Little Trains in Wales

[James Harrison]

Home after a brilliant weekend.  The principal attraction lies in being able to 'cop' the more unusual or lesser-used locos and rolling stock. 

For instance, on Saturday we managed to ride behind:

- 0-4-0 saddle tank tender locomotive 'Prince' of 1863 (one of the first Ffestiniog engines and one of the oldest working locos in the world);
- 2-6-2 side tank loco 'Russell' of 1906 (sole surviving locomotive of the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway/ Welsh Highland Railway);
- 2-6-2-2-6-2 garratt #138 of 1953 (standard motive power of the rebuilt Welsh Highland Railway);
- 4-6-0 side tank loco #303 of 1916 (visiting locomotive of the 'War Hunslet' design):
- 2-6-2 side tank loco 'Lyd' of 2010 (replica of a Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Manning Wardle);
- 0-4-0 saddle tank 'Hugh Napier' of 1904 (quarry Hunslet);
- 0-4-0 saddle tank 'Britomart' of 1899 (quarry Hunslet);
- 0-4-2 side tank 'Gelert' of 1953;
- 0-4-4 single Fairlie 'Taliesin' of 1999 (replica of a Ffestiniog locomotive of 1876).

Then there's the opportunity to ride in more unusual carriages; travelling a few miles in an original 4-wheeled quarryman's carriage from the 1860s (which I can only describe as desperately uncomfortable). 

[Miranda.T]

I'm gald you had a good time - and even the weather plaid ball  .

By the way, one little piece of railway news from the Swanage Railway (we have family down there) I saw recently - they are planning to restore a Victorian loco over the next two years, a London and South Western Railway T3 class 4-4-0 https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news/detail/ambitious-350000-appeal-launched-to-return-unique-victorian-steam-locomotive-to-full-working-order.

Yours,
Miranda.

[James Harrison]

I saw about that; I am seriously considering whether I can afford to add it to my list of supported projects. 

Photographs from the weekend: https://www.flickr.com/photos/154262192@N07/albums/72157709234383006 https://www.flickr.com/photos/154262192@N07/albums/72157709234589911

[Banfili]

I saw about that; I am seriously considering whether I can afford to add it to my list of supported projects. 

It is such a pity that we have to make decisions about prioritising funding for projects - I would love to be able to support more with more, but can't be done on a pension, alas!

[James Harrison]

I think it is fair to say that for every project I support there is another that I would like to support.  Thing is, if I went and supported everything I wanted to, I would be unable to support myself!

[Miranda.T]

I saw about that; I am seriously considering whether I can afford to add it to my list of supported projects. 

Photographs from the weekend: https://www.flickr.com/photos/154262192@N07/albums/72157709234383006 https://www.flickr.com/photos/154262192@N07/albums/72157709234589911

Great photos! And the sun shining in Wales - well, I suppose it has to happen occasionally 

Yours,
Miranda.

[Banfili]

Grand time out with your camera, then James!
Lovely trains and a castle - win-win!