Tim, at your railway ride one see folded mountains and signs of past volcanism. Futher one knows slate is sedimental rock generated at very high pressure transforming crystal structures. To understand geology of Snowdonia I read geological history by park authority explaining why Welsh slate is so special, too. Very interesting how Wales became part of Britain. - Heinz
Welsh slate is world renowned for making good quality roofing tiles, hard to believe it was once under the ocean. The geology of the area is interesting and the slate mining museum at Blaenau Ffestiniog is well worth visiting. Wales was united with England in 1284 much earlier than Scotland which didn't become part of the union until 1603, Ireland joined in 1801 - www.britroyals.com/union.asp - The history of the United Kingdom with all it's constituent parts, the Romans and various Royal Households is complicated and things could be set to change again shortly if Scotland does vote for independence. - Tim.
Thank you, the narrow gauge railways of Wales are fascinating, this one in particular, because I used to walk along the old track bed many years ago and wonder what it must have been like in the past before the line closed. It didn't seem possible, that trains would once again steam through the Aberglaslyn Pass, now the railway has been restored, it is like a dream has come true.
Brilliant comeback on that one, Tim! I thought you'd like the line about Welsh Rare Bit! It occurred to me while watching Part one but I held off using it until I saw Part two. Cheers!
Hello Tim! I have seen all 2 parts and they are simply beautiful. But now an important piece of information. If you travel the Austrian way, you can not skip a railway line. And this is the route from St.Pölten to Mariazell. It is a narrow gauge (760mm / 2.5 ft., 30 inch). I worked there from 1978 to 1982. This route is 84 km (52.2 miles) long. It first leads downhill to the station Laubenbachmühle. Along the Pielach Valley. Then the romantic drive through the forest begins over the sky staircase. About 2.6% incline. After 10 minutes you reach the station Winterbach. Before you reach it, you can see the station Laubenbachmühle right down. If you are sitting on the train, you must sit on the right side. Then you reach Puchenstuben, Gösing, Gösing tunnel (2369 meters / 1.47 miles), Annaberg (highest point), Wienerbruck-Josefsberg (power station for this route, 6500 volts, 25 hertz), Erlaufklause with a view of the Erlaufsee, Mitterbach and The terminus Mariazell. The route once went up to Gußwerk. Tim, I'll tell you one, you will never forget this route. She is so romantic. The best thing is to sit in front of the locomotive. Maybe you're lucky, and you get a train driver who speaks English. This is also the case in Austria. There are trains with nice trams. But the nostalgic is to drive with a locomotive of the series 1099. These were built from 1911 onwards. Make it good Tim! Greetings from Hans from the Mühlviertel.
Hello Johann, after reading your description of the railway between St.Pölten and Mariazell, I looked it up on the internet to learn more - de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariazellerbahn - It looks like the sort of place I would love to visit, an interesting railway running through beautiful scenery. People have posted photographs of it on the internet, it looks stunning in all seasons, especially winter. I have booked my next two trips, I can't go too often as I need to work to pay for them. I last visited Austria in 2005, but the railways I had intended to travel on, had suffered serious flood damage, so there was no trains running. Form my hotel room in Flirsch I could see the railway lines hanging in the air because the river had washed the formation away. Austria is a beautiful country, I must visit again. I am glad you liked taking a video trip through Snowdonia with me. I was also lucky enough to get a camera on the locomotive for a drivers eye view and I spent 2 days filming the trains from the line-side. As time permits I will edit and upload more videos showing the Welsh Highland Railway to You Tube. It's nice to hear from you, Best wishes. Tim.
Yes Tim! This is exactly the video that I meant. It shows the route from its most beautiful side. It was nice to be able to work there. Greetings Hans vom Mühlviertel. 🚂👍
