The Welsh Tour Part IV: Sunny Evening at Porthmadog...

So guys we come to the final post of the day. I just thought I'd put up a couple of pictures from this evening at Porthmadog. We hung around til 7pm watching the various movements around the Harbour Station. There was a special train scheduled tonight along part of the WHR, using two smaller locomotives: "Fiji" and "Linda". The name "Fiji" may ring a bell. She is a Statfold engine; Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 tender engine No972 of 1912, named after her place of work in her former life. The large red 0-6-0 normally lives at Statfold but is spending the summer months this year on holiday, giving footplate rides at Porthmadog station. The engine would be double-heading with "Linda" tonight up to Beddgelert with a 'Young Volunteers Special'. In the WHR platform just over the way from "Fiji", NGG16 No87 was uncoupled and ready to head off to Boston Lodge for disposal having hauled our train from Caernarfon...

In one of the middle roads stood "Linda", which I was very pleased to see in steam. "Linda" is an 1893-built Hunslet 2-4-0, modified to carry a tender by the FR. Along with her two sisters "Blanche" and "Charles", "Linda" worked on the Penrhyn Quarry railway until being purchased by the FR in 1962. "Blanche" is also based at the FR and is also in service, whilst "Charles" lives at Penrhyn Castle. I think these Hunslet's, with the inclined cylinders and the connecting rod on the inside of the coupling rods are very attractive. Though she looked fairly small in comparison to "Fiji", the chances are she is more powerful as "Fiji" is quite a tall engine with a very tall cab. "Linda" is seen here simmering in the sun. I was so pleased to see her in steam...

"2-4-0 Hunslet Saddle Tank 'Linda' of 1893"

The final FR service of the day had been worked into Harbour Station by replica Double Fairlie "David Lloyd George", built at Boston Lodge and completed in 1992. The engine returned to work in May this year in works grey, now burning coal rather than oil. The FR had adopted an oil firing policy many years ago but, due to the increase in oil costs, most of the engines have now returned to coal firing...

"David Lloyd George" is spotted here, sizing up the much taller Hudswell "Fiji"...

Having watched a few more shunting movements and listened to some arguably frustrated wannabe engine drivers come door handle polishers and their views on conventional injectors, we felt it was time for the off. Ahh well, perhaps one more daft picture just for the album...

"Eddie With His Business"

It had been a most enjoyable day but a long and tiring one. Now it was back in the car for the route back to base, and then off to the Eagles for a pint or two in celebration. No three courses I hear you cry? Eddie was much the same, but I just couldn't face it! All the best everyone and thank you for reading about our epic adventure. Cheers all, Sam...

The Welsh Tour Part III: The Welsh Highland Railway...

Hi there everyone. And so, we had made it: the final connection. The FR had brought us to Blaenau, the main line to Bangor, the bus to Caernarfon and now we were making the final trip back to Porthmadog via the Welsh Highland Railway. Like the FR, I had never had the chance to visit the WHR before so was very pleased that we could manage both in a day. Having spent some time in Caernarfon (where the WHR begins), we made our way over to the station before purchasing our single journey tickets. The train was due in around 3:30pm ready for a 4:05pm departure. The 25-mile journey would take just over 2 hours to complete: what an achievement. The rather basic station at Caernarfon stood quiet in the warm afternoon sun when we arrived...

Right on time, an echoing African-style chime whistle, commonly referred to as 'The Elephant Blaster', was heard in the distance. Just then, the peace was shattered by the arrival of one of the huge Garrett locomotives. This example is No87, built in 1937 by Cockerill's of Belgium. She is an NGG16, employing two power bogies which give her a wheel arrangement of 2-6-2+2-6-2. The NGG16 class consisted of a run of 34 engines of 2ft gauge, weighing in at around 60 tons. Despite their huge weight for a narrow gauge engine, due to their amount of wheels they could manage a very low axle-load, giving them a large route availability for such a large locomotive. Furthermore, their huge boilers spanning the two bogies gave them great steaming abilities whilst the articulated nature of the engine allowed them to round tight curves where rigid-framed engines of their size would not be able to work. With a boiler pressure of 180psi, the class made for a very powerful 4-cylinder locomotive which was very popular. No87 herself spent her working life, like her sisters, in Africa and was restored at the FR's Boston Lodge Works. She returned to steam in 2009. The WHR has five NGG16's of which three are operational. One has been used for spares whilst the other is in store...

A close up of the large boiler on NGG16 No87...

Having uncoupled from the well-loaded train, No87 ran into the loop at Caernarfon to take water and for the fireman to remake up the fire. The driver oiled the Garrett round heavily during this break...

"The Garrett Takes A Drink"

Eddie was very pleased that his trip had been a success, so far. He had initially feared ridicule if one of our connections had failed and we had missed the Garrett departure. Luckily for him, we made it...

The WHR as it is today was completed in 2011. It is owned and operated by the Ffestiniog Railway, hence sharing the terminus station of Porthmadog with them. During its 25-mile journey the WHR takes in 13 stations of varying sizes. Our train today departed on time at 16:05 behind No87. The train was very well loaded but mostly towards the rear of the train, meaning that Eddie & I had a coach to ourselves almost directly behind the Garrett. The engine got the lengthy train underway easily (not surprising really) and we were soon tearing along the scenic 2ft gauge track. Having passed through Dinas (the engineering base of the line and around 2.7 miles from Caernarfon), the engine began to accelerate across the flat plains before beginning the gradual but nevertheless steep ascent towards Rhyd Dhu, the summit of the line. The on-train buffet service was again in operation and we enjoyed a cuppa' whilst surveying the wonderful scenery...

"The Route of the WHR"

I am very much an engineman. What I mean by that is I am much happier driving or firing the locomotive rather than sitting back and enjoying the scenery. However, no matter what your preference, you cannot help but be in awe of what has been achieved here. The train takes you through completely unspoilt scenery which is ever changing. You speed across flat green fields before climbing through wooded cuttings and then steaming through valley's and along hillsides at the foot of Snowdon. The train is ever climbing towards Rhyd Dhu, but the Garrett takes it all in her stride. The engine did give us a few well meaning chuffs but really, she has a lot more to give. The scenery from the train window was just fantastic...

Around every corner there were spectacular views. On a clear day like this we even spotted a little steam engine descending from the summit station of the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Without doubt, if we could see them, then they could probably see the snaking train of the Garrett. On the tight bends where the Garrett's come into their own, 87 popped into sight...

Meanwhile the train snaked along behind her...

Just one of the many spectacular views taken from the WHR train...

After an almost breath taking journey up to Rhyd Dhu, the Garrett paused for water. Sister NGG16 No143 also passed us here with the final returning Caernarfon bound train of the day. Here is a view of the large footplate of the Garrett, where a Bala engine is made to look like a toy...

Here, the Garrett stands under the blue skies whilst the driver fills the water tank, carried over the front bogie for adhesion purposes as well as practicality, for the rest of the trip ahead...

From Rhyd Dhu it is pretty much downhill all the way. No87 barely murmured once the train was underway. The WHR trip is probably unbelievably impressive the other way, but the FR is downhill the other way and so our version of the round-trip seemed the best. The amount of height lost by the WHR over just a few miles is tremendous. The train snakes down through cuttings and wooded glades and you can sometimes see the tail of your train above you as you've taken such a sharp, downgrade curve that it is still up there! Its just amazing. The Garrett's must work damn hard going back up that's for sure! Having descended for a good while the train began once again tearing across the flat plains, bound for Porthmadog. Having passed the small Welsh Highland Heritage Railway on the right-hand side, the train slowed to pass-over Britannia Bridge. This is the road bridge in the centre of Porthmadog and is the only WHR access to the FR station. The train snakes over onto the centre of the road bridge and the trains take up the place of the traffic as they wind their way over into the station: its quite an experience... 

"Across The Road We Go"

Having held up the traffic for a short while, No87 and her lengthy train came to rest in the station at Porthmadog after a beautiful journey. We couldn't have picked better weather...

The friendly crew aboard No87 invited us up onto the Garrett for a look around the cab. The driver commented that the Garrett's are the only locomotives that can handle peak summer services on the WHR, due to their size and power. If a Garrett isn't available, then the FR engines have to be double-headed in their place. The FR is the same though, they rely on the Double Fairlie's being available for the heavy summer work...

The view ahead aboard No87. Note the water tank which looks to be another engine sat in front...

"Wouldn't Mind Driving This!"

The Garrett's are just huge. Its amazing to think that No87 weighs much more than "Sir Gomer"! It had been an amazing experience on the WHR and I am so pleased that I have now 'done it'. The line is just brilliant and the scenery, arguably, is second to none. Its just fantastic and words and pictures cannot really describe it on a day like today. Just go and have a ride! Cheers guys, Sam...

The Welsh Tour Part II: The Conwy Valley Line and the Bus...

Right guys, and so, on to the next! Having ridden up to the main line station of Blaenau Ffestiniog on the wonderful Ffestiniog Railway it was time for the next part of the epic Welsh adventure. We joined the 11:45am service to Llandudno Junction aboard Class 150 Unit No278, in two-car form. The train departed on time and soon 150 278 was roaring through the beautiful countryside on this sunny day. This section of single track main line is known as the Conwy Valley Line, and takes in some spectacular scenery on its 27-mile route. The journey takes a little over an hour, winding through the rolling hills, though many of the smaller stations are request stops. I must admit, still suffering from the very rich 3-courses from last night I dozed through most of the journey plus, of course, its only a diesel!...

"Norman Bates Takes A Break"

At Betws-y-Coed station we passed the Conwy Valley Railway Museum. This small but thriving affair has a sizeable 7.25" gauge railway and I spotted three trains in action out of the unit's window: two Tinkerbell's in steam and a diesel contraption. There is also a 15" gauge electric tramway, which has the claim to fame of being the only electrically powered railway in Wales! Here is the diesel thingy preparing to leave the miniature station within the museum site...

"The Conwy Valley Railway Museum"

After an enjoyable journey we arrived at a busy Llandudno Junction. It was here that we changed trains onto a North Wales Coast Line service for Bangor. We joined the much more modern air conditioned diesel unit having crossed platforms and were soon flying along the coast towards Bangor. At Bangor we alighted from the train before walking out onto the station concourse and later the road. We then caught an Arriva Bus to Caernarfon where we arrived about 20 minutes later. It was very warm & sunny in Caernarfon as we enjoyed the view over the water...

Caernarfon is a thriving Welsh town and includes the picturesque Caernarfon Castle which was completed around 1330. It is today a busy tourist attraction within the town...

"Caernarfon Castle"

Having hung around in Caernarfon for a while and took in some cultural delights such as the Castle and a very busy KFC, we walked over to the Welsh Highland Railway station. The WHR has a lengthy single platform here with a small booking office and run-round loop. Here we awaited the arrival of one of the huge Garrett locomotive's from Porthmadog. And on to the next...

The Welsh Tour Part I: The Ffestiniog Railway...

Hi all. Today, with a day off in prospect, Eddie had planned a big Welsh day out for us. The plan would take in two preserved railways, two main line connections and a bus connection, starting and ending in Porthmadog. The hefty timetable would begin around 9am and we would arrive back at around 6:30am after a no doubt tiring experience. So, at 8am, the race was on! First it was the car journey, leaving Llanuwchllyn for Porthmadog: a journey of around 50 minutes. I was feeling rough again, having been pretty much forced into a rather rich "3-Course Challenge" at Bala's "Plas yn Dre" last night. Having arrived at Porthmadog, we parked the car and then walked to the terminus station of the world famous Ffestiniog Railway. I had never been to the FR before and it has always been on my list and so, at last, I was pleased to tick it off. It was a wonderfully sunny morning and the harbour scene that greeted us at Porthmadog deserved a photo...

The station at Porthmadog is not only the home and terminus of the Ffestiniog Railway, but also the terminus of the massive Welsh Highland Railway, which comes in from Caernarfon on its 25-mile scenic run. The WHR, as you may have guessed, would be our return transport (another first for me!). Having purchased our FR tickets ready for the 10:10am departure for Blaenau Ffestiniog on the 13.5 mile line, there was nothing left to do but eat. Yes readers, despite being completely worse for wear from last nights 3-course exploits, I managed to try the FR's Full English Breakfast in the quaint 'Spooners Bar'. It was very nice...

Eddie was so much in shock that I had taken on such a breakfast after his bids to defeat me the previous evening with his 3-course challenge that he had to take a photo of me...

Having eaten the breakfast and watched one of the massive Garrett's depart with the 9:40am WHR train to Caernarfon (more on that later), I walked up to the far end of the newly remodelled Porthmadog platform with a view of steam on the horizon. Just then, a real FR gem arrived and I was so pleased. We must remember that this is the land of unusual engines, what with Garrett's and Double Fairlie's. A double Fairlie I hear you ask? A double Fairlie is a 0-4-4-0 with the driving wheels positioned on bogies in order to make the locomotive articulated. The Fairlie's carry side tanks for water with coal storage on top to feed their two separate fireboxes. Steam is delivered to the two 0-4-0 power bogies via flexible piping and the result gave an engine that basically provided the power of two 0-4-0's put together. After all the slate carrying, steeply graded FR originally used the George England 0-4-0s such as "Prince" and "Palmerston" for example, so the Fairlie's were a big development. The Fairlie design was arguably at its most successful here on the Ffestiniog Railway. The engine that would be hauling our train was "Merddin Emrys", an FR veteran built at the line's Boston Lodge works in 1879. I was so pleased that "Merddin Emrys" would be doing the job. The later FR Fairlie's are preservation builds and so, to me, "Merddin" is the real thing...

The locomotive waited outside the Porthmadog signalbox whilst the crew enjoyed their breakfast, before backing onto the train. The FR employs vacuum braking and the 1879 built Fairlie was soon coupled up and ready to go...

"Ready to Roll"

Though there were some original FR coaches at the head of the train, we decided to take our seats in a much more comfortable and modern FR carriage. We departed on time at 10:10am, crossing the cob and passing Boston Lodge works as we did so. Eddie was having a whale of a time...

"Our Guide for Today"

The FR winds its way up steep gradients, around tight curves, through narrow cuttings, dark tunnels and through wooded glades. It is so picturesque, its just beautiful. Meanwhile "Merddin Emrys" was working hard, dragging the lengthy train up the various hills. The FR in fact climbs so continuously that the return trains have the ability to come back down via gravity alone. We sat in the coach, motoring along at some good speed behind the Fairlie with a cup of tea on the table from the FR's very friendly buffet trolley staff...

"Wonderful Scenery on the FR"

After a very pleasant journey to the terminus station at Blaenau Ffestiniog, we alighted to admire "Merddin Emrys", but not before I banged my head on a low door brace! There was some light use of expletives I will admit. The Fairlie stood at the head of the train, admired by her many passengers in the morning sunshine...

A last look at 1879-built "Merddin Emrys", built at Boston Lodge Works...

It had been a very pleasant run on the FR but there wasn't a massive amount of time to hang around. Our main line connection with the Conwy Valley Line left at 11:45am following the 11:25am arrival of the Fairlie. Luckily the terminus station of the FR is dead opposite the main line platform! As the 0-4-4-0 ran round, we walked across the crossing to join the diesel unit already waiting in the quiet platform. And on to the next! Cheers guys... 

A Shackerstone Invasion on "Maid Marian"...

Hi everyone. Today we arose at around 7:30am for another day on the Bala Lake Railway. The sun was shining again but the wind was up. I was feeling a little worse for wear this morning after another of Eddie's "3-Course Challenge's" last night, down at the Eagles. I knew the third course was a mistake but Eddie kept on and on. "Phew", it was certainly fair to say that I felt completely beached this morning as we watched BBC Breakfast. Anyway, we managed to get down to the shed a few minutes early today, with the fact in mind that "Maid Marian" would be lit from cold. Eddie dragged the red 0-4-0 out of the shed using the diesel engine, "Trigger". I then set about my tasks whilst he shunted the stock. Tasks include checking and cleaning out the smokebox, checking and cleaning the firebox, ashing out and lighting up. With 1/3 of a glass of water in sight the engine was duly lit and black smoke soon poured from her tall, stove-pipe style chimney. There was more smoke rising back into the cab today than normal, but no doubt because the engine was cold and not drafting as well as a result. An engine that had been used the day before and is still warm will draft a lot better when starting the fire. Having got a good, strong wood fire going I blacked it out with the chunky Welsh coal before leaving "Marian" to it. I always find that this coal is best left with a strong, hot base beneath it and then she'll get her own fire going. If you persist in poking it in fear of it going out...it tends to so its better off left. Eddie is captured here washing "Marian", who was filthy when we pulled her out!...

We had today a bit of a Midland's railway celebrity in our midst. David, our friend from Shackerstone, was joining us for the day to see 'how the other half live' in Wales. We arrived at about 9:30am just as "Marian" was beginning to think about boiling...

At 10am, having showed David around the shed, we went up to the café for tea, having left "Marian" with a bright Welsh coal fire in the box. The needle had just come off the stop as we left. When we returned around 25 minutes later, the engine had 30psi on. At this point the blower was lightly cracked to give the engine a little more draft to get a little more steam on. I don't mind occasionally using the steam blower when we've steamed an engine from cold but I don't like using the 'air line' to bring them up. With 70psi on the clock at 10:50am, and a healthy fire, Eddie took "Marian" off shed with drain cocks open...

Having coaled and watered "Marian", the shining red engine was placed at the head of the 11:15am train. We steamed down to Bala with ease, but the return run didn't half bang. We thought that "Marian"s draw-spring must have been worn as she was banging the coaches about. Despite the noise, she was steaming beautifully and running easily. David joined us on the footplate for this run to 'see how we do it', though I think he was surprised at the comparison with standard gauge on a line of the same length! On the next trip I stepped off and David did the firing under instruction from Eddie with the 12:50 train. The train is captured here on the long climb up the bank nearing Llanuwchllyn, with "Marian" in good voice...

It was like musical chairs today! David took a break on the 2:25 for lunch whilst I resumed my place on the footplate, this time on the regulator. David has sent in the image below of us accelerating out of Llanuwchllyn with the 5-coach train, bound for Bala...

"Me Driving Maid Marian" (D.Hanks)

"Marian" did drive differently to "Holy War". Though they are essentially the same design, "Marian" has very slightly smaller cylinder bores which, at the same steam pressure as her sister, is noticeable on the footplate. The loco hauled the train easily to Bala where she is pictured in the trademark position, in front of the sign...

"The Trademark Shot"

Having ran round swiftly we departed into the breezy sunshine and were soon at Llangower with a fairly well loaded train. The "Maid", as she is known, is pictured here waiting to depart Llangower with the blue waters of Bala Lake in the background...

After a good romp up the bank with the "Maid" we watered, oiled and coaled for a final time at the base. The 4pm train departed on time with Dave firing and Eddie on the handle...

"David Enjoying His Excursion to 2ft Gauge"

At Bala, Eddie took over the firing whilst I took over the driving as Dave was in for a photographing run. Eddie is spotted here 'cleaning' the fire during the run round at Bala. Notice how the well-placed sliding doors on the back of the Quarry Hunslet come into play!...

With "Marian" ran round onto the front of the 4:35pm departure homeward, Dave took a pic of the pair of fools in charge of the engine...

"The Fools At The Helm" (D.Hanks)

Leaving Bala in a cloud of steam, the engine worked well to Llangower where Dave caught another good image of Eddie, contemplating another 3-course Challenge for later in the evening perchance...

"I Wonder Which 3-Courses It Is Tonight?" (D.Hanks)

From Llangower the "Maid" worked well back to the base where the stock was shunted & stored before "Marian" was disposed of. She had steamed and run beautifully but the banging in the homeward direction caused by a weak draw-spring and tight buffer springs was getting pretty unbearable. However, I'm sure that the crack team on the BLR Engineering division will sort the problem out in no time! We must thank the railway for another brilliant day on the footplate and thank David for taking the time to join us and sending in some of the images you see above. All the best everyone, Sam...

The Welsh Weekend Begins with "Holy War"...

Hello readers. Today myself & Eddie were crewing on the Bala Lake Railway again, aboard Hunslet 0-4-0 Saddle Tank "Holy War". We arrived late last night, having left the Midlands just after 7pm. It was about 10:30pm by the time we had unloaded the car and dragged all of our junk up the stairs to the station flat. I tell you what, sometimes it feels like you could fill the hold of a 747 with the amount of junk we end up taking! To my surprise, rather than unpacking, Eddie had some kind of fit and was spotted emerging from the boiler cupboard with a pretty historic vacuum cleaner. He then set about vacuuming every being with more than 2 legs - fair play. The accommodation is used regularly but not regularly enough to not require a clean when you arrive. The vacuum cleaning went insane with every room, chair, bed and wall being worked through. To be fair though, I have made it well known that I will not share my shower with anything with more than 2 legs, from a tripod to the Dudley Moore Trio...

"Norman Bates With A Vacuum Cleaner"

With the vacuuming complete we unpacked and readied for the morrow'. This morning we were at the engine shed at the usual time of 8:30am to light up "Holy War". The little blue 0-4-0 performed very well today, running along the lakeside easily with the day's four trains. Passenger numbers were much better than expected and it turned out a very good day for the railway as well as us on the engine - all good. Eddie drove two trips today, and I drove two trips, which is always very pleasant. The constant tapping of the regulator came back into play once again as "Holy War" is a bit of an animal. She's a perfectly set up locomotive that, if not held back, will run away. At the end of a most enjoyable day, having shunted the stock, I drove "Holy War" into the shed and up to the workbench as close as I could before securing her and disposing of her. Eddie then shunted "Alice" in behind, followed by "Maid Marian". "Maid Marian" will be our locomotive tomorrow. Bala Lake engines do about a fortnight each before swapping over and the stalwart "Holy War" has apparently more than done her bit in 2014...

"0-4-0 Quarry Hunslet Saddle Tank No779 of 1902"

So, with all of the engines back in the shed and things ready for tomorrow, we retired to the café for the usual evening natter and cuppa'. Tonight we are off to the Eagles (after a clean up) and Eddie has already laid down his usual "3-Course Challenge", a firm favourite of Bala Lake exploits these days. No matter how much persuasion you try to hit back with, Ed will still persist until you have three courses. My lord its an expensive night out with Eddie - you have been warned! Cheers guys, Sam...