Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

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News (10/12/23)

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Star Picture

No.590 safely tucked away at Gelert's Farm depot WHHR after loaded test trains between the FR and Beddgelert. The loco will feature in a launch event this weekend at the WHHR and in the WHR100 event at the end of June. 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 (Updated 10/12/23)

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 25/11/23)

Prince Charles Visit July 2003 (updated 5/1/22)

Snow Scenes (updated 4/12/22)

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!

 

WHR timetables

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

Trains commence on Saturday 25/3/23 and continue until 31/10/23.

Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is courtesy the F&WHR. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

 

F&WHR events 2023

SuperPower will not return for 2023. Instead there will be a WHRSoc Members' Weekend in September to match the Society AGM. The major WHR event of the year will be the WHR 100 Event. WHRSoc Weekend in September 2022 was relatively poorly attended and the promised Baldwin did not turn up at Dinas due to mechanical problems leading some to describe the event, for which they had travelled a long distance, as a 'damp squib'. The event features trains on both the Saturday and Sunday. Let us hope that the Baldwin is made fit enough over Winter to reliably participate in the 2023 WHR 100 event or the September Members' Weekend. As last year, it seems the Snowdonian Limited has been dropped from the schedule and a Members' Weekend has been reinstated rather than a Members' Day for the WHRSoc AGM 16/9/23.

 

Date Event
25/3/23 First day of 2023 Season
22/4/23 The Snowdonian
29-30/4/23 'Friends of the Ffestiniog' events at Porthmadog (standard WHR service)
13-14/5/23 Caernarfon Food Fair (special connecting train may run)
20-21/5/23 Model Railway Workshop (Minffordd Gweithdy shuttles?)
9-10/6/23 Rail-Ale (Dinas with connecting shuttles)
23-25/6/23 WHR 100 (will feature Russell mostly Rhyd Ddu-Porthmadog)
19/7/23 Race the Train Dinas-Caernarfon
1/8/23-31/8/23 August Peak timetable with The Cwellyn running TWThO
5-12/8/23 Lilla and bug boxes at Welsh National Eisteddfod near Pwllheli
16-17/9/23 WHRS AGM and Members' Weekend will involve extra trains
23/9/23 Trailffest (special train following runners)
6-8/10/23 FR Bygones Weekend (may involve additional services on WHR)
8/10/23 Inaugural meeting of WHHG CIO Waunfawr Station
2/11/23 End of main season train services
24-26/11/23 Gwynedd artisans Gweithdy Minffordd shuttles from Porthmadog
1-3/12/23 Portmerion Xmas Food & Craft Fair Minffordd shuttles from Porthmadog
9-10/16-17/22-23/12/23 F&WHR Santa Specials Caernarfon-Rhyd Ddu/Santa's Grotto at Porthmadog
28/12/23-1/1/24 Festive trains on F&WHR, Christmas Cwellyn/Christmas Mountain Spirit

 

F&WHR events 2024

SuperPower will return for 2024 as a weekend event but not on the Friday even though the FR's Bygones Weekend will again be a three day event. This replaces the low key WHR Society Members' Weekend in September to match the Society AGM so appears to be aimed at the general public as well and might feature appearances by both No.590, the WHHR's Baldwin and Russell given the disappointment when No.590 failed just before the Centenary of the WHR event. The WHR Members' Weekend in September 2023 was relatively poorly attended but the F&WHR's promised Baldwin did turn up at Dinas for cab rides. As last year, it seems the Snowdonian Limited has been dropped from the schedule.

 

Date Event
1/1/24 Final Day of Festive Trains
23/3/24 First day of 2024 Season
19/4/24 The Snowdonian
4-5/5/24 'Friends of the Ffestiniog' events at Porthmadog (standard WHR service)
11/5/24 Caernarfon Food Fair (special connecting train may run)
18-19/5/24 Model Railway Workshop (Minffordd Gweithdy shuttles may run?)
7-8/6/24 Rail-Ale (Dinas with connecting shuttles)
14-15/9/24 SuperPower and WHRS AGM will involve extra trains
21/9/24 (tbc) Trailffest (special train following runners)
4-6/10/24 FR Bygones Weekend (may involve additional services on WHR)
7-8/14-15/21-22/12/24 F&WHR Santa Specials Caernarfon-Rhyd Ddu/Santa's Grotto at Porthmadog
26/12/24-1/1/25 Festive trains on F&WHR

 

News Section

F&WHR 9/12/23

Sunday was forecast to be a stormy day at Porthmadog periods with rain at first and sunny periods in the afternoon and temperatures of 8C to 11C Storm Elin is passing Porthmadog with gusts of up to 53mph at Porthmadog in the late evening. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. No passenger trains were due to run today though a morning run of Linda propelling Lilla will see the Santa's Grotto in Porthmadog station on Sunday. Santa visits are available from 09:30 to 16:00 so the train was expected to arrive shortly before 09:30 ready for the first Santa visit and is expected to leave shortly after 16:30 after the final visit. On Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, twice a day and Gwynedd Council car parks around Caernarfon Station are free after 11:00.

The Porthmadog signaller arrived at 09:15 as a steam loco was seen leaving Boston Lodge to cross The Cob. Linda arrived propelling Lilla (not in steam) at 09:20 and Lilla was deposited in the FR platform where curly roofed Van No.1 was connected to the lighting and decorated as Santa's Grotto. At 09:53 Linda started shunting up and down the FR platform giving cab/tender rides. The ride was very popular and often operated at 10 minute intervals. Linda left at 16.25, a little earlier than expected.

 

This easterly view (10/12/23) shows LINDA decorated in Xmas style giving cab rides at Porthmadog. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

At 16:26 Linda dragged Lilla back to Boston Lodge to finish the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 9/12/23

Saturday was forecast to be a stormy overcast day at Porthmadog periods with temperatures of 7C to 11C as Storm Elin rolls across the UK. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. No passenger trains were due to run today though preparations for the Santa's Grotto in Porthmadog station on Saturday and Sunday were underway. Santa visits are available from 09:30 to 16:00 so the train was expected to arrive shortly before 09:30 ready for the first Santa visit and will leave shortly after 16:30 after the final visit. On Saturday and Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, twice a day. However, the Met Office has issued a storm warning as 70 mph winds are forecast to hit the coast from 11:00 Saturday and ease down slowly overnight into Sunday.

Linda arrived propelling Lilla (not in steam) at 09:29 and Lilla was deposited in the FR platform where curly roofed Van No.1 was connected to the lighting and decorated as Santa's Grotto. At 09:35 Linda shunted back to the signalbox and into the yard to prepare for cab/tender rides. The first ride started at 09:55 with Linda emerging from the sidings and shunting up and down the FR platform with a few decorations. The ride was very popular and often operated at 10 minute intervals. Linda left at 16.25, a little earlier than expected.

 

This easterly view (9/12/23) shows LINDA propelling LILLA, decorated in Xmas lights, arriving in Porthmadog ready for the Santa's Grotto display. LILLA was not in steam but LINDA offered cab rides throughout the day. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

Click on the Facebook link to see some video of Porthmadog station decorated for Christmas.

 

The stopblock at Tan-y-bwlch on the Down line was in place all day perhaps indicating the spoilt ballast removal had been completed. The PW train had been left on site at Whistling Curve all night it seemed. No works trains were noted today.

 

Free parking!

Gwynedd Council has made its car parks free between 9-26/12/23 after 11am. This includes the Llyn Bach car park where many park for the F&WHR.

 

Main Line trains 1-7/12/23

Class 150s are back on the Blaenau branch where they perform better than modern DMUs as regards wheel slip apparently. In fact TfW are putting back some of the December timetable improvements because of the large number of modern DMUs which are receiving tyre turning after wheel slip incidents.

Penmaenmawr stone traffic has resumed and on 1/12/23 No.70017 was noted on the Stoke on Trent working.

Passengers are getting annoyed about the overcrowding that results from Class150/197 substitutions for loco hauled trains and complaints are likely to the ORR/Rail Ombudsman about TfW operations.

Hunslet owned 08823 Gavlar is the Shotton Steelworks internal network hired in shunter and appears to be in a 'Ukraine' livery of blue and yellow.

The season of Rail Head Treatment Trains is well underway. On 7/12/23 North Wales Coast enthusiasts were treated to a triple header of orange HNR liveried 37405 on the front of NR's 97303 and 56051 and 56113 on the rear! The Class 97 is present for the ERTMS signalled Cambrian section of the RHTT's circuit of North Wales. Due to wheel damage caused by wheel-slip the proposed December service improvement between Chester and Liverpool via John Lennon Airport will not now occur until January.

The Aberystwyth log train does not appear to have run on 1-2/12/23 or on 8-9/12/23. There is a possibility that the service has been suspended due to the use of Class 97s on the RHTT runs on the Cambrian system.

Nos.33207/33029 hauled The Chester Christmas Crompton as 1Z33 Eastleigh - Chester with 47826 at the rear on 09/12/23. The train was routed via Severn Tunnel, The Marches Line and Wrexham and arrived on time! Return was via Crewe, Shrewsbury to regain the outbound route after a 3 hour stay in Chester.

 

Alternative Santas and Festive specials

The Llangollen Railway ran Santa Specials last weekend with Class 26 No.26010 (D5310) and a pannier tank steam loco S7754 top and tailing the train. The final run will be on 20/12/23. There will also be Mincepie Specials 28-30/12/23. See Llangollen website for full details/booking.

The Bala Lake Railway's Santa Specials on 9-10/12/23 are fully booked. They are not running Festive Specials over the Xmas-New Year period.

The Tal-y-llyn Railway has several special Xmas events between 12-23/12/23 but no Xmas-New Year trains. See Tal-y-llyn Railway for full detains and booking.

The Cambrian Heritage Railway at Oswestry is offering Santa Specials on its short line to Weston Wharf on 9-10/12/23, 16-17/12/23 and 23/12/23 but no Xmas-New Year Festive trains. See Cambrian Heritage Railways website for times and booking.

The Llanberis Lake Railway is closed until 11/2/24 but their 2024 timetable and events guide is up on their website.

The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway is offering 3 Santa Specials a day on 16-17/12/23 but no Xmas-New Year trains.

 

F&WHR 8/12/23

Friday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods and showers with temperatures of 9C to 10C. Snow had disappeared from The Rhinogs with the milder conditions. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. No passenger trains were due to run today though preparations for the Santa's Grotto in Porthmadog station on Saturday and Sunday will be underway and if not, early on Saturday morning. On Saturday and Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, twice a day. However, the Met Office has issued a storm warning as 70 mph winds are forecast to hit the coast on Saturday and ease down slowly overnight into Sunday.

The stopblock at Tan-y-bwlch on the Down line was in place all day perhaps indicating the spoilt ballast removal had been completed. The PW train had been left on site at Whistling Curve all night it seemed. At 08:37 Vale of Ffestiniog was noted propelling Mess Car No.1111 towards the relay site. The train returned at 15:25 and entered Minffordd yard.

 

Linda and Lilla Santa weekend 9-10/12/23

Hunslet locos LILLA and LINDA will be in Harbour Station this weekend.
LILLA will be draped in Christmas finery, at the front of Santa's Magical Christmas Carriage train (curly roofed Van No.1). The decorations mean the loco will not be in steam, but will look fantastic in photographs of your visit to the station to see Santa. Lilla visited the station on 29/11/23 when it was delivered from Dinas possibly to be decorated for the Santa Grotto event.
LINDA will be bustling up and down the station sidings, providing footplate rides to anyone who wants to join the driver and fireman on board the loco. There is lots of room and a couple of seats in the tender help to keep little ones safe as they enjoy the fun.
☕ Spooner's Café and the Gift shop are open as well (there is even hot mulled wine on sale on the platform), so you can have a great time while you are joining the Christmas celebrations in Harbour Station.
If you want to bring your family to see Santa, but have not booked a visit to the Grotto already, just ask at the Booking Office and staff will fit you in as soon as they can - there are spaces available 'on the day'!
----------------------------------------
ℹ Whenever possible, visits to see Santa should be booked in advance - please BOOK EARLY to avoid disappointment. Go to festrail.co.uk/christmas/ for further information (about ALL the F&WHR Christmas activities) and to book your tickets. Santa is available 09:30 to 16:20.

 

F&WHR 7/12/23

Thursday was forecast to be an overcast day of heavy rain clearing up in the late afternoon with temperatures of 9C to 11C. Snow had disappeared from The Rhinogs with the milder conditions. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. No passenger trains were due to run today. On Saturday and Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, twice a day. The stopblock at Tan-y-bwlch on the Down line has been in place all day.

At 09:16 Vale of Ffestiniog was noted propelling BZ1423 with fresh packs of plastic sleepers, a small FR 4 wheel wagon with spare wooden pallets, the PW container wagon and Mess car No.1111 towards the relay site. Steam was being raised at Boston Lodge at 10:15 and LINDA arrived light engine in the WHR platform at 10:25. At 10:30 the loco advanced onto the WHR and the loco returned at 12:37 hauling a B wagon, possibly from as far as Rhyd Ddu. The short works train departed across The Cob at 12:42 passing through Minffordd at speed at 12:50. The B wagon appeared to be filled with white plastic waste.

 

This easterly view (7/12/23) shows LINDA arriving in Porthmadog on a works train with a B wagon after a two hour visit to the WHR. The wagon appeared to be full of white plastic waste. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

Unusually, the works train reversed through the platform at 13:02 and then went forward wrong line into the loop at 13:03. At 13:08 LINDA reversed through the loop into Minffordd Yard with the wagon B1630. The loco emerged from the yard at 13:43 propelling an apparently dead Upnor Castle. The pair returned to Boston Lodge, departing Minffordd at 13:46.

 

This westerly view (7/12/23) shows LINDA reversing into the yard through Minffordd propelling a works train of a single B wagon from the WHR. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

At 15:34 the Funkey passed through Minffordd and entered the yard hauling just the Mess Car to close the day's activities.

 

YouTube of completion of Barmouth Bridge 6/12/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 2 minutes 17 seconds of video showing the completion of restoration of Barmouth Bridge. This video is courtesy construction company Griffiths. This video was published on 6/12/23. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome.

 

Volunteering on Winter Tasks

The F&WHR has enjoyed a busy year, welcoming thousands of visitors to ride on the trains through the majestic North Wales landscape. However, with the exception of Christmas & New Year trains, our passenger services have finished until the 23rd of March 2024. You may think this means a quiet and restful period of relaxation here on the railways, but it is quite the opposite!
✳ Instead, this signals the start of an extensive ‘Winter Works’ programme, where our Staff and Volunteers will work side by side to tackle an array of tasks - including the replacement of sleepers on the track bed, providing carriages with some much needed ‘TLC’ in the Carriage Works, organising material in our archives and much more.
✳The start of our 2024 season may seem far away, but - as always - it will arrive sooner than thought. Completing all of these winter tasks in time is a challenge that the railway can only manage with help from Volunteers.
✳There is a wide variety of reasons why Volunteers join us as part of the wider F&WHR family - a sense of belonging, community and wellbeing are among the most common. It is also a great opportunity to put your existing experience to good use or pick up some brand new skills! There is something special about being ‘Part of the Team’, working to get the railway we all love in tip-top shape for the start of a new season.
✳ If this sounds of interest, head over to the new Volunteers page on the F&WHR website, which details ‘What is going on and When’ this Winter: festrail.co.uk/volunteering
✳ Take a look and see which activities/dates suit you best, then email the F&WHR at: volunteer@ffwhr.com . The volunteer coordinator will then get back to you with further information about the choice(s) you have made.
✳ The Volunteers page will be updated on a regular basis so keep a look out for all the latest information.
✳ Let the vital ‘Winter Works’ commence!

 

F&WHR 6/12/23

Wednesday was forecast to be a day of light cloud with temperatures of 4C to 6C and rain in the evening. A little snow remained on The Rhinogs above 500m. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. No passenger trains were due to run today. Next Saturday and Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, twice a day. The stopblock at Tan-y-bwlch on the Down line has been removed this morning.

At 08:54 Vale of Ffestiniog was noted propelling a heavy PW train out of Minffordd consisting of BZ1423 and two others along with the Romanian ballast wagon all loaded with ballast. Mess car No.1111 was attached to the rear after an unusual overnight stay in the yard by the Funkey. At 09:44 a surprising movement occurred when Bill, the former Shotton Steelworks stockyard loco and now Dinas Loco Shed pilot, was observed on a coal transfer duty, preparing for the Santa season. This was probably the first time the loco had ventured up the FR after arriving at Boston Lodge on Sunday 3/12/23 on a stock transfer. The loco arrived at Minffordd wrong line from Porthmadog propelling slate wagons Nos.7/398/86 and hauling B1806 empty coal wagon. the train reversed into the yard at 09:50.

 

This westerly view (6/12/23) shows Bill arriving at Minffordd with mixed works train carrying coal. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

Bill emerged from Minffordd Yard at 13:49 with a long mixed freight consisting of a cable drum wagon No.191, five small 4 wheel wagons, some filled with pallets for fire lighting, Nos.90/85/94/92/97, four bogie wagons of which two were filled with coal, another small FR 4 wheel wagon and B1806 filled with coal. At 14:05 Bill departed Minffordd loop towards Boston Lodge. The stopblock was back at Tan-y-bwlch by 16:30.

 

F&WHR 5/12/23

Tuesday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 2C to 7C. A little snow remained on The Rhinogs above 600m. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. No passenger trains were due to run today. Next Saturday and Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, twice a day. The stopblock at Tan-y-bwlch on the Down line has been removed this morning.

At 07:37 Upnor Castle propelled BZ1423 loaded with plastic sleepers out of Minffordd yard with two small FR wagons, the PW container and the Mess Coach No.1111 towards the relay site. At 07:49 Upnor Castle  hauled the PW train from Minffordd loop towards Boston Lodge, possibly delivering material for tracklaying in the new Small Loco Shed. The train reappeared at 08:42 running east to the relay site. Upnor Castle returned light engine to Minffordd Yard passing through Minffordd at 10:23.

Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting at Pen Cob Junction at 13:10 and headed for Minffordd. The loco arrived light engine wrong line in the loop at 13:19 and reversed into the yard some 3 minutes later. Upnor Castle's return to the worksite was not noted but the loco must have gone up there about midday as it returned with the PW train to Minffordd Yard passing through Minffordd at 15:23 to close the day's activities. The stopblock was back in position on the Down line at Tan-y-bwlch at 16:30.

 

Baldwin No.608 news 3/12/23

The F&WHR's Baldwin No.608 was dragged out of the Carriage shed at Dinas to drain its tanks and boiler as a precaution against Winter weather on Sunday before being shunted back into the shed for safe-keeping.

 

Free Boston Lodge ‘Behind the Scenes: Capital Works’ Tours

▪ Ever wondered what goes on at the F&WHR's historic Boston Lodge workshops?
▪ Well wonder no more, as there are a series of ‘Behind the Scenes: Capital Works’ tours taking place over the coming months!
12 December 2023: 10:00
16 January 2024: 13:00
29 January 2024: 13:00
13 February 2024: 10:00
28 February 2024: 13:00
11 March 2024: 13:00
27 March 2024: 10:00
The F&WHR's experienced Heritage Project Manager will take visitors on a fascinating tour around Boston Lodge explaining progress to date on the restoration work of both listed and new buildings. It is an opportunity to find out more about how the site is being developed for the future whilst preserving the past.
▪ Here are some recent reviews of these tours:
“It was a great experience full of detail about the past, present, and future of this heritage site.”
“Loved the pictures to help visualise. The guide was brilliant”
“It was brilliant and very interesting”
“We really enjoyed it, the guide’s knowledge and delivery was terrific”
ℹ These tours are FREE, but must be booked.
If you want to join a 'Behind the Scenes: Capital Works' tour, please email James Kindberg jkindberg@ffwhr.com and specify which date you are interested in.

 

F&WHR 4/12/23

Monday was forecast to be an overcast day with temperatures of 4C to 6C. The snow on the Rhinogs has melted. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. No passenger trains were due to run today. Next Saturday and Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, twice a day. The stopblock at Tan-y-bwlch on the Down line has been removed.

At 08:49 Upnor Castle propelled BZ1423 loaded with plastic sleepers out of Minffordd yard with a small FR wagon, the PW container and the Mess Coach No.1111 towards the relay site. This was followed at 09:06 by Moel-yr-hydd propelling two small FR wagons and Van No.51 to the east. Upnor Castle led the PW train back into the yard at 16:01 but the blue diesel and its rake was not noted returning. The Tan-y-bwlch stop block was back on the Down line by the end of the afternoon.

 

Santa's Grotto at Porthmadog

Click on advert to enlarge. This advert is copyright F&WHR.

 

On 9-10, 16-17, 22-23/12/23 bring the family to see Santa in his spectacularly decorated Christmas Grotto in Harbour Station. Enjoy the festive decorations around the station - and have a footplate ride on a steam engine as well. Pre-COVID FR Santa Special trains ran to Beddgelert in 2017/18.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS
The F&WHR can help with your present list. The station shops are opening every day until further notice, offering a wide range of souvenirs, railway items, books and DVDs - which are also available 24/7, from the online shop @ festrail.co.uk/shop
SEASONAL SNOWDONIA SPECIALS *
Shrug off any Post-Christmas Blues with a scenic trip into Snowdonia. The Steam Trains will be running daily from 28th December to 1/1/24 inclusive.
▪ Ffestiniog Railway - Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog
▪ Welsh Highland Railway - Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu
Tickets are NOW ON SALE
* Tickets must be booked in advance - please BOOK EARLY to avoid disappointment. Go to festrail.co.uk/christmas/ for further information and to book your tickets.

 

F&WHR 3/12/23

Sunday was forecast to be a day of light cloud with temperatures of 3C to 5C. The Rhinogs have a dusting of snow above 300m. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. Eight Minffordd Shuttle trains were scheduled to operate on Sunday from Porthmadog to Minffordd (or vice versa!) between 10:00 and 16:00 in connection with the Portmerion Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair. Next Saturday and Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, running twice a day. There was no sign of any works trains on the FR today.

Blanche and Linda arrived at 09:42 again with a four coach ECS set for the Minffordd Shuttle taken from the Mountain Spirit set including the Observation Car Snowdonia. Blanche uncoupled and ran round leaving Linda on the rear to top and tail the shuttle. The train departed on time at 10:00 and arrived at Minffordd at 10:10. Departure came at 10:20 and the train was back at Porthmadog at 10:30 for the 11:00 departure which left on time. The train was back again at 11:30 for the 11:45 departure with the weather turning a little drizzly.

At 12:12 a diesel, surprisingly Bill, arrived in the WHR platform with coach No.102 as the Minffordd Shuttle approached across The Cob. The move may have been the first full transit of the WHR by Bill which is normally depot pilot at Dinas. The loco is alleged to have a high speed in top gear though its suspension may make the ride somewhat uncomfortable for the driver. The arrival caused difficulty for the signaller as the shuttle would normally occupy the WHR platform. Instead, the shuttle was directed into the FR platform. Bill then left with the coach at 12:18 for the Carriage Works and the shuttle departed on time. The shuttle was back again at 13:00 but this time in the WHR platform as normal.

 

This easterly view (3/12/23) shows LINDA arriving in Porthmadog on the Minffordd Shuttle but diverted into the FR platform because of transfer working from the WHR visible in the WHR platform with Bill taking coach 102 from Dinas to Boston Lodge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

The final shuttle run came at 16:00 arriving at Minffordd at 16:10 to collect those returning from the fair. The final departure from Minffordd came at 16:21 and the shuttle arrived at Porthmadog at about 16:30, disgorging a fair number of passengers. By 16:40 the ECS had departed to Boston Lodge to close the day's activities. There was still snow on the Rhinogs.

 

Barmouth Bridge reopens early 2/12/23

Barmouth Bridge was reopened on Saturday 2/12/23 with trains replacing the bustitution of recent months over the full length of the Cambrian coast line between Machynlleth and Pwllheli. The beams over the top of the bowstring girders that supported a temporary crane remain. Work continues to remove the temporary scaffolding around the legs of the support columns. Click on the link to watch the X/Twitter feed video of 158823 crossing the bridge on Saturday morning.

 

Still looking for elves!

As Santa’s visit draws near, the WHR Society still needs help to make sure the trains are in first class condition for him and the excited families soon to be passengers!
The railway is looking for anyone who can help prepare the trains between turns at Caernarfon on any of the following dates:
- Saturday 9/12/23
- Sunday 10/12/23
- Saturday 16/12/23
- Sunday 17/12/23
- Friday 22/12/23
- Saturday 23/12/23
No prior experience needed - brush and mop training can be provided! If you can help in any way on the dates above, please get in touch with Head Elf Jo Charles (email jcharles@crhe.uk)

 

F&WHR 2/12/23

Saturday was forecast to be a day with occasional wintry showers and temperatures of 2C to 4C. There had been a hard frost and snow/hail showers earlier leaving the Rhinogs and even platforms at Porthmadog at 09:00 with a dusting. Snow blocked the A470 Crimea Pass near Blaenau Ffestiniog, cutting the main North Wales-South Wales Trunk Road. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. Eight Minffordd Shuttle trains were scheduled to operate on Saturday and Sunday from Porthmadog to Minffordd (or vice versa!) between 10:00 and 16:00 in connection with the Portmerion Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair. Next Saturday and Sunday Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu starting twice a day. At 09:32 the new blue diesel Moel-yr-hydd was noted emerging from Minffordd Yard propelling a works train with two small FR wagons and brakevan No.51 towards the east. This loco is normally allocated for S&T works.

Blanche and Linda arrived at 09:42 with a four coach set for the Minffordd Shuttle from the Mountain Spirit set including the Observation Car. Blanche uncoupled and ran round leaving Linda on the rear to top and tail the shuttle. The train departed on time at 10:00 and arrived at Minffordd at 10:10. Departure came at 10:20 and the train was back at Porthmadog at 10:30 for the 11:00 departure which left on time. The train was back again at 11:30 for the 11:45 departure with the weather turning a little drizzly..

The shuttle kept to time and after lunch set off on its penultimate trip at 15:00. Meanwhile the Works Train passed through Minffordd at 15:11 returning to the yard with the loco having run round somewhere. The shuttle was back at 15:33 and ready for the final trip at 16:00 as dusk fell. the final train arrived back at 16:30 in the WHR platform with about 20 passengers. The train departed for Boston Lodge ECS at 16:34 to close the day's activities.

 

Santa sell out

The F&WHR Santa Specials have sold very well this year and are almost sold out weeks in advance with a few seats left on just one train!

 

Click on advert to enlarge. This advert is copyright F&WHR.

 

F&WHR 1/12/23

Friday was forecast to be a sunny day with temperatures of -1C to 4C and a hard frost initially. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. Eight shuttle trains were scheduled to operate on Friday from Porthmadog to Minffordd between 10:00 and 16:00 in connection with the Portmerion Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair. The service continues with the same 8 trains on Saturday and Sunday and Santa Special from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu starting twice a day next weekend. At 09:23 the new blue diesel Moel-yr-hydd was noted emerging from Minffordd Yard hauling a works train with brakevan No.51 on the rear towards the relay site.

 

This westerly view (1/12/23) shows Moel-y-hydd departing Minffordd with a works train. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

Blanche and Linda arrived at 09:46 with a four coach set for the Minffordd Shuttle from the Mountain Spirit set including the Observation Car. Blanche uncoupled and ran round leaving Linda on the rear to top and tail the shuttle. There were several passengers and the condensation in the freezing air made for good photographic opportunities! The train takes 10 minutes to get to Minffordd and departed at 10:30 allowing a second departure from Porthmadog at 11:00. This train returned after a 10 minute break and arrived back in Porthmadog at 11:30 for the 11:45 departure. The 13:31 departure had passengers sitting in the tender as did the 15:00, all departing in strong but chilly sunshine! The last train arrived at Minffordd at 16:09 and appeared very lightly loaded. the final return train departed Minffordd at 16:20.

Moel-yr-hydd worked through Minffordd onto the Mineral Line at 16:27 with the returning works train from the east to close the day's activities. The loco had run round the train possibility at Rhiw Goch loop. At Tan-y-bwlch the red stop block was back on the Down line.

 

Winter 2023-4

The 1/12/23 marks the start of Meteorological Winter and the weather has entered a cold snap with snow on the upper reaches of Snowdon and ice on the Afon Glaslyn. The cold crisp air caused much condensation today. Santa Trains start from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu next weekend twice a day.

 

This northerly view (1/12/23) shows BLANCHE and LINDA arrive at Porthmadog with the ECS for the Minffordd Shuttle. The cold crisp air led to much condensation. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

C2 taster video

A video has been published on YouTube showing a narrow gauge railway in Southern China that operates C2 type 0-8-0 locos on a 12 mile mountainous route similar to the F&WHR. The railway is called Jiayang Coal Railway although the coal mines it was originally built to serve are now closed and it now caters for local passengers and tourists. The railway operates four trains a day for school children to access school, locals to visit the markets and tourists. It has several intermediate stations on the steeply graded curvaceous route.

See BBC Report or the more detailed Chinese Railways report (with subtitles) which references the struggle to keep the railway open in the modern era. This YouTube published by Look at China 4 weeks ago.

 

F&WHR 30/11/23

Thursday was forecast to be a sunny day with temperatures of -2C to 4C. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. No passenger trains were scheduled to operate on Thursday though it was possible that Linda would be out on test having completed its steam on 28/11/23.At 08:25 Vale of Ffestiniog was noted emerging from Minffordd yard propelling the fully loaded Romanian Ballast wagon towards the relay site and hauling the Mess Car No.1111.

As midday approached steam was being raised at Boston Lodge. One loco made a trip across The Cob and back to the Carriage Shed at 12:15 while steam was raised on a second loco at Boston Lodge. Linda finally arrived in the WHR platform at Porthmadog station at about 12:30 light engine on test in strong sunshine. Linda returned across The Cob at 11:35. At 12:45 Linda set of Pen Cob Junction towards Minffordd and was noted stopped just before the station at 12:50 before arriving at 12:55 wrong line dragging blue diesel Moel-yr-hydd before reversing into the yard.

 

This westerly view (30/11/23) shows LINDA at Porthmadog light engine on test with the Premier Inn behind. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

This easterly view (30/11/23) shows LINDA arriving in Porthmadog light engine on test. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

This westerly view (30/11/23) shows Linda hauling recently acquired Moel-yr-hydd wrong line into Minffordd loop on a running in turn. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

Linda emerged from Minffordd yard at 13:09 and reversed towards Boston Lodge at 13:17. At 15:30 Linda was noted arriving back at Porthmadog light engine in the WHR platform before heading off on a running in turn towards Minffordd. Up at Tan-y-bwlch the red stop board was back up on the Down line and nothing was noted moving in the afternoon.

An unusual movement was noted at 15:35 with the Mess Car No.1111 was noted gravitating out of the Minffordd Loop and onto the Mineral Line. The loco that had propelled it down from Whistling Curve remained in the loop. Linda arrived at Minffordd home signal at 15:43 while Vale of Ffestiniog emerged from the loop at 15:46 and coupled up to it. The pair then reversed at 15:50 back towards Boston Lodge. The pair came to a stop at Pen Cob Junction at 15:55 and reversed into the depot to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 29/11/23

Wednesday was forecast to be a day with a sunny morning but rain later and temperatures of 2-7C. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. No passenger trains were scheduled to operate on Wednesday.

The KMX tamper liner headed up the line from Minffordd Yard, passing through Minffordd at 08:51. Lilla and Upnor Castle were noted in the WHR platform at 11:15. At 11:22 the light engines shunted past the king point and reversed into the FR platform at 11:30. At 12:18 the diesel ran back along the FR platform light engine leaving Lilla behind and a few minutes later headed to Boston Lodge. At 13:15 the KMX passed through Minffordd returning to the yard.

Upnor Castle arrived back in the FR platform at 15:20. The loco coupled up to Lilla and at 15:27 the pair were stopped near the signalbox. The two light engines departed at 15:35 for Boston Lodge. The final movement came at 16:02 when the KMX departed Minffordd towards Boston Lodge to close the day's activities.

 

Linda and Lilla update

Paul Lewin (General Manager) advises: LINDA and LILLA both passed their steam test on Tuesday 28/11/23. However, LINDA still needs various adjustments completing and post-overhaul running-in to take place.
LINDA may be out on the line on Thursday to build up some running mileage. It may also make an appearance on the rear of Minffordd shuttle trains this weekend. There is also a possibility that the loco could also be used for footplate rides on one or more of the Santa Grotto dates in December.
During LINDA's overhaul, the tender was rebuilt with new steel plate inserts and so has been repainted. As a result the paintwork on the loco itself now looks rather shabby by comparison, so plans are in place to repaint it over the Xmas/New Year period. In light of all the above, LINDA will not make its official return to traffic until sometime in the Spring - although the date and details for this have yet to be finalised.

 

F&WHR 28/11/23

Tuesday was forecast to be a day of sunny morning with rain later and temperatures of 2-7C. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. No passenger trains were scheduled to operate on Tuesday.

At 08:13 Vale of Ffestiniog arrived wrong line at Minffordd from Boston Lodge propelling a part loaded BZ wagon and two minutes later it reversed into the yard. A heavy ballast train was propelled out of the yard at 08:54 requiring two locos. Five minutes later Upnor Castle and the Funkey hauled the Romanian ballast wagon and two BZ wagons loaded with ballast from Minffordd loop towards Boston Lodge. At 09:35 the Funkey propelled the three wagons through Minffordd for the Whistling Curve relay site having left Upnor Castle at Boston Lodge. Steam was being raised for two locos at Boston Lodge at 11:30.

At 11:26 the Funkey re-entered Minffordd Yard from the east with the empty Romanian ballast wagon and at 12:00 emerged propelling a full Romanian ballast wagon towards Tan-y-bwlch.

 

This westerly view (28/11/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog propelling the fully loaded Romanian ballast wagon towards Whistling Curve departing Minffordd Yard at 12:00. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

The Funkey arrived back at Minffordd at 15:22 with the empty ballast wagon but left the BZs at the relay site.

 

More about Portmerion Food and Craft Fair 1-3/12/23

Blanche and Hugh Napier will again be providing the top and tail shuttle haulage. Leave your car in Porthmadog and catch the F&WHR shuttle train running between Harbour Station and Minffordd, allowing you to combine a trip on the train with a visit to Portmeirion* - although, if you prefer, you can just come along for the train ride!
Shuttle tickets will be £2.00 for adults and free for children.
* Entry to the Food & Craft Fair not included.
Note: Portmeirion Village is a 1¼ mile (2km) walk from Minffordd Station.
TRAIN TIMES:
▪ from Harbour Station 10:00, 11:00, 11:45 12:30, 13:30, 14:15, 15:00, 16:00.
▪ from Minffordd Station 10:20, 11:20, 12:05 12:50, 13:50, 14:35, 15:20, 16:20.

and don’t forget - Harbour Station Gift Shop will also be open and you can combine your seasonal shopping fun with a tasty treat and drinks from Spooner’s Café-Bar!
Of course, if you don't want to catch the train in Porthmadog, you can always take a trip from Minffordd to Porthmadog and return. There is limited parking at Minffordd Station, but there is plenty of kerbside parking available on the nearby Business Park!
ℹ More information on ALL of our Christmas activities @ festrail.co.uk/Christmas.

 

F&WHR 27/11/23

Monday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods and showers with temperatures of 4-10C. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. No passenger trains were scheduled to operate on Monday.

Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd Yard at 09:09 propelling BZ1423 and another, filled with topping ballast. The loco was hauling the Mess Car No.1111. Harlech Castle remained shut down at Tan-y-bwlch in the Up platform at 09:30 but was working by midday. With work nearing a conclusion on the Whistling Curve relay the KMX tamper arrived in the WHR platform at Porthmadog by 11:30.

 

This easterly view (27/11/23) shows the KMX tamper liner arriving in Porthmadog from the Dinas direction. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

The KMX departed at about 11:45 heading for Minffordd where it arrived wrong line at 11:59. The KMX then reversed into the yard at 12:03.

 

This westerly view (27/11/23) shows the KMX tamper liner arriving at Minffordd propelling its tool trolley. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

At 15:03 Upnor Castle reversed through Minffordd into the yard propelling the Mess car and dragging one empty BZ wagon. Steam was being raised at 15:15 at Boston Lodge but there was no further movement so it was probably  Linda and Lilla which passed their steam test today.

 

Portmerion Christmas Food & Craft Fair 1-3/12/23

This event takes place next weekend from Friday to Sunday within the Portmerion Village, with a free bus from outside The Australia pub in Porthmadog/Minffordd Station to Portmerion. As well as the Food & Craft Fair Portmerion is offering entertainment and the usual cafes will be open for residents and visitors. Entry is free to residents booking meals or accommodation.

The F&WHR is providing an intensive service of 8 trains a day from Porthmadog with departures between 10:00 and 16:00 on all three days. This event seems to be much larger than the event at the Gweithdy at Minffordd last weekend. See Portmerion website for full details. Full details of F&WHR train services can be found here with tickets priced at £2 and children free. The Llyn Bach car park will be complimentary for the weekend and visitors are encouraged to use this facility as parking at Portmerion will be very limited.

 

Winter comes early?

The Met Office is forecasting a cold snap this week in North Wales with wintery showers and a possibility of snow on the mountains towards the end of the week. Last year there was snow during one weekend of the Santa Specials but none over the Xmas Holiday trains period from 28/12-1/1/23. Shuttle trains will be running next Friday-Sunday between Porthmadog and Minffordd in connection with another Xmas Fair at the Gweithdy Minffordd but snow at sea level is quite rare at Porthmadog.

 

This easterly view (10/12/17) shows the Caernarfon-Rhyd Ddu Santa Special rounding Ffridd Isaf curve in snowy conditions. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to see full size (where available). This image is copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

 

WHR lineside clearance 26/11/23

This southerly view (26/11/23) shows Caernarfon Castle on a lineside clearance train just south of the Glan-yr-afon Viaduct. The General Manager accompanied the volunteers to cut the trackside bushes back. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to see full size (where available). This image is copyright WHR Society and was taken on a digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

 

Work focussed on a section of the line between Snowdon Ranger and Rhyd Ddu with some of the most spectacular views on the railway. By clearing the lineside, this makes sure that branches do not scratch and damage the F&WHR's unique fleet of engines and carriages, and opens up the views so passengers can admire the incredible scenery they travel to see.
What better persuasion to volunteer and join a working party than breathtaking views like these? Everyone is welcome to join and help the F&WHR keep the dream alive - no previous experience is necessary!
The next lineside working party with the General Manager takes place on the 13-14/1/24. Anyone interested in joining is encouraged to get in touch with the WHR Society or the GM directly.

 

F&WHR 26/11/23

Sunday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 8C all day with drizzle at times. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. Minffordd shuttles were due Sunday from 10:00 until 15:00 in association with the Gwynedd Artisans Xmas Fair at the Minffordd Gweithdy. No PW trains were noted today and Harlech Castle remained shut down at Tan-y-bwlch in the Up platform.

The Minffordd shuttle turned up at 09:44. After the usual shunt, Blanche was placed at the front and several people on the platform took advantage of sitting in the Observation Car at no extra cost. The train departed at 10:00 as booked and arrived at Minffordd at 10:10. The train was back at 10:41 with one gentleman receiving a footplate ride. The train departed at 11:00 with three on Hugh Napier's footplate again. The train left again at 12:00 and 13:00 with good loadings. At 12:40 Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd Yard light engine and 3 minutes later reversed towards Boston Lodge.

The shuttle train ran again at 14:00 and 15:00. Whilst in the Down platform at Minffordd the train was passed by Upnor Castle which propelled a restored heritage 2 ton coal wagon wrong line into the loop. The final shuttle departure from Minffordd was delayed until 15:35 as a result and arrived at Porthmadog at 15:45. Upnor Castle hauled the wagon into Minffordd yard at 15:36. For the next several minutes the webcams recorded two youths in hoodies repeatedly running across the road and placing items in the eastbound carriageway and causing vehicles to brake and swerve. Eventually they caught the bus to Porthmadog. The shuttle train was disposed to the depot at about 16:00 to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 25/11/23

Saturday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 4-6C with a week long cold snap forecast. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. Steam was being raised at Boston Lodge at 09:00 for the Minffordd shuttles due today from 10:00 until 15:00 and Sunday too in association with the Gwynedd Artisans Xmas Fair at the Minffordd Gweithdy. The signaller opened the box at 09:15 ready for the ECS trains to arrive. No PW trains were noted today and Harlech Castle remained shut down at Tan-y-bwlch in the Up platform.

The shuttle arrived in the WHR platform at 09:40 with Hugh Napier and Blanche on the front hauling three coaches from the Mountain Spirit rake as yesterday with Observation CarNo.152 on the west end followed by Saloons Nos.103/124. The two locos uncoupled and repeated yesterday's shunting manoeuvres with a good crowd in attendance despite the chilly start. The train left on time at 10:00 and arrived at Minffordd 10:10. Return came at 10:30 and the train was back in Porthmadog at 10:40 at which time the webcam was noted being adjusted to give the original wider angle that shows the summit of the Rhinogs. The train made another round trip at 11:00 arriving back at 11:40 with a good number of passengers on the platform waiting for the service and departed again at 12:00. There were further return trips at 13:00 and 14:00 before the final trip departed at 15:00.

When the final working arrived back at 15:40, the locos shunted round and Blanche was on the rear for the return to Boston Lodge at 15:55 to close the day's activities.

 

Barmouth Bridge progress

With just a week or so left until the re-opening of the Barmouth Bridge the footpath is being fitted on projecting steel supports on the east side. The main bowstring girders have been jacked out to the proper structure gauge and the deck constructed with rails re-laid. The two small steel spans at the Toll House end were removed by 25/10/23 and replaced by 10/11/23. New track was subsequently laid around this curve with check rails. The blue overhead crane tracks on top of the bowstring bridge girders were removed during the week of 20-24 November. It is intended to reopen rail services on 4/12/23.

 

F&WHR 24/11/23

Friday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 0-9C. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. The signaller went on shift at 09:00 for the first time in a few weeks as there are Minffordd shuttles due Friday to Sunday in association with the Xmas Fair at the Minffordd Gweithdy.

At 08:39 Upnor Castle propelled the Mess Car No.1111 the PW train and BZ1423 with a good load of plastic sleepers out of Minffordd yard for the relay site.

Blanche and Hugh Napier were due to top and tail the shuttle set starting at midday, The shuttle arrived in the WHR platform at 11:35 with Hugh Napier and Blanche on the front hauling three coaches from the Mountain Spirit rake with Observation Car No.152 on the rear followed by Saloons Nos.103/124. The two locos uncoupled and pulled into the Britannia Bridge approach and Blanche, which was inside, shunted to the front while Hugh Napier re-coupled to the rear.

 

This easterly view (24/11/23) shows Hugh Napier and Blanche arriving in Porthmadog with the Minffordd Shuttle in association with Gwynedd Artisans Christmas Fair at the Minffordd Gweithdy. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

This westerly view (24/11/23) shows Blanche crossing The Cob with Hugh Napier on the rear of the Minffordd Shuttle. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

This westerly view (24/11/23) shows Blanche arriving in Porthmadog with Hugh Napier on the rear of the Minffordd Shuttle arriving at Minffordd. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

The shuttle train arrived at Minffordd on time  at 12:10 and departed at 12:31, arriving back at Porthmadog in the WHR platform at 12:42. The train departed at 13:01 on the second of its four booked trips. The sun caught the shuttle on the third of its four trips departing Porthmadog at 14:00 and the final run came at 15:00.

At 15:22 the PW train returned through Minffordd and ran direct to the yard ahead of the 15:30 shuttle arrival.

The final shuttle arrived back at 15:40 in the WHR platform and the locos uncoupled and Blanche ran to coal and water while Hugh Napier ran round the train. By 15:55 Blanche was on the west end of the train and it was signalled to return to Boston Lodge led by Hugh Napier. The train departed at 15:57 to close the day's activities.

Up at Tan-y-bwlch Harlech Castle was shut down and parked by the Stop board on the Down platform by 16:00.

 

Main Line news 24/11/23

The stone train ran to Penmaenmawr on 24/11/23 with Colas No.70817 hauling the Land Recovery/Colas to Stoke on Trent.

The Conwy Valley rail service has seen delays and cancellations with the Class 197 DMUs suffering poor adhesion on the steeply graded section south of Betws-y-coed due to accumulated leaf mulch. At least one train had to be sent back because of wheel-slip near Pont-y-pant. Tried and trusted Class 150s have been substituted in recent days.

Llandudno Junction platform cafe has recently reopened under the name of Porters.

The FO Aberystwyth-Chirk Kronospan log train did not run on Friday 24/11/23.

 

F&WHR 23/11/23

Thursday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods and showers with temperatures of 8-13C. No public trains were booked to operate on Thursday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks.

Upnor Castle propelled the :PW train out of Minffordd Yard at 0853 with BZ1423 full of plastic sleepers. Harlech Castle propelled two empty DZ wagons from Tan-y-bwlch towards the Whistling Curve relay site to collect spend ballast at 12:17. Upnor Castle returned with a few sleepers spare passing through Minffordd at 15:30 to enter the yard to complete the day's activities.

 

Moving Pictures YouTube No.85 22/11/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 32 minutes 25 seconds of coverage of loco refurbishments at Boston Lodge during the Autumn. This video was published on 23/11/23. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

F&WHR 22/11/23

Wednesday was forecast to be an overcast day with some drizzle at times and temperatures of 11-12C. No public trains were booked to operate on Wednesday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. The WHR is looking quite rusty with no trains in recent weeks. Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting Boston Lodge shortly after 08:00.

Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd yard at 08:42 propelling Mess Car No.1111 towards the Whistling Curve relay site. The loco was back at 12:57 returning the Mess car and an empty BZ wagon to the yard for refilling with ballast. At 13:24 the loco reappeared propelling a BZ wagon of ballast out of the yard towards Tan-y-bwlch. At 15:43 Upnor Castle passed through Minffordd returning to the yard with the two empty BZ wagons used for ballast. Meanwhile, the DZ wagons were back in place on the Up line with the Stop board at Tan-y-bwlch.

 

Santa Trains booking fast

This advert (22/11/23) shows the current availability of places on the WHR Santa Trains from Caernarfon. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR.

 

This year's Santa Specials run from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu return twice a day on
9-10, 16-17 and 22-23 December. Seats are filling fast, with First Class 'GOLD' tickets having Sold Out already! At the present moment, there are seats available on five of the morning (10:00) Santa Trains - but only two of the afternoon (13:40) Santa Trains have any space remaining. However, please note, several of the Santa Trains have only a limited number of seats remaining - so please don't delay making a booking, as the trains could sell out quickly. Click on festrail.co.uk/christmas to book your tickets - and to find out further information on all F&WHR Christmas activities this festive season!

 

Special offers at Warley Model show this weekend

It is just a few days now until the fantastic Warley Model Railway Club & Exhibition takes place. If you are visiting the show, come along and see the F&WHR at Stand E74 for the latest news, views and some special offers on books and models.
-----------------------------------
HARBOUR STATION BUILDINGS:
from 'Scenecraft by Bachmann'
for 'OO' or 'OO9' scale layouts
▪ Booking Office - Red or Green versions £45.00 (£46.95 RRP)
▪ Main Hall - Red or Green versions £70.00 (£71.95 RRP)
▪ Gents & Office - Red or Green versions £45.00 (£46.95 RRP)
 

*Buildings Bundle’ of all three models: £150.00 (£165.85 RRP)
-----------------------------------
BOOKS:
▪ ‘Fairlie Locomotives of North Wales’ £15.00 (previously £17.50)
▪ ‘Garratts & Kalaharis of the Welsh Highland Railway’ £20.00 (previously £35.00)
▪ ‘Railway to Adventure’ £27.99 (previously £29.95)
▪ ‘The 40-Mile Railway’ £13.00 (previously £30.00)
▪ ‘Ffestiniog Finery’ £25.00 (previously £40.00)
▪ ‘I Tried to Run a Little Railway’ £30.00 (previously £45.00)
▪ ‘16mm Scale Guide Ffestiniog’ £4.00 (previously £5.00)

 

F&WHR 21/11/23

Tuesday was forecast to be an overcast day with some drizzle and temperatures of 9-12C. No public trains were booked to operate on Tuesday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. Despite the adverse weather of Monday it seems Visit Wales did manage to film some decent shots of the FR to use in their holiday promotional campaign for 2024.

Vale of Ffestiniog was busy shunting Boston Lodge loco shed at 08:45. At 08:43 Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd yard propelling the PW train with a BZ 1423 containing plastic sleepers and the Mess Car No.1111 on the rear. Up at Tan-y-bwlch the spoil wagons were removed shortly after 09:00 with Harlech Castle in action. The spoil train was back at Tan-y-bwlch at 13:40.

 

This westerly view (21/11/23) shows Harlech Castle with DZ spoil wagons at Tan-y-bwlch. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

The PW train returned, arriving at Minffordd at 13:05 before working into the yard. At 13:56 Upnor Castle propelled two BZ wagons with ballast out of Minffordd Yard towards the Whistling Curve relay site. At 15:52 Upnor Castle passed Minffordd light engine and returned to the yard to bring the day's activities to a close.

 

Shuttle trains this weekend!

Blanche and Hugh Napier will top and tail the Porthmadog-Minffordd shuttle trains on Friday-Sunday 24-26/11/23 in association with Gwynedd Artisans' Christmas Fair at the Gweithdy Minffordd. Fares are £2 adults with children free with fares donated to the Wales Air ambulance Charitable Trust. The hourly service starts from midday Friday with four trains and from 10:00 Saturday and Sunday with six trains. Return services depart Minffordd on the half hour until 15:30 on all three days.

 

Shorter school holidays

WAG is continuing to promote shorter school summer holidays and it is possible the summer break will be reduced to 5 weeks this year. This may affect the summer timetables of heritage railways like the F&WHR but as the vast majority of holidaymakers come from England where most schools will continue with the 6 week summer holiday there is unlikely to be any noticeable change.

 

F&WHR 20/11/23

Monday was forecast to be an overcast day with some drizzle and temperatures of 9-12C. No public trains were booked to operate on Monday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway. Upnor Castle, now repaired, arrived at Minffordd light engine at 09:19 and reversed into the yard at 09:25. A film crew was present to record movements of new Fairlie JAMES SPOONER with a heritage rake even though the weather was poor for much of the day.

 

This easterly view (20/11/23) shows JAMES SPOONER with the Mountain Spirit headboard heritage rake on a special working for a film crew at Porthmadog in less than ideal weather! Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

JAMES SPOONER arrived in the WHR platform by 09:55 hauling a short 6 coach private train, with the headboard Mountain Spirit. This was to prove a soggy day for footplate staff without the cab roof fitted. The train consisted of the 4 wheeler Sentry Van, three heritage saloon coaches and another three 4 wheelers on the rear. The run round came at 10:00 while Blanche was removing two B wagons for coal from the yard. The coal train departed at 10:07 and was noted in Boston Lodge a few minutes later.

 

This westerly view (20/11/23) shows BLANCHE with B wagons collecting coal from Minffordd. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

At 10:16 Upnor Castle left Minffordd Yard with two ballast wagons for the Whistling Curve relay. Blanche arrived at Minffordd with the two coal wagons B1835/1834 for refilling at 10:33 wrong line and reversed into the yard at 10:36. At 11:03 JAMES SPOONER was in the FR platform with the loco still at the east end. The train was propelled back a little at 11:10 under the platform canopy. Vale of Ffestiniog was visible outside the shed at Boston Lodge. JAMES SPOONER eventually departed at 12:29, returning the rake to Boston Lodge before reversing back across The Cob.

Meanwhile at 12:18 Blanche propelled the B wagons, now loaded full of coal and with four slate wagons attached, Nos.396/256/412/86 (the middle two fitted with water tanks for weighting purposes), out of Minffordd Yard. The train was held in the loop until 12:42 because of all the filming of the Fairlie running back and forth across The Cob. Blanche presumably reversed its train into the depot from Pen Cob Junction at about 12:50.

JAMES SPOONER came to rest in the FR platform with its test train at 12:40 and at 12:58 the train set off again for Boston Lodge Curve while Blanche was shunting in the depot. At 13:06 the Fairlie film train reversed back to the FR platform before departing again at 13:23 for Minffordd where it arrived at 13:32. Here the train passed Upnor Castle and the two ballast wagons, returning from the day's relaying near Tan-y-bwlch. The diesel and wagons departed the loop for the yard at 13:41.

As soon as the film train was out of section Blanche set out from Boston Lodge with the two B wagons of coal, leaving the four slate wagons in the depot. The coal train arrived at Porthmadog coaling point at 13:41. Blanche ran round at 13:45 and propelled the wagons into the coaling stage before departed light engine for the depot at 13:51 in a rare blast of sunshine.

Up at Minffordd, the Fairlie ran round at 14:29 and departed for Porthmadog at 14:35. Further film trains may have run in the afternoon. JAMES SPOONER was back in the WHR platform with its film train by 16:00 and at 16:04 the train reversed across The Cob back to the depot in an unusual move to complete the day's activities.

 

Bodysgallen to return next year

Pullman Saloon coach No.2115 Bodysgallen is currently in the Carriage Works undergoing refurbishment with the aim of returning it to service next May after a long needed refurbishment.

 

Aberystwyth log train under threat

The Cambrian News reports that the Aberystwyth-Chirk Kronospan log train is under threat from environmental groups. The RSPB claim it is disturbing geese in the Dyfi Estuary area. Considering several passenger trains pass Ynyshir every day in both directions, the once a week log train cannot be that much of a disturbance to the geese. If the log train is permanently cancelled the considerable increase in HGV lorry movements of logs through the inadequate roads in Mid Wales would also be an environmental concern. See Translogistics News story. Click here to see videos of train.

 

F&WHR 19/11/23

Sunday was forecast to be an overcast day with some drizzle and temperatures of 8-12C. No public trains were booked to operate on Sunday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway.

Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd Yard at 08:52 and headed east to the relay site with the Young Rail Professionals propelling the cable drum wagon No.191 and hauling the Mess wagon No.1111 on the rear. Vale of Ffestiniog was shunting the depot at 13:00 before emerging at 13:37 and heading towards Minffordd light engine and passing through at 13:43, to assist the PW train as Upnor Castle's starter motor had failed. Up at Tan-y-bwlch nothing moved with the waste ballast wagons and Stop board still in place on the Down line.

The volunteers laid 4 km of lineside cable from Milestone Curve to Pen Cefn Crossing over the weekend  Funkey recovered the cable train from the worksite and hauled it into Minffordd Yard passing Minffordd at 14:25 with the cable drum now empty. Having dropped the Mess Car and cable wagon in the yard after a shunt, Upnor Castle was propelled out of the yard by Vale of Ffestiniog at 14:59 and 10 minutes later the Funkey departed Minffordd towing Upnor Castle back to Boston Lodge to complete the day's activities.

 

Aberystwyth logs cancelled again 17/11/23

The FO Aberystwyth-Chirk Kronospan log train did not run on Friday 17/11/23 and neither did it run on Saturday 18/11/23 which it often does if delayed. This service is becoming unreliable. This may be because of the Tywyn shuttle which started on 13/11/23 and has reduced paths through Machynlleth.

 

And now WAG proposes 'Buffer speed limits'!

Motorists coming to the F&WHR will notice 'buffer speed limits' on the approach to the new 20mph zones in some cases. In areas where 60 mph roads sharply reduce to 20mph sudden braking can cause dangerous conditions in heavy traffic. Already Llangollen has had a 40 mph 'buffer zone' added outside the 20mph zone to reduce this sudden braking. This action further extends journey times. WAG is looking to extend 40 mph buffer zones more generally on a case by case basis.

 

F&WHR 18/11/23

Saturday was forecast to be an overcast day with temperatures of 11-13C. No public trains were booked to operate on Saturday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway.

Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd yard at 09:07 propelling a cable drum car and hauling the Mess car with volunteers from Young Rail Professionals. The DZ wagons with spent ballast were still present at Tan-y-bwlch at midday Saturday. At 13:11 Upnor Castle propelled the Mess car No.1111 hauling a cable drum car No.191 with empty drum from the east through Minffordd into the yard. The train re-emerged propelling a new cable drum at 14:30. The train returned to the yard, passing Minffordd at 16:29, to close the day's activities.

 

Cambrian Coast Line news 17/11/23

Work on the Afon Dyfi rail bridge just west of Dyfi Junction has been proceeding in parallel with the Barmouth Bridge upgrade to make use of the same line closure. This is continuing to affect visitors to the F&WHR who come by rail. Work was completed in early November and bustitution ceased with a Tywyn-Machynlleth shuttle service from Monday 17/11/23. TfW has not been keen to run a shuttle service from Barmouth to Pwllheli as operated in previous closures and the Tywyn to Pwllheli route will remain bustituted until 4/12/23 when it is planned to re-open the whole line.

The 110m long Dyfi Viaduct is of a similar design to the Barmouth bridge and was constructed by the A&WC Railway in 1863 with timber trestles consisting of 18 pairs of wooden piles driven deep into the mud of the Dyfi estuary. An opening drawbridge section for coastal shipping was removed long ago. The rebuild has seen new GRP elements used in the construction with new waybeams and the donation of 90m of track to the Gwili Railway near Carmarthen, See NR report and video.

 

This westerly view (11/23) shows new track laid on the completed Dyfi Viaduct. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright NR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

Contrasting with the Dyfi Viaduct news, the A487 Dyfi Bridge Deviation at Machynlleth has suffered further delays and will not be open until Spring 2024. See A487 Dyfi Bridge report. In other bad news for local road users, which may also affect the Cambrian Coast Line, a landslide and cliff instability at Friog Rocks in mid November between Llwyngwril and Fairbourne has seen overnight road closures to reinstate the A493 roadside wall. NR engineers may need to examine the state of the line below the instability as this area has always been a concern, leading to fatal derailments in 1883 and 1933 and the building of an avalanche shelter in 1940 by the GWR.

Barmouth Bridge itself seems to be on track to be completed by 4/12/23 when the line will be reopened. Tracklaying is planned on Toll House Curve at the north end of the viaduct from 25/11/23-3/12/23.

 

F&WHR 17/11/23

Friday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 8-10C. No public trains were booked to operate on Friday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway.

Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd Yard at 08:43 propelling the PW train with BZ1423 loaded with plastic sleepers and Mess Car No.1111 on the rear, At 09:30 Harlech Castle was still stabled next to the Stop board at Tan-y-bwlch in association with PW work in the area but had moved by 10:15. Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting Boston Lodge at midday. Upnor Castle returned to Minffordd at 15:26 with the PW train and ran directly to the yard. The spoil wagons were back in the Up platform at Tan-y-bwlch with the Stop board erected by 16:15.

 

No Trespassing!

Trains will be few and far between at this time of year and the rails may look rusty, but you never know when one might come along, as Works trains do not run to a timetable and can appear at any time, so for your own safety - please keep off the railway. The next scheduled trains are the special Shuttle trains from Porthmadog to Minffordd running in conjunction with the Crefftwyr Gwynedd Artisans' 'Christmas Fair' - held in the Gweithdy at Minffordd Station next weekend on 24-26/11/23. See https://www.festrail.co.uk/gwynedd-artisans-craft-fair

Visit festrail.co.uk/trains for details of all the F&WHR seasonal activities.

 

This easterly view (16/11/23) shows signage erected along the railway (this one at Nantmor Halt) warning people not to trespass on the line as works trains still run at irregular times. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

F&WHR 16/11/23

Thursday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 6-10C but becoming cloudy with rain later. No public trains were booked to operate on Thursday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway.

Upnor Castle led two DZ wagons into Minffordd Yard from the east at 12:28 partially filled with ballast. Steam was noted being raised at Boston Lodge at 14:00. It seems a special train had been booked as a group of people on the platform waited for Blanche to arrive with the Mountain Spirit rake with Observation Car No.152 next to the loco at 14:50. The loco ran to the yard to fuel and water a minute later, completing its run round 20 minutes later. Harlech Castle arrived at Tan-y-bwlch from the west light engine at 15:09 and the driver erected the possession board on the Up line behind the loco and the loco was shut down as the staff and volunteers left. Blanche eventually departed with the special at 15:40 and took the train with guests to Boston Lodge where it shunted into the Carriage Shed. This may have been a tour for NLHF.

 

This easterly view (16/11/23) shows Blanche with the Mountain Spirit rake on a special working departing Porthmadog at 15:40. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

The train was back in Porthmadog by 17:05 and the loco ran round at 17:09, departing back to Boston Lodge at 17:15 to close the day's activities.

 

Shuttle trains to Minffordd Xmas Fair 24-26/11/23

The popular Crefftwyr Gwynedd Artisans’ Christmas Fair returns to the Gweithdy at Minffordd Station - with a wide range of locally made products and craft items on display and for sale. This is a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping started early, while ‘meeting the makers’ who have been busy creating their craft items.
Opening Times:
▪ Friday 24/11/23 - 12:00-19:00
▪ Saturday 25/11/23 / Sunday 26/11/23 - 10:00-16:00
Lots more information on the Group’s Facebook page.
Shuttle Train service:
There is limited parking at Minffordd so leave your car in Porthmadog and catch the F&WHR shuttle train running between Harbour Station and Minffordd, allowing you to combine a trip on the train with your visit to the craft fair - although, if you prefer, you can just come along for the train ride!
Shuttle tickets will be £2.00 for adults and free for children - with all ticket proceeds donated to the Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust.
Train Times:
▪Friday
- from Harbour Station 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
- from Minffordd Station 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30
▪Saturday and Sunday
- from Harbour Station 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
- from Minffordd Station 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30

Harbour Station Gift Shop will also be open and you can combine your seasonal shopping fun with a tasty treat and drinks from Spooner’s Café-Bar!
ℹ More information on ALL of the F&WHR Christmas activities @ festrail.co.uk/Christmas

 

F&WHR 15/11/23

Wednesday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 6-11C. No public trains were booked to operate on Wednesday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway.

At 09:40 staff erected signs blocking the line west of Minffordd. At 10:30 there was no PW train or line block visible at Tan-y-bwlch. At 12:13 there was shunting of 2 loaded wagons with spent ballast at the east end of Tan-y-bwlch. The rake was back with the empties including DZ1424 at 14:00 and Harlech Castle propelled them towards Whistling Curve at 14:05 to pick up spent ballast from the worksite. Vale of Ffestiniog emerged from Boston Lodge at about this time and made its way out onto The Cob before shunting back and forth four or five several times as far as the Trident Signal from 14:05-14:23, possibly some testing of the Funkey. The possession at Minffordd was removed at 15:00 and Upnor Castle passed through with a part filled DZ wagon for Boston Lodge at 15:11, propelling into the depot about 5 minutes later. At 15:33 the loco was back propelling a wagon now full of ballast into Minffordd loop wrong line and presumably forward to the Whistling Curve relay worksite. At 16:30 the track block was against in place at Tan-y-bwlch with no sign of the spoil wagons.

 

North Wales freight 15/11/23

After a considerable gap of several weeks with no freight on the North Wales Coast Main Line, No.70816 powered an empty stone train into Penmaenmawr loading sidings today for delivery to Stoke on Trent. This was the Land Recovery train with the infamous wagon labelled 'If Carlsberg did recycling' at the head of the rake!

 

F&WHR 14/11/23

Tuesday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 9-12C. No public trains were booked to operate on Tuesday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway.

At 09:12 Upnor Castle propelled a PW train out of Minffordd Yard with DZ1423 with plastic sleepers, a couple of small FR wagons with ballast, the PW containers and Mess Car No.1111 presumably heading to the Whistling Curve relay worksite. Meanwhile up at Tan-y-bwlch at 10:04, Harlech Castle passed wrong line light engine through the Up platform towards Whistling Curve, presumably on ballast duties. Upnor Castle returned to the yard light engine passing Minffordd at 10:55. At 11:07 the diesel re-emerged from Minffordd Yard hauling another DZ wagon of ballast which it ran round at 11:24 before heading for Boston Lodge at 11:29. This may have been in connection with the tracks leading into the Small Loco Shed. At 11:52 the diesel returned from Boston Lodge light engine and ran wrong line into Minffordd before reversing into the yard at 11:57. At 13:16 the loco re-emerged light engine from the yard, presumably after a lunch break, and headed towards Whistling Curve to the site of the PW works.

By 16:00 two DZ wagons loaded with ballast were in the Up platform again at Tan-y-bwlch with a stop board blocking the line towards the worksite at Whistling Curve. At 16:00 Upnor Castle passed through Minffordd returning from Whistling Curve with the PW train, now empty of sleepers, and entered the yard.

 

KS4415 report 8/11/23

Heritage shunter KS4415 was moved to Boston Lodge on 8/11/23 to allow volunteers to make progress under cover during the winter. Volunteers tested the diesel injector and there will hopefully be more of that in the coming months. Over at Grange Square Engineering (Birmingham) the fuel pumps and their component parts are being machined, which will all add to the pile of bits for when the engine returns. In Manchester the volunteer draughtsman has been measuring and drawing the engine's valve rocker parts, ready for some new bits to be made for that too.

 

Carriage Works report 13/11/23

WHR saloon No.2046, arrived in the workshop two weeks ago today, the first of the winter work program along with FR Carriage No.107. Today No.2046 left the paint shop complete, with carriage No.107 hopefully complete later this week. The next carriages in the workshop are, Observation Carriage No.150, in need of some internal refreshing as well as a revarnish to the exterior and new upholstery and carpet. Staff will be fitting a new sound dampening material to the floor prior to the new carpet being installed. New lighting strip has already been installed as the old 12v strips were starting to fail.

 

This easterly view (13/11/23) shows WHR saloon No.2046 ready to leave the Carriage Works and return to Dinas. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

Carriage No.108 has had new gutters fitted as the old ones were in poor condition. Unfortunately, as normal, staff have had to do more than expected and there is also rot in the bottom end roof ply and the end cover strip. This carriage will be in the paint shop in a couple of days with its place in the main workshop taken by carriage No.118, which was being washed today. This too has some gutter issues, hopefully not to the same extent as carriage No.108. If you like to get involved, please get in touch, the team particularly need people who can do basic woodworking and maintenance jobs to assist in getting the carriages ready for the painting team.

 

North Wales main line

The Aberystwyth logs ran again on Saturday 11/11/23 to Chirk Kronospan via Chester (reverse). 6C55, the 09:50 from Aberystwyth ran to time giving enthusiasts and photographers a daytime view of this late Friday afternoon working. Normally this is booked for a Friday but if there is any delay it gets pushed over to Saturday morning. The locos were No.97303 and 37405. The ballast, slate waste and occasional limestone traffic from North Wales seems to have withered recently with no movements for several weeks.

 

NG15 receives help from WHR Society

The WHR Society has just agreed payment of a further £44,151 covering materials and labour costs on the NG15 No.134 Kalahari project. As well as volunteers, F&WHR employed staff are working towards this locomotive entering service next year. This payment brings the total spent on Kalahari to £626,614 with maybe a further £50,000 or so to go.

This payment brings total contributions to the railway by the Society since it was established in 1994 to £2,541,101. Of that two and a half million almost £690k has been spent on locomotives, £485k on carriages, £407k on buildings (including Station View-the Dinas Volunteer Hostel), £440k on reconstruction of the railway and the rest on smaller items too numerous to describe.

The Society was also able to make an Emergency loan of £400k to the Company when the COVID pandemic struck just days before the 2020 season was due to commence. This are amazing figures and have only been achieved thanks to the generosity of our members. The WHRS is presently raising money to finish Kalahari. f you would like to contribute you can find out how to help here: Donations and legacies.

 

F&WHR 13/11/23

Monday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 11-13C. High winds and heavy rain were forecast on Monday as storm Debi hit and indeed waves were breaking and spray carried across The Cob at 09:00 with gusts in excess of 50 mph. No public trains were booked to operate on Monday. There may be PW trains, with the WMWP underway.

The first movement noted was Vale of Ffestiniog which was seen shunting Boston Lodge at 09:00. At 09:17 Upnor Castle emerged from Minffordd Yard propelling a DZ wagon full of ballast which headed towards the PW work at Whistling Curve near Tan-y-bwlch. By 10:00 the loaded PW wagons stabled at Tan-y-bwlch had gone.

 

Track laid in new Small Loco Shed

This easterly view (9/11/23) shows volunteers have completed tracklaying of the three new sidings inside the new Small Loco Shed. The shed is now fully enclosed with shutter doors and electric fittings appear to be complete. The rails remain to be concreted into place but the shed tracks 9-11 are 14,18 and 20m long with the two longer tracks able to take a Garratt and the longest two double Fairlies. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

Volunteers needed for WMWP

The F&WHR has produced a short video showing the kinds of activities that volunteers might experience on the Winter Major Works Programme. Click here to watch the Facebook video.

 

F&WHR 12/11/23

Sunday was forecast to be a day of showers and sunny periods with temperatures of 9-10C with a warning of high winds and heavy rain on Monday as storm Debi hits. No public trains were booked to operate on Sunday. There may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and, with the WMWP underway, PW trains were likely to run.

No change was noted at Tan-y-bwlch with the PW train still stabled in the platform all day. Unusually no train movements were noted. Line inspection trains may run on Monday as 55mph wind gusts are expected at 08:00 as Storm Debi passes with heavy overnight rain.

 

NLHF November 2023 Update 10/11/23

Click on the YouTube link to watch 9 minutes 1 second of video covering the latest progress with the restoration of Boston Lodge and the new small Loco Shed. This video was published on 10/11/23. It is best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. This video was produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

WMWP 9/11/23

This easterly view (9/11/23) shows the Winter Major Works Programme getting off to a good start after the Photocharters ceased. The trackbed at Whistling Curve just west of Tan-y-bwlch has been cleared ready for re-ballasting and relay. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera

 

F&WHR 11/11/23

Saturday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 5-10C. No public trains were booked to operate on Saturday. There may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and the WMWP is underway so PW trains were likely to run.

Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting Boston Lodge at 09:30 and arrived light engine at Minffordd at 09:34 before reversing into the yard at 09:37. The Funkey emerged hauling B wagon No.B1680 and ran round it at 10:00. At 10:06 the train headed for Porthmadog and at 10:20 it passed through the WHR platform hauling one B wagon towards Beddgelert. Meanwhile up at Tan-y-bwlch at 12:30 the Up line was blocked and two loaded DZ wagons including DZ1424 were stabled in the Up platform where they remained all day.

The Funkey returned to Minffordd at 16:28 and ran wrong line into the loop. At 16:32 the Funkey propelled the DZ wagon and the Romanian ballast wagon No.4023 back into Minffordd Yard. The light engine departed Minffordd at 16:41 for Boston Lodge to close the day's activities.

 

Four weeks to go until Santa Specials

There are just 4 weeks to go until the first weekend of operation of the WHR's Santa Specials from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu. Last year the train was even blessed with snow on some weekends, something that seems to happen with increasing rarity as global warming kicks in. The first Santa Specials run on Saturday 9/12/23 and continue until 23/12/23. There are morning and afternoon trains on each day of operation. The train is normally steam hauled but may be assisted by a diesel in adverse conditions. Bookings can be made by clicking here.

 

This northerly view (11/12/22) shows No.130 catching the sun as it double heads with Caernarfon Castle on the Santa Special. The train is emerging from Castell Cidwm cutting and heading towards Rhyd Ddu at 11:12 and was running a little late due to slipping in several places. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to enlarge to full size where available. This image is copyright Barrie Hughes and was taken on a Canon EOS 2000D digital camera. Image post processed and displayed at 96dpi.

 

F&WHR 10/11/23

Friday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 4-10C. No public trains were booked to operate on Friday but it was possible the F&WHR photocharters on the WHR were continuing from Dinas. There may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and the WMWP is underway so PW trains were likely to run. The Porthmadog webcam appears to have moved a little and now chops off the top of the Rhinogs and shows less of Spooner's slate roof. It appears to have been zoomed in a little as it also shows less of the Premier Inn road entrance which has not been substantially altered to improve difficult right turns despite recent work on the wall.

At 11:10 Upnor Castle propelled 2BZ wagons including BZ1423 out of Minffordd Yard and towards Tan-y-bwlch full of ballast. At 12:25 Upnor Castle reversed into Minffordd Yard light engine.

 

The Snowdonian 2024

The Snowdonian will be run on Saturday the 20/4/24. The F&WHR is hopeful that there will be some great combinations of motive power. The F&WHR has asked the WHHR if Russell can be involved as this will be the last chance before its 10 year overhaul. It is also likely to be one of the first special trains hauled by new double Fairlie No.8 JAMES SPOONER. It is also possible that Baldwin No.590 may have a cameo role too if it is repaired in time. Also Boston Lodge developments will be at an advanced stage so there will be plenty to see there in a Works Visit on Friday 19/4/24.

 

F&WHR 9/11/23

Thursday was forecast to be a day of showers and sunny periods with temperatures of 6-10C. No public trains were booked to operate on Thursday but there was probably a second day of F&WHR photocharters on the WHR. There may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and the WMWP may get underway so PW trains were likely to run after the photocharters have ceased. The Porthmadog webcam appears to have moved a little and now chops off the top of the Rhinogs and shows less of Spooner's slate roof. It appears to have been zoomed in a little as it also shows less of the Premier Inn road entrance which has not been substantially altered to improve difficult right turns despite recent work.

At 09:15 Vale of Ffestiniog shunted off Boston Lodge and arrived wrong line at Minffordd at 09:21 light engine in a downpour. The loco shunted into the yard at 09:24. The Funkey emerged at 09:58 with a long PW train consisting of the empty well wagon, 3 B wagons, the cherrypicker, crane wagon No.291 and Mess Car No.111. The Funkey ran round at 10:04 and departed towards Porthmadog at 10:25 in a downpour and onto the WHR. Meanwhile, up at Tan-y-bwlch, a rake of DZ wagons (including DZ 1424) were stabled in the Up platform at 13:00 loaded with ballast as part of the WMWP FR relay scheme. The Down platform was under a possession with a red stop board. The train departed to the worksite by 13:45. The train was back again fully loaded by 16:00.

There does not seem to have been a photocharter from Porthmadog today but there could have been one from Dinas. The Funkey was noted arriving back at Porthmadog light engine at 17:00 so it must have left its PW train at Hafod-y-llyn or Rhyd Ddu in the sidings at those locations. Four minutes later it departed light to Boston Lodge to close the day's activities even though the signalbox was still lit up as if waiting a later arrival!

 

WMWP gets underway

Pointwork was installed in the Carriage Shed run round to give access to Roads 10/11 of the Small Loco Shed. A right hand point then splits into the central and pit road siding in the new shed. It seems the left most siding of the shed Road 9 will be served by a point off the existing Garratt pit road siding.

 

This easterly view (10/23) shows two points laid to give access to sidings 10/11 of the new Small Loco Shed. The Garratt pit road on the extreme left is currently fenced off and it is planned to build a Garratt Shed in this space as a Garratt is normally outstabled at  Boston Lodge throughout the operating season. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image copyright F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera

 

SuperPower to return in 2024

After a few years missing SuperPower because of COVID the event is set to return in 2024 on 14-15/9/24 to coincide with the WHR Soc. AGM. It will only be for two days rather than starting on the Friday as it used to and Bygones FR event still does. This will replace the WHR Soc. Members Day/s of the last two years.

 

F&WHR 8/11/23

Wednesday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 7-12C. No public trains were booked to operate on Wednesday but there was a fourth day of F&WHR photocharters with the Porthmadog signalbox opening at 07:00 in damp conditions. Steam was being raised at Boston Lodge at this time. There may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and the WMWP may get underway so PW trains were likely to run after the photocharters have ceased. The Porthmadog webcam appears to have moved and now chops off the top of the Rhinogs and shows less of Spooner's slate roof. It appears to have been zoomed in a little as it also shows less of the Premier Inn road entrance.

At 07:29 a double headed Fairlie arrived in the WHR platform consisting of MERDDIN EMRYS and DAVID LLOYD GEORGE on a 7 coach rake. It seemed a WHR photocharter was planned for the day.

 

This easterly view (8/11/23) shows MERDDIN EMRYS and DAVID LLOYD GEORGE preparing to haul a photocharter on the WHR. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

The train departed at 08:01 with four 4-wheel coaches on the rear including the 'Zoo car' No.1 at the rear. At 08:34 Upnor Castle propelled a rake out of Minffordd Yard consisting of PW containers and Mess Car No.1111. The rake continued towards Tan-y-bwlch. Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting Boston Lodge at 09:40. Moelwyn arrived light engine at 09:50 to shunt Porthmadog Yard. At 10:02 the diesel extracted the demonstration slate train with Van No.6 and at 10:08 returned the rake to Minffordd Yard. The train arrived wrong line at 10:34 and was propelled into the yard at 10:41. At 11:33 Moelwyn propelled diesel shunter KS4415 out of Minffordd Yard. Seven minutes later Moelwyn left Minffordd with the heritage shunter and Van No.6 heading towards Porthmadog.

 

This westerly view (8/11/23) shows Moelwyn hauling KS4415 from Minffordd Yard to Boston Lodge. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a web camera.

 

Towards the end of the afternoon trains started returning to base. First back at 15:23 Upnor Castle hauled the Mess Car and PW train into Minffordd Yard. DLG put in an appearance light engine at 16:28 in the WHR platform and continued to Boston Lodge light engine four minutes later. Lastly MERDDIN EMRYS hauled the 9 coach rake back from the WHR photocharter into the WHR platform at 16:53 for the photographers to get off. The train continued to Boston Lodge 5 minutes later to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR amended opening hours

Now that our Autumn train services have come to an end, there are a number of changes to when the F&WHR will be 'open' during the next few weeks. So here is a summary....

CAFFI DE WINTON & 'Y STESION' (Caernarfon Station) Open Daily - 09:00-14:00

PORTHMADOG BOOKING OFFICE Monday-Friday - 10:00-16:00

HARBOUR STATION SHOP Open Daily - 10:00-16:00 Shop online @ festrail.co.uk/shop

TAN-Y-BWLCH TEA ROOM CLOSED

'Y CABAN', BLAENAU FFESTINIOG CLOSED

--------------------------------------------------

SPOONER'S hours remain unchanged at present - opening at 09:00 every day. See their Facebook page or website for further details.

Facebook - Spooner's

Website -www.spoonersporthmadog.co.uk

 

F&WHR 7/11/23

Tuesday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods with temperatures of 7-12C. No public trains were booked to operate on Tuesday but there was a third day of FR photocharters and they had some luck today with sunshine! There may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and the WMWP may get underway so PW trains were likely to run after the photocharters have ceased. The Porthmadog webcam appears to have moved and now chops off the top of the Rhinogs.

At 07:33 JAMES SPOONER passed Minffordd on the Victorian train for the photocharter event higher up the FR. The rake consisted of a 4 wheeler and two bogies from carriages Nos.18/19. The curly roofed van No.1 from the Victorian train was noted on the rear. This was followed at 07:45 by DAVID LLOYD GEORGE on the demonstration slate train with van No.6 on the rear. At 09:37 the third Fairlie MERDDIN EMRYS passed Minffordd with a 6 coach set consisting of four four-wheelers (No.8 Quarryman's coach, No.11 the Flying Bench, Nos.2/5, a original bogie No.15 and Van No.3, the 'sentry' brakevan.

At 11:08 a PW train emerged from Minffordd Yard consisting of Harlech Castle and three wagons DZ1424/1412/BZ1404, the later carrying W.H.Jones hired in tracked carrier, with Upnor Castle and the well wagon  carrying the W.H.Jones tracked excavator on the rear. At 12:29 Harlech Castle reversed into Tan-y-bwlch from Dduallt with the three empty BZ/DZ wagons, the others probably being left at Dduallt. It then led the rake into the siding, clearing the section for the photocharters.

At 13:50 all three photocharters were back at Tan-y-bwlch for lunch and it seemed the Fairlies had swopped duties. JAMES SPOONER was in the Up platform on the demonstration slate train but with the loco at the west end. MERDDIN EMRYS was in the Down platform by the signal box with rakes of four wheelers coupled back to back with the Victorian Train with DAVID LLOYD GEORGE. MERDDIN EMRYS detached and shunted to water at 13:54 and dropped into the Down platform behind the demonstration slate train where it stabled light engine. At 14:03 DAVID LLOYD GEORGE propelled the two rakes of carriages out of the station to the east after photographers had joined the train and reappeared in the Down platform at 14:22. The passenger rakes had split by 15:00 and DLG hauled the western half to the west end of the station. JAMES SPOONER departed with the demonstration slate train at about 15:05 and MERDDIN EMRYS shunted along the platform to the west end.

Trains returned earlier today with DLG passing through Minffordd at 15:23 with the Victorian rake. Perhaps photographers were able to complete their portfolios with the good weather and will move onto the WHR tomorrow? At 15:41 JAMES SPOONER passed through Minffordd with the demonstration slate train. DLG was running round in Harbour Station at 15:44 as JAMES SPOONER approached Pen Cob Junction.

 

This easterly view (7/11/23) shows JAMES SPOONER hauling the photocharter demonstration slate wagon rake into Porthmadog. This was an early finish for the photographers today. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

JAMES SPOONER arrived with the demonstration slate train at 15:52 in the yard at Harbour Station and DLG left with its ECS Victorian rake at 15:53. MERDDIN EMRYS passed Minffordd at 16:01 and appears to have reversed into the depot at about 16:10. After fuelling and watering JAMES SPOONER departed light engine at 16:17 for the depot to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 6/11/23

Monday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods and showers with temperatures of 8-11C. No public trains were booked to operate on Monday but there were movements in association with photocharters. There may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and the WMWP may get underway so PW trains were likely to run after the photocharters have ceased.

At 07:41 JAMES SPOONER passed Minffordd on the Victorian train for the photocharter event higher up the FR. The rake consisted of a 4 wheeler and two bogies from carriages Nos.18/19. The curly roofed van No.1 from the Victorian train was noted on the rear. This was followed at 08:17 by Blanche carrying the headboard Y Cymro, with the 5 coach rake consisting of Nos.23/21/17/12/11. At 08:51 Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting at Boston Lodge.

At 11:20 the second rake was noted standing at Tan-y-bwlch. At 11:27 the other rake with Van No.1 on the rear was shunted into the Down platform and the photographers went for a lunch break in the cafe and a brief respite from the drizzle. The rake in the Up platform was then shunted towards the cafe. The photographers started coming back to the train at 12:15 with  the weather being a little drier. The train departed at 12:22 towards the east and the Victorian rake followed at 12:42. At 13:45 there was more Funkey shunting outside the Carriage Shed at Boston Lodge.

At the end of the day's photography the two trains joined together at Tan-y-bwlch and departed with Blanche on the rear at 16:56, passing Minffordd at 17:22 with the photographers in the rear set. The train arrived at Porthmadog at 17:32 and departed ECS at 17:54 with JAMES SPOONER on the rear, to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 5/11/23

Sunday was forecast to be a day of sunny periods and showers with temperatures of 7-11C. No public trains were booked to operate on Sunday but there may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and movements in association with photocharters which started today and normally last about a week. The WMWP may get underway so PW trains were likely to run.

At 07:34 Velinheli and Britomart hauled a slate wagon train with Van No.6 on the rear through Minffordd presumably for a gravity run from Dduallt or the Power Station Summit or a photocharter. This rake had been shunted into the seawall siding at Porthmadog a few day's earlier in preparation and a steam loco had been steamed yesterday presumably as a test for today's trains. Today's working turned out to be a photocharter and the demonstration slate train was followed at 07:53 by Vale of Ffestiniog with a 3 coach train for the photographers.

 

This westerly view (5/11/23) shows Velinheli and Britomart hauling the photocharter demonstration slate wagon rake through Minffordd just after 07:30. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

Moelwyn followed hauling Lilla in light steam at 08:41 and the photocharter members had some sunshine after a damp start.

 

This westerly view (5/11/23) shows Moelwyn and Lilla light engine, heading through Minffordd for the photocharter. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

At the end of the day Velinheli, Britomart and Lilla passed Minffordd at 16:09 and were noted shunting into Boston Lodge at 16:20 directly from Pen Cob Junction. The Funkey returned to Pen Cob Junction at 16:38 and reversed back towards Boston Lodge Halt at 16:44. At 17:14 Moelwyn returned the demonstration freight to Porthmadog yard and the Funkey passed Pen Cob with the three coach special. At 17:21 the Funkey arrived in the FR platform and Moelwyn coupled to the rear of the three coach rake. The ECS left at 17:31 with the Funkey still attached to the rear to close the day's activities.

 

Volunteers Needed This Winter

The F&WHR is appealing for volunteers over the Winter closed season period.

✳ We’ve enjoyed a busy year here at the F&WHR, welcoming thousands of visitors to ride on our trains through the majestic North Wales landscape. However, with the exception of Christmas & New Year trains, our passenger services have finished until the 23rd of March 2024. You may think this means a quiet and restful period of relaxation here on our railways, but it’s quite the opposite..!
✳ Instead, this signals the start of an extensive ‘Winter Works’ programme, where our Staff and Volunteers will work side by side to tackle an array of tasks - including the replacement of sleepers on the track bed, providing carriages with some much needed ‘TLC’ in the Carriage Works, organising material in our archives and much more.
✳ The start of our 2024 season may seem far away, but - as always - it will arrive sooner than we think. Completing all of these winter tasks in time is a challenge that we can only manage with help from Volunteers.
✳ There is a wide variety of reasons why Volunteers join us as part of the wider Ffestiniog family - a sense of belonging, community and wellbeing are among the most common. It’s also a great opportunity to put your existing experience to good use or pick up some brand new skills! There’s something special about being ‘Part of the Team’, working to get the railway we all love in tip-top shape for the start of a new season.
✳ If this sounds of interest, head over to the new Volunteers page on our website, which details ‘What’s going on, When’ this Winter: festrail.co.uk/volunteering
✳ Take a look and see which activities/dates suit you best, then email us at: volunteer@ffwhr.com ... We will then get back to you with further information about the choice(s) you’ve made.
✳ The Volunteers page will be updated on a regular basis so keep a look out for all the latest information.
✳ Let the vital ‘Winter Works’ commence!

 

TfW explosion near Borth 4/11/23

A TfW train is thought to have hit a powerline between Borth and Machynlleth on Saturday leading to an 'explosion' and bustitution in that area. See Daily Post story for full details. The Aberystwyth-Chirk log train does not appear to have run on either Friday or Saturday.

 

F&WHR 4/11/23

Saturday was forecast to be an overcast day with temperatures of 7-8C with drizzle for much of the afternoon. No public trains were booked to operate on Saturday but there may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and movements in association with photocharters. The WMWP may get underway so PW trains were likely to run. The day started off with weak sunshine. Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting Boston Lodge after 14:00 but no trains were noted out on the main line. Some steam was noted being raised about 15:00 but nothing emerged from Boston Lodge. No works trains were noted passing through Minffordd.

 

Saturday was forecast to be an overcast day with temperatures of 7-8C with drizzle for much of the afternoon. No trains were booked to operate on Saturday but there may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and movements in association with photocharters. The WMWP may get underway so PW trains were likely to run. The day started off with weak sunshine. Vale of Ffestiniog was noted shunting Boston Lodge after 14:00 but no trains were noted out on the main line. Some steam was noted being raised about 15:00 but nothing emerged from Boston Lodge. No works trains were noted passing through Minffordd.

 

End of the season

The Autumn season drew to a close on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways on Thursday 2/11/23 as JAMES SPOONER headed away from Harbour Station with the final train - the 14:35 Woodland Wanderer service to Tan-y-Bwlch. It was a grey and damp day (although much better than other areas that have been badly affected by Storm Ciarán), so the footplate crew decided to add the centre roof section to JAMES SPOONER's cab.
The F&WHR's thoughts are now turning to Christmas and New Year, so keep an eye out for further details of the festive plans - including...
▪ Shuttle trains for Christmas Markets at Minffordd and Portmeirion
▪ Santa's Grotto and Footplate Rides in Porthmadog
▪ Santa Trains from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu
▪ Xmas Week trains from Caernarfon and Porthmadog
▪ Passengers can find more information about all these on the F&WHR website
@ festrail.co.uk/christmas
There are just five weeks until the first Santa Train, so - although trains are not running - the F&WHR will be busy through November with their preparations...
▪To help customers with their Christmas planning, the F&WHR shops will be open daily so customers can pop in and get their Christmas Cards, Calendars and Presents from a wide range of items in stock.
▪ Spooner's Café-Bar in Porthmadog and Caffi de Winton in Caernarfon will be open as well, so customers can enjoy a relaxing break from their Christmas shopping.
▪ Remember though, customers can also shop online 24/7 from the comfort of their home (or work) - just visit the F&WHR webshop @ festrail.co.uk/shop

 

YouTubes of Boston Lodge progress 3/11/23

A sequence of short time lapse YouTube videos have been produced showing progress with parts of Boston Lodge Works for the NLHF. Here they are listed in date of completion order.

 

1) Den progress-Fascia boards and slate roofing 17/5/23

2) Den progress-Preparing for Extension 24/5/23

3) Den progress-~Levelling floor and concrete pour 2/6/23

4) Den progress- Concrete pour and connections 20/7/23

5) Wagon repair shop timelapse 9/8/23

Click on the YouTube links to watch short time-lapse videos showing the NLHF rebuilding of Boston Lodge throughout 2023. These videos were published on 3/11/23. They are best viewed at 1080p with Chrome. These videos were produced by John Wooden (F&WHR) on a professional Betamax 4k camcorder.

 

F&WHR 3/11/23

Friday was forecast to be a mixed day with temperatures of 7-11C with sunny periods and showers. No public trains were booked to operate on Friday but there may be stock movements after the end of the season with carriages going for refurbishment and movements in association with photocharters. The WMWP may get underway so PW trains were likely to run. The day started off with an autumnal fog and all the platform lights were still on at 08:00! All the Garratts were at Dinas earlier in the week with some due to receive Winter maintenance and No.138 next in line for restoration to service.

At 09:30 steam was being raised at Boston Lodge and shunting was noted at Pen Cob junction with Vale of Ffestiniog shunting around Boston Lodge Curve towards the Old Loco Shed before heading off up the line at 09:54 with a long rake of coaches and wagons presumably for storage at Glan-y-pwll shed. The heavy train came to a stop at Minffordd Goods Line Junction so that the train could enter the loop wrong line and dispose the wagons to the yard. The rake had 5 coaches from The Quarryman set an contained Moelwyn in the middle with Van No.7 and 3 B wagons (B1899/921/1125) and Upnor Castle and Harlech Castle at the rear. It arrived in the loop at 10:13 and at 10:23 the two diesels on the rear took the three B wagons into the yard. By 11:25 the rake had made it to Tan-y-bwlch with Moelwyn still coupled to the rear, setting off for Glan-y-pwll at 11:31.

 

This westerly view (3/11/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog hauling a stock move to Glan-y-pwll for storage over winter. This wrong line move into Minffordd Loop allowed the two diesel locos on the rear to remove the 3 B wagons and haul them directly into the yard. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

At the end of the afternoon the stock transfer train returned from Glan-y-pwll passing Minffordd at 15:18. The Funkey led an FR coach, and open coach, a B wagon, Moelwyn and the FR's water tank wagon to close the day's activities.

 

F&WHR 2/11/23

Thursday was forecast to be a day of heavy rain with temperatures of 8-10C. Storm Ciaran, with record low pressures, is continuing to have a major effect on North Wales and travel within the UK generally with possible disruption of train services due to flooding and leaf fall. Thursday's train service was for three FR trains including the 10:45 Mountain Spirit but NONE on the WHR. This was the final day of the Season with the final train being the 14:35 Woodland Wanderer.

There may be photocharters in early November but the next advertised services will be Porthmadog-Minffordd shuttles in association with artisan sales events at Minffordd Gweithdy over the long weekend 24-26/11/23 and a similar event the following weekend. Some ECS movements are expected to move rolling stock to Boston Lodge for attention or for storage at the end of the season. At 09:48 Harlech Castle was noted departing Minffordd yard with small FR PW wagon No.53 carrying wooden sleepers, the PW containers and Mess car No.1111.

DAVID LLOYD GEORGE arrived shortly after 10:00 with the Mountain Spirit which was standing in the FR platform at 10:15 waiting a loco. Lyd was noted arriving and worked light engine to the yard just before departure of the 10:45 Mountain Spirit. A considerable number of people were waiting out in the weather with umbrellas on the platform for the Woodland Wanderer. Steam was being raised at Boston Lodge and JAMES SPOONER came across with The Quarryman rake arriving in the FR platform at 11:10 which was the departure time for the Woodland Wanderer. A swift run round saw the train depart just 8 minutes late.

DLG returned at 14:01 and JAMES SPOONER ran round at 14:06. There was no Fairlie swop and DLG ran to the yard to coal and water at 14:08, returning to its train 12 minutes later and departing with the ECS at 14:25. Vale of Ffestiniog arrived from Dinas with a stock move at 14:28 with the Garratt water carrier wagon behind the loco. There were 5 carriages in the rake, consisting of two standard WHR carriages, two FR carriages (including No.106)carriages and the Romanian coach (No.2060). At the rear of the rake was a flat wagon with two bogies strapped to it. The water carrier was shunted to the yard just before JAMES SPOONER departed past a crowd of photographers with the 14:35. The Funkey the returned to its rake at 14:48 and departed with the stock move to Boston Lodge at 14:58.

 

This easterly view (2/11/23) shows Vale of Ffestiniog shunting the Garratt water wagon into the yard while a stock movement stands in the platform presumably for winter maintenance. The water wagon maybe have been moved to Porthmadog for a photoshoot which normally happens shortly after the end of the season in early November. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

While this was happening the S&T train was returning to Minffordd. Moel-yr-hydd, the new blue loco, was noted entering Minffordd yard at 14:31 with DZ Wagon No.1424 and another full of cabling, Brake Van No.51 and Mess Car No.1111.

At the end of the afternoon JAMES SPOONER returned with the final train of the season passing Minffordd at 16:32 and running round at Porthmadog at 16:57. The ECS departed at 17:09 to finish the day's activities and the seasons!

 

This easterly view (2/11/23) shows JAMES SPOONER departing with the ECS from the last passenger train of the season. Click on the image to enlarge and click again to expand fully where available. Image courtesy F&WHR and was taken on a digital camera.

 

F&WHR 1/11/23

Wednesday was forecast to be a day of showers and sunny periods with temperatures of 8-13C, Storm Ciaran, with record low pressures, is due to have a major effect on North Wales and travel within the UK generally with Wednesday and Thursday likely to be stormy and very wet with possible disruption of train services. Wednesday's train service was for three FR trains including the 10:45 Mountain Spirit but NONE on the WHR. This was the penultimate day of the Season with the final trains being on Thursday 2/11/23.

Harlech Castle propelled two B wagons Nos.922/1899 well loaded with loco ash and the well wagon with the excavator towards the disposal point at Dduallt passing through Minffordd at 08:33. The Porthmadog signaller arrived at 09:00 to open the box while a 5m high tide at 10:00 and strong wind were making waves break on The Cob carrying spray over the line and pounding the signalbox on occasion.

JAMES SPOONER was first to arrive with the ECS for the Mountain Spirit at 10:03 into the FR platform. Spray from breaking waves was going right across the WHR platform at this time as squalls were passing, Run round came at 10:13 and it was surprising that the new Fairlie did not have its cab roof sheet up considering the seaspray and squalls passing. Upnor Castle arrived with a spare coach at 10:25 and ran round at 10:33. Lyd arrived with the ECS Woodland Wanderer at 10:35, getting a good dousing from seaspray as it crossed the storm swept Cob. Run round came just 1 minute later. The rake appeared to be The Quarryman set which must have returned from Blaenau Ffestiniog late yesterday.

Lyd emerged from the yard at 13:50 and ran round the Woodland Wanderer in the FR platform ready for the 14:35 departure. JAMES SPOONER was expected back at 13:45 with the Mountain Spirit, but is reported to have experienced adhesion problems in the woods with wet leaf mulch on the railhead. The train pulled into the WHR platform at 14:00, about 15 minutes late but in strong sunshine with Welsh dragon flags on the headboard fluttering in the gusts of Storm Ciaran. The loco detached and ran to coal and water immediately and was back by 14:18 ready to depart with the ECS. The ECS was held as a Harlech Castle was noted approaching from Minffordd at 14:20 returning from loco ash disposal at Dduallt light engine. However this stopped and reversed into the depot at Pen Cob Junction. With The Cob section now clear, the ECS departed at 14:26. Lyd departed with the afternoon Woodland Wanderer at 14:35 as booked, however the rake was still The Quarryman rake!

The slate wagon rake and Van No.6 were still stabled in the seawall siding all afternoon. On its return working Lyd passed Minffordd at 16:35 with the lightly loaded Woodland Wanderer. At 17:04 Harlech Castle hauled 5 empty B wagons and the well wagon and excavator back to Porthmadog passing through Minffordd as dusk fell to close the day's activities.

 

Trackwork Volunteering 2022

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.

Comments

If you would like to make a comment about this website, why not visit my Guestbook.

If you have a correction or require a reply please leave your email address or, more simply, send an email directly to my email address shown near the top of this page, just after the list of links to other pages.

 

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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 website

Click here for Official WHHR site

Click here for FR Company websites

Click here for Welsh Highland Heritage Group

 

V4.4707 updated 10/12/23