The weather was terrible all day today with rain all day, frequently heavy. The good news was that our train was to be hauled by Ffestinog Railway No. 2 Prince which is the oldest continuously operating locomotive in the world.
Prince at Minffordd
A Fairlie and a Garratt getting ready for the first two trains of the day at Porthmadog
In spite of the weather we had a great day. Our first stop was Minffordd yard where we examined the various sheds in process of reconstruction.
The gravity slate wagons at Minffordd showing the cushions used by passengers
Some cars loaded with slate
From there we went on to Rhiw Coch which is a signal box that can be switched into the section between Minffordd and Tan y Bwlch to pass trains at peak times. There is a small lever frame interlocking although the switches are operated electrically.
Rhiw Coch
Prince at Rhiw Coch
Tablet exchange at Rhiw Coch
We took it in turns to ride the footplate of Prince and my section was between Rhiw Coch and Tan y Bwlch. The crew were very friendly and it was great. I put on a few shovelsful of coal in the very small firebox. The engine was driven hard on almost full regulator and it rode quite lively at times. I started off standing in the tender but moved to the fireman's position when he wanted to ply his shovel. A memorable experience.
In the cab of Prince
Paul climbing into Prince at Dduallt
We stopped at Dduallt where the hardy members of the group got out to watch two run pasts around the loop in the heavy rain. I stayed behind with many others in the warm dry train.
At Blaenau Ffestinog we went up the Dinas branch and looked in a couple of the sheds which are used mainly to house the passenger stock in winter. The Alco "Mountaineer" was being held in there.
The Rhododendrons are taking over large parts of Blaenau Ffestiniof
Prince taking water at Blaenau Ffestiniog
We came back in the rain with a stop at Tan y Bwlch. The train was very comfortable with good chairs, drinks service and some heat from a diesel generator. We had an amazing cream tea at Tan y Bwlch.
A coach took us to Boston Lodge works for a visit. The number of projects in progress and planned is enormous. It will be completely different in a few years time. The locomotive Welsh Pony, which was last steamed in 1937 will be completed next year and then, in effect, a new double Fairlie will be built.
Two double Fairlies and a Garratt were being fired up to work the service trains today. Our guide, July, is the enthusiastic office manager here, She frequently fires the Garratts.
There is one Garrat stabled overnight here. It presently has to be outside but a new shed is being built.
The smaller Fairlies can be kept under cover
Boiler for Welsh Pony, last steamed in 1937
Frames for Welsh Ponky
Paul tested the fireman's space on a Fairlie
Although we had a heavy downpour during breakfast the weather has been sunny with cloudy periods, excellent for seeing the views over the valley from the Ffestiniog train.
There was a short stay in Blaenau Ffestiniog while the engine ran around and we then returned in good sunlight back to Porthmadog.
At Blaenau Ffestiniog the rhododendrons are taking over and transforming the town from slate grey to green, a significant improvement
There was a guided tour of the new signal box where the working of the electro-mechanical frame was explained.
A Garratt coming to couple on to a train to Caernarfon
We walked along to the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway and took a short ride to the Heritage Centre and Museum. This is very well done with displays that are well explained and there is plenty to keep the kids occupied.
Russell is the only original Welsh Highland Railway locomotive. Its boiler certificate was recently renewed.
We took the Caernarfon train as far as Dinas today to visit the WHR works. The weather was cloudy to start but the sun broke through and we had a ride through wonderful scenery. The Aberglaslyn Pass was at its best and there were good views across the straits to Anglesea Island. Pictures tell the story better than words.
Welsh baking is very much stick to your ribs
View from the cob
A double Fairlie arrives for the first working of the day to Blaenau Ffestiniog
Our lunches were individually prepared according to our preferences.
Near Waunfawr
At Dinas there were Garratt body parts all over the shop
A preserved De Winton vertical boiler locomotive built in Caernarfon
The views across the Menai strait were excellent
Entering the Aberglasluyn Pass from Beddgelert
Our Garratt on arrival back at Porthmadog
On the cob. light engine for Boston Lodge.
Fishing in the shallow water behind the cob
We had dinner this evening in the Spooner restaurant at the station. It was good and was washed down with a Snowdonia Ale followed by a pint of Mild.
We took the bus to Caernarfon and transferred to the bus for Llanberis in good time to pick up our reservations on the 1200 train to Snowdon summit.
While waiting for the departure we took a quick look at the Llanberis Lake Railway with its small Hunslet engine.
We boarded the diesel propelled train at Llanberis and as we set off the driver mentioned that the weather was not good at the summit. We eventually got into the cloud near Clogwyn where we stopped and were told that there was a track problem ahead and we would have to return to Llanberis but we would receive a full refund. This was the best result we could have hoped for. There was no point in going to the summit because it was socked in, we had ridden the train, we had returned in good time to get to Caernarfon to catch the Welsh Highland Railway back to Porthmadog and we received a full refund.
There was a little boy and his dad sitting at the back of the bus to Caernarfon. They got off at an intermediate stop and the boy walked down the aisle stopping at each seat saying goodbye. As the bus moved off he said goodbye to the bus.
The Welsh Highland station in Caernarfon is being built new and it was a little walk out of town to get tickets but there was still plenty of time to walk around the pleasant old town although the area close to the station is very grotty. People getting off the train might think that Caernarfon was a parking lot surrounded by abandoned buildings out of which rose a castle.
The ride back to Porthmadog was superb. From rain at Llanberis we left Caernarfon in good sun and were treated to some superb scenery right through to Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert. The rhododendrons were in full bloom and the sheep were frolicking in the fields.
Caernarfon
Paul took this picture from near Waunfawr
Meet with No. 87 at Rhyd Ddu
This evening we met up with the rest of the tour group - about 20 in all. The meal in the hotel was good.
Our train to Porthmadog was infested by very, very large wobbly young women with thousands of babies. Not a good start to the day. We decided to stop off at Tywyn on our way to Porthmadog. That way we could visit the Talyllyn Railway. Big mistake as there was a big half term promotion and all of the locomotives had a face and the numbers were covered over with names that only kids recognize. Good job the large women were not planning on travelling on the Talyllyn as they would not have been able to get into the carriages.
I think this is Talyllyn No. 2
The journey was good and the locomotives immaculate but it was spoiled by the numbers of cantankerous kids.
The train on to Porthmadog was not very full and the journey was uneventful. It was misty but we could see all along the Lleyn Peninsular. The hotel is quite close to the station. After checking in we had a fish and chip dinner and finished off with a pint at the Ffestiniog station while watching a Garratt and a Double Fairlie.
