Welsh Highland Rly

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Just got back from a few days travelling on the WHR.

What an experience. About 40+ miles each way, narrow gauge steam. One day a pin in the reverser broke just after running light to clear the points and back down on to the train at Porthmadog. By the time a diesel arrived from Boston Lodge works, towed the SAR Garratt back around the train and dumped it on a siding and came back to take the train on to Caernarvon, it was about 70 mins late leaving. Staff previously couldn't get the kitchen car generator started, so they were overheard to say what else can go wrong?

I guess the diesel may not be as powerful as the regular steamer, since it seemed to go slower than a subsequent steam hauled train. One part is around 1 in 40.

I see the concrete block gun emplacement on the track bed near the Aberglaslyn tunnels has been dumped on one side to clear the way. When I saw that many years ago before the rebuilding, I thought it was some sort of blockage to make life harder if we'd had an invasion. Never thought I would live long enough to see trains running again but they had very considerable financial help.

They used a loader at Dinas to coal – up but at Porthmadog, they humped 8 large plastic buckets of coal on to the loco.

Can thoroughly recommend the journey – well worth the effort of going. Just a satisfied customer and like a pig in muck!

Edited By DMB on 23/07/2019 23:26:15

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

For another grand day out see Ffestiniog Round Robin, Chester to Shrewsbury to Machynlleth to Portmadoc via the big railway, then Portmadoc to Blaenau on FR then Blaenau to Llandudno Jnct, back to Chester, all for £39 and time for lunch in Spooners bar at Portmadoc. I think you can start anywhere in the loop, see **LINK**

[JAParticipant @ja]

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