In the early 1960's (1961, I think) I took a train from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog to have a look round. There was some track, a few slate wagons (some on their side), a few small empty huts, piles of slate everywhere and a terrible mess. All looked completely abandonned, nothing like the lovely station you have now.
I can honestly say that's the first time I've heard the slightest suggestion there was ever any thought of sparking up the Conwy Valley Line! OK, so it's moribund now, but the notion of a Dinas Shuttle is still appealing. Hopefully, some local entrepreneurs can harness some of that massive outdoors activities market in order to give the economy a boost. Blaenau is still 'The Hole in The Doughnut' of the National Park, which gives a degree of flexibility lacking in every direction!
"I dug (Festiniog Adventure) out to look up some dates .... but I've forgotten them now". A world I'm all too familiar with!! I recall Brian Hollingworth's book (which I still have) mentioning the PW creeping up on deviationists every time their back was turned. I thought it a hell of a tribute at the time, as was his description of the trackwork as 'manicured'. The crane story about Cwmorthin Bridge stuck in my mind too. I always suspected the book should have read 'the 100 ton crane made the job just about possible'. I'm glad that, with the advent of "Y Chwarelwr", T-y-G now at least sees a couple of timetabled trains crossing most days.
Just like the trains, these videos are finished to a highly professional standard with beautiful photography and always fascinating content. Someone puts a lot of work into "Moving Pictures", so why the low viewer numbers? I enjoy every episode. Have I stumbled upon a well-kept secret?
Wonder why RU-vid threw up Pt.4 ahead of Pt.1? Aaah .... the mysteries of the algorithm! Still, that leaves me with loads more of this fascinating and informative series to enjoy. Many thanks to Fred for sharing. Now we know why getting from Tan-y-Grisiau to Blaenau Ffestiniog took five years .... even though that was way quicker than restoring the still defunct Portishead Branch!!
Magnificent catches of the steam locomotives coming by and pass, i like it 5 stars. Thumbs up. Hearing that amazing puffing and chuffing and coaches coming through is absolutely crazy. Keep up the perfect work, my friend, i just iked and subscribed your channel, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.
What a video.. thrashing rods and counterweights and the way the ground shots interacted with the drone shots was brilliant.. great stuff... many thanks.
It's great to see Ted's old loco back in steam Shame she was not repainted in quarry livery she was delivered as ordered fro bagnsls which is Buckingham green with red lining but then that's her new owners privaledge still great to see her again I have been in contact with her since early days of the clr sadly no longer there I hope she gives her new. Owners as much pleasure as she gave Ted and his crew of followers at cadby over the years
Very impressive and a great occasion. Thankfully, the bad days are behind this railway as it can now run limited revenue goods trains a scene we would not seen just two years ago.
Even though I am in the USA, I have a big spot for the Garretts. I like how the 1st Garrett is working along with the last Garretts built. Quite poetic that it is 2 ft through 5 ft 6 in back to 2 ft.
A great three days of riding the line: a BIG thank-you to ALL staff, volunteers and fellow travelers for helping my wheelchair-user wife and myself (visually impaired) have brilliant week-end!
Great video coverage for those of us not living close to the railway and with a bit of blues music accompaniment too, a most welcome development, I for one hope continues!
Just an observation, but there seems to be no particular pattern to the use and placing of loco lamps - they seem to bear no relationship to either direction or type of train. All very hard for somebody like me, trying to replicate the look without having to buy four expensive lamps.
What a joy is is to see the obvious care, attention and love shown to these wonderful old locomotives! If I lived 175 miles nearer I'd be there polishing, too!
Really loved the drone shots over Dinas. Those locos look a LOT longer from the air. Did No.9 make Rhyd Ddu (and back) OK? Pity No.9's whistle isn't attached to the exhaust, as per Baguely's original practise. I've never heard the 'warble' of such a whistle, but surviving descriptions say it was highly distinctive.
@@FfestiniogWelshHighlandAwaiting reports of 134's load tests with interest. If what I've heard about the NG15s being damn nearly as powerful as the NGG16s is true, the cost calculations, including those for repairs to a 2-8-2 being worked hard vs. two complete engine sets on a Garratt working within their comfort zone will be fascinating to learn. Sorry ... but my 'inner bean counter' just will not be denied!!
@@TheHoveHeretic The official word however, when the two NG15 were purchased by the WHR from the Ice Cream Man in Pickering, North Yorkshire was to provide "Variety and interest in the motive power fleet".
The NG15's were quite difficult to chase on the Port Elisabeth to Aventuur Line in South Africa as they had quite a good turn of speed as the line was flattish with gentle curves and could get up to 50MPH even on the 2' foot gauge. Had many journeys on there narrow gauge in the late 70's and 80's. Sadly health issues make things more difficult now but will try to get up soon.
Another excellent instalment in the history of 'The World Famous'. Glenn's review from the carriage works was very interesting and fluently delivered. The Wickham troll (sic) is an ugly little thing but the technological innovation is marvellous.
These videos get better every time and seeing the people at work during the shoot is a definite upgrade. I'm getting the sense that Jarrah was a late 20th century design choice that hasn't worked out so well in the Welsh weather - is it more suited to a tropical environment? Good to see the PWay teams moving towards electric power on a sympathetic horses-for-courses basis - will Wickham 👀 eventually be able to regenerate into the battery bank on the downhill trips? \m/
P-way isn’t getting there grubby hands on the S&T points lubrication trolly! They have far too many tools to take with them anyway. The Wickham is technically capable of regen, however the slope of the FfR isn’t actually enough to actually generate anything. It’s really only useful as a secondary braking mechanism.
