Festiniog Holiday

[davemarvin]

Imagine a summer holiday spent exploring the narrow guage railways of Wales, including a glorious day on and around the Festiniog from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Part 1

We make an early morning start at Boston Lodge depot, as mist rolls in off the estuary and merges with the smoke and steam of locomotives being prepared for the day. On view are David Lloyd George, Moel Tryfan, Linda, Earl of Merioneth, Merrdin Emrys, Taliesin, Mountaineer, Lilla, Russell, Little Giant and Welsh Pony...












Soon Lilla and Moel Tryfan are busy assembling coaching stock for the trip across The Cob to Porthmadog station...






By late morning, the mist has cleared and the sun is out. Livingston Thompson arrives at Porthmadog with a train from Blaenau Ffestiniog, then takes on water for another working...









To be continued, Dave

[desiro5]

as always, stunning, loving the work you put into these. (:

[kevmt]

Another set of smashing pictures, Dave

Cheers,

Kevin

[davemarvin]

Thank you Ali and Kevin. Smashing route.

Part 2

There is some lunchtime activity at Porthmadog to keep the visitors interested. After Livingston Thompson has run round its train, Moel Tryfan is shunting stock in the yard and takes its turn at the water crane...








Moel Tryfan returns to shunting duties, and at 1.45pm Livingston Thompson is ready to depart for Blaenau Ffestiniog...










To be continued with a run up the line, Dave

[kevmt]

Another set of great pictures, Dave

Cheers,

kevin

[kieranhardy]

Nice shots, been a long while since i had a go on this route!

[davemarvin]

Thank you Kevin and Kieran.

Part 3

We catch up with Livingston Thompson working hard up the gradient at Minffordd crossing...






Shortly afterwards, it pulls into Minffordd station where Taliesin is waiting in the loop with a down train. Livingston Thompson restarts towards Penrhyn...








Waiting at Penrhyn, then negotiating the crossing...






Passing Rhiw Goch loop and siding...




A request stop at Plas Halt...




At Tan-y-Bwlch, Livingston Thompson takes on water whilst waiting for Criccieth Castle to pass with a down train...






Slowing for a brief stop at Dduallt...




Final part to come, Dave.

[kevmt]

Very nice, Dave

Cheers,

Kevin

[davemarvin]

Part 4

Livingston Thompson crosses a mountain stream on the approach to Tanygrisiau station, with the slopes of Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach forming a scenic backdrop...








At Tanygrisiau, Prince is at the head of a down train, which causes some speculation as the train was expected to be double-headed by 2 England locos. Prince quickly departs and disappears around the reservoir...








At Glan-y-Pwll sidings, the mystery of the missing loco is solved, as Princess appears to have failed and been rescued by the diesel Moelwyn...




Livingston Thompson arrives at the FR terminus at Blaenau Ffestiniog, which we see from the adjacent BR station, and where Earl of Merioneth is waiting to depart...








Earl of Merioneth gets the green light and sets off for Porthmadog...







The End

With thanks again to Kevin Martin and Colin Tucker for this splendid route.

Note: Livingston Thompson was built in 1885 and is now at the National Railway Museum, York.

Recommended reading: An Illustrated History of the Ffestiniog Railway by Peter Johnson.

Dave.

[kevmt]

Thanks Dave,

It's been great seeing your pictures

Cheers,
Kevin