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Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by tony51, Apr 10, 2017.

  1. oliversbest

    oliversbest Member

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    I'm coming over from Canada. TBH its a rare treat to see any NG steam engine and rolling stock so liveries are last on my "it has to be" list. Although one of those Pickering Coaches
    with a First Class or Pullman interior would be worth the premium!!
     
  2. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    There ia first class in one of them, the only diference is the cushions on the seats.
     
  3. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    Pullman? Ho, Ho! They have longitudinal slatted wooden seats and First Class has merely a thin strip of carpet like material.

    The minor miracle is how well the seats are shaped, being considerably more comfortable than very many upholstered seats on the narrow gauge. The wooden seated Austrian coaches are not bad either but the Pickerings are supreme.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2020
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  4. Steve B

    Steve B Well-Known Member

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    Agreed!
    Steve B
     
  5. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    Sadly the pretty carriages were put away when we visited- not social distancy enough. We had a Hungarian conveyance, which was certainly better that the "no trains" offering of subsequent days. Can't wait to go back. Going to go up early and ride ALL DAY
     
  6. tony51

    tony51 New Member

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    The green makes sense for the sake of variety as well, as the other locos scheduled to operate next year are the two Austrian ones (one resident and visitor) which will presumably always be black.
     
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  7. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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  8. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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    Frogive me if I've missed something, but how long will the Austrian loco be staying on the W&L? It had been on my "to do" list to go up and see it last year, for obvious reasons that didn't happen in the end. I'm still keen to see it before it is too late!
     
  9. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    I would assume so since everything other than The Earl appears to be out of use, so I would assume that it will be sharing duties.
     
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  10. tony51

    tony51 New Member

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    Text below copied from Facebook today, reopening May 1 and Zillertal on all trains (until help arrives later in the season).


    Steam Trains from May 1st! One and Two Hour Trips, First Class, Breakfast, Discovery Book and More!

    We’re delighted to be back in traction, keen to see you back! With restrictions easing and cross-border travel permitted in the coming weeks, we’re pleased to bring you our plans for reopening. From May 1st until June 6th (at the end of the half-term holidays) we’ll be operating a variety of steam train trips which we’d love you to join us for.

    One Hour Train Trip - Perfect for families, this one-hour journey takes you alongside the beautiful Banwy river and through rolling countryside to our middle station, Castle Caereinion. In this period, every child three or over will receive a superb Discovery Book with interesting facts and activities. Dates through May are Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and every day in May half term. Tickets are from £12. Explore dates and book now - https://wllr.digitickets.co.uk/category/32744

    Two Hour Train Trip - Take in the full length of our railway including the famed Golfa bank, steep enough to make our locomotives bark up the line. As with our one hour trips, every child three or over will receive our brand-new Discovery Book in their ticket! Dates through May are May Day Bank Holiday weekend, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and every day in May half term. Tickets are from £36 for two adults, and £39 for families. Explore dates and book now - https://wllr.digitickets.co.uk/category/32658

    First Class Travel - Our 1961-built Sierra Leone Railways Independence Coach, fitted out with glorious armchair seats, has been flying around the internet this Spring. You can ride on it, with complimentary goodies such as a Travellers Guide and glass-bottled soft drink, from May 1st on both our one and two hour trips. Dates through May are May Day Bank Holiday weekend, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and every day in May half term. Explore dates and book now (for first class, chose your journey length first then your travel class) - https://wllr.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

    The Breakfast Train - Join us from May 4th for a morning, one hour steam train trip complete with filling breakfast roll and hot drink. Departures are either 10am or 10:30am, with limited space each day. Dates through May are Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and every day in May half term. A perfect stop off on your way to the seaside! Tickets from £30 per couple. Explore dates and book now - https://wllr.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/33555?catID=33546

    All departures will leave from and return to Llanfair Caereinion for now, postcode SY21 0SF.

    Additional measures such as social distancing at stations and on-board and face coverings remain in place.

    Throughout this period, our visiting steam locomotive Zillertal will be in operation on all trains. We expect other locomotives to return to service in due course.

    We have many more exciting things planned for 2021, too! Watch our page for information.

    We will be updating our website in the coming days with details. Please bear with us in this time, and use the links above for booking.
     
  11. GHWood

    GHWood Member

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    I asked the same question for the same reason, MuzTrem, on the supporters FB page! Apparently she’s staying until at least Autumn (hopefully she’ll still be there in October when I’m planning to get across to the WLLR).
     
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  12. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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    Many thanks. I just hope I'll be able to make it up to Wales at some point this year!
     
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  13. jamesd

    jamesd Member

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    I think it was originally loaned on a two year basis which would take it up to Autumn 2021. I guess the railway are waiting to see how things pan out with COVID etc before committing to extend the loan. I’ve got no idea whether the Zillertal need it back or whether they have enough locos without it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2021
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  14. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    My understanding is it's too small for the vast majority of modern ZB requirements.
     
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  15. jamesd

    jamesd Member

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    In that case it could stay for a while. I seem to remember the railway saying that for normal service they’d ideally like three serviceable steam locos. With the Earl and Sir D due back at some point this season that gives three. I’m not sure what’s next in the queue but 85 could well be ahead of the Countess as they want to stagger the Beyers so as not to have them both out of traffic at the same time.
     
  16. meeee

    meeee Member

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    I would have thought Joan would be a contender for a fast turn around having had so much done at the last overhaul.

    Tim
     
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  17. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    Whilst ZB2 is the least powerful of the steam locos I think it is more of the change in ZB's core business to become a Metro for the Ziller valley. Several years ago the steam 'heritage' service was reduced from 2 a day to a single round trip, the reason being given was a lack of paths as a result of the increased frequency of the railcar service. For 2021 the steam service doesn't start until 1st July and with 3 other steam locos ZB3, ZB5 & the JZ loco. there would be little or no work for ZB2.
    My impression, when I last visited 3 yrs ago, was that ZB no longer saw the heritage aspect as important as operating a 'modern' bus and rail business. At this time the Hobbylok had been sidelined and the one daily return steam working re-timed to give an early start from Jenbach and the loco was back in its shed by early afternoon. Consequently the train I was only some 1/3 full. Thankfully this year's departure is later at 10.42 and lays over in Mayrhofen for over 2 hrs so it should have more popular appeal. There was a proposal to electrify the ZB but the most recent plan, IIRC, was for hydrogen powered railcars along with more double track sections.
    Cheers,
    Ray.
     
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  18. tony51

    tony51 New Member

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  19. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    16265224141836949500297190565530.jpg Zillertal at Raven Square.
     
  20. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    The new storage sheds at Welshpool which are open DSC_0218.JPG DSC_0212.JPG DSC_0217.JPG DSC_0214.JPG
     

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