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FR & WHR & WHHR News

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by AndrewT, Jul 17, 2012.

  1. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

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    Wasn't there a set like that at Alston?
     
  2. Hunslet589

    Hunslet589 New Member

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  3. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    The London Area Group, well, Ron Walker and I, refurbished the point indicator associated with the 3-way stub point. We did it as a homework project at Ron's workshop in South Harrow. Here's a couple of pictures that I took after we had taken it back to Port. and reinstated it on the post and reconnected it to the point:

    [​IMG]R775. 3-way signal at Portmadoc. November,1961. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

    [​IMG]R776. 3-way point indicator at Portmadoc. November, 1961. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

    Click on the photos to see the full size picture,

    TTFN,

    Ron.
     
  4. meeee

    meeee Member

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    I believe the three way point was originally a Spooner & Co demonstrator for potential customers. It's certainly been used at both Boston Lodge and Porthmadog.

    As has been mentioned it is now provides access to the Maenofferen Bach heritage store. The condition of the rails are quite poor but in this location it sees little traffic and it isn't submerged in mud or ash.

    The point indicator is now in Spooners too.

    Tim
     
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  5. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    A short clip of Beyer-Garratt 130 putting the stock away at the end of the day's services:



    TTFN,

    Ron.
     
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  6. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    Here's the latest instalment of my 1993 video shot at the Ffestiniog Railway's Hunslet Hundred Steam Gala:



    Hwyl fawr,

    Ron.
     
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  7. RedDragonofLondon

    RedDragonofLondon New Member

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    The F&WHR is looking to reinstate opportunities to alight at intermediate stations, initially for members and staff only. This is a hopeful first step towards returning to something more resembling an actual train service.
     
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  8. Seraphim

    Seraphim New Member

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    I hope you are right. The latest FRS mag seems very unclear what message is actually being communicated. Some parts report (as you say) a return to a real railway, with the facility to travel between intermediate stations. However, the GM offers a strong, and well reasoned, defence of the "Experiences" concept and the move towards becoming a linear theme park. The letters section is universally opposed to the "Experiences" concept. I guess only time will tell, and ultimately where my money goes, both in terms of travel and membership.
     
  9. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Delightful news from a gricer's perspective. I wonder, to judge from the recent Moving Pictures video release .... might the timing have something to do with No.8's impending completion?

    What I keep hearing is that the "name brand trip train" has been popular with the punters (s'pose an hour plus could be a chore for parents with ankle biters in tow). Of course, traffic levels permitting, there's no operational reason, of which I'm aware, that some sort of T-y-B service couldn't provide a regular run out for the "Englands" and vintage stock.
     
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  10. RedDragonofLondon

    RedDragonofLondon New Member

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    I don't suppose Paul's entry in the journal is particularly recent given production lags. I suspect internally, there is growing disgruntlement with the move away from the Real Railway approach, and volunteers need to be kept and recuited if the railways are to survive.

    I can see why the the GM is remaining cautious, given the worsening coal and economic situation.
     
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  11. RedDragonofLondon

    RedDragonofLondon New Member

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    I suppose it depends on how many people actually wanted to just go to Tanybwlch, or were they getting what they could because they were unable to book a through service (fully-booked over a month in advance)? I understand that the desire to "do the whole thing" was what did for previous Tanybwlch services. Maybe the service branding will attract more people this time around?
     
  12. meeee

    meeee Member

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    It's good news for the railway's relationship with both the local community and supporters. While it might be financially beneficial not to do this during these tricky times. I think in the long term the effect on the railway's reputation would have had negative consequences.

    With running speeds back to normal and both the Tan-y-bwlch sets being effectively 7 coaches, we might not see so much of England engines this year.

    Tim
     
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  13. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I suppose the difference previously was that timetabled (rather than 'name branded') services gradually extended to Dduallt, T-y-G and Blaenau, with the option of the Gelliwiog Shuttle, for some of those years before the New Moelwyn Tunnel opened. Beyond an ice-cream and watching the loco run round, there certainly wasn't an awful lot to do at Dduallt in the early 1970s!
     
  14. black5

    black5 Well-Known Member

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  15. pgbffest

    pgbffest New Member

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    Would that be the letters section that probably wouldn't pay anything for travel?

    Paul has produced a very good presentation which had (amongst other things) profit lines, inflation and a few other bits and pieces. This showed where the Company was heading (and him out the door if it had carried on - his own words). So, something had to be done. Covid gave this opportunity to stop carrying 200k passengers in 500k seats and look for a better way of operating.
     
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  16. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Is there a link anywhere?
     
  17. Miff

    Miff Part of the furniture Friend

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    Last edited: Mar 29, 2022
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  18. RedDragonofLondon

    RedDragonofLondon New Member

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    What is most notable is that this isn't just a pandemic thing - alarm bells were already ringing in 2019, with rising staff costs a serious cause for concern. The pandemic and the coal crisis have only expedited the process.
     
  19. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    It’s a theory, being tested elsewhere too. I’m personally not convinced that the shift to pre booking and restricted itineraries is a long term answer to those real underlying problems.

    I know that as a willing buyer last year, the combination of restricted operations and elevated fares ensured that I didn’t travel on the WHR.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  20. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    I know that as a willing buyer last year, the combination of restricted operations and elevated fares ensured that I didn’t travel on the WHR.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

    It's a good job lots of other people didn't take that view. If they did, there wouldn't be a WHR.
     
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