Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Festival 11/12 July

For those who like Steam, Diesel, and Ale, we are holding our annual beer festival with a 1960's changeover years flavour on the 11th and 12th July. We have two bars open all day one on the train with a range of Rhymney brewery ales and a beer tent with local cask ales on the pumps, with the Whistle Inn also open on Sunday. The weekend will feature mixed traction with our resident Bagnall Number 19 from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway and (hopefully) the public debut of class 31 31203/D5627 hauling its first passenger trains in preservation. The two loco's will be taking turns between the Mk1 passenger stock and our restored BR freight train. Entrance to the beer tent is FREE and the train tickets for unlimited rides are £4, £2, and £10 for families. The Trains run Sat 11:00 til 19:00 Sunday 11:00 til 17:00 and the Beer ten will be open til late on Saturday with a 1960's disco in the evening. The Tea Rooms will be open serving snacks and light refreshments and there will be a BBQ throughout the day into the evening. Why not come dressed in 60's gear to add to the fun!

Any questions just ask!

Alex

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

What is the gradient of the incline on your line?

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

On the section currently open to traffic the ruling gradient is 1 in 37, it is constant fron Furnace Sidings to the Whistle, it makes the loco's bark a little! The extension to blaenavon includes a section at 1 in 28!

Alex

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

Nearly as steep as us then at 1 in 27.

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

I am unsure as to the length of your gradient but at 2 miles of relentless grade ours can be more of a pain than anything, but it is all worth it when you have the loco's on full chat, as we are in in a valley the sounds resonate around bouncing off the moutains either side. I must try to come a visit you guys at some point. I should be spending some time in your neck of the woods so i may see you soon.

Alex

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

Ours is nearly a mile long, leaving Wirksworth and connecting to a small halt called Ravenstor where passengers join the National Stone Centre and the High Peak Trail. Beautiful part of the country!

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

Obviously you've been preparing and tessing some sonking good ale for your fesival! ;-) Best of luck with it.

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

Rhymney Export is a lovely pint! Some Tesco's stock it! Our priorities are Railways then Beer or is it Beer then Railways! \/

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

But not 1:19 when we open the colliery extension...... =P~

Rich

 

Re: Pontypool and Blaenavon Real Ale Fesival

Maybe, we are not in competition guys lol. A gradient can be a pain too. I look forward to your gala at foxfield. Had a great time last year!

 

tut tut Al, how many times do I have to tell you, Rhymny Dark is the one you should be drinking =P~

Of course when we open to Blaenavon next year that will give us a pub at either end of the line =D>

 

Hi all

it's confirmed 31203 should be out this weekend, making its first public runs

summary of the 31s times departing Furnace sidings are

11:15 Freight
12:30
13:00
13:30
15:12 Freight
17:00
17:30
18:00 Saturday Only
18:30 Saturday Only
19:00 Saturday Only

having seen the weather forecast bring wellies and a brolly

regards

Alistair

 

Good to know it's running =D> Didn't it have some last minute problems this week? Will try and pop up this weekend to see it running :smt001

Jamie

 

Hi Jamie

it had an issue following it's test runs last saturday night

http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p59360798.html

but the boys identifed the cause (damaged filter) and having it repaired it and a couple of other minor things it's now running fine.

Hope to see you up there

Ali

 

A fine looking loco it is!