i've been impressed with this little loco so i thought i may as well share a couple pics i've taken along the way, very historically incorrect ones but hey lol
We start by joining the loco at Barmouth, as it shunts its train.
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The train sets off through Barmouth station, disrupting the road traffic.
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Passing the harbour we come across some slightly unlikely vessels at anchor.
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We pass the pedestrian tollhouse and head out onto Barmouth bridge.
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2261 steams across the bridge, Barmouth fades into the background.
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As we near the end of the bridge, we take a look upriver toward Dolgellau.
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Passing through Barmouth junction (in its pre-bus shelter days) we meet a passenger service. (..from another era, oops!)
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On the Dolgellau Line now, we skirt along the estuary.
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Nearing Penmaenpool, the train passes a spot of significance to myself. (I often have a short break very near this part of the estuary)
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The train enters Dolgellau station (now the course of a road bypass)
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The loco shunts its train and adds a few more wagons to its load.
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After a long struggle up many gradients, we join the loco again much later on, as it takes a passenger Service up the Bala branch. As the picture shows, the scenery and terrain of the upper end of the branch is quite spectacular!
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The loco coasts along easily on a level stretch along the mountainside.
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Way below in the valley the river flows and the farmhouses and sheep reside in their peaceful sorroundings.
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The train clings its way around the most spectacular point on the line, almost surreal in its location upon such a mountainous and un-forgiving spot.
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Leaving the steepest slopes behind, the loco runs swiftly along the lonely wilderness, only the smallest and most isolated halts interrupting its travel.
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2261 pulls into Trawsfynydd station, as signs of population increase again, from here it will run high above and alongside the famous lake and eventually descend into Blaenau Ffestiniog, the end of a hard journey.
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Anyway hope you all like the pics,
we'll say nothing of the fact i forgot to re-fill at Trawsfynydd and ran out of water before reaching Blaenau!
