FR & WHR & WHHR News

It is a bit “ouch”. I will have to content myself with watching it from the the front door.

 

Your hope is correct. This is a fund raiser for Russell’s overhaul, and as it stands it could be a very good boost to the pot.

Also of note on the evening of 5th April 30742 charters are running an evening photo charter event featuring Russell on the WHHR

https://buytickets.at/30742charters/1531514/share/8fb7f209c14c01dfd1ff02c4a19d0b67

 

I'm booked on the full line trip with Russell and I can't wait. Worth every penny

 

See you there! (we can fight over the outside loco-facing seats in the Gladdy, rain or no rain....) James

 

Very glad to hear it. Makes the trip worthwhile.
I see from your byline that you are connected to the 590 Fund: any news on that loco? I am still holding my free ticket for a Baldwin-hauled train to Beddgelert, issued at the 2023 WHR 100 Gala James

 

590 is still with the VOR. I have no news on when it may return.

 

Thanks. I did ask the WHR Ltd. - but no information was available.
(Possibly) selfishly, those of us who contributed will be looking hard for some outcome to the saga: it would seem that nearly a fifth of the boiler ticket has already been wasted..... Still -- I don't want to start another Nat Pres conspiracy whirlwind, so will have to wait with patience.
Would be nice to think that - while Russell is out (and who knows for how long!) - 590 could take over the Hunslet's heritage role - at Gelert's Farm, and from time to time out on the main line. Not in any way disparaging Gelert's Farm resident Gelert, of course - a classic NG loco which is little celebrated in enthusiast circles. Gelert has been - once - to Beddgelert with the heritage train (and ran most of the steam services to Traeth Mawr loop for two seasons), and it would be enjoyable to see the 'dead dog's' legs stretched again (although I do wonder about Gelert's very deep buffer beams VV the FR platform distance and height, which is slightly different from the WHHR's). James

 

I've never seen that video before, thank you. It's made me miss North Wales though

 

Yep - even though it was obviously a really terrible day, with extensive flooding! Something about travelling in a heritage WHR coach in such weather - not exactly cosy, but an authentic 1920s experience... I miss Eryri too - Suffolk is lovely, but no mountains, and very few heritage railways.
In case people have not seen this, here's a link to a one-time special Gelert-hauled freight on the Traeth - really moving it! Mostly replica NWNGR stock - van, brake van, and open - plus other wagons (RNAD "Fighting Brake" and small open)



It's really time that WHHR and FR sorted out some way that WHHR heritage trains to Beddgelert could happen relatively regularly, and not just at occasional special galas. I think there would be demand (after all, the Woodland Wanderer on the FR is very popular, and this'd be similar), and there's room in the timetable. Fare revenue has already been split, satisfactorily for both parties, on several occasions. Need to sort out PYM Junction properly, though - it's been "temporary" for more than 15 years now - the WHHG signal box has never been used, and I believe is now in poor condition - and Platform 3 (on the main line side) was looking very unloved and depressing last time I saw it..... Apparently the Junction is "not a priority" .....
JH

 

Admit to being in awe of the FR's publicity machine - for (I believe) the first time, details of the Platinum Jubilee gala are being let out bit by bit over the next few months. So far we have had the announcement of a non-stop passenger train on Friday evening, from Port to Blaenau (I imagine a first), and a week or so later news emerged of a Simplex-hauled train across the Cob (replaying the very first post-revival train) on Friday morning. A very good way to build excitement, I think! If it loads OK, you will see below a photo of one of the early Prince-hauled trains - might be nice to re-instate the neat PEN COB HALT running-in board just for the occasion (as was done on the WHR in 2023). Do any readers of this forum know who the two lads are, looking on? I wonder if they are still with us, and if so, whether they might make a return trip for this celebration..... James

 

Apologies = seems the Simplex train is on Thursday evening - making the gala a three-and-a-bit-day event! JH

 

Whilst on the subject of FR internal combustion locos. KS 4415 took a big leap forward this week. Over 800 hot rivets we're fitted to the bonnet and cab by volunteers. The loco is really starting to look like it's original self now. Along with the rivets there are a few specially made dome head bolts which allow the top half of the cab to come off and the later cut down one fitted.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18hNikkMFC/

 

Good to see such attention to detail. A very historically-important loco indeed. Pity the cab swap arrangement wasn't done with Russell in 1923, or at least the width had been measured (yes, I know, I'll get my coat....) James

 

The railway has just released a video of NG15 #134 undergoing load testing between Caernarfon and Waunfawr:



It is reported to be performing extremely well, so really looking forward to seeing it service later in the year...

 

Pure magic. Hopefully it'll be possible to find out when Kalahari's working service trains in due course, it was good to see her on light duties at last year's Superpower event.

 

How do its dimensions (adhesive weight, total weight, grate area, TE etc) compare with the Garratts?

 

I have found a few details that I must have copied from the (now defunct) WHR Soc website.

NGG16 NG15
LoB: 48ft 11¾in 54ft 3in *;
Total weight: 59t 02c 67t 16c;
Adhesive weight: 39t 01c 26t 09½c;
Grate area: 19½ sq ft 16.7 sq ft.
* I don't know if this is correct for the current tender.

My guess is that the NG15 will compare fairly well, especially on greasy rail. Anyone who has watched the video of a Garratt trying to shunt at Beddgelert will get my meaning.

Pat

 

Thank you. The biggest difference is in the weight available for adhesion, where the NG15 would seem much worse off. One might therefore expect it to be worse on a slippery rail. A complicating factor is the possiblity that one engine of the Garratt slips while the other doesn't. Do they have separate regulators like the Fairlies?

 

The Garrats slip leaving Beddgelert (uphill) pretty much all the time and struggle on damp days to get away at all. They don’t have separate regulators. If one is gripping you have let the other “fend for itself”.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Kalaharin was much more sure footed here because at least there isn’t a second engine slipping and throwing the balance of the first and control of any slip will be much easier.