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A day out on the Ffestiniog Railway, August 2020


MPR
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On Monday 3rd August 2020, we had our first post-COVID train ride on the Ffestiniog railway. The experience was, as one might expect, somewhat different from normal, but we still managed to have an enjoyable day out.

The car park at Porthmadog station was closed and given over to a reception area - tickets need to be prebooked for a specific train ( Porthmadog to Tan y Bwlch only at present) - and we were greeted and directed through the booking office with its hand sanitiser and onto the platform.  We already had our masks on, so we were ready to go! The toilets are accessed by a marshalled one-way system, which gave me a safe opportunity afterwards to grab a couple of photos of our locomotive - which was “Prince” - before I circled back onto the platform.

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Having been prepared, “Prince” then completed running round its train.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by MPR
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Welsh Pony was having a day off, but there is more than one England in Wales this year!
 

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In the current environment, small locomotives and old coaches are the order of the day.AC63DD33-2D12-4261-A9B2-0CAB763C216E.jpeg.536b15d1934e67c719b3c19116cf37e2.jpeg

With all safely aboard, Porthmadog station is very quiet once more.

 

Edited by MPR
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71BC17F5-ED06-42E4-AA7C-7F8D1430D76A.jpeg.23db7d638c42017449ccfc14b051dae8.jpeg
The builders were hard at work on the new shed, but the track is yet to be laid within.

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The shed yard is very quiet, the larger locomotives are safely stored and comprehensive precautions are in place to protect crews and workshop staff.

86CB6CEF-1B3F-4227-9EEC-B20C17032314.jpeg.43d1f826b862b167ebf4da256de33d3e.jpeg
Heading for Tan y Bwlch, a little slower than normal.

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On arrival, we went for a walk down to the lake.

 

Edited by MPR
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4 minutes ago, Compound2632 said:

 

Compartments the ideal solution for social distancing!

Yes, with plywood partitions added to provide further isolation - you have to book a compartment

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7F5A98FF-503A-473C-BB30-360A549C8FAF.jpeg.9c65a9a855ac32a170413fd2571c1f77.jpeg

“Prince” running round at Tan y Bwlch, crews wear face coverings when in the cab, but are permitted to remove them when off the loco (and distanced)

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You have to take the same train back, but there is an hour’s layover to enjoy the views, go for a short walk and get a take away from the cafe. Everyone seemed to be behaving sensibly.

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8AC5D33A-0B6D-4F28-BDAB-97A30B8C3698.jpeg.e4dd22f1b33aa3506d7b6f0aeb3a84b4.jpeg
When all of us were aboard, Linda arrived with the next train
 

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Once again, the older coaches are having their day in the sun.

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Blanche had already finished work for the day - behind her Welsh Pony awaited her next steaming.

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1 hour ago, Compound2632 said:

Presumably you travel back not only by the same train but in the same compartment?

 

Also, thirds with wooden seats and no upholstery I suppose - no soft-furnished first class compartments in use?

Yes, travel in both directions is in the same allocated compartment. Ours was upholstered - they state that they are cleaned between trains 

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Here's the sets they are using.  Very modellable for those wanting short trains.

 

Quote

 

W-Set 113 - 22 - 26 - 18 - 5 - 2

X-Set Van 11 - Van 12 - 17 - 21 - 23

Y-Set Van 10 - 20 - 16 - 24 - 4 - 3 - 8

 

In practice, there was some variation in the sets for the first few days of the service due to carriage availability.

 

 

https://www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/FR_Carriage_Formations#2020

 

 

 

Jason

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Every time I look in on the webcams it reminds me of my first two visits to the Ffestiniog. These happened in August 1964 and 65. In 65 we where a group of 10 of adults and children. So the guard said wait we will put on a special carriage for us. So the new van No1 was put on the front of the train and off we went to TYB behind Linda. A trip never to be forgotten. 

 

Keith

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78E79FAF-0F1F-4787-8781-E53ABA3FD368.jpeg.802a21b600bd99ac897db19441ba01bd.jpeg
The coaches used.

 

32A01B2D-4329-4B1B-A985-CF8D840844A3.jpeg.7866402728563765a944ed03fad80c51.jpeg
“Prince” runs round49CD62C1-0806-4404-807E-30A194A951E6.jpeg.fbc37c172905c5426d1a9dde95233d90.jpeg

Checking the compartments.

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Moving the lamp to the smokebox.

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The view across the cob.

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A few more images to conclude a lovely day...59143B14-C945-43D3-B8ED-13C8E2BAD803.jpeg.c6ddc7fdc70a8861e994005ce4a41ff6.jpeg

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The late afternoon sun shines on “Prince”

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A close-up of the tank front.

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“Prince”  reverses its train.8A163591-FFD2-4670-A8E6-A051BE06D42C.jpeg.dd72ccc9f9bfa6824a30bdcf4ae7f455.jpeg
The coaches are put away for the night.5D5D348F-EC04-427E-BD8C-09B25A9D6BC2.jpeg.74b899edc3a036cbad797c5f0045131a.jpeg
“Prince” prepares to head back off across the Cob to Boston Lodge.

 

Like all of our steam railways, the Ffestiniog needs our support, so do consider an early visit if it safe for you to do so.

0D1C7943-F487-4FBF-A2B8-4146C4D84D4C.jpeg

Edited by MPR
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this is all from their youtube, The trains currently only go as far as tan-bwlch, you are not allowed to get out at Minffordd if you get out at Tan-y-Bwlch you must get into the same compartment for the return journey. Nobody is allowed to join the railway at Tan-y-Bwlch, only Portmadoc. For the shorter journey, trains run at 15MPH rather than the usual 20. this also saves on fuel. since the trains are also shorter and lighter, the double fairlies are in storage until "normal" services can be resumed, the Current roster is Prince, Welsh Pony, Blanche and Linda. Palmerstone and Lyn need attention and were going to be worked on before the works had to close in march

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I was driving Blanche on the day of your visit on the early turn and on the second turn on Tuesday in considerably wetter weather.

The four engines in use are, as you say, Linda, Blanche, Prince and Welsh Pony. The roster is arranged so they rotate with three in use and the other spare each day. The spare can get some maintenance but is also available to work. Blanche, my fireman and I were the spare today. Blanche stayed in the shed out of the rain and we did some shunting with Upnor.

 

In one of the webcam photos you can see the three corridor saloons on the WHR platform. These are extended seating for Spooners. On the end of them you can see two tourist cars, the third is in two road. The three service sets are to each gain a tourist car tomorrow and all four engineas are out as there is a special going as far as tunnel south.

 

Palmerston is back on his wheels now after attention to axleboxes and motion giving the prospect of all three sets having an England engine on them in the next few weeks.  As far as I am aware Lyd hasnt been touched yet with work concentrating on completing James Spooner and, hopefully, starting on Taliesins overahaul.

 

Tomorrow its Blanche for me again on the second turn (11:05 and 14:10 off Port)

 

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