Welsh Highland Heritage Railway http://whr.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 November 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1778241.html November 2009 Monday 2 November 2009: November 2009

The train service has now finished for the season, but there have been a small number of extra trains for various people's birthday parties. This woman celebrated her 85th birthday on the railway. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford 85 or not doesn't stop you from having a go at driving the engine! PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford One of the guests tries out the footplate of steam locomotive Karen. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Another birthday party saw the Engine Sheds filled with some very posh frocks! PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Buzz Lightyear attempts to take diesel locomotive Badco to infinity and beyond. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Is it John Kerr in the smokebox? PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Nope! It's Richard Harrison, deep inside the firebox with a wire brush. He's taken his dust mask off for a moment to reveal he's still smiling! PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford It's time for some winter maintenance on Gelert. But what is Dave Hill looking at? PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Is it Geoff Clifford sorting out a washout plug? PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Gelert's cab also got a thorough clean: John Kerr does the business with the Auto Glym. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford The first stage of the museum display panels have now been put into place in the Engine Sheds. Here, the story of the Spooner Family is screwed into place. As well as the panels going up, a number of other jobs also got started, including varnishing the plinth around the wharf wagon. The panels are fully bilingual (Welsh & English) and are designed to complement the exhibits in front of them. Diesel locomotive Badco once worked in a military supply depot, and has details about narrow gauge railways at war close by. Basil Cole, a visiting volunteer from the Mid Norfolk Railway gets close up to the task of painting one of the buffer stops. A view along some of the exhibits with the display panels behind. The panels do not go above head height as they'd be difficult to read. The space above them is now available for nameplates and other narrow gauge exhibits. The new display panels add a splash of colour to the building, and tell the story of Porthmadog's narrow gauge railways from gravity slate trains and steam locomotives...... .....through to the wider use of narrow gauge railways in industry and wartime. A view down the main hall of the museum, taken late in the evening after a long day putting the panels in place. Further phases of displays will go around the Buffet Car on the left hand side of the picture. A closer glance at the walls also shows a map of the world, showing places where narrow gauge railways were built, often inspired by what had been proved here in Porthmadog. Same again but from a different angle...... the locomotive is now ready to go back on its wheels, once the frames have been painted. Little by little, Russell starts to look more and more like a steam engine. The latest move is to attach the slide bars, which sit behind the cylinders. General view of Russell in the restoration shed. The wheels are behind the frames; the boiler is elsewhere on site. Now the display panels are up, the next step is the various artefacts for the space above. This signboard is a replica of one which once stood on the trans-shipment wharf in Porthmadog. Pete Jenks screws the board into place. The old bogies stand outside the shed in torrential rain. One winter maintenance job was fitting new bogies underneath carriage No.7. David Pritchard (left) and Dave Ruston jack the carriage up to remove the Pen-y-Mount end bogie. Dave Ruston cleans and checks the bogie before it's fitted. Another carriage project: rubbing down is in progress on the replica Ashbury Corridor coach No.25. The carriage is inside a protective tent for painting, which makes photographing it extremely difficult! Seconds after this photo was taken, the carriage was lowered down onto the replacement bogie. This superb 3D model of the Gladstone Coach has been made by Geoff Clifford to help with fundraising to refurbish the real thing. The model comes complete with cutout figure of Prime Minister Gladstone himself. The replica NWNGR brake van now has undercoat and roof canvas attached. PICTURE: Ken Farrance The inside of Coach No.25 is now complete, but further coats of paint are still going on the outside. PICTURE: Ken Farrance A view alongside the new diesel shed, which is on the left of the picture. PICTURE: Ken Farrance This section of the miniature railway was removed while the diesel shed (right) was built, and is now being reinstated. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Russell's new couplings are laid out for the camera. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Back in Porthmadog, the work continues on improving the new museum building. Graham Johnson puts the delicate finishing touches on a section of skirting board. Lyn and James get passionate about something. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Some of the new roller banners produced to promote the appeal to rebuild Baldwin 794. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The museum displays have put Charles Spooner (who helped bring narrow gauge steam locomotives to Porthmadog) looking directly at the horse dandy wagon, which would have been retired while he was in charge. A corner of the museum building, with displays about Porthmadog's role as a slate exporting port. The Rhosydd Quarry sign is the first of a series of artefacts for the upper sections of the walls. In another part of the hall, Finance Director Richard Sinclair (left) and Chief Wheeler-Dealer Steve Currinn (right) were among the volunteers on duty. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Chairman James Hewett and Shop Manager Lyn Seale in a rare quiet moment on the stand. Thanks are due to the K1 group for making our presence here possible. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Many WHHR volunteers spent the weekend in Birmingham for the Warley model railway show. One of our stands was directly in front of the centrepiece loco, K1, from the Caernarfon end of the line. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Mon Nov 2 2009 Hallowe'en 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1776308.html Hallowe'en 2009 Saturday 31 October 2009: Hallowe'en 2009

Gelert has acquired a pumpkin headboard for the evening. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The red light says it all........ take care, all ye who enter here (or maybe it just means we're operating at night) PICTURE: Michael Chapman Through the haunted tunnel, complete with spooky lights and smoke machine - it brought a few screams! PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman The ghostly evening seems to have made the driver disappear. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman Darkness falls, and a number of characters assemble on the platform at Porthmadog (WHR) PICTURE: Michael Chapman The good witch and bad witch do battle in the balcony of the Gladstone Coach. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman Once at Gelerts Farm, visitors got a second ghost train ride on the miniature railway, hauled by the replica Quarry Hunslet. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman The civils gang ran their own haunted train along the sidings parallel to the passengers' ghost train. PICTURE: Andy Goodwin

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Sat Oct 31 2009 October 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1771287.html October 2009 Thursday 1 October 2009: October 2009

Almost ready for departure, Rob Hughes gets to grips with the joystick controls on this 1994-built diesel loco. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford The split door of the diesel locomotive Emma does sometimes look like a stable, but driver Rob Hughes doesn't look in the mood for such gags as his locomotive is coupled up to the train at Pen-y-Mount. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Levelling the main line involved eight moves per sleeper; it took a small gang a whole day to do around seventy five sleepers. Another corner of the South Yard is levelled and flattened. Steam loco engineer Dave Ruston supplies some expert advice. One of the axleboxes from the steam locomotive Russell has been trial fitted to the spring - the result starts to look like something vaguely art deco! Work has begun on restoring Baldwin 794 at Alan Keef Ltd in Herefordshire. Here, one side of the frames is machined to the correct shape. A close-up of the frames of Baldwin 794, which is being restored to fill the role of long-disappeared class sister No.590, which once ran on the old Welsh Highland. Another close-up showing the bars which make up the frames of the loco, and which look somewhat insubstantial compared to the chunkier plate frames of other British built locomotives. The replica Welsh Highland Railway coal wagon suddenly found itself being used for (erm) coal! A temporary shortage meant that the emergency supply had to be dug out from underneath the stock of pallets and passed over to the engine. A view inside the Big Shed at the end of a dull day had replica carriage No.25, original WHR carriage No.42 and LYd2 diesel No.60 in residence. Dave Gledhill's main project of the moment is this replica NWNGR brake van, seen here with the roof timbers loose fitted. PICTURE: Ken Farrance One volunteer suggested it looks like an enormous game of Connect Four...... but it is in fact the framework for the doors of the new diesel shed at Gelerts Farm. This picture is already history, as the cladding was hung a day or so later. PICTURE: Ken Farrance A miniature railway needs a miniature pit for a miniature loco to dispose of its miniature ash! The new facility is now ready for the miniature steam loco's next turn at the end of October. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Wagon foreman Dave Gledhill maxing out on white primer. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Pen-y-Mount station, the other end of the line, on a pleasant day in October. PICTURE: Ken Farrance The axleboxes have now been trial fitted to Russell's wheels. The circular grooves are to allow an oil supply to circulate, not sponsorship by a car firm. PICTURE: Ken Farrance A close up of the rear and centre driving wheelsets, showing newly machined axleboxes. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Just a few feet away, a further Somme re-enactment is underway, digging trenches for electric cables and water pipes. The start of the Autumn Bash project week saw wagons being shunted through the Carriage & Wagon Shops. This section of track isn't used very often, and has disappeared into one of the Gelerts Farm puddles. Engineering Manager John Holmes adjusts the handbrake on a wagon as it's gently inched forward. The time has come when the new diesel shed can start being used for...... diesels! This mines loco was being shunted inside by the orange Ruston from Hoveringham Quarry. PICTURE: Mark Holden The recent hanging of the doors means the new shed is now secure for storage, though it's not quite finished yet. PICTURE: Mark Holden Out on the main line, a round of coal goes on rather enthusiastically. A parade of diesel power outside the RED shed, including passenger diesel Glaslyn (blue) and former passenger diesel Kinnerley (maroon). Out on the main line, Nigel Hanwell is inspecting the work done by the civils gang in summer, and planning the next stage - getting it a bit more level. Fireman and guard, father and son Glyn and George Winsall. The ticket booth at Porthmadog (WHR) station is being painted, involving use of this rather fetching pink masking tape. A l'exterieur du shed, Monsieur Graham Harrison est a la construction d'un French drain. PICTURE: Mark Holden A day or so later, and the job is nearing completion. The nice weather means gang members working in shirt sleeves - not bad for October! PICTURE: Nick Cutmore A lineup of miniature steam, diesel and electric power outside the miniature depot at Gelerts Farm. PICTURE: Ken Farrance This Maxitrax loco looks tiny compared to the green Quarry Hunslet loco alongside. PICTURE: Ken Farrance The replica North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways brake van continues to take shape in the wagon side of the Carriage & Wagon Shops. PICTURE: Ken Farrance An end view of the replica NWNGR brake van. PICTURE: Ken Farrance The wheels from the original WHR steam locomotive Russell now have the axleboxes attached, ready for mounting in the frames. PICTURE: Ken Farrance One of the oldest Simplex locomotives in the world, this machine was just a few hours from moving under its own power for the first time in years. PICTURE: Ken Farrance A closeup of the expertly restored engine. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Restoration Engineer David Pritchard (Daffy) has been doing some machining on the springs...... no comment about the rippling muscles. PICTURE: Ken Farrance The new diesel shed now has doors, though a number of further jobs need doing before it's complete. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Outside the museum building, some traditional narrow gauge wharf and quarry trackwork has been installed. Chairman James Hewett checks the turntable still turns after the surface has been laid. PICTURE: Ken Farrance More track still has to be installed to complete the layout (the second turntable looks a bit lonely at present). PICTURE: Ken Farrance The Chairman manoeuvres a dumper round the site to its next job. PICTURE: Ken Farrance The trenches in the South Yard have been filled in, and manholes have been built. Note the creative way to keep them dry! PICTURE: Mark Holden One of the biggest jobs of the Autumn Bash project week was levelling the main line, done by teams of volunteers with kango hammers. PICTURE: Mark Holden Back at Gelerts Farm Works, Dave Ruston is busy with the fiery finger...... PICTURE: Mark Holden Moving for the first time under its own power in more than a decade, this Simplex locomotive was originally built for the trenches of the First World War, before ending up in a peat works in Somerset. PICTURE: Mark Holden Nick Cutmore, who has done much of the restoration work, eases the locomotive back into the shed after its first run. PICTURE: Mark Holden Oops! Nigel Hanwell came out of the toilets to find that everyone had gone home. See you next year Nigel...... PICTURE: Nick Cutmore Another of the many jobs completed during the project week was the re-surfacing of Porthmadog (WHR) station platform. Work is in progress as Pete Jenks and Nigel Hanwell arrive in a wagon. PICTURE: Mark Holden Over the other side of the Cambrian Coast Line, Cae Hir, the field we own, is being cleared.

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Thu Oct 1 2009 September 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1753486.html September 2009 Tuesday 1 September 2009: September 2009

One of the axleboxes has been trial fitted to the frames...... and it fits fine! PICTURE: Ken Farrance Work continues on restoring the only surviving WHR steam engine, Russell. One of the couplings has now been assembled ready for fitting. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Another view of the coupling and drawgear. PICTURE: Ken Farrance A trio of axleboxes awaits further attention. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Work was recently completed on machining the driving wheel axleboxes so they fit squarely in the frames, some minor work is still needed on the brasses (the yellowy bit in the middle) before they can be fitted to the loco and have wheelsets installed in them. PICTURE: Ken Farrance PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman Our logo undergoes a makeover - here it is in Welsh. Our logo undergoes a makeover - here it is in English. Miniature railway genius Bob Washington is hard at work on his latest project, a new locomotive. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Richard Harrison cleans out Gelerts tubes before warming it up for service the following day. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford The NWNGR brake van replica is taking shape, with much of the bodywork panelling now in place. PICTURE: Ken Farrance Dave Gledhill is working on another section of the replica NWNGR brake van. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Geoff Clifford measuring up for some of the internal fittings of Emma's cab. PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford Beryl Bariana is back! PICTURE: Marilyn Clifford

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Tue Sep 1 2009 August Bank Holiday 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1749708.html August Bank Holiday 2009 Saturday 29 August 2009: August Bank Holiday 2009

Here's what they were burning: the remains of an old demountable building which was on site next to the joiner's shops (white building on the left). Thomas Ellis Jones obliges with his excavator driving skills. Hunslet diesel locomotive Kathy was having its engine lifted out ready for repair work, as part of efforts to get it into service. The only bright thing is Gelerts nameplate as the train heads for Pen-Mount under a threatening sky. One of the many jobs done over the weekend was painting the new diesel shed in the South Yard at Gelerts Farm. The mould and filth has been scraped off, and a grey primer paint is being applied. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The civils gang spent the drier parts of the weekend putting in a second wagon turntable and a short length of track to form part of the new outside wagon displays. This is a heap of spoil...... PICTURE: Michael Chapman The replica NWNGR brake van is taking shape in the Carriage & Wagon shops. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The remains of the temporary(ish) building are stored in wagons ready to be shipped off and disposed of. PICTURE: Michael Chapman New arrival: this 7.25 PICTURE: Michael Chapman Chris Wilson, Nigel Hanwell and Paul Stott contemplate the next piece of rail. PICTURE: Michael Chapman John Savage and Dave Rutt bring Gelert back into Porthmadog (WHR) station. PICTURE: Michael Chapman An extra attraction was provided over the weekend in the person of Children's Author Alan Cliff, who signed copies of his books about Jack the Station Cat. Andy Goodwin, Chris Wilson and Graham Harrison work on, despite the rain...... A new exhibit in the Engine Sheds was this pocket watch, originally presented to a Ffestiniog Railway employee for long service. It was a weekend of fire and rain. Steam locomotive Gelert has both as it waits at the Engine Sheds in a downpour. The passengers are keeping dry inside the museum. But it didn't rain all weekend. Gelert pulls away from the train at Pen-y-Mount. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Geoff Jenkins has a relatively dry job refurbishing parts of LYd2 Number 60. PICTURE: Michael Chapman In the Main Yard, there's just rain. Someone sort out the drainage...... PICTURE: Michael Chapman The civils gang have managed to keep a fire going despite the downpour. It's actually some distance behind the signal box. PICTURE: Michael Chapman ......before it becomes a lake. Ah, it already has. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Some of the components inside the 350hp LYd2, all carefully overhauled. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Pulling its first passenger trains, the new Quarry Hunslet loco shrouds the scene in steam. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Ailith Rutt eases the miniature steam loco round the curve after leaving the museum. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The new loco proved more than capable of hauling trains full of adults and children. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The new steam locomotive will be based in Porthmadog for at least a year, and is called Brunel, though the owners are discussing alternative names. PICTURE: Michael Chapman New arrival: proud Not long, and you'd never know there was anything there. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The almost completed section of the outside display area. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The cladding of the shed needs to be painted with a special plastic paint, which had an extremely strong solvent smell. Just as well the rain intervened on several occasions before the staff felt the affects. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Malcolm Hindes isn't working on the outside display area, but we were too frightened to ask him what he was doing. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The miniature steam loco is dwarfed by the home signal on the 2' gauge as the two run side by side. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Ailith Rutt powers the miniature Quarry Hunslet along the straight back to the museum. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Big and small steam with the new Quarry Hunslet in the foreground and two foot gauge Gelert behind. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Ailith Rutt heads the miniature railway train into the museum. PICTURE: Michael Chapman ......And back out again. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Dave Rutt heads off with another run around the circuit. PICTURE: Michael Chapman

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Sat Aug 29 2009 High Summer 2009 - 2 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1740018.html High Summer 2009 - 2 Saturday 25 July 2009: High Summer 2009 - 2

PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk PICTURE: Robin Formstone/Freelance Photos North Wales - http://www.fpnw.co.uk

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Sat Jul 25 2009 Civils Week 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1731959.html Civils Week 2009 Saturday 25 July 2009: Civils Week 2009

And we're off! The telelifter eases one of the first sections of the framework into place for one of the main projects in this year's Summer Civils Week. The new diesel shed is being built in the South Yard alongside the museum. The stop sign and the red flag are there, but where's the lookout.....? PICTURE: Michael Chapman Back in the South Yard, Malcolm Baugh and James Hewett are checking measurements and preparing to add cladding rails to the new building. PICTURE: Michael Chapman James Hewett checks his measurements carefully. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Next job, install the new clips. PICTURE: Michael Chapman As well as the nice scenery, the gang also got to appreciate the station flower displays at close quarters. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The new toy! The telelifter is like a combination of digger, crane and fork lift truck. Much fun was had sorting the site out with it, it seemed a pity we could only afford to hire it. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The benefit of outdoor work is that you get to enjoy the Snowdonia scenery (except when it rains). PICTURE: Michael Chapman Time to enjoy the achievements of the week so far, though the expressions on peoples faces suggest that no-one is making any smart arse comments! PICTURE: Michael Chapman Some passengers asked why the gang never seemed to be doing anything as the train passed...... the obvious answer being that you can't work on a piece of track when there's a train passing over it. But that didn't stop the gang for long. PICTURE: Tony Statham The next job was to build a low wall around the base of the building, before attaching the cladding. The gang were on a tea break when the picture was taken. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The track gang's first job was to install Pandrol clips to hold the rails to baseplates (previously we used coach screws directly against the rail). Here's one we prepared earlier. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Out on the track, a second gang spent the week improving the main line. Rick Beton is on duty as lookout man, holding the train until it's safe to move forward. PICTURE: Michael Chapman ......posing with the rest of the track gang for a group photo! PICTURE: Michael Chapman By the early part of the week, the skeleton of the building was coming together. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Photographer and track gang member, Tony Statham has been taking pictures of this railway since before we opened in 1980, and has an extensive Fotopic site of his own. He's always on the search for new angles...... PICTURE: Dave Hill Richard Warren is either very tired, or has stopped work waiting for the next train to come past. PICTURE: Tony Statham Another group photo of the track gang. Peter Trafford looks particularly menacing with the drill! PICTURE: Tony Statham Break time. PICTURE: Tony Statham Up at the other end of the line, a third gang was sorting rails ready for this winter's project - re-laying the main line. They also relaid the engineering siding. Here, the ground is being prepared ready for track and sleepers. PICTURE: Tony Statham Chris Wilson gets to grips with the filthiest job in track work: greasing the fishplates which hold the rails together. PICTURE: Tony Statham Heads down as more rails are moved into place. PICTURE: Tony Statham Civil Engineering Manager Andy Goodwin supervises the arrival of the next pair of rails. PICTURE: Tony Statham The cladding for this building is second hand, and had been stored in the open for a while, so needed a good wash before being put into place. PICTURE: Tony Statham The roof was installed in two sections, with a capping piece to seal the join. PICTURE: Tony Statham The view in the other direction shows that there's still some work to be done on the Carriage & Wagon Shops roof. PICTURE: Tony Statham Other clearup tasks were going on around the site. Dave Ruston is disposing of the gorse that's been chopped down near the coal dock. PICTURE: Tony Statham A matter of minutes after the last picture, the heavens opened. PICTURE: Tony Statham The gang carried on, despite the downpour. PICTURE: Tony Statham A rather wet Rick Beton flags the train past the worksite. PICTURE: Tony Statham As the week progressed, the gang moved on to installing the dwarf wall around the base of the new shed, allowing the outside cladding to be fitted. PICTURE: Tony Statham The new shed takes shape - note the museum building on the left. PICTURE: Tony Statham The scaffolding moves around as the gang progress from cladding the side nearest to the museum to starting work on the opposite wall. PICTURE: Tony Statham Some of the tired specimens...... PICTURE: Tony Statham PICTURE: Tony Statham A view from the entrance end, with the cladding in place on the second side. PICTURE: Tony Statham The week also included topping up the ballast on the section past the works. An assortment of works diesels sits on the main line and the access to the depot. PICTURE: Tony Statham Where does this last bit go. PICTURE: Tony Statham The job's a good 'un! Considerably more was achieved than anyone had dared hope for, and by the end of the week, the new building has a roof, and cladding on three of the four sides. There's obviously plenty more to do, including fitting the doors. PICTURE: Tony Statham How to christen a new building: have dinner in it! The civils gang celebrated the end of a very successful week with tea in the new shed, expertly cooked by Paul Stott.

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Sat Jul 25 2009 High Summer 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1731955.html High Summer 2009 Friday 24 July 2009: High Summer 2009

The original WHR Buffet Car is prominent in the rake as Gelert propels the train down to Porthmadog (WHR) station for the start of the day's service. Steam locomotive Gelert rests at Porthmadog (WHR) station in between trains; this summer's flower displays are now in full bloom. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The original WHR Buffet Car, recently restored with the help of a grant from the Museums Libraries and Archives Council PRISM Fund, is now in service every Saturday through high summer. Here, it awaits its first passengers of the day. PICTURE: Michael Chapman This old slate wagon is now in place to form part of a new outside display The wheels from Hunslet 901 Various components have already been reattached to Russell's frames; the axleboxes are nearing completion for the wheels to be next. PICTURE: Michael Chapman This is the Westinghouse air pump to go on the locomotive. A replacement one has been located which is of the correct size for Russell. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Russell's ashpan and a number of other components. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Some complicated maths is going on to make sure that when the frames and wheels are reunited, everything fits together down to the last fraction of an inch. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert drifts past the museum with an afternoon train. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert passes the Tremadog rocks with a train for Pen-y-Mount. The first carriage in the train is the original WHR Hudson toastrack coach, dating from 1923. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Russell's boiler is being kept undercover to avoid deterioration. PICTURE: Michael Chapman But which is scrap: the stuff that it's watching, or the camera? PICTURE: Michael Chapman Behind the counter, volunteers Wendy Barnsley and Will High enjoy a rare quiet moment in between trains. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Back at the shop, Manager Lyn Seale is never far away, helping a visitor with an enquiry. PICTURE: Michael Chapman There are hundreds of titles in the bookshop, and a modest selection online at www.railwaybookshop.co.uk PICTURE: Michael Chapman Inside the shop, the stock of railway books has been topped up for the high season, as can be seen in this shelf-stacker's eye view. PICTURE: Will High using Michael Chapman's camera Why the smirk on Mark Seale's face? He's just caught his son, Alec, attempting to eat a Ffestiniog Railway timetable! Grandmother Lyn Seale has her hands full! PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert prepares for departure for Porthmadog (WHR) station. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Inside the Buffet Car, Non Williams is in charge of serving up tea, coffee and plenty of witty banter. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert has just arrived at Pen-y-Mount and eases forward for the run round. Fireman Andy Powell prepares to climb down and operate the points. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert passes over the points at the far end of Pen-y-Mount loop. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Heading back towards Porthmadog (WHR), Gelert passes the lights of CPD Porthmadog's football ground. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The straight between Pen-y-Mount and Gelerts Farm Works runs along the top of a low embankment, as can be seen in this picture from the surrounding fields. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The train curves back towards Gelerts Farm Works. Note the low roof of the Buffet Car, which was cut down in 1924 to fit the loading gauge of the Ffestiniog Railway. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The section of line immediately north of Pen-y-Mount. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The line immediately north of Pen-y-Mount. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Viewed from the footplate of steam locomotive Karen, a group of passengers enjoy the museum building, including the brass rubbing table and diesel locomotive Gelert sits in the platform at Gelerts Farm Halt, while the passengers enjoy a tour of the museum. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Another view of Gelert through the trees and the shrubbery which surrounds the miniature railway. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The quality of the restoration and attention to detail can be seen in this close up shot. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Back at Porthmadog (WHR) station, the summer flower displays provide an impressive welcome to visitors. PICTURE: Michael Chapman More books...... PICTURE: Michael Chapman The miniature railway train trundles through the woods with owner Bob Washington at the controls. Judging by the lack of passengers, this is either an empty stock movement, or a secret unadvertised run for Bob's own amusement...... PICTURE: Michael Chapman Behind the scenes in the Russell Tea Room is a hive of activity: how many sandwiches? PICTURE: Michael Chapman The WHHR made headline news at the end of August, when our resident Town Crier, Martin Hallett, won a prestigious national competition. Gelert steams through the woods between the museum and Porthmadog (WHR) station, crossing the stream known as Y Cyt Bach. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Three of Russell's axleboxes - next in the queue for machining. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Father and son: Steam Driver Andy Powell arrives on board Gelert to be greeted by his son Andy Powell (junior). PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelerts Farm Works from above, with the locomotive preparation store in the foreground (used for wood, paper and oil to start up steam locos) and the Big Shed beyond. The Locomotive Restoration Shed and the Carriage & Wagon Shops are on the left. PICTURE: Tony Statham The view in the other direction shows the signal box and the RED shed. (RED stood for Railway Extension Department, and was nothing to do with the colour!) PICTURE: Tony Statham Inside the Carriage Shops, the replica of NWNGR brake van number 2 is taking shape. PICTURE: Tony Statham Earlier in the week, a three man team had been putting the transfer gearbox back into the locomotive - this was the component which failed in May. Paul Stott provides lifting and positioning input at floor level...... Steve Currinn and Dave Hill are out of site in the pit below! PICTURE: Tony Statham The rockery by the miniature railway has attracted many positive comments from passengers. PICTURE: Tony Statham A trio of vintage Welsh Highland carriages. The 1894 Buffet Car is nearest the camera, followed by the Hudson Toastrack, built 1923, then the Gladstone Car, which the Prime Minister of that name used in 1892. Sadly no such adventure. The back wheelset is being removed to be turned to the correct profile in the lathe. Part of one wheel was not quite right, and had been damaging the drive chains. PICTURE: Tony Statham Diesel Locomotive Glaslyn looks like it's being converted to run on a mountain rack railway...... PICTURE: Tony Statham The work on the wheels was done in just a few hours. Geoff Jenkins and Steve Currinn check over the newly turned wheelset before putting it back. PICTURE: Tony Statham ......and the cogs on the back axle might be further evidence of this. PICTURE: Tony Statham Gelert runs round a busy train while passengers and crew exchange banter. PICTURE: Graham Symms

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Fri Jul 24 2009 July 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1723945.html July 2009 Wednesday 1 July 2009: July 2009

Patrick Swan installs the pipework for a new watering system in the museum courtyard at Gelerts Farm. PICTURE: Ian Whitley The miniature railway station has become known as The flower displays around the railway are now in full summer bloom. This is the museum courtyard at Gelerts Farm, with hanging baskets, raised bed, and miniature railway train awaiting passengers. PICTURE: Ian Whitley PICTURE: Ian Whitley The nasturtiums at Gelerts Farm Halt have gone wild once again, bringing a splash of colour to the platform. PICTURE: Ian Whitley WHR Ltd member Steve Seale exhibited his collection of miniature steam engines during the weekend of 4th and 5th July. Here, one of them gets some delicate attention. The factory section of the miniature steam display, with more chimneys than a Lancashire mill town. The steam engines weren't the only thing attracting attention...... Phil Ankers spent most of the weekend in the toilets in the museum building, installing the hot water supply. Another view of the hanging baskets at Gelerts Farm. Moel y Gest dominates the scene as Hunslet diesel Emma arrives in Porthmadog with a short train. Inside the museum, the wharf wagon has been moved to sit underneath the picture of the slate quays in Porthmadog. Similar wagons can be seen in the picture which dominates this end of the museum building. John Holmes works on a new section of fence at the Pen-y-Mount end of the museum building. The ramp behind the fence is higher than the surrounding yard, hence the need for the barrier. The ticket booth at Porthmadog (WHR) station provides a backdrop for another flower display, this time in a wheelbarrow. Goodbye for now: the chassis of Baldwin 794 is gently lowered onto a wagon to be transported off site for restoration. PICTURE: Graham Symms Another view of the Baldwin's departure. No date has yet been set for its return - it all depends on how quickly we can raise the cash! PICTURE: Graham Symms

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Wed Jul 1 2009 May and June 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1704488.html May and June 2009 Friday 15 May 2009: May and June 2009

Various small bits of the interior of Ashbury No.25, removed for varnishing. Inside the newly built replica of Ashbury Corridor Carriage no.25, where the seats have been removed for final finishing. The slight blue tinge to this photograph comes because it sits inside a painting tent of blue plastic. Driver Ben Rosen is having a chilled out happy day as he prepares to put the Hunslet diesel locomotive Emma back in the shed for the night. Driver Richard Harrison isn't auditioning for a remake of Inside the Big Shed, Hudson Toastrack No.42, an original WHR vehicle, and steam locomotive Gelert. A view of Gelert from the Ffestiniog Railway sponsors' train, which ran alongside on 16th May. PICTURE: Michael Chapman A novel use for the supports which will eventually hold the new diesel shed together. The WHHR's own statue display. Volunteers Mark Herbert and Victoria Towers enjoy a day off. PICTURE: Rebecca Corbett The source of all the aggro: diesel locomotive Glaslyn in the RED Shed (the insides are in bits, though that doesn't show here). Visiting loco Irish Mail rests between duties at Porthmadog (WHR) station. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The backs of three different trains at Porthmadog (WHR). A Cambrian Coast train passes as Irish Mail (centre) waits at the head of the train for Gelert (right) to take water. PICTURE: Michael Chapman ......and this is why we need the weedkiller train. The grass is growing thick and fast in between the rails - the photo shows just a few weeks' growth! PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert makes plenty of steam as it heads towards the museum stop. PICTURE: Michael Chapman In the wagon repair department, the replica NWNGR brake van is taking shape. PICTURE: Michael Chapman A nice shot of Gelert in the greenery. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert demonstrates the sylvan beauty of the line as it runs through the trees between Porthmadog (WHR) station and Gelerts Farm Halt. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert is the focus of attention as it waits at Porthmadog (WHR) station. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The weedkiller train, featuring Running a gardens department becomes even harder during a hot dry period...... Manager Ian Whitley does a rain dance so he doesn't have to be outside with the watering can each hour! The last weekend in May was the annual Biggles looks a bit like someone else in this photo. Confusing, or what? While certain members of staff were playing with teddy bears, Chairman James Hewett gets down to real work with the whacker plate. Or maybe he's just creating lots of dust to give that impression. The weather was so hot, the civils gang had to spra the concrete with water to stop it setting too fast (and cracking). James Hewett celebrates a large expanse of newly laid concrete ready for the next stage. A lineup of heritage wagons is now back on the track after a new siding was laid to accommodate them. Hold on, not even we would normally get excited by some corrugated iron sheets. But this dent was done ages ago, and we've been meaning to sort it out for years. This picture is proof that the job is finally getting done. The weekend involved a large scale concreting offensive on the base of the new diesel shed. The hanging baskets in the museum entrance courtyard at Gelerts Farm have now been planted out for the summer, though watering them has been a never ending task in the recent heat. PICTURE: Ian Whitley To try and keep things moist, the hanging baskets have been fitted with self watering devices, better known as plastic bottles buried in the soil. PICTURE: Ian Whitley Alex Shearman gets some of the summer bedding in one of the new barrel planters at Pen-y-Mount. PICTURE: Ian Whitley Gelert and its train pull away from Pothmadog (WHR) station on an unexpectedly busy Sunday at the start of June. Gelert viewed through the beams of the shelter area at Pen-y-Mount station. The building is a replica of an original WHR corrugated iron structure. Beyond Gelert are the Tremadog rocks, which used to be sea cliffs before this area was reclaimed. A small but select civils gang spent part of the weekend improving the building site area immediately outside the museum. This corner isn't accessible to visitors yet, but a small section of ex-Croesor tramway track was laid ready to take display wagons. Pete Jenks and James Hewett sort the ballast. The display track was built with ex-Croesor Tramway materials, so it seems appropriate to put an ex-Croesor Tramway wagon on it. The easy bit was pushing it along the rails - it then had to be man handled over the concrete to its final location! Inside the museum, the new display showing how a steam loco works has been set up in front of the sectioned Quarry Hunslet boiler. The screen features an animation explaining what's going on inside the boiler...... the red space alongside will eventually display a sectioned model of a cylinder. A view from the main hall of the museum building into the Big Shed beyond, with the original WHR Buffet Car and Polish LYd2 diesel. Shedmaster Tommy McNeilly shows a group of visitors around the main hall of the building. ......and then answers individual questions. Guard Christopher Boulter is also in the shed talking to passengers, and amusing people with his animated anecdotes. A real Quarry Hunslet lurks at the other end of the museum...... Irish Mail is visiting from the West Lancashire Railway until 20th June. The end result, after a little bit of swearing and protests...... and that was just the wagon. Steam loco Gelert waits outside the museum - note the yellow pipe topping up the water tank. Goodbye for now. The boiler of NG15 No.120 is loaded onto a wagon for restoration off site. PICTURE: Harry Payne The hanging baskets in the museum entrance courtyard at Gelerts Farm. PICTURE: Graham Symms Some of the planting opposite the miniature railway station at the museum...... this are has become known as Gelerts Farm Low Level because of the two foot gauge station a little higher, behind the fence. PICTURE: Graham Symms Ian Whitley makes another pass on platform 2, tackling the never ending task of mowing. PICTURE: Graham Symms The hanging baskets at Porthmadog (WHR) station are a rich shade of red and purple this season. PICTURE: Graham Symms Another view of the summer bedding at Porthmadog (WHR) station. PICTURE: Graham Symms This is the casing of the transfer gearbox on Glaslyn. The large crack across the body is through cast iron: a visual reminder of the severe nature of the failure it suffered at the start of May.

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Fri May 15 2009 Spirit of the Welsh Highland Gala http://whr.fotopic.net/c1693378.html Spirit of the Welsh Highland Gala Saturday 2 May 2009: Spirit of the Welsh Highland Gala

PICTURE: Nick Brabner PICTURE: Nick Brabner PICTURE: Nick Brabner A closeup of the worksplate. Any colour, so long as it's black...... PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins The original Welsh Highland Railway Baldwin was number 590, and differed slightly from 778: a wooden cab back was added to keep off the worst of the Welsh rain, something not necessary in this view from the first day of the gala. PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins The Baldwin brings the WHR heritage train round the curve alongside Gelerts Farm Works. Immediately behind the loco is the PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins PICTURE: Geoff Jenkins Not quite 1924, but pretty close. The heritage train includes the original WHR observation car, the Buffet and a 1923 Hudson toastrack carriage. Bringing up the rear is a brake van from the Vale of Rheidol railway in Aberystwyth. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman The Baldwin had a reputation on the old WHR for being large and rough riding...... but the visit of 778 has certainly destroyed a few myths. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman 778 proved to be a competent machine capable of handling things in style. Here it heads at speed (line speed!) for Pen-y-Mount. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman Baldwin 778 powers the WHR heritage train towards Porthmadog. In the background are the old cliffs, a reminder that the whole area was reclaimed from the sea. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman A close up of the visitor. Baldwin 778 has been expertly restored to the condition it would have operated in during the First World War. It's owned by the Greensand Railway Museum Trust and is based at the Leighton Buzzard Railway in Bedfordshire. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Sat May 2 2009 April 2009 http://whr.fotopic.net/c1678252.html April 2009 Saturday 4 April 2009: April 2009

Nick The line may seem somewhat sharply curved, but is reminiscent of the style of trackwork once common in the quarries of North Wales. One more coach screw...... things are never quite as easy as they seem: the sleeper wasn't too willing to co-operate This remarkable piece of trackwork was started over Easter weekend, and completed the Sunday afterwards. It connects the siding alongside the museum with a wagon turntable immediately behind. WHHR Chairman James Hewett christens the siding by running a wagon off one piece of track and turning it on the turntable before sending it back. The Parks and Gardens Department held an intensive Gardens Manager Ian Whitley is hard at work getting his hands dirty. The completed platform with half-barrel planters. The barrels were fresh from use, and still smelled of wine! PICTURE: Ian Whitley The other new section of planting was at Gelerts Farm Halt, where the newly completed entrance courtyard for the museum was given the finishing touch. This ornamental locomotive is a good way to hide an unsightly manhole! The miniature railway platform at Gelerts Farm, with gardens between it and the 2' platform. PICTURE: Ian Whitley Hanging baskets have also been added to the museum entrance courtyard. PICTURE: Ian Whitley LYd2 Number 58 has emerged from the Big Shed...... this locomotive is not currently operational, so this is a rare foray into the sunshine. PICTURE: Tony Statham Here's the reason everything was being taken out of the Big Shed - the chassis of the WHHR resident Baldwin is being moved from one side of the Big Shed to the other, ready for display at our gala event at the start of May. PICTURE: Tony Statham Diesel power big and small - a Ruston diesel from Hoveringham Quarry and Polish LYd2 Number 58. PICTURE: Tony Statham One of the oldest surviving SImplex locos is also outside the shed because of the mega shunt. PICTURE: Tony Statham The almost empty inside of the Big Shed, while things are being moved around. PICTURE: Tony Statham Big diesel - little diesel? The not-particularly-big Simplex No.36 is joined by a 7.25 Gelert runs light engine past the section which parallels the miniature railway. Note the sign! PICTURE: Tony Statham The inside of the new museum on a busy day. PICTURE: Tony Statham In the museum, passengers are busy hunting Easter eggs and looking at the exhibits. PICTURE: Tony Statham Easter Sunday was the annual Visitors were also entertained by the Daft Controller and Professor Pop the Balloon Man. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Rufus the Rabbit is known for his mischievous antics, hence the Bagnall 0-4-2T Gelert heads away from Porthmadog (WHR) with another packed train. The brake van at the back used to run on the Vale of Rheidol Railway in Aberystwyth. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert leaves Porthmadog with another departure. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Outside the museum, the civils gang have started the job of tidying up the South Yard, and laying sidings. PICTURE: Michael Chapman A typical scene from Easter Sunday 2009, nice weather and crowds of people. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Maintenance work was also going on with LYd2 Locomotive Number 60. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The source of a problem that has kept this locomotive out of traffic for two years was finally located to a seal on the water pump. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The railway's third LYd2 locomotive, Number 58, lurks at the back of the Big Shed while a mammoth shunting operation takes place. PICTURE: Michael Chapman PICTURE: Michael Chapman At Gelerts Farm, Rufus the Rabbit and the Rabbit Tamer put on another show for the children, and the big kids. PICTURE: Michael Chapman A group of visitors returns from their trip on the miniature railway, seen here crossing the stream for the second time. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Steam drivers Mark Seale and Nigel Watkinson enjoy a moments relaxation while the passengers visit the museum. PICTURE: Michael Chapman On a nice day, the miniature railway proved popular once families had finished hunting Easter eggs around the museum. The tram engine sets off on another journey as Bagnall steam loco Gelert looms in the background. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The entertainment has moved from juggling to spinning plates. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Karen, a Peckett 0-4-2T locomotive gets some attention in the museum from John Rayner. Working in between trainloads of visitors, a team managed to get several cleaning and painting jobs done in the display area over the Easter weekend. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Whatever...... PICTURE: Michael Chapman The miniature train heads over the trestle bridge as part of its circuit round the museum and through the woods. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Gelert leaves the museum and heads for Porthmadog with the last train of the day. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Watering at the end of the day. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The end of the day, and Gelert is parked up at the coal dock for ashing out and filling the bunker. PICTURE: Michael Chapman The evening sunlight often creates some impressive effects, here emphasising the summit of Cnicht in the background. PICTURE: Michael Chapman On an evening training train, Emma powers round the corner at Gelerts Farm. PICTURE: Michael Chapman Visiting Baldwin 778 runs round a test train at Pen-y-Mount. PICTURE: Stuart McNair A contrast of old and new at Porthmadog (WHR). Baldwin 778 poses alongside a replica WHR wagon with 1994 Hunslet diesel Emma in the background. PICTURE: Stuart McNair The visiting Baldwin is the star of the gala weekend at the start of May, when it will help recreate scenes of the WHR of the 1920s, when sister locomotive No.590 operated on the line. PICTURE: Stuart McNair The Baldwin couples up to an original WHR carriage, the 1894 Gladstone coach. PICTURE: Stuart McNair Knit one, purl one...... Carriage & Wagon Manager Andy Jones is busy assembling some oilers to get the Hudson Toastrack carriage back in service for Easter.

Published in Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

]]> Sat Apr 4 2009