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A LIFE SPENT CHASING TRAINS

  2. Trains
  3. 2012

The Snowdonian - a weekend in North Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Back to North Wales for a weekend of two foot gauge steam, both watching and riding. The riding bit was quite special, the railway companies ran an all day special - the Snowdonian - from Porthmadog to Caernarfon and back via Blaenau Ffestiniog. Over the Ffestiniog the two Penrhyn Quarry sisters, Linda and Blanche provided the power but over the steeper gradients of the WHR two of the boys, double Fairlies Merddin Emrys and Earl of Merioneth, were called for. Listening to them lift the heavy train up the 1 in 40 grades through Beddgelert Forest was spine tingling.

For narrow gauge suckers like me it was unmissable
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Those riding the Snowdonian on Saturday were offered a tour of Boston Lodge works on Friday evening. When we arrived Linda and Blanche were being prepared for their starring role.
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Those riding the Snowdonian on Saturday were offered a tour of Boston Lodge works on Friday evening. When we arrived Linda and Blanche were being prepared for their starring role.

Welsh narrow gaugelindablancheBoston LodgesteamGwynedd

  • Those riding the Snowdonian on Saturday were offered a tour of Boston Lodge works on Friday evening. When we arrived Linda and Blanche were being prepared for their starring role.
  • Earl of Merioneth was also in steam, having developed a bearing problem. Remedial work was being done to make Earl fit for service on Saturday's Snowdonian.
  • Moelwyn was built by Baldwin in Philadelphia for service behind the lines during WW1. It has been much rebuilt since.
  • Taliesin was still warm after its morning's exertions.
  • Blanche was simmering nicely.
  • A steam locomotive driver's work station, Taliesin's cab.
  • Earl of Merioneth is readied for a test run following the bearing work.
  • Linda shunts Taliesin into the shed.
  • Boston Lodge's carriage shop carries out builds and reconstructions for a number of heritage railways. This is a standard gauge ex Metropolitan coach being restored in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Metropolitan Railway in January 2013.
  • This is the exterior, the round top doors were a feature of all Met slam door stock, it reduced damage if a door was opened in the tunnel.
  • A Welsh Highland coach receiving attention. The lack of covered accommodation for all coaching stock does mean that remedial work can be quite extensive, thanks to the unpredictable, but frequently damp, weather conditions in this part of Wales
  • Examples of work done by the carriage & wagon department at Boston Lodge. Includes replica coaches for the Welshpool & Llanfair as well as private commissions and replica vehicles for both the Ffestiniog and the WHR.
  • Merddin Emry's on shed, with Earl of Merioneth to the left. Taliesin is behind Merddin Emrys
  • By the time the tour ended Garratt 87 was on shed. As part of the Phase 5 - Building a Sustainable Railway - Appeal, providing stabling facilities for Garratts at Boston Lodge is a priority.
  • I walked back over the Cob and was overtaken by the last train of the day, the 17:40 ex-Blaenau.
  • The 14:09 Birmingham International to Pwllheli heading across Traeth Mawr as the evening sun lights up the Moelwyns.
  • Lyd performs shunting duties following its arrival.
  • The Harbour station was quiet now, all the tourists having left, but the business of the railway continues.
  • April 14th
  • Plenty of riders and observers out in the frigid morning air.
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