Firstly an apology for the poor quality of the pics today. I was not going to take my big camera but had intended to take the decent little one but...... so, this is the best my phone could manage. But what a day to forget the camera! Just couldn't resist the weather forecast and it being school hols got up horribly early and zoomed off to Snowdonia for the day. It was meant to be a walking up the mountain day (which little Iz and I did via the ranger path in really good time and beautiful weather), but had not bargained on so much train interest.

First taste of trains were WHR Garratts, one going each way having passed at Rhyd Ddu - this was the point I realised I didn't have the camera so no pics here. Then up the mountain. Although I had seen a train with a carriage in the distance on the mountain railway (giving rise to the hope that the cafe would be open!), it must have only been going to Halfway as this is the rather unusual site that greeted us near the top;

One of the Hunslets with a flat wagon bed wagon with a mini JCB on the back excavating snow from a cutting. Not a scene I am likely to create on my current project but interesting though. It must have finished shortly after as it made it top the (very busy!), top while we were there and this is the cutting on the way down;

Next bit of train was the same to Garratts from the morning going through Ranger as we were de-booting. Stopped for a while to let Iz play in the river at Beddgelert and just as we were getting back into the car 138 came along and was able to match it's speed going through the Aberglaslyn pass - luckily no cars following but unable to film it as busy trying not to crash. A cunning plan immediately came to mind which involved sitting outside Spooners bar at Harbour Station with a (half!) pint and waiting for it to come in;

Then, to top it off Lina and Blanche arrived double headed with an FR train;

A pretty perfect day was rounded off with fish and chips eaten over at Borth Y Gest and an easy, pretty rapid 100 mile run home. Oh, did have one upset which involved cafe for breakfast but you will have to look on Trip Adviser for that one!