedd
LL49 9NF
UK
01766 516024 Gowrie progress YouTube
16/4/25 Gowrie, the short lived Hunslet Single Fairlie PBSSR loco, is being recreated for
Statfold will regularly visit the WHR.
See
YouTube with coverage of Gowrie
replica. The loco was reputed to be a poor steamer and was sold to be Government
in the late 1920s before being cut up by them in the early 1930s. The power
bogie is coming together and the loco is about half complete. It will soon be
time to order a boiler. F&WHR 14/4/25 The Met Office forecast for Monday 14/4/25 was
for a colder day of heavy showers all day long (but your webmaster witnessed
sunny periods too) with temperatures of 6-12C, followed by
sunset at 20:14. The F&WHR diesel substutions look like being phased out due to
the change in weather. Strong winds will fade out by Monday afternoon. Following the
temperature dropping to 12C on Monday it is forecast to rise again to 14C by Easter
Weekend and sunshine and showers will predominate from Wednesday. The weather
improved to a warm sunny afternoon but with a cold windchill and light showers
in the mountains. Weather Warning issued for Tuesday 15/4/25
The Met Office issued a weather warning for the whole of Wales
with heavy persistent rain likely to lead to flooding from midday Tuesday to
midday Wednesday. Travel services may experience disruption. Russell YouTube 14/4/25 After a bright day out on the WHR to Pont
Croesor, an evening photoshoot was held at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway
featuring the sole surviving original Welsh Highland Railway locomotive with the
rest having been scrapped. Click on the YouTube link to watch 19minutes 47 seconds
of video covering Russell's cut back trip to Pont
Croesor on 12/4/25. This video is copyright '30742 Charters' (Thomas Ellis) and was taken on a
camcorder. FULL STEAM AHEAD! The F&WHR is very happy to confirm that their
services should be back to normal from Tuesday morning 15/4/25 following 24 hours of heavy
rainfall. All trains will be running as scheduled - and steam-hauled once again. Come along
and see for yourselves - full details of our train services are on the website @
festrail.co.uk/trains SPECIAL ‘RAILWAY 200 - FR PLATINUM JUBILEE
WEEKEND’ AUCTION - SUNDAY, 4/5/25! It is time for another exciting
announcement regarding our highly anticipated Railway 200 - FR Platinum Jubilee
Weekend, taking place between the 19-22/6/25. F&WHR 13/4/25 The Met Office forecast for Sunday 13/4/25 was
for a colder day of sunny periods with temperatures of 6-12C and followed by
sunset at 20:13. The F&WHR diesel substutions continued but the railway took a
chance with James Spooner on the Works
Shuttle at 10:00. Following the temperature dropping to 12C on
Sunday it is forecast to rise again to 14C by Easter Weekend. The weather
improved to a warm sunny afternoon but with a cold windchill and light showers
in the mountains.
This northerly image (13/4/25) shows
Vale of Ffestiniog arriving at Beddgelert with the
Gelert ExplorerClick on the image to enlarge and click again
to enlarge to full size if available. Image copyright Barrie Hughes taken on a
iPhone camera. Today Upnor Castle hauled the
Woodland Wanderer to Tan-y-bwlch and Vale
of Ffestiniog was on the Gelert Explorer
from Caernarfon to Bedgelert. Staff felt the rain all last night may not have
been enough to reinstate steam haulage for all services on Monday. Steam partially restored Monday
14/4/25 Following the break in the weather and the ongoing
forecast for the week ahead, the F&WHR are resuming the use of steam locomotives
on most of their main services. The plan for tomorrow (Monday 14/5/25) is as follows:
FFESTINIOG RAILWAY: Double Fairlies will work the
Woodland Wanderer and Mountain Spirit
services. • JAMES SPOONER
▫ 10:40 - Mountain Spirit - Porthmadog to Blaenau
Ffestiniog return ▫
14:50 - Woodland Wanderer - Porthmadog to Tan-y-Bwlch
return • MERDDIN EMRYS -▫ 11:10 - Woodland Wanderer-
Porthmadog to Tan-y-Bwlch return ▫ 14:20 - Mountain Spirit -
Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog return (The Boston Lodge Tour shuttles will be worked by
UPNOR CASTLE) WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY:
The 11:30 Gelert Explorer
from Caernarfon to Beddgelert return will be diesel-hauled by VALE
OF FFESTINIOG. The F&WHR will continue to monitor the weather and
ground conditions over the days ahead and adjust haulage plans accordingly. The
railway will, of course, keep passengers and enthusiasts as up to date as
possible! Tornado will be followed
by a Deltic! Tornado, soon to finish
nightime testing on the Cambrian on 17/5/25, will be followed by a period of
testing a preserved Deltic No.55022 Royal Scots Grey,
See
Rail UK story. Snowdonia Parc Brewpub
Beerfest Advert 6-8/6/25 The Snowdonia Parc Brewpub is the unusual centre of this
year's Beer Festival being that Dinas Yard is a construction site for the new
Carriage Shed. The Snowdonia Parc has limited parking and so visitors are
recommended to use the regular shuttle trains from Caernarfon. Click
here for the Snowdonia Parc advert. F&WHR 12/4/25 The Met Office forecast for Saturday 12/4/25 was
for a mostly sunny day with temperatures of 6-18C becoming overcast and rainy in
the afternoon and followed by sunset at 20:11. The change to rain showers in the afternoon will ease the jobs of
the controllers who are currently juggling diesel substutions. Following the
temperature dropping to 12C on Sunday it is forecast to rise again to 16C by the
end of next week, a week of sunny periods. There was lots of shunting today to
reduce train lengths and save money hauling 'air'. With a minimum of rain expected overnight the F&WHR feel
that tomorrow is best run with diesels again so another Diesel Gala
Day! A goodly number of images of the pairings that hauled trains
today have emerged alongside images of Russell on its
shortened journeys to Pont Croesor. See
F&WHR Facebook page. One remarkable haulage was the unadvertised
No.9 yellow PW shunter. This accounts for the light engine
movement of Caernarfon Castle in the afternoon.
Come along
and enjoy some time with us - the railway looks forward to seeing you here!
----------------------------------------
* PLEASE NOTE:
The tea room will
be closing at 13:00 on Thursday 17/4/25, as there will be a Private Function
taking place in the Tea Room.
Over the Easter weekend, there will be family
craft activities at the station and the newly extended play area allows the kids
to ‘let off steam’.
We are pleased to be
working with Winning Moves, who have produced a bilingual Snowdonia/Eryri
Monopoly as well as a Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Top Trumps game. They
have helped us with a bilingual quiz sheet, produced especially for the station.
Come along and have a
go!
Tearooms at Tan y Bwlch
will be open between 10:00-17:00 with hot food served between 10:45-15:00 and
activities taking place between 10:30-16:30
Accessible by train or
by road, the Tearoom at Tan y Bwlch station is a great place for families.
Situated in a pretty woodland setting, the station is just a short hop off the
A487 beside the Oakley Arms near Maentwrog.
There is free parking
at the station, beside lake and in other local forest car parks. It is a great
place for a woodland walk and there are numerous trails in the area. The tearoom
offers a chance to relax over tea and cake, grab an ice cream or enjoy a freshly
prepared lunch.
Prearranged groups are
welcome. For enquiries, please send us a message to @Tearoom at Tan-y-Bwlch
station, email tearoom@ffwhr.com or telephone: 01766 506996
Blaenau Ffestiniog Station (Friday)
Travel on the 10:40 Mountain Spirit service on
Good Friday and join members of St David’s Church in Central Square in Blaenau
Ffestiniog at 12 noon for "A re-telling of the Good Friday story, The
Crucifixion of Christ - with community singing”
This will be followed
by free Hot Cross buns!
The Mountain Spirit
service will arrive at 11:55 and you are very welcome to join in this important
outdoor community service in the town before your return journey to Porthmadog
departs at 12:45
Plenty to keep you busy
here at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways over the Easter weekend!
Volunteering at the FFWHR in 2025
We are delighted that
steam trains are back up and running here at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland
Railways and we owe a big thanks to the staff and volunteers who worked so hard
during the Winter ‘break’ on the extensive Winter Works programme.
One of the main
accomplishments within this programme is the new Booking Office at Porthmadog
Harbour Station which has had a major refurbishment and extension allowing for a
quicker and more effective experience for our customers beginning and the
southern end of the Welsh Highland Railway. Thanks to all those involved in
making this possible, the finished product was well worth the wait.
So, following the
extensive Winter Works programme, the start of the season brings the need for
more volunteers and we have new and exciting roles in which we would like to
welcome more members and supporters to try.
Caernarfon Station
Hosts: Meeting and greeting customers, checking passengers in before their
journey and promoting the station and railway by talking to passers-by by use of
a transportable Visitor Information Desk.
On Train Hosts: We
would also like some more On Train Host to help our on-board teams provide
excellent customer service by way of stories, fact giving and talking to our
customers on board, allowing our Buffet Stewards to concentrate more on serving
refreshments. If anybody would like to trial either of these roles, please
contact Stephen on sgreig@ffwhr.com
‘Railway 200 - FR Platinum Jubilee Weekend’: The
Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways event of the year is fast approaching and
“Your Railway Needs You”!
The Railway 200 – FR
Platinum Jubilee Weekend is an extremely special event taking place between the
19th – 22nd of June, celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of the preservation era of
the FR and 200 years of passenger railways in the UK.
This will be a landmark
event with extremely popular activities happening all over the railways,
therefore we are calling upon the help of our Volunteers, Members and
Supporters. This could be your opportunity to be involved in this special
weekend for a day or two and be able to help the railway and its customers at
the same time.
We are largely looking
for help with hosting, which largely consists of being around to ensure
everybody is where they should be, safely, and with the correct tickets. Maybe
it has been a while since you last volunteered, or you or your partner have not
yet volunteered, if so this could be the role for you; no qualifications needed
apart from professionalism and passion for the railway!
If you would like more
information about this, or to book to volunteer as an Event Host, please email
Stephen Greig direct sgreig@ffwhr.com
If you’re interested in
finding out more, take a look at our new ‘Volunteering’ page on the Festrail
website.
There’s no need to be a
Member in order to Volunteer, so come along and get involved, all help is
gratefully received!
The evening started at Pen-y-Mount before working
up the line towards Gelert's Farm where a stop would be made to pose
Russell with Baldwin No.590 after the
latter had been pulled out of the shed. The evening finished back at Pen-y-Mount
with floodlights illuminating Russell before one final
run by to finish the evening.
On Sunday,
4/5/25, the F&WHR will be hosting a Special Auction alongside Dafydd Hardy at
Ysgol Eifionydd with 30 items set to go under the hammer!
These items will
include footplate passes for the 200 Wheels on the Cob cavalcade, headboards,
a Ffestiniog Railway carriage mirror, Linda’s old front coupling and a tin of
green paint used for Merddin Emrys!
The auction is set to start at 10:00
and will run for approx. 2 hours, providing enough time for each item to be sold
to the highest bidder.
Funds raised from the auction will go towards the
restoration of Blanche.
Further details and a full item list are available on
our website:
https://www.festrail.co.uk/special-railway-200-fr.../
The F&WHR look forward to welcoming you all to their auction!
This easterly image (12/4/25) shows No.9 taking the Snowdonia Star back to Dinas releasing Caernarfon Castle light engine to return to Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size if available. Image copyright Phil Brown (F&WHR) taken on a phone camera.
The GM responds: It was a complicated move. Caernarfon Castle had lost the ability to make vacuum due to hydraulic hose bursting. So Harlech Castle provided vacuum for swapping the set from Down line to Up line at Beddgelert. The diesels departed together with Harlech Castle going to Hafod-y-Llyn and Caernarfon Castle going on from there to Boston Lodge for repair. Vale of Ffestiniog was moved to Dinas to cover Caernarfon Castle's duties this morning.
Loco roster 12-18/4/25
Following a gentle start to the season, the number of trains running on the F&WHR is building up - resulting in a corresponding increase in the number of locos in use. In fact, there will be a total of NINE steam locos in action this week. On the Ffestiniog Railway:
• Double Fairlies MERDDIN EMRYS and JAMES SPOONER will mainly be sharing duties on Mountain Spirit and Woodland Wanderer services - although LYD will also make an appearance on Thursday.
• Single Fairlie TALIESIN makes a welcome return to the active fleet this week - working Saturday's Woodland Wanderer services and then most of the week's Boston Lodge Tour shuttles.
• Penrhyn Lady LINDA will be based in Blaenau Ffestiniog, working The Quarryman service from there.
• On Friday, WELSH PONY will be on Boston Lodge Tours duty, while LILLA will be busy providing footplate rides in Harbour Station.
Over on the Welsh Highland Railway, NG/G16s Nos. 130 /143 will be covering the passenger services:
• No.130 will start the week working from Caernarfon.
• No.143 will start the week working from Porthmadog.
• The two locos will swap trains at Beddgelert on Wednesday, working from the opposite end of the line for the remainder of the week.
• In addition, Single Fairlie TALIESIN will be in Caernarfon from Friday - providing footplate rides over the Easter weekend. Check the captions on each loco portrait for further details of their individual workings.
--------------------------------------------------
⚠ NOTE: This information is provided in good faith, solely as a guide, but could be subject to change at any time in the light of operational difficulties or exceptional circumstances.
'DIESEL-FFEST' 2025
In the light of Saturday's announcement regarding changes
to Sunday's services, the F&WHR are delighted to encourage enthusiaststo join
them for their impromptu DIESEL-FFEST - something enthusiasts have been requesting for
some time! ▪ VALE OF FFESTINIOG
▪ CASTELL CAERNARFON
▪ CRICCIETH CASTLE
▪ UPNOR CASTLE
Check the captions on each loco portrait for details of their individual workings...
The following diesels have been rostered for F&WHR trains on
Saturday 12/5/25:
Seats are currently available on all our
trains tomorrow, so if diesels are your 'thing' come and enjoy a festival of
internal-combustion traction on the F&WHR. Clicl on this
picture link to see the roster.
Of course, all
these trains will be running in the beautiful scenery of North Wales, so the
view from your carriage window will be just as breath-taking as ever -
irrespective of what is pulling the train! There are 10 images on the
Festrail Insider Facebook page if you missed it.
‘RAILWAY 200’ – FR PLATINUM JUBILEE WEEKEND’ – ‘200 WHEELS ON THE COB’ UPDATE!
The build up to the F&WHR's highly anticipated ‘RAILWAY 200’: FR PLATINUM JUBILEE WEEKEND feat. ‘200 Wheels on the Cob’ (20-22/5/25) continues with an update from the F&WHR's Operations Manager; Matt Ellis!
In the
Facebook video. Matt provides details on the Special Optional Extras that
are available during the event… these are limited in numbers, so they’ll be sold
to rover ticket holders only, on a first come, first served basis.
Further
details regarding these Special Optional Extras along with all other event
information are available here:
https://www.festrail.co.uk/fr70/
For more information about 'Railway 200', visit the official website.
F&WHR 11/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Friday 11/4/25 was for a chilly sunny day with temperatures of 6-19C and sunset at 20:09. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 17C down to 13C MAX from Sunday and with some frosty mornings from mid week this week. Two trains ran on Friday, namely the morning Mountain Spirit and the moning's Gelert Explorer from Caernarfon. The hillside above Tan-y-bwlch seemed to be alight with a widespread wildfire and the dry conditions are affecting Saturday's planned services. Vale of Ffestiniog substituted for the expected Fairlie on today's Mountain Spirit which turned back at Tan-y-bwlch, running as the Woodland Wanderer.
Russell Heritage special cut back to Pont Croesor 12/4/25
In a move that will bring disappointment to passengers and photographers, Saturday's Russell Farewell Heritage Specials to Beddgelert have been cut back to Pont Croesor because the fire risk that has seen the F&WHR use diesel loco substitutes on all its trains. It is unknown if the WHHR will be offering partial refunds for this journey which is now about 1/4 of the original advertised length. Some enthusiasts are wondering why the train could not go to Hafod-y-llyn and run round there as tthat is rhe 1 in 40 where Russell might exert itself and cause spark problemweres starts just beyond this little used loop. Trains run at 10:55 and 13:30 from Porthmadog Harbour Station.
Russell stabled at Porthmadog between duties as the cut back journey took just 30 mins. Click to enlarge and click again to enlarge fully if available. Iphone photo by Barrie Hughes
Journey times to Pont Croesor
are about 10 minutes and it was unknown if the train will immediately return to
Porthmadog or wait its path for well over an hour. The original round trips were
quoted as 2 hours 5 minutes (including a layover of approximately an hour at
Beddgelert for watering, run round and photography). The final opportunity to
ride behind Russell on the WHR occurs on 18/4/25 when
Russell makes an epic journey from Porthmadog Harbour
to Caernarfon and back. Photographers missing the opportunity of catching the
loco at Beddgelert today can make use of this opportunity as this will be the last
chance for several years with the loco in Gelert's Farm Loco Works for its
10 year's boiler overhaul. This train is already fully booked. There are 8 'Farewell to Russell ' photographs on
the
Festrail Facebook page.
Dry conditions cause diesel substitutions
All F&WHR trains on Saturday 12/4/25 will see diesel substitution because of unseasonably dry conditions and the risk of fires breaking out.
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
SATURDAY 12th APRIL
Due to the unseasonably dry weather conditions and various hillside fires in the region, the F&WHR has made
the decision to amend the planned train services for Saturday 12/5/25.
The
following changes will apply:
The Quarryman service
from Blaenau Ffestiniog has been CANCELLED.
The Mountain Spirit
will run as a Woodland Wanderer service to Tan-y-Bwlch.
The
Woodland Wanderer, The Harbourmaster
and the Snowdonia Star services will be running as
scheduled.
ALL TRAINS WILL BE DIESEL HAULED...
The Booking Office staff
are in the process of contacting all pre-booked customers with relevant
information and processing refunds as appropriate.
The F&WHRwill provide
updates on further developments or alterations to the planned services as soon
as possible.
Tan-y-bwlch wildfire as seen from Black Rock Sands (11/4/25). Iphone photo by Sylvia Glanville-Hughes
F&WHR 10/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Thursday 10/4/25 was
for a chilly sunny day with temperatures of 1-15C and sunset at
20:07. he forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of
18C down to 13C MAX from Sunday and with some frosty mornings from mid week this
week. With the anticipation of more tourists and school holidays a number of services have been duplicated
for the next days, namely the Mountain Spirit
which has additional afternoon run at 14:20. No.130
was the haulage for the Harbourmast6er at 10.05 as
James Spooner arrived with the ECS for the
Mountain Spirit into the FR platform for the 10:40. General Manager's Spring Update 10/4/25 <p>Click on the YouTube to watch 24 minutes 57
seconds of video mostly with Paul Lewin (General Manager F&WHR). This video was published on
10/4/25. Video taken by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a 4K professional betamax camcorder</font></p>. F&WHR 9/4/25 The Met Office forecast for Wednesday 9/4/25 was
for a sunny day with temperatures of 4-18C and sunset at
20:06. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of
18 down to 13C MAX from Sunday and with some frosty mornings from mid week this
week. With the anticipation of more tourists and school holidays a number of services have been duplicated
for the next two days, namely the Mountain Spirit
which has additional afternoon run at 14:20 and, on today only, an afternoon run
of The Aberglaslyn at 13:40. On 9/4/25 the Garratt on The
Aberglaslyn was again substituted by a double header, this time
James Spooner and Vale of Ffestiniog
(see
Oliver Dove's image on Facebook). Youngster
Cynan Hughes (no relation) has also added some images
and video to the Friends of F&WHR Facebook page of the new pairing presumably
dated 9/4/25. F&WHR 8/4/25 The Met Office forecast for Tuesday 8/4/25 was
for a sunny day with temperatures of 5-16C and sunset at
20:04. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of
18 down to 13C MAX from Sunday and with some frosty mornings from mid week this
week. The 10:05 Harbourmaster and 10:40
Mountain Spirit are diagrammed to run today. With the anticipation
of more tourists and school holidays a number of services have been duplicated
for the next three days, namely the Mountain Spirit
which has additional afternoon run at 14:20 and, on Wednesday Only, an afternoon
run of The Aberglaslyn at 13:40. A problem with a Garratt or perhaps concern
about the recent dry spell and possibility of lineside fires let to the ECS for
the Harbourmaster being hauled in by Vale
of Ffestiniog at about 09:30. At 09:50 Merddin Emrys
arrived in the WHR through line, light engine and shunted onto the front of the Funkey in
the WHR platform with its 10 coach rake a few minutes later. Fairlies are
limited to 6 bogies on the 1 in 40 so the addition of the Funkey was essential. The train left on
time unusually doubled headed and with the unlikely haulage of a Double Fairlie
all the way to Caernarfon. James Spooner arrived in the FR
platform with its 10 coach rake at 10:15 and ran round promptly ready for the
10:40 Mountain Spirit.
This easterly image (8/4/25) shows
Merddin Emrys running round the Harbourmaster before piloting
Vale of Ffestiniog over the mountains.
Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size if available.
Image copyright F&WHR taken on a web camera. This easterly image (8/4/25) shows Merddin Emrys
departing with Vale of Ffestiniog on the Harbourmaster
-
a very unusual occurence! In the background James Spooner
approaches with the ECS for the Mountain Spirit. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge
to full size if available. Image copyright F&WHR taken on a web camera. This easterly image (8/4/25) shows Caernarfon Castle
running round the Snowdonia Star whose Garratt was also
substituted by a Funkey, possibly because of wildfire worries at Rhyd Ddu. Click
on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size if available.
Image copyright F&WHR taken on a web camera.
Caernarfon Castle arrived at 12:33 on the reduced length formation 6 coach Snowdonia Star and run round came minutes later. With both Funkeys in action this suggests the Garratt substitutions are because of fire risk after last Saturday's incident at Summit Cutting. The return working of the Mountain Spirit arrived just before 14:00 giving about 10 minutes overlap with the Snowdonia Star for anyone attempting the Round Robin of the whole F&WHR from Llandudno Junction. The afternoon working of the Mountain Spirit departed just after 14:20. There are a large number of photos of these two workings on the Friends of F&WHR Facebook page today e.g. this one by Oliver Dove. Harlech Castle was noted refilling the large tank wagon (possibly the one normally stabled at Tan-y-bwlch) at Rhyd Ddu water tower. It may have been utilised in a pre-emptive drenching run through through Summit Cutting.
Tornado Cambrian ERTMS trials 8/4/25
Tornado's major overhaul incuded fitting of a test unit for the in-cab European Train Control System being fitted to the ECML south of Peterborough. It had been intended to test this on the Old Dalby Test Track but a serious landslip has curtailed those plans. As the system is compatible with ERTMS, Tornado has been fitted with receivers for those balises and was sent to Coleham TMD (Shrewsbury) on 2/4/25 from Carnforth. The loco will remain here for about a month depending on test results. Testing takes place on overnight possessions between Sutton Bridge Junction and Newtown on MTWO. Graeme Paddison took a series of nightime shots and video in the early hours of 8/4/25. The next day it reached Newtown as shown by Paul Williams photos.
F&WHR 7/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Monday 7/4/25 was
for a sunny day with temperatures of 6-16C and sunset at
20:02. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of
18-13C MAX by the end of next week but with some frosty mornings from mid
week this week. The 10:40 Mountain Spirit and 11:30 Gelert
Explorer are diagrammed to run on Monday. Merddin Emrys
arrived in the FR platform with its 10 coach rake at 10:00 and ran round 15 minutes later.
Linda arrived in the FR platform at 11:00 with a 6
coach rake and ran round at 11:10 presumably on a staff training train. The
train departed at 11:46 to the east passing Minffordd at 11:55.
Linda returned through Minffordd at 12:25 suggesting it had been
no futher than Tan-y-bwlch. F&WHR 6/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Sunday 6/4/25 was
for a sunny day with temperatures of 6-18C and sunset at
20:00. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of
17-19C MAX by the end of next week but with some frosty mornings from mid
week. The Mountain Spirit and Gelert
Explorer are diagrammed to run on Sunday and Monday. Several people have contributed photos to Friends of the F&WHR Facebook page.
eg.
Ann Simcock:
Andrew Simmonds:Taz
Runner Knopler :
David Lusby. Some photographers also included a few
shots of James Spooner and Lyd
on their unadvertised trip up the WHR around noon. A fire was reported at Summit Cutting with
several fire engines in attendance. This was suprising as the FR had apparently
operated a drench train through there twice earlier in a pre-emptive move to
avoid sparks setting fire to this location which has been prone to fires in the
past. Russell was certainly NOT to blame as the loco
operated between Porthmadog and Beddgelert on Saturday only. F&WHR 5/4/25 The Met Office forecast for Saturday 5/4/25 was
for an improving day of sunny periods with temperatures of 5-19C and sunset at 19:58. The forecast
suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 18-19C MAX by the
end of next week but with some frosty mornings from next weekend. No passenger
services were planned to be operated today as the WHHR has use of the line to
run two Russell specials from Porthmadog Harbour
station to Beddgelert. At 09:00 steam was being raised at Boston Lodge following
which a Garratt pulled a 7 coach ECS rake of modern stock into the WHR plaform
at 09:25.The train departed towards Beddgelert at 09:42. Considering the blank F&WHR timetable it is surprising there
was so much ECS activity in the morning. A second steam loco was noted shunting
Boston Lodge at 10:05 and arrived with an ECS rake in the FR platform at 10:14.
The three rear coaches were shunted to the seawall sidings at 10:23. The Fairlie
departed with the short rake at 10:40 towards the east. Merddin Emrys
passed through Tan-y-bwlch with the ECS at 11:22. James
Spooner and Lyd double headed another
unadvertised train to at least Beddgelert.
Meanwhile down at Porthmadog, Russell arrived with its 4 coach heritage rake (less the open coach promised). Run round came five minutes later and departure towards Beddgelert at 11:27 with a gallery of photographers recording the unusual sight of the loco in Porthmadog.Towards the end of the afternoon Merddin Emrys hauled its ECS rake back into the WHR platform and ran to the refuelling point, emerging at 17:00 to couple to the rear of the train. Lyd was shunting light engine in the FR platform at 17:03. Lyd joined the Fairlie on the front of the ECS. The ECS departed at 17:07 leaving the WHR platform clear for Russell's return.
Russell returned from Beddgelert at 18:00 and uncoupled to coal and water. After some hesitancy by the king point the loco set of for Boston Lodge presumably not passed for the Harbour Station Yard sidings. The loco was back after half an hour and ran through the WHR through road before coupling up to take the ECS back to Pen-y-Mount. The train departed at 18.57.
This easterly image (5/4/25) shows Russell in brilliant evening sunshine returning the ECS to the WHHR at the end of a successful day of specials between Porthmadog Harbour and Beddgelert. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size if available. Image copyright F&WHR taken on a web camera.
Minutes later Merddin Emrys departed the FR platform with the ECS from what appeared to be the Mountain Spirit. Considering there were no advertised F&WHR trains today it was a pretty interesting day at Porthmadog!
Russell video 5/4/25
Mark Herbert (WHHR) has kindly provided a video of Saturday's Russell Specials. It seems that Lyd and Merddin Emrys took an unadvertised trip to Beddgelert and back around midday between the two Russell Specials.
Click on the YouTube to watch 4 minutes 45 seconds of video mostly covering the Russell's Special trains between Porthmadog Harbour and Beddgelert on 5/4/25. This video was published on 6/4/25. Video taken by Mark Herbert (WHHR) on a camcorder.
UK Railtours operated two specials on Saturday, one in the clockwise direction from Blaenau Ffestiniog and the other anticlockwise from Caernarfon. Both involved MERDDIN EMRYS on the FR. The one starting at Caernarfon was Garratt-hauled (No.130). The one from Blaenau Ffestiniog was taken over by James Spooner and Lyd from Porthmadog running north.
Both trains were very full.
The morning Russell Special ran to time in both directions and Russell was serviced in the yard at Harbour Station. Things unravelled early afternoon on account of the wildfire at Summit Cutting which led to the northbound double-headed charter being held at Beddgelert, and consequently, the afternoon Russell Special was held at Porthmadog until about 16.00. Soon after it reached Beddgelert Harlech Castle passed through from the north with a tank wagon (presumably from Tan-y-bwlch and involved in firefighting). Russell set off once the diesel reached Porthmadog, still about one hour late.
Baldwin No.590 is stored at the back of Gelert’s Farm workshop. The VoR’s recent work did not involve fixing the air brake problem which manifested itself during the launch weekend 2 years ago leading to the FR lending the Col. Stephens set then. The Baldwin may not run for a while until it is fixed due to the lack of suitable rolling stock.
James Waite's WHR trip 5/4/25
This Gelert's Farm Workshop view (5/4/25) shows No.590 at the back of the shed. The loco is still sidelined with air compressor problems which were not attempted at the VoR. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on an digital camera.
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This westerly view (5/4/25) shows Merddin Emrys heading out of Porthmadog on the UK Railtours set which was due to pick up the excursion in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This westerly view (5/4/25) shows Russell running round at Porthmadog Harbour station after arriving with its ECS train of Heritage stock heading Beddgelert. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This northerly view (5/4/25) shows Russell climbing the 1 in 40 Nantmor Incline. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This westerly view (5/4/25) shows Russell propelling its train back into the yard after returning from the first trip to Beddgelert. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This easterly view (5/4/25) shows James Spooner and Lyd hauling the ECS to Caernarfon,entering the tramway over Britannia Bridge to pick up the UK Railtours excursion from there. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This northerly view (5/4/25) shows Russell propelling the ECS out of the station ready for the afternoon run to Beddgelert. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This easterly view (5/4/25) shows Russell hauling the afternoon working to Beddgelert crossing Pawb (Cambrian Crossing) Portmadog. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This southerly view (5/4/25) shows Harlech Castle hauling the water tank wagon and drench car into Beddgelert from dealing with the lineside fire at Summit Cutting. The clouds in the background are due to the fire! Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This easterly view (5/4/25) shows Russell watering at the heritage tank Beddgelert. As No.590 is sidelined with air brake issues some of us in our 70s are wondering whether we will live to see the historical tableaux replayed at Beddgelert as it was in Frontier days with Russell on its train from Dinas meeting the Baldwin from Porthmadog! Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This easterly view (5/4/25) shows Russell on the return working of the afternoon train to Beddgelert crossing Bryn-y-felin bridge. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This northerly view (5/4/25) shows Russell approaching Ynysfor level crossing with the returning afternoon train fromBeddgelert. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
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This easterly view (5/4/25) shows Russell taking the ECS back to Pen-y-Mount at the end of the day crossing Britannia Bridge. Click on the image to enlarge, This image is copyright James Waite and taken on a digital camera.
F&WHR 4/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Friday 4/4/25 was for an improving day of sunny periods with temperatures of 7-20C and sunset at 19:57. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 16-18C MAX by the end of next week but with some frosty mornings from next weekend. No passenger services were planned to be operated today though it did appear that Vale of Ffestiniog was shunting Boston Lodge at around 08:30.
At 11:33 Upnor Castle arrived at Tan-y-Bwlch from Minffordd with BZ2004 and FR Mess car No.1111. After lunch the PW team headed east at 12:10. At 14:51 Taliesin turned up with a short ECS consisting of 6 heritage bogie coaches on what was probably a steam test for the Woodland Wanderer/The Victorian. The loco ran round shortly after arriving and departed for the depot at 15:16.
This westerly image (4/4/25) shows Taliesin on a likely steam test running round at Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size if available. Image copyright F&WHR taken on a web camera.
There are no F&WHR trains on Saturday 5/4/25 as the line is being given over to the WHHR to run their Porthmadog Harbour-Beddgelert service with Russell. This will involve ECS trains from Pen-y-Mount Junction to Porthmadog Harbour, 5 coach heritage trains to Bedgelert in the morning and afternoon and ECS trains back from Harbour Station to Pen-y-Mount Junction at the end of the day. Any photos would be welcome for publication as your webmaster cannot be there this weekend. Trains depart Porthmadog Harbour at 11:25 and 15:00.
F&WHR 3/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Thursday 3/4/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 11-19C and sunset at 19:55. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 17-21C MAX by the end of next week but with some frosty mornings from next weekend. At 09:00 steam was being raised at Boston Lodge for the two departures today, the 10:05 The Harbourmaster and the 10:40 The Mountain Spirit.
F&WHR 2/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Wednesday 2/4/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 7-18C and sunset at 19:54. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 16-21C MAX by the end of next week but with some frosty mornings from next weekend.
No.143 was on the ECS today for the two The Aberglaslyn services. After arriving at 09:22, the loco ran round and removed 3 coaches from the rear and shunted them to the seawall siding. Matching the load to the nmber of passengers carried saves money on fuel but left the rake containing one lower profile heritage coach on this occasion. The loco returned light engine to the rake in the WHR platform at 10:05 in plenty of time for its 10:20 departure. The ECS for the Mountain Spirit arrived at about 10:15 behind Merddin Emrys. The Garratt departed at 10:20 on time and the Fairlie ran round at 10:30 ready for its 10:40 departure.Two coaches appeared reserved for passengers joining at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Upnor Castle hauled a cherry picker past Bryn Gloch caravan site towards Beddgelert today. Maybe there is still clearance work to be done from Storm Darragh. Click on Gary Spicer's Facebook video to watch.
F&WHR 1/4/25
The Met Office forecast for Tuesday 1/4/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 4-17C and sunset at 19:51. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 16-21C MAX by the end of next week but with some frosty mornings. First up today was the ECS for The Harbourmaster which arrived behind No.143 at 09:22. The ECS for the Mountain Spirit arrived at about 09:40 behind Merddin Emrys. The Fairlie ran round at 10:05 as the Garratt departed. No.130 arrived on the Snowdonia Star at 12:30. The loco uncoupled immediately and ran to the station yard to refuel and water. The Garratt returned to its short 5 coach train at 13:30 as Merddin Emrys passed through Tan-y-bwlch with the return working of the Mountain Spirit. The Garratt returned from Caernarfon at 16:25 but it initially appeared that the track ahead was blocked by Vale of Ffestiniog, presumably on PW duties at Pen Cob Junction. Whatever the problem was seemed to be resolved quickly and the ECS departed for the depot.
Easter at the F&WHR 18-21/4/25
There will be traditional Easter activities at the F&WHR with Lilla giving footplate rides at Caernarfon. Porthmadog Harbour Station will also have a small loco offering footplate rides. There will be family craft activities at Tan-y-bwlch and a religious service and hot cross buns at Blaenau Ffestiniog. For full details see F&WHR Easter.
F&WHR wins Best National Tourism Award for Wales 2025
Click on the advert to enlarge and click again to enlarge fully where available.
F&WHR 31/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Monday 31/3/25 was for a sunny day, temperatures of 7-17C and sunset at 19:50. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 16-19C MAX by the end of next week. Although no passsenger services were planned, steam was raised at Boston Lodge, possibly steam tests for Prince.
F&WHR 30/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Sunday 30/3/25 was for a sunny day, temperatures of 3-14C and sunset at 19:48. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 16-19C MAX by the end of next week. There was only one train scheduled out of Porthmadog today and one from Caernarfon, the 10:40 Mountain Spirit and the 11:30 Gelert Explorer.
Steam was being raised at Boston Lodge at 09:00 and the ECS eventually came over with James Spooner in charge at about 10:30. The train departed on time and found sunshine at Minffordd at 10:55. Boston Lodge seemed to be steaming a second loco at 11:15. The Fairlie arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 11:20, departing about 5 minutes later.
Linda and Merddin Emrys arrived in the FR platform at Harbour Station at 12:15 on a short 4 coach ECS passenger train consisting of 2 bowsiders and No.11. At 12:20 Linda was extracting the water tank wagon from the seawall siding. This wagon is sometimes stabled full of water at Tan-y-bwlch as a reservoir for fire fighting. Recent dry conditions saw a serious mountain fire above Blaenau Festiniog earlier in March. Linda shunted to the signalbox while the Fairlie coupled to the water tank wagon and shunted back onto the coaches in the FR platform, followed by Linda, apparently giving impromptu cab rides to the audience on the platform. The Mountain Spirit returned through Tan-y-bwlch at 13:18. At 13:30 the short rake departed with the water tank wagon double headed towards Minffordd where it passed the Mountain Spirit which later arrived in Porthmadog at 13:55.
No.130 was on the Caernarfon-Beddgelert service. See Luke Griffin's photos on Facebook.
The water tank train arrived at Tan-y-bwlch at 14:20. Linda shunted off the rake to the westbound platform. The Fairlie followed propelling the water tank wagon to Linda. Linda then propelled the water tank into the signalbox sidings. The Fairlie now coupled to the west end at of the rake. The short rake now had coach No.21 on the rear and two bowsiders (from Nos.17-20) in the middle. At 14:58 the Fairlie propelled the rake out to the east end of the station followed by Linda light engine. Linda returned to the westbound platform light engine at 15:17 while the Fairlie hauled the rake wrong line through the eastbound platform presumably after watering. The two locos coupled to the rake and departed for Boson Lodge at 15:37 passing Minffordd at 16:11. The train stopped at Pen Cob Juncton and reversed into the depot at 16:18.
Russell to Beddgelert vintage train tickets still available 5 and 12 April
Somewhat surprisingly with a week to go there are still tickets available for Russell's trip to Beddglert from Porthmadog Harbour Station on both 5/4/25 and 12/4/25. Click on the link to book tickets. Now Baldwin No.590 is back at the WHHR, the hope is that the loco will be posed at Beddgelert to recreate historical tableaux of the 'frontier' station operations of the FR lease period.
Click on the advert to enlarge. Advert copyright WHHR.
F&WHR 29/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Saturday 29/3/25 was for a morning of sunny periods with rain in the afternoon, temperatures of 6-11C and sunset at 18:46. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 11-20C MAX by the end of next week. Steam was being raised at Boston Lodge at 07:30 for the 10:05 to Caernarfon and the 10:40 to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Harlech Castle turned up at 07:45 on a two coach ECS presumably to strengthen the train if lots of passengers turned up unbooked. The loco ran round at 07:55 and at 08:03 the train, including two coaches and two loaded B wagons with coal, pulled out to the signalbox. This short Works Train departed by 09:00. No.143 arrived with the ECS for The Harbourmaster. This was followed by Merddin Emrys which arrived in the FR platform at 10:03 with the ECS Mountain Spirit. The Garratt departed at 10:08 and the Fairlie ran round at 10:11 and departed on time.
This easterly image (29/3/25)s shows No.143 on The Harbourmaster, the first train out of Porthmadog for the new season. Merddin Emrys is approaching the FR platform with the first Mountain Spirit of the season. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size if available. Image copyright F&WHR taken on a digital camera.
Up at Tan-y-bwlch Merddin Emrys arrived at 11:27 with the well loaded Mountain Spirit, passing a small loco and van which departed towards Minffordd at 11:30. The Snowdonia Star arrived at Porthmadog at about 12:30 with a suprisingly short 6 coach rake. The loco detached and ran to the yard leaving the rake in the platform. At 13:50 No.130 emerged from the yard and coupled up to The Snowdonia Star. Merddin Emrys arrived in the FR platform at 13:56 with its 10 coach Mountain Spirit as the rain set in. No.130 departed at 14:06. The Fairlie ran round at 14:15 and the ECS was returned to the depot departing at 14:18.
F&WHR 28/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Friday 28/3/25 was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 2-11C and sunset at 18:44. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 11-21C MAX by the end of next week. With the new season's rain service starting on Saturday final preparations were underway to prepare rolling stock. At 09:30 steam was being raised at Boston Lodge and it appeared that more than one loco was under test over the next hour.
Up at Tan-y-bwlch at 09:21 Harlech Castle arrived from Minffordd with the short PW rake consisting of BZ2004 and the FR Mess wagon No.1111. The train left towards Dduallt 2 minutes later. At 15:00 Merddin Emrys was shunting the yard and the FR platform at Porthmadog, light engine. At 15:04 Merddin Emrys drew James Spooner out of the FR platform and the pair shunted to the yard. Emerging at about 15:20, the pair departed the signalbox light engine at 15:27 and headed back to Boston Lodge.
Moving Pictures No105 28/3/25
Click on the YouTube to watch 24 minutes 54 seconds of video mostly covering the Coack Works progress. A new coach No.2050 has been started paid for by the WHRS for completion by Spring 2026. Glaslyn should be returned to the WHR by Easter with some alterations including a smaller Oberservation end compartment. Prince has been released for test with its new saddle tank. Video taken by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional 4K betamax camcorder.
The Snowdonian almost fully booked!
Advert copyright F&WHR.
If you enjoyed the sight and sound of the
F&WHR's latest locomotive in recent videos of NG15 No.134, and
want to be among the first passengers to travel behind it, there are a VERY
limited number of seats remaining on 'The Snowdonian' special in April -
the last ten seats on the train.
SATURDAY, 26/54/25:
Our annual opportunity for
you to savour 80 miles of travel over the entire length of the F&WHR in one day,
featuring a wide selection of F&WHR motive power:
▪
JAMES SPOONER and WELSH PONY on the FR
▪
Combinations of an NG/G16 with K1 and an NG/G16 with NG15
KALAHARI No.134 on the WHR.
▪ There will also be
cameo appearances from newly-repainted MERDDIN EMRYS and
PRINCE along the way.
▪ Light breakfast served in
Spooner's, Porthmadog.
▪ Buffet lunch at the Snowdonia Parc Brewpub at
Waunfawr.
▪ Tea and sweet treats on board the train in the afternoon.
▪
Refreshments available throughout the day.
SUNDAY, 27/4/25:
The F&WHR have arranged a number of inclusive tours of Boston Lodge in connection with
The Snowdonian- with travel by shuttle train across the Cob for an opportunity to
see the latest NLHF-funded developments around the site.
TICKETS
FIRST CLASS - SOLD OUT
Inclusive fare for STANDARD CLASS - £260 *
( A percentage of
the ticket price will go to the F&WHR's Sustainability Projects to ensure the future of
the F&WHR )
* An optional evening meal will be served in Spooner's on Friday
25/4/25, which must be booked in advance with your ticket(s)
ℹ For more
information and details of how to book your tickets, visit
https://www.festrail.co.uk/the-snowdonian-3/
Loco availability
Suprisingly little test running has been seen this year considering the new season begins tomorrrow!
NG15 No.134 may need to make a gauging run between Nantmor and Boston Lodge to prove it can use the whole WHR and depot facilities before The Snowdonian on 26/4/25. Timing load tests for the NG15 are also likely. Taliesin has been recently steam tested and may be available for lighter workings. Linda has also been seen on trains recently and is available for lighter workings.
On the WHHR, Russell is being readied for its farewell Easter tours and Baldwin No.590 was delivered back to Porthmadog from restitution at the VoR on 25/3/25.
F&WHR 27/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Thursday 27/3/25 was for an overcast day with showers, temperatures of 5-12C and sunset at 18:42. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 11-19C MAX by the end of next week. With the new season's rain service starting on Saturday final preparations must be underway to prepare rolling stock but there was little evidence of this at Boston Lodge. At 13:00 steam was being raised at Boston Lodge.
F&WHR 26/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Wednesday 26/3/25 was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 8-13C and sunset at 18:41. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 11-16C MAX by the middle of next week. At 08:00 the Porthmadog webcam seemed to have had an accident as it was pointed almost vertically downwards at the WHR loop point. The other two webcams were operating normally. The Porthmadog webcam was restored to its normal position by midday.
F&WHR 25/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Tuesday 25/3/25 was for an improving day with sunny periods in the afternoon with temperatures of 1-14C and sunset at 18:39. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 12-15C MAX by next week. Some steam tests were possible before the start of servics on Saturday but there was no sign of steam activity at Boston Lodge for a second day.
Criccieth Castle came across The Cob at about 11:30 light engine and was noted departing the WHR platform for Boston Lodge at 12:00 having returned from taking the WHHR's Baldwin No.590 from low loader delivery at Minffordd Yard to Pen-y-Mount Junction.
At about 12:30 Caernarfon Castle arrived in the WHR platform with a B wagon filled the PW mterials. The train departed for Boston Lodge at 12:30. At 12:55 it appeared that a physical inspecton of The Cob signals was taking place with Vale of Ffestiniog waiting with a train at Pen Cob Junction. The two Funkeys arrived in the WHR platform at about 13:00 with an 8 coach ECS containing an Observation car and the Romanian coach No.2060 and departed for Dinas a few minutes later.
No.590 returns to the WHHR 25/3/25
WHHR Baldwin No.590 was delivered to Minffordd Yard by low loader on 25/3/25 from the VoR. Criccieth Castle handled the transfer to Pen-y-Mount junction. See YouTube above.
No.134 Train Sim
Rob Brown has started producing a strong>No.134 add on for Train Sim: Here is a quick peak at a forthcoming loco for the FR & WHR route. It is still work in progress but I am hoping to release towards the end of Q2. A short video shows progress to date on the NG15 - Kalahari!!
You can take look at the video here :https://sprailways.co.uk/frwhr-video-ng15-kalahari/
F&WHR 24/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Monday 24/3/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 5-14C and sunset at 18:37. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 12-14C MAX by next week. There were a number of people wandering the platform looking for trains today which suggests the Easter Holidays had started earlier for some.
Baldwin No.590 emerges from VoR 24/3/25
On 24/3/25 Baldwin No.590 was noted emerging from the VoR workshops at Aberystwyth dragged by VoR depot pilot diesel No.10. The loco had been returned to the VoR several months ago for restitution following its failure with hot axle boxes prior to the WHR100 event. The VoR say they are returning it to the WHHR. Let us hope it arrives in time for it to appear in historical tableaux settings alongside Russell at Easter before Russell is withdrawn for its 10 year boiler overhaul! Click on the link to watch.
Preparations for new season
With the new season just days away on Saturday 29/3/25, various locos have been out on steam test and rakes have been prepared. On the FR, the Mountain Spirit (Porthmadog dep.10:40) will run to Blaenau Ffestiniog while on the WHR the Harbourmaster and Snowdonia Star will run from Porthmadog (Dep 10:15) and Caernarfon (dep 10:05) respectively.
Porthmadog booking office refurbishment
Porthmadog Booking Office will be closed 24-25/3/25 as refurbishment is completed. 'Out of Office Hours' visitors to Harbour Station over the Winter may well have wondered why there is a drab, grey container sitting in front of the building. In fact, this has been the temporary home of the Booking Office staff while work has taken place to expand and improve their old office. This work is nearing completion and has now reached the point where all their equipment and supplies needs to be transferred back into the main building. As a result, the Booking Office will be closed for two days while this move is completed. Phones and computers will also be offline during the setting up process, so please delay visits / calls etc. until later in the week.
F&WHR 23/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Sunday 23/3/25 was for a day of sunny periods with mist at times, temperatures of 5-13C and sunset at 18:35. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 15-12C MAX by next Saturday. No.134 and No.130 were outside the Running Shed at Dinas after another weekenend's work on No.134. The opportunity was not taken to extend its gauging test from Nantmor to Porthmadog. The opportunities to do such a test will reduce once the new season starts on Saturday.
The signalbox was manned today with the last of the three days of Works Shuttles being provided
over a long weekend in association with National Lottery Open Week. Steam was being
raised at Boston Lodge for the Works Shuttles. At 09:52 Taliesin arrived
in the FR platform with the two coach Works Shuttleand ran round at 09:58.
Departure came on time at 10:10 and the shuttle arrived at Boston Lodge Halt at
10:15.
The two coaches stored in the seawall siding had been removed by the
end of the day.
Linda 21/3/25
This image (21/3/25) shows Linda on the first day of Works Shuttles. On this day 11 years ago Linda became the first train to run non stop through the new layout at Porthmadog on Driving Experience between Tan-y-bwlch and Rhyd Ddu. Click on the image to enlarge and click again for full size. Image copyright F&WHR.
Clare Britton organises the Rail 200 event
The West Wales Chronicle has a feature explaining all the work that goes into organising a major event like this.
F&WHR 22/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Saturday 22/3/25 was for a day of sunny periods with showers later, temperatures of 7-18C and sunset at 18:33. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 12-15C MAX with the weather becomes more springlike now its officially Spring following the equinox on 20/3/25.
The signalbox was manned today with three days of Works Shuttles being provided over a long weekend in association with National Lottery Open Week (see below for full details of the free guided tours of Boston Lodge). Steam was being raised at Boston Lodge for the Works Shuttles, which returned at 12:17. A light engine Velinheli was shunting in the WHR platform at 12:25.
F&WHR 21/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Friday 21/3/25 was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 9-18C and sunset at 18:32. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 13-17C MAX with the weather becomes more springlike now its officially Spring following the equinox on 20/3/25. Occasional morning frosts are still possible.
The signalbox was manned today with three days of works shuttles being provided over a long weekend in association with National Lottery Open Week (see below for full details of the free guided tours of Boston Lodge). Steam was being raised at Boston Lodge for the Works Shuttles, the first of which which was due to depart at 10:10. The 2 coach shuttle departed from the FR platform at 10:12 (nominally a 10:10 departure). A steam loco hauling the shuttle was noted departing Boston Lodge at 09:35. Linda pulled into thew FR yard with two coaches at 09:40. Linda was shunting in the FR platform at 09:50 with the bowsider which was returned to the yardat 09:50. Further light engine movements saw the shuttle rake being formed up and reversed into the FR platform at 10:00 with Van No.10 on the rear. Departure came at 10:12. The train returned at 12:25 and prepared for the 14:00 trip.
F&WHR 20/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Thursday 20/3/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 9-19C and sunset at 18:30. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 12-20C MAX with the weather becomes more springlike but with a colder spell from next Sun3day and the return of morning frosts.
At 08:47 Harlech Castle emerged from Minffordd Yard with a wagon of PW materials and the FR Mess wagon No.1111. The train headed towards Tan-y-bwlch. Coaching stock was noted in the sea wall siding again during the morning, left from Monday's Grand Shunt and was still there at the end of the day and included one of the WHR Semi-Open coaches..
F&WHR 19/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Wednesday 19/3/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 8-14C and sunset at 18:28. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 12-20C MAX with the weather becomes more springlike but with a colder spell from next Sun3day and the return of morning frosts.
Coaching stock was noted in the sea wall siding again during the morning, left from Monday's Grand Shunt and was still there at the end of the day.
National Lottery Open Week - Free Tours of Boston Lodge
Click on the advert to enlarge.
The F&WHR are taking part in The National Lottery Open Week (Saturday, 15-23/3/25), to say a huge thanks to National Lottery players for their support of the Interpretation and Boston Lodge Project. To celebrate this occasion, this week the F&WHR will be offering a selection of free Guided Tours of Boston Lodge to visitors who bring a National Lottery ticket or scratch card with them. There will be morning and afternoon tours taking place at…
Friday, 21/3/25 @ 10:10 / 14:00
Saturday, 22/3/25 @ 10:10
Sunday, 23/3/25 @ 10:10 / 14:00
Scheduled shuttle trains will be provided from Porthmadog Harbour to Boston Lodge Halt and return.
Visit the F&WHR website to book your place: https://www.festrail.co.uk/free-tours-of-boston-lodge/
Another YouTube from the March Photocharter
Dan Sutcliffe from 50A RAIL hasa produced a video compilation in 4k of his experiences on the brighter days of the /photocharter. Click on the link to watch 25 minutes of video around Rhyd Ddu, the Aberglaslyn Pass and Traeth Mawr. Andrew Simmonds has also published some more still images of the day's Photocharter taken during the brighter weekend weather 5-6/3/25. Click on this link to view.
F&WHR 18/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Tuesday 18/3/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 3-14C and sunset at 18:26. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 12-18C MAX with the weather becomes more springlike but with a colder spell from next Saturday and the return of morning frosts.
Coaching stock was noted in the sea wall siding during the morning, left from yesterday's Grand Shunt and was still there at the end of the day.
F&WHR 17/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Monday 17/3/25 was for an improving day with sunny periods in the afternoon and temperatures of 2-10C and sunset at 18:24. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 12-18C MAX with mornings that could see frosts until next Monday when the weather becomes more springlike until next weekend.
Upnor Castle and its short clearance train had been left in the FR platform overnight, a previously unusual occurence, and was still present at 10:00 Monday. Meanwhile up at Tan-y-bwlch Harlech Castle arrived light engine at 09:42 from the west and 2 minutes later proceded towards Dduallt. Gravel was being spread to improve the eastern end of the car park. The loco then passed through the westbound platform slowly at 10:12.
At 11:00 Criccieth Castle was present in the WHR platform at Porthmadog with 13 bogies led by No.107. This appeared to be an ECS working possibly preparing rakes for the start of the new season in 12 days time. The presence of Upnor Castle and its PW train in the FR platfrom must have made the job harder. The diesel ran round at 11:19. Five ninutes later the diesel shunted the rear six coaches into the station sidings and at 11:45 shunted the rear two of these into another siding. A single coach was then shunted to the sea wall siding and drew out a single coach from those stored there on previous days. Four bogies were now shunted in the yard and three removed with the Romanian coach No.2060 on the rear.
F&WHR 16/3/25
The Met Office forecaaysst for Sunday 16/3/25 was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 4-12C and sunset at 18:23. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 11-18C MAX with mornings that could see frosts until next Monday when the weather becomes more springlike.
Upnor Castle and its short clearance train had been left in the WHR platform overnight, a previously unusual occurence, and volunteers arrived and started up the loco at 08:20. At 08:37 the train pulled up to the north end of the loop where it was noticed that the well wagon with chipper loaded had been attached on the rear. Departure, presumably for Beddgelert Forest, occurred at 08:40. The signalbox was staffed today so it appears that further train movements were planned.
At 13:06 Harlech Castle arrived at the west end of Tan-y-bwlch with a B wagon with the FR mess wagon No.1111. Two minutes later the loco started its run round and coupled up again at 13:15. After a lunch break the train departed towards Minffordd at 14:14.
Meanwhile at Porthmadog, Upnor Castle returned from Beddgelert Forest with the lineside clearance train at around 16:15 and then shunted into the FR platform and was shut down. It is possible the Grand Shunt might take place next week with all the coaches brought to the station and shunted into the rakes they will be used in next season.
Views from photocharter 7/3/25
Thanks to Max Birchenough for these shots from the Photocharter.
This image (7/3/25) shows K1 at Fridd Isaf curve Rhyd Ddu with the demonstration freight. Click on the image to enlarge and click again for full size. Image copyright Max Birchenough.
This image (7/3/25) shows No.134 at Fridd Isaf curve Rhyd Ddu with the demonstration freight. Click on the image to enlarge and click again for full size. Image copyright Max Birchenough.
F&WHR 15/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Saturday 15/3/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 2-11C and sunset at 18:21. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 12-16C MAX with mornings that could see frosts until next Monday when the weather become more springlike.
Any images from the recent photocharter would be gratefully received for publication with due credit given. None have been received as yet. From Monday the photocharters switched to the FR with action focussed at Dduallt. Palmerston hauled the 4 coach photographers' special with curlyu roof van on nthe rear. Hugh Napier hauled the skip rake (with Harlech Castle in support) which was posed on the loop and bridge and worked to Tan-y-grisiau later. See Stephen Mullen's Facebook images.
The Tan-y-bwlch webcam became live at about 03:33 today with rollback enabled. The Porthmadog and Minffordd webcams which became live yesterday unfortunately do not have the rollback function activated. At 13:00 Harlech Castle appeared at Tan-y-bwlch with a wagon and the FR Mess Car No.1111. After running round the short train returned towards Minffordd at 14:15.
Caernarfon Castle led Vale of Ffestiniog on an 11 coach ECS transfer stock move on 15/3/25 from Dinas to Boston Lodge. The rake included both open coaches and Pullman Car Bodisgallen, passing Bryn Goch at 12:53. See Garry Spicer's Facebook video. There appeared to be shunting in Porthmadog station yard at 15:30 which may have been the same rake. Upnor Castle appeared in the WHR platform at 16:55 with a 3 vehicle lineside clearance train with new tool van No.5008 and coach No.113 on the rear from the Beddgelert direction. The loco ran round at 17:03 and the train remained in the platform as staff went home.
F&WHR 14/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Friday 14/3/25 was for an overcast day with temperatures of 2-9C and sunset at 18:19. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 10-15C MAX with mornings that could see a frost until next Wednesday when the weather changes. The Snowdon massif had adusting of snow on Friday.
Any images from the photocharter would be gratefully received for publication with due credit given. None have been received as yet.
Webcam service was restored in the afternoon on 13/3/25 with both Harbour Station and Minffordd cameras back on line. Vale of Ffestiniog was noted in the WHR platform at 10:30 light engine. The Tan-y-bwlch webcam remains off line as it has since 6/12/24.
F&WHR 13/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Thursday 13/3/25 was for sunny periods with temperatures of 2-9C and sunset at 18:17. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 9-10C MAX with mornings that could see a frost until next week.
Any images from the photocharter would be gratefully received for publication with due credit given. None have been received as yet.
F&WHR 12/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Tuesday 12/3/25 was for a deteriorating day with temperatures of 1-9C and sunset at 18:15. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 9-10C MAX with mornings that could see a frost until next week.
Any images from the photocharter would be gratefully received for publication with due credit given. None have been received as yet.
No.134 gauged to Nantmor Halt 10/3/25
Following No.134's successful photocharters around Rhyd Ddu 7-9/3/25, the decision was taken to test the loco south of Rhyd Ddu. On the Monday the loco was driven at line speed to Rhyd Ddu to give plenty of time for gauging trials south of there. It was known that platform edges might be an issue with the cowcatchers and the antipersonnel grids (APG/ATG) triangular wood at level crossings might catch the drain cocks.
Click on the YouTube box to watch 27 mins 11 seconds of video featuring No.134's gauging run to Nantmor. Click on the YouTube to enlarge. This video was published on 12/3/25 and is copyright F&WHR. Video taken by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional 4K betamax camcorder.
The loco was eased through Pitt's Head bridge and across various level crossings past the devastation in the Beddgelert Forest. The opportunity was taken to fill the tank at Beddgelert before easing past the platform. A short length of less than a metre did catch the edge of the cowcatcher but when the loco reversed into the northbound platform no problems were found. At Beddgelert the 5 chime Chinese whistle was tried out and echoed around the hills like the haunting hoot of a US steam loco of old. No.134's whistle is extremely loud and will only be used on special occasions such as Rail200 where the loco is set to make an appearance in the The Cob Cavalcade.
Continuing through the very tight Goat Cutting and into Goat Tunnel the loco proceeded dead slow but encountered no problems. Further level crossings were passed with care before the three tunnels in the Aberglaslyn Pass, which presented no problems. Finally the loco arrived at Nantmor Halt where it was found to pass the platform with ease. Here a decision was taken to return to Dinas as the day was getting on.
Signalling Simulations
Colin Tucker advises: Just to let you know that you can download any of the current Windows versions of the Simulators for Porthmadog Signalbox, Rhiw Goch Signalbox and Cae Pawb Crossing panel from the links below. This version of the Rhiw Goch simulator includes Bell-code working to Minffordd/Tan-y-Bwlch, if you want to give it a try.
The Porthmadog Harbour Station simulator screen. Click to enlarge. Image courtesy Colin Tucker
The Rhiw Goch Loop simulator screen. Click to enlarge. Image courtesy Colin Tucker
The Cae Pawb simulator screen. Click to enlarge. Image courtesy Colin Tucker
Each zipfile needs to be unzipped before use and includes instructions (and some videos for Rhiw Goch). Android versions of the Porthmadog and Cae Pawb simulators are available on Google Play (search 'Porthmadog'). MacOS versions are a bit tricky at the moment, sorry. https://www.dropbox.com/.../j81hih8fvv.../PortSim_4_4.zip https://www.dropbox.com/.../h38pvvy.../Rhiw_Goch_v1_2.zip https://www.dropbox.com/.../r5whlybzf.../CaePawb_v1_1.zip
The authors hope to find somewhere for these files to live on F&WHR Sharepoint once the current IT upgrades are completed.
F&WHR 11/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Tuesday 11/3/25 was for misty day with temperatures of 2-9C and sunset at 18:14. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 9-10C MAX from Tuesday with mornings that could see a frost.
Any images from the photocharter would be gratefully received for publication with due credit given. None have been received as yet.
Photocharter Day 3 (9/3/25)
The photographers had better weather on Sunday with sunshine illuminating the Aberglaslyn Pass in the afternoon. Andrew Simmonds has posted several new images on Facebook and Part 3 of T Broyd's YouTube video has been published with a further 18 minutes of video in better weather than Friday.
After No.134 arrived light engine at Rhyd Ddu from Dinas there are some long sequences showing the trains near Pitt's Head and Fridd Isaf curves. The trains returned to Rhyd Ddu to water at lunchtime and in the afternoon headed for Bryn-y-felin and the Aberglaslyn Pass in sunshine while No.134 went home to Dinas light engine. There were some final scenes near the Afon Dylif bridge and Pen Cob Junction as K1 went home to Boston Lodge. There is also a second very short YouTube video showing Russell arriving at Porthmadog in the morning.
Click here to watch 1 minute of Russell arriving at Porthmadog Harbour with presumably the ECS from Pen-y-Mount. There is also some excellent footage taken of No.134 on freight by Lee Andrew Davies. Click here to watch almost 8 minutes of exclusive No.134 freight action taken in sunshine around Clogwyn-y-gwin on 8-9/3/24 and finally click here for 12 minutes of Russell.
Tickets still available for Russell's final trips in April
Click on the Russell advert to enlarge. Russell pictured heading south approaching the site of Hafod Garregog Halt. Advert courtesy Russell Pearn (WHHR).
Tickets still available for 5/4/25 and 12/4/2 trains to Beddgelert. Morning and afternoon trains operate each day, departs Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways harbour station along the Welsh Highland Railway route. Click here for tickets.
F&WHR 10/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Monday 10/3/25 was for a misty day with temperatures of 3-16C and sunset at 18:12. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 9-10C MAX from Tuesday with mornings that could see a frost.
Sunday was the third and final day of the Spring photocharter. Any images would be gratefully received for publication with due credit given.
F&WHR 9/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Sunday 9/3/25 was for sunny periods with temperatures of 9-18C and sunset at 18:10. The forecast suggests the weather will be returning to seasonal norms of 8-9C MAX from Tuesday.
Today was the third and final day of the photocharter. Any images would be gratefully received for publication with due credit given.
F&WHR 8/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Saturday 8/3/25 was for sunny periods with temperatures of 10-17C and sunset at 18:08. The forecast suggests the weather will become a little warmer in the week ahead with a Spring-like 19C MAX by Sunday before returning to seasonal norms of 8-9C MAX from Tuesday.
Today was the second day of the photocharter.
Photocharter Day 2 (8/3/25)
The photographers had better weather today. Andrew Simmonds posted several images on Facebook and Part 2 of T Broyd's YouTube video has been published with 22 minutes of video in better weather than Friday. Most of the stock came from Porthmadog with the exception of No.134 which arrived light engine at Rhyd Ddu from Dinas. There are some long sequences showing the trains between Glan-yr-afon, Clogwyn-y-gwyn Cliffs and Rhyd Ddu. The trains returned to Rhyd Ddu to water at lunchtime and in the afternoon headed for Bryn-y-felin and the Aberglaslyn Pass while No.134 went home to Dinas light engine. There were some final scenes near Pont Croesor and Britannia Bridge as Russell went home.
F&WHR 7/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Friday 7/3/25 was for an improving day, overcast at first but with sunny periods and showers later and temperatures of 10-15C and sunset at 18:06. The forecast suggests the weather will become a little warmer in the week ahead with a Spring-like 18C MAX by Sunday before returning to seasonal norms of 8-9C MAX by the midweek.
KS4415 progress 7/3/25
The KS4415 Team took another step towards finishing off the bodywork on 7/3/25. They ground the countersunk rivet heads flush and it was quite satisfying that they were virtually invisible once a coat of primer was put over them. See images on Facebook page.
Photocharters on WHR 7-9/3/25
A group of photographers has hired NG15 No.134, K1 and Russell for a series of photocharters on the WHR from 7-9/3/25 focussed on Rhyd Ddu and Aberglaslyn. The day started with Vale of Ffestiniog taking a 5 wagon freight to Rhyd Ddu with K1 inside. The freight was made up of two ex-SAR ballast wagons and three B wagons with the ex-SAR guard's van on the rear. Russell and its 4 car heritage rake had previously worked towards Dinas.
This image (7/3/25) shows No.134 at Rhyd Ddu along with Russell and Vale of Ffestiniog. There are two more days of photocharters booked. Click on the image to enlarge and click again for full size. Image copyright Paul Lewin (F&WHR).
The first run pasts included K1 on freight then No.134 on freight in the Fridd Isaf area. No.134 was noted slipping on one run on the damp rail but generally was impressive. Later K1 was noted in the Bryn-y-felin area before a final appearance at Pont Croesor. No.134 did not proceed past Rhyd Ddu as it has not been gauged for this area yet.
Click here for 15 minutes of YouTube video of the charter trains by T Broyd.
Moving Pictures No.104 7/3/25
Click on the YouTube box to watch 27 mins 52 seconds of video featuring Velinheli's footplate rides at Caernarfon and the model railway show at Half Term. There are also scnes with Welsh Pony, Criccieth Castle and Taliesin being tested. This video was published on 7/3/25 and is copyright F&WHR. Video taken by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional 4K betamax camcorder.
K1 at Porthmadog 6/3/25
K1 arrived in Porthmadog on the rear of a ballast train hauled by Criccieth Castle on 6/3/25.
This image (6/3/25) shows K1 at Harbour Station. There may be the chance for some steam tests over the next few days as it is booked to be used on The Snowdonian on 26/4/25. Click on the image to enlarge and click again for full size. Image copyright F&WHR.
F&WHR 6/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Thursday 6/3/25 was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 9-16C and sunset at 18:04. The forecast suggests the weather will become a little warmer in the week ahead with a Spring-like 14-17C MAX by Sunday and no frosts before crashing back again to 8C MAX by the middle of next week.
Deviation Day 21/6/25
FR Platinum Jubilee event will feature a Deviation Day on Saturday 21/6/25. Several trains will make their way to Dduallt, including a freight train and be parked in the siding. This will allow recreation of several historic tableaux. See Facebook video. Several trains will make their way to Dduallt, including a freight train and be parked in the siding. This will allow recreation of several historic tableaux. See Facebook video.
Sunday Cavalcade 22/6/25
The 200 Wheels on The Cob will feature all the FR locos arriving from Minffordd (in the order they wereoriginally restored) and the WHR locos (less diesels operating the service trains) from Boston Lodge. No.134 may pull C2 into Harbour Station if the NG15 can be gauged to Boston Lodge. See Facebook video.
Taliesin on test 5/3/25
Single Fairlie Taliesin was out on test on 5/3/25. It ran to Minffordd and shunted the yard before returning to Boston Lodge. The loco is still running without its brass dome until adjustments are complete.
This image (5/3/25) shows 1aliesin on test at Minffordd. Click on the image to enlarge and click again for full size. Image copyright F&WHR.
Boston Lodge Wagon turntable renewed
The FR Heritage Group had its Waggons Weekend last weekend and repaired the wagon turntable at Boston Lodge. This had been damaged by lorries drivinbg over it during the Interpretation Project Works. In order to prevent further damage it is intended to leave a slate wagon on the turntable in future.
F&WHR 5/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Wednesday 5/3/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 5-10C with sunset at 18:03. The forecast suggests the weather will become a little warmer in the week ahead with a Spring-like maximum of 15-16C MAX by Sunday and no frosts before crashing back again next week.
Log train rolls again 1/3/25
Nos.97302/37405 hauled the Aber-Chirk logs via Chester (reverse) on 1/3/25. The locations shown are as follows: Bow Street, Morben, Commins Coch, Talerddig (West) and Hencote. Click on this link to see 4 mins 30 seconds of YouTube video.
KS4415 report
The patterns the team sent off recently are back from the foundry and so the new castings for the cylinder liner seals are available as well as the engine governor deadweights. These need machining now and then the reassembly of the engine can continue at the next working party. The company did well considering the failure of these parts was only 2 months ago.
Alco Mountaineer Report March
Along with the slightly warmer and longer days
comes another weekend at Glan-y- Pwll. The superheater flues have been delivered
but only one pair of the 6 are for Mountaineer.
At Glan-y-Pwll the team set
about painting some of the smaller items that were sand blasted, all the large
items are still away at the moment.
Items from the store were also cleaned such as some of
the lubrication splitters and the two sand pipes.
As the team are taking part in
the 200 Event in June, it has been decided to give the
old water tanks one last outing, along with the cab. They will be painted in a
representation of the Mountaineer's previous liveries
which will be under wraps until the event. Further work continued on the rear pony truck
modifications and on how to mount the reverser to the new support frame going
either side of the firebox.
Sunday continued with the cleaning and painting.
Further development work was done towards the rear frame supports and the new
drag boxes, with the drawings already being produced in between the working
parties. Work on the ash
pan and the water tanks has now concluded with drawings now being produced ready
for production to possibly begin this summer. With the larger items expected back in April and the
strong possibility of the small boiler tubes arriving very soon are work is
ramping up already this year.
Finally the electric air compressor is working again
which will allow the team to use air tools if needed in the future and will
remove the need to hire a compressor to light up the locomotive rostered to haul
The Quarryman.
If you would like to support the project with
donations please find the appeal page on the
Ffestiniog Railway society
web site.
The group also has its own
webshop where they sell a selection of items for you to purchase to
support the project. 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.
F&WHR 4/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Tuesday 4/3/25 was for a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 6-9C with sunset at 18:01. The forecast suggests the weather will become a little warmer in the week ahead with a Spring-like maximum of 11-16C MAX by Sunday and no frosts. It looks like the snow on Snowdon summit has all gone (see webcam view as viewed from The Lodge Dinorwig 6 miles away to the NNW) and there is no sign of it being replenished.
Some of the F&WHR webcams have now been out of action for an unprecedented extended period of approaching 3 months though it is suggested they will return by the end of the month after an IT upgrade! The problem is that the small IT volunteer team has had to deal with many issues since Storm Darragh on 6/12/24 and the webcams are obviously not the highest priority.
This image (1/3/25) shows Vale of Ffestiniog in the sunshine at Harbour Station on a short works train for lineside clearance perhaps returning from the WHR in the late afternoon. Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright Dave Laister.
Vale of Ffestiniog was in the WHR platform at some stage over the weekend with tin cars Nos.112/113, the new green platform/stores vehicle No.5004 and the well wagon No.62 with the chipper for lineside clearance. It is pity the webcams were not working. in the seawall siding were B1835 and large water tank wagon No.64. Welsh Pony was noted shunting two B wagons and a DZ along with FR Mess Car No.1111 at Minffordd. Up at Glan-y-pwll crossing Simplex Dolgarrog (ex-Llyn Cowlyd Tramway) emerged from the depot and propelled FR Wagon No.97 towards Blaenau /Ffestiniog station with some volunteers. Later Welsh Pony was noted shunting B wagons in the coal sidings at the Harbour Station refuelling point.
This image (2/3/25) shows Welsh Pony at Harbour Station on a coal delivery from Minffordd Yard. Click on the image to enlarge. Image copyright Dave Laister.
SuperPower replacement
The F&WHR is planning an event on 13-14/9/25 to replace SuperPower. Details of the event will be published as soon as they are to hand.
F&WHR 3/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Sunday 2/3/25 was for a sunny day with temperatures of 2-10C with sunset at 17:59. The forecast suggests the weather will become a little warmer in the week ahead with a maximum of 9-15C MAX by Sunday and no frosts after last weekend. It looks like the snow on Snowdon summit has retreated to the very top 100m (see webcam view as viewed from The Lodge Dinorwig 6 miles away to the NNW) and there is no sign of it being replenished.
Some of the F&WHR webcams have now been out of action for an unprecedented extended period of approaching 3 months!
F&WHR 2/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Sunday 2/3/25 was for an overcast day with temperatures of 5-9C with sunset at 17:57. The forecast suggests the weather will become a little warmer in the week ahead with a maximum of 9-15C MAX by Thursday and no frosts after the weekend. It looks like the snow on Snowdon summit has retreated to the very top 100m (see webcam view as viewed from The Lodge Dinorwig 6 miles away to the NNW) and there is no sign of it being replenished.
Today was the final day of the free Model Railway Exhibition in Caernarfon Station and it is likely that Velinheli will be returning to Boston Lodge after it cab ride duties, possibly on Monday morning.
Welsh Pony was present at Porthmadog Harbour Station while the Boat Race was on. It had appeared with B1146 in grey undercoat and the FR's Mess wagon No.1111.
Original Mountaineer Project progress 2/3/25
Northern Heritage Engineering is working on reproducing an England engine from the Victorian era, with original parallel side tanks rather than the saddle tanks style fitted to the existing England Engines. They have recently completed the bottom end and images are available here. To make a PayPal donation click here.
Lein Amlwch Rhosgoch clearance
A working party on Lein Amlwch has cleared the pointwork for the Rhosgoch Siding at the north end of the line. The concrete sleepers were found to be in good condition. They also cleared flytipping from an adjacent overbridge.
Click this link for several photos showing progress.
The Rhosgoch site was the former tank farm for the Amlwch floating supertanker crude oil terminal. The tanks acted as a buffer store for oil which was then pumped to Stanlow along dual 1m diameter pipes along the River Wheeler Valley and via Mold from 1974 before the pipeline closed in 1990 following a change in oil deliveries to the Tranmere Terminal in the Mersey Estuary. The delivery of pipes by train to Rhyd-y-mwyn had been one of the last traffics on the stub of the Mold & Denbigh Jn. Railway in the late 1970s.
The tanks have since been demolished and the site transferred to the Amlwch Freeport project. As such it could again be used with new sidings laid down. If Wylfa B or any SMR project is authorised for the Wylfa site then building materials could be brought in by rail as the sidings are only a few kilometres across the fields by haul road from Wylfa. Previous proposals however suggested bringing in material by sea.
Lein Amlwch itself could develop a depot on the sidings at Rhosgoch though the sidings are a little out of the way at the north end of the line and have poor road access. The former yard at Amlwch has been developed so Rhosgoch is the nearest location to the end of the line where siding space is available.
F&WHR 1/3/25
The Met Office forecast for Porthmadog for Saturday 1/3/25 (St. David's Day) was for a day of sunny periods and showers and temperatures of 3-9C with sunset at 17:55. The forecast suggests the weather will become a little warmer in the week ahead with a maximum of 9-12C MAX and no frosts after the weekend. It looks like the snow on Snowdon summit has retreated to the top 100m (see webcam view as viewed from The Lodge Dinorwig 6 miles away to the NNW) and there is no sign of it being replenished.
The Tan-y-bwlch teashop will be open weekends from today though there are no passenger trains until the end of March.
Taliesin is back 1/3/25!
Here at F&WHR staff are looking
forwards to restarting the train services on the 29/3/25.
Staff are very busy making sure everything is ready for the new season,
including infrastructure work on the stations, hiring new staff and preparing
the steam engines!
Preparation of the locomotives has included annual boiler tests on several locos
at Boston Lodge workshops including Taliesin which has just been
reassembled after a heavy overhaul. It is all very exciting stuff and staff are
eagerly counting down the days to the new season!
This image (1/3/25) shows Taliesin in the sunshine at Boston Lodge. The brass dome will be replaced when steam testing is complete. Image courtesy F&WHR.
Trackwork Volunteering 2024
Volunteering is currently organised differently due to the Covid-19 outbreak. 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.
The programme for 2024 is fortnightly for the North Wales Track Gang in RED but details are still awaited for the ROWG in BLACK:
| January | 13-14/1/24 | ||||
| February | |||||
| March | |||||
| April | |||||
| May | |||||
| June | |||||
| July | |||||
| August | |||||
| September | |||||
| October | |||||
| November | |||||
| December |
Bank Holiday weekend
! Subject to confirmation when the Winter Major Works Programme is available
WW-Working week Saturday-Thursday
The Tuesday Gang expects to be operating most Tuesdays.
Arrangements may change so contact the working party organiser before you commit yourself to joining us just to make sure.
Contacts
If you intend to join one of the weekend or Tuesday gangs, please contact the appropriate organiser. If you are interested in weekday working or have any queries about track work volunteering, please contact Phil Nock.
Tuesday Gang:
North Wales Black Hand Gang (BHG): Dafydd Thomas Phone: 01248 681019 Email: dthomas@ffw
Rest of The World Gang (ROWG): Phil Nock Email: pnock@ffwhr.com
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.
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.
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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 websiteClick here for Official WHHR site
Click here for FR Company websites
Click here for Welsh Highland Heritage Group
V4.5192 updated 19/4/25