If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

FR & WHR & WHHR News

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

  1. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    735
    Likes Received:
    50
    Occupation:
    F&WHR Spin Doctor
    Location:
    Maentwrog
    I'm sure there will be no shortage of people wanting to ride round the Circle Line in it.
     
  2. SillyBilly

    SillyBilly Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    512
    Likes Received:
    6
    Occupation:
    Student
    Location:
    Penrhyndeudraeth
    It certainly does not, the frame is not the original specification wooden type, but it doesn't contain any MOD parts. Perhaps you are mistaking it for the bug boxes, some of which are fitted with War Department pattern components.
     
  3. Steve B

    Steve B Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2008
    Messages:
    2,069
    Likes Received:
    1,502
    Location:
    Shropshire
    I'm happy to be corrected if I'm mistaken, but isn't there an issue with using vehicles with wooden underframes in public service being mixed with steel underframed stock? Some of the four wheeled coaches started out life with wooden underframes so, if I've remembered things correctly, they would need to have a steel underframe to be used in normal service. As has been mentioned before, sometimes restoration involves compromise.

    Steve B
     
  4. guard_jamie

    guard_jamie Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2008
    Messages:
    2,503
    Likes Received:
    27
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Signalman
    Location:
    Herefordshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Last week (half term) I had the pleasure of staying in North West Wales for a week, reacquainting myself with the FfR for the first time since I was about 6 and meeting the WHR for the first time. I had an absolutely FANTASTIC time, and would heartily recommend both railways to any enthusiast wanting a real 'fix'.

    The WHR is utterly spectacular, I especially enjoyed the Waunfawr-Rhyd Ddu section, braving the replica NWNGR coach right behind the Garratt on my return journey to Porthmadog. Quite an experience, at speed the whole thing rocked like nothing I've ever experienced!

    Unfortunately the weather on the day I did the FfR was dreadful but it was still enjoyable.

    The whole week really opened my eyes to this wonderful gem in the heritage railway industry and I will be sure to revisit there often from now on. Glad I held off for many years though to be able to experience the whole of the WHR. In fact, if I can find the time, I'd love to get involved up there.

    Thank you all!
     
  5. meeee

    meeee Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2006
    Messages:
    864
    Likes Received:
    1,319
    I think it probably depends on the individual operators safety case. After all the GWR railmotor is allowed on the national network even though wooden bodied stock is banned. The Festiniog mixes wooden and steel framed stock and at 20mph I expect it would be of little consequence in a crash. At 45 on the underground or 70 odd on the national network it is a different story. So you would write a safety case accordingly.
     
  6. meeee

    meeee Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2006
    Messages:
    864
    Likes Received:
    1,319
    Those Ashbury coaches always did ride badly. They were so unpopular in the old days they got relegated to quarryman's coaches at one point.
     
  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,102
    Likes Received:
    57,422
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The Bluebell runs the GN Directors' saloon (wooden underframe) in amongst our steel framed rolling stock.

    Tom
     
  8. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2008
    Messages:
    3,155
    Likes Received:
    302
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Railway servant
    Location:
    Worcester
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I think I saw you on both days. I was on the Garratt on your trip back down the WHR - you got in the vintage at Waunfawr? Coming back in the night was nice. The weather at Blaenau was pretty awful the next day. I had done a short trip on the WHR in the morning and drove up to see the driver of Earl of Merioneth before I went home. The weather on the WHR wasn't any better than on the FR that day!
     
  9. Steve B

    Steve B Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2008
    Messages:
    2,069
    Likes Received:
    1,502
    Location:
    Shropshire
    In that case I'm very happy to be corrected! Many thanks to both who replied

    Steve B
     
  10. guard_jamie

    guard_jamie Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2008
    Messages:
    2,503
    Likes Received:
    27
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Signalman
    Location:
    Herefordshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Ahha, yes, that was me, uber-enthusiast-nutter! Glad I had thought to throw in my Greatcoat from the Valley when I was packing...worth it just for that 40 minutes!
     
  11. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    735
    Likes Received:
    50
    Occupation:
    F&WHR Spin Doctor
    Location:
    Maentwrog
  12. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    735
    Likes Received:
    50
    Occupation:
    F&WHR Spin Doctor
    Location:
    Maentwrog
  13. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    735
    Likes Received:
    50
    Occupation:
    F&WHR Spin Doctor
    Location:
    Maentwrog
    Coming soon... MET353 Night - 13Nov12.jpg
     
  14. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    735
    Likes Received:
    50
    Occupation:
    F&WHR Spin Doctor
    Location:
    Maentwrog
    AT162001-1024.jpg AT161998-1024.jpg AT161995-1024.jpg AT161987-1024.jpg AT161973-1024.jpg AT161952-1024.jpg AT161947-1024.jpg AT161943-1024.jpg AT161935-1024.jpg hr_DSC_0461-1024.jpg hr_DSC_0476-1024.jpg hr_DSC_0506-1024.jpg hr_DSC_0512-1024.jpg

    Met 353 has left the building...
     
  15. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    7,568
    Likes Received:
    2,345
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Engineer & Heritage Volunteer
    Location:
    N Warks
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Lush!!
     
  16. AndrewT

    AndrewT Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    735
    Likes Received:
    50
    Occupation:
    F&WHR Spin Doctor
    Location:
    Maentwrog
    A particularly nice touch is that the LED interior lights are covered up by gas mantles, so it looks 100% authentic.
     
  17. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    Like the W&LLR replicas one wonders whether this is not better than the original! A phenomenal piece of work (and nice pictures too).
     
  18. jtx

    jtx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2007
    Messages:
    1,868
    Likes Received:
    855
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Happily retired
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    What an utterly class job! What next for Boston Lodge? a Toplight? a Gresley Teak? a Mk1? It seems, if they can get it across the Cob and through the doors, they can sort it.
     
    Forest Rail likes this.
  19. lynton&barnstaple

    lynton&barnstaple Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2009
    Messages:
    218
    Likes Received:
    4
  20. Foxhunter

    Foxhunter Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2011
    Messages:
    590
    Likes Received:
    709
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The first class compartment looks simply stunning!

    Foxy
     

Share This Page