Llangollen Winter Warmer - 2nd and 3rd January 2015

A winter warmer gala will be held again next year, on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd January.

Some details here: http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/event/winter-warmer-2nd-january-2015/

A good mix of Steam, Diesel and Multiple Unit action, with beer trains both nights using the newly complete function coach. A parcels train is also planned using several vehicles that haven't been out for a few years.

More details will be added as and when.

 

Forgot to mention, this will be the FIRST gala event to use the Corwen section.

 

I don't know whose idea it is to use the function coach for this gala , but I'd advise anybody travelling on it to dress warmly as it doesn't have steam heating.
At least the beer will be cold !

Bob.

 

I guess the alternative would be the Thompson buffet. Everyone will have to bring their own method of lighting for that though.

 

This coach is going inside the works sometime this week for attention to the batteries, which will hopefully sort the problem out.

Bob.

 

I love that Thompson Buffet! Lovely coach and slightly unusual seating layout. Should my numbers come up I've got my eye on that! Id make one alteration and fit some hand pumps though! (daydream over!)

 

Looking forward to this already. Although I'm a freight-ophile I have a soft spot for parcels trains as well, so it'll be interesting to see what sort of rake Llan can come up with. I've not yet ridden the valley in a DMU so that will be interesting too, and a new station to visit.

Can't wait.

 

Sounds great! Dmu will be a great way of seeing the new section! Im hoping this will be the first "gala" for the overhauled 5199?? And is there any news of 45337 becoming an LMS engine? Or would it be possible to re-number her for the weekend? I know the 26B group are quite accepting to a re-number or two.

 

Not yet Gav, the intention was to get her done in November but a few fettling jobs have taken priority instead. Still in the to do tray though.
Don't mind considering a renumber, any suggestions?

John Bennett
Director
26B Rly Co Ltd

 

Quick check shows (4)5344 was an ex-84J loco, being withdrawn from there in 1966.
Are there any other local connections for "Domed' Armstrong Whitworth Fives?

 

From 6A Chester, 45247, 45403, both started and finished their lives there. And were of course Armstrong Whitworth 5's.

Not as local as 84J but im sure that if you were to put some local press out in the Chester area that said "Chester locomotive to be recreated at local steam railway" it would get the attention of some local enthusiasts to come and see it. When out on a sales stand people often talk about certain "home locos" that they looked at and said "oh not that again". But they now would love to see it again!

 

I've got a 6A shed plate, so theres a start.

 

And a director of the LMS Patriot project makes amazing wooden replicas of smokebox numbers. Only £20 which i would be willing to cover the cost of

 

What else is planned to be running? You did a 84J Gala this Spring, maybe worth a 6A Gala for this winter? As Gav says could entice locals from Chester for a visit.

 

3802 ran to Chester a few times. 5199, did any make it that far? DMU, 104's were pretty local. Diesel, the 26. Yeah.

It's not really based on any theme other than being a mixed traffic event, with warm (hopefully) trains, and warming beverages.

I just need better planning this year so I don't end up driving the night freight.

 

Fair point, though like you "weather" a loco for each 60s Gala maybe it's worth recreating a lost local engine for the Winter Warmers? So not necessarily a 6A / 84J specific gala, but an additional attraction could be seeing a long lost loco reappear for the event? Just a thought

 

From the provisional timetable its looking like 5199, 3802, 5337, D5310 and the class 109 will be in use for the event. Being on a Friday and Saturday means evening beer trains will run both evenings.

 

So had the repaint of (4)5337 happened?

 

No, still in BR black. 5199 has only this week been up the line on its loaded test run, so only having 3802 and 5337 didnt allow a spare loco to cover for one undergoing a repaint.

 

So will it be reprinted or has that plan been cancelled