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FR & WHR & WHHR News

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

  1. meeee

    meeee Member

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    Thats got nothing to do with the fact that the booking system for coach parties and individuals only allocates seats in the corridor stock then? And certainly nothing to do with them being right by the door. Anyway you're missing the point. I'm not talking about dumping a few old coaches on the front of a normal train. I'm talking about marketing something different. You would be amazed how peoples reactions change when you educate them on what they are travelling in and give them an experience that is different. The main source of income is people buying tickets to ride on trains. The thing to work out would be are you actually loosing any secondary spend by not having a buffet car or are you picking it up somewhere else like in the cafe or shop instead.

    I just think there is a lot of potential for the FR to offer something different from the WHR rather than the slow drift into offering the same thing which is happening now.

    The short answer to that is not until the land dispute a Pen-y-Mount is settled.

    Tim
     
  2. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    OK.... herd 'em into heritage stock at gunpoint. Good luck with the return visits!

    With all due respect, you're coming at things from your own viewpoint. For my own part, I love the bug-boxes, but Joe Public with ankle biters and associated push chairs etc. in tow evidently have different expectations. When all's said and done, that's the market the Ffesterbahn (and every other heritage line for that matter) rely on for their bread and butter. If it wasn't for the income from that market, all we'd be left with would be a few static exhibits in museums and maybe one or two authentic lines dogmatically holding onto some 'true faith'. I'm quite content with a pragmatic compromise.
     
  3. clam1952

    clam1952 New Member

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    10th August 2017..... Not my best shot but proof that the carriage is actually used by passengers!


    [​IMG]
     
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  4. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Good to see. As one who knew the Ffesterbahn and Talyllyn over 40 years ago, with far more frequent services than today, perhaps this an indication we're headed back to more and fuller trains. Now that would give scope for trains to suit all tastes. Let's hope so!
     
  5. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    Andrew T no longer posts in this thread. Is he still around on the FR/WHR?
     
  6. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    From posts on the Narrow Gauge Facebook group I believe he was made redundant by the FR, but still seems to posts photos and comment on FR items so I assume he is still around the area and perhaps volunteering


    Keith
     
  7. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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    Me too. As long as there's a heritage carriage or two included in the rake - which there usually is at the times that I've visited the railway - I'm quite content. After all, you can't see that the rest of the carriages are modern when you're actually traveling in one...unless you lean your head out of the window, which I never do on the FfR due to the tight clearances!

    I remember the FfR tried the "Talking Train" with Vintage Coaches a few years back - since they no longer run it I assume it didn't catch on?
     
  8. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    Timetable for the WHR Festrail 15-18 Sept. is up and available, still waiting for my brochure with loco's etc.

    http://www.festrail.co.uk/content/uploads/1/SP17_170915-17.pdf

    Quiet Friday, busy Saturday and Sunday, looking forward to another Welsh odyssey weekend, hotel booked, fingers crossed for the weather.
     
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  9. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    From the "Festrail Insider" public Facebook page, an update on progress at the new station in Caernarfon. Construction is now underway above ground level and they're not hanging around!
    https://m.facebook.com/festrailinsider
     
  10. Nexuas

    Nexuas Well-Known Member

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    Don't forget to come over to the other side of town too. I will be on RUSSELL both Sat/Sun. No service for us Friday, but depending on weather and when I get there, RUSSELL might be visible in the yard getting a clean and possibly a slow warm up...
     
  11. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Would be nice to see Russell have a run up to Beddgelert (or further). Is this likely at all in the future? I know a trial run with Mountaineer and WHHR stock was run a few years back, which was hoped would prelude a new era of collaboration, but nothing much seems to have happened since to my knowledge..
     
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  12. Nexuas

    Nexuas Well-Known Member

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    If some one could open up the points at P-Y-M I will happily drive it there for you. Not likely in the short term I fear. I think we are looking at least 18-24 months before it has any chance of happening. (Based on nothing more than a hunch/optimistic desire) Think it will be a busy time in the TLC when it finally does happen.
     
  13. Nexuas

    Nexuas Well-Known Member

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    FYI it was GELERT not MOUNTAINEER. (<--- see avatar if viewing on web)
     
  14. Nexuas

    Nexuas Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]

    I had the pleasure of being fireman for one of the trips.
     
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  15. clam1952

    clam1952 New Member

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    The Alco has been towed to presumably Boston Lodge today, speculation running rife elsewhere! Could hope for more but probably just changing storage location.
     
  16. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    Thanks to all concerned for the WHR Super Power weekend 15-17 September, we had a wonderful time, lots of variety of both motive power and stock. Selection of pictures over in the photography section.
    What happened to Garrett 87, failed to put in the northbound Sunday afternoon, and nothing Monday? It was issuing steam from all places under the boiler every time we saw it, photo below showing what I mean. P1040707.JPG
     
  17. meeee

    meeee Member

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    87 developed a large crack in the mainframe of the leading power unit.

    Tim
     
  18. banburysaint

    banburysaint Member

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    That sounds pretty serious. I presume that they will swap the power unit and hope that the crack is able to be welded up?

    Sent from my PRA-LX1 using Tapatalk
     
  19. RLinkinS

    RLinkinS Member

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    Sounds like a shopping expedition to sanstone is required. I am sure I spotted a power bogie frame in one of the open barns
     
  20. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    Painful Tim, hope it's easier to repair than it sounds.
     

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