FR Platinum Jubilee Weekend 19-22 June

Highlights of the event: https://www.festrail.co.uk/wp-conte...e-Railway-200-FR-Platinum-Jubilee-Weekend.pdf

More info https://www.festrail.co.uk/fr70/

 

Looking forward to it, here's hoping for some sustained rain between now and then...

 

The gala timetable is now available https://www.festrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/FR70-TT-simple.pdf

 

By the looks of it, this event should be something spectacular. I know people have commented on the high ticket prices, but I do feel you get value for money, especially if you're a society member.

Also nice to see that, unlike previous events, they don't appear to be restricting the 'service trains' to pre-booked passengers only, and instead allowing them to be used by rover ticket holders, definitely boosts the value for money.

 

Yes, to add to what I was saying in the F&WHR thread it is better than I first expected as it is 'free access' to both lines with your rover. I think that is the first time I have seen them do such a thing for an event.

 

On the Saturday, at 10.05 & 14.05 there are advertised arrivals from Blaenau Ffestiniog along with a same time departure for Caernarfon - can these be considered viable connections??

 

Looking at the WTT, they are advertised as 10:02 and 14:02 arrivals, so yes.

 

Will be the NG 15 134 haul any trains during the Weekend please?

 

Yes, they can be found in the public loco roster or WTT

 

Thank you very much. I didn't expect that F&WHR would publish the roster.

 

Yes, I am surprised they did too! Good on them

 

Locos on the WHHR this weekend, according to their Facebook page:
Today Steam - Gelert
Friday no service
Saturday Diesel - Emma
Sunday Steam - Gelert

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Not looking great today on the webcams. The first Mountain Spirit return did not seem to show up and there was an appearance of Harlech castle on what seemed to be a water spraying train.
After waiting quite some time Harlech Castle left 13:45ish before there was any sight of the Mountain Spirit.

Update: Looks like they are using the stock from the Quarryman to do the 2nd Mountain Spirit. Linda has been relegated to the Woodland Wanderer. The other fairlie has yet to turn up on the down service.

 

Just went to pick my weekend tickets and the staff were saying there had been a lineside fire near the top of the line.
They were trying to consolidate a couple of trains together, possibly to Tan-y-Bwlch only.

James Spooner left with a 'modern' set while I was there.

Keeping fingers crossed that they can run at least most of the weekend's planned trains!

 

Yes James Spooner took the Quarryman set. Linda is now on the Woodland Wanderer. Unsure if they are going further than Tan-Y-Bwlch as there is still no sign of the other fairlie!

 

David Lloyd George arrived at about 6:40
Prince and Blanche on the first 'sunset trip.'
So far so good!


EDIT: Confirmed by staff that Blanche was added to reduce fire risk. We made it to Blaenau without incident anyway.

 

The 0740 has just left Port, with Hugh Napier and Britomart double heading. Palmerston is replacing Welsh Pony on the 0800.

EDIT: 0900 to Blaenau and 0940 to Caernarfon both have one less carriage than planned.

0925 to Tan-y-Bwlch is Palmerston instead of Welsh Pony.

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On the 9:40 with Linda & Blanche. We've set two lineside fires somewhere between Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu I believe.

We have been told that the NG15 to Beddgelert will terminate at Rhyd Ddu and Linda & Blanche's return might be triple headed with a diesel.

 

Somebody told us Welsh Pony had a hot box and won't be in service during the weekend.

 

According to the F&WHR Facebook page, the bus has gone to Blaenau Ffestiniog to collect passengers. The park and rides bus has been replaced by a taxi.

Meanwhile at Caernarfon, Castell Caernarfon has joined Linda and Blanche. It will with the train to Rhyd Ddu

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