brit70013
Member
- Joined
- 3 Jun 2014
- Messages
- 17
The Great Little Trains of Wales
Over the last few years I have lost the urge to get out and about ‘on the bash’, football and a taste for beer being the main reasons for a reduction in my travels. The annual family holiday to Snowdonia always brings back the bug and does make me question why I have lost some interest in the hobby.
This year worked out well for events during the fortnight I was there which provided a chance to score several locomotives I haven’t travelled behind before.
The first gala of the fortnight was at the Bala Lake Railway, a 2ft gauge line built on the track bed of the former standard gauge line from Ruabon to Barmouth. Although I head this way every year this was my first visit to the line since 2015.
Joffre 3014 at Llanwchllyn by Brit70013, on Flickr
There were good views across the lake on a return trip to Bala with George B and then Joffre 3014 which was visiting from the Apedale Valley Light Railway. A bit of track was also in the book as I scored the loop at Llangower which only seems to be used during their gala events.
Maid Marian passes George B at Llangower by Brit70013, on Flickr
A spin to Llangower with Maid Marian, dud from a previous visit in 2010, returning with George B before Winifred provided the final winner of the day. This was the only train which didn’t run to plan as it ran top and tailed with Joffre 3014 instead of double heading for some reason. By now the weather had closed in so headed back to the cottage after a shot of the triple header on the last train of the day.
George B, Alice & Maid Marian head a Bala service by Brit70013, on Flickr
The following day was not on a little train but a big silver 67014. A pleasant spin to Holyhead and back while the girls went shopping in Llandudno.
67014 departs Llandudno Jn with a Manchester Piccadilly service by Brit70013, on Flickr
Next it was back to the narrow gauge with a visit to the Vale of Rheidol Railway. This is a line I really enjoy travelling on, the climb up to Devil’s Bridge is stunning especially with a GWR Tank singing away on the stiff climb. No.7 Owain Glyndŵr which returned to steam this year after 20 years out of action provided the traction on one and a half trips.
No. 7 awaits departure for Devil's Bridge by Brit70013, on Flickr
This was my first visit to the line since the new station at Aberystwyth had opened which is now situated by the carriage shed. I was surprised to see the line to the previous terminus at the mainline station had already been lifted.
158834 departs Aberystwyth by Brit70013, on Flickr
The Cambrian Coast was up next, 158839 taking me from Porthmadog to Dovey Junction for a short wait. Then onto 158829 for the quick spin to Machynlleth on the following train from Aberystwyth.
158839 departs Dovey Jn by Brit70013, on Flickr
158821 returned me back north, with the train really getting busy at Tywyn with the school kids on their way home. Disappointing not to run into one of my final 7 TfW 158s but it was an enjoyable few hours which provided some amazing views of the Llyn Peninsula with the top of Snowdon being clearly visible in the distance.
5199 runs round at Llangollen by Brit70013, on Flickr
It was back to the former Ruabon to Barmouth line but this time further east on the Llangollen Railway. Currently it is only running to Carrog while Corwen station is completed. The timetable still allowed time for the train to cover this section so there was a lot of waiting around throughout the day. 5199 being sampled on all 3 round trips which pushed it over the 200 mile mark.
Part 2 coming soon.
Over the last few years I have lost the urge to get out and about ‘on the bash’, football and a taste for beer being the main reasons for a reduction in my travels. The annual family holiday to Snowdonia always brings back the bug and does make me question why I have lost some interest in the hobby.
This year worked out well for events during the fortnight I was there which provided a chance to score several locomotives I haven’t travelled behind before.
The first gala of the fortnight was at the Bala Lake Railway, a 2ft gauge line built on the track bed of the former standard gauge line from Ruabon to Barmouth. Although I head this way every year this was my first visit to the line since 2015.
Joffre 3014 at Llanwchllyn by Brit70013, on FlickrThere were good views across the lake on a return trip to Bala with George B and then Joffre 3014 which was visiting from the Apedale Valley Light Railway. A bit of track was also in the book as I scored the loop at Llangower which only seems to be used during their gala events.
Maid Marian passes George B at Llangower by Brit70013, on FlickrA spin to Llangower with Maid Marian, dud from a previous visit in 2010, returning with George B before Winifred provided the final winner of the day. This was the only train which didn’t run to plan as it ran top and tailed with Joffre 3014 instead of double heading for some reason. By now the weather had closed in so headed back to the cottage after a shot of the triple header on the last train of the day.
George B, Alice & Maid Marian head a Bala service by Brit70013, on FlickrThe following day was not on a little train but a big silver 67014. A pleasant spin to Holyhead and back while the girls went shopping in Llandudno.
67014 departs Llandudno Jn with a Manchester Piccadilly service by Brit70013, on FlickrNext it was back to the narrow gauge with a visit to the Vale of Rheidol Railway. This is a line I really enjoy travelling on, the climb up to Devil’s Bridge is stunning especially with a GWR Tank singing away on the stiff climb. No.7 Owain Glyndŵr which returned to steam this year after 20 years out of action provided the traction on one and a half trips.
No. 7 awaits departure for Devil's Bridge by Brit70013, on FlickrThis was my first visit to the line since the new station at Aberystwyth had opened which is now situated by the carriage shed. I was surprised to see the line to the previous terminus at the mainline station had already been lifted.
158834 departs Aberystwyth by Brit70013, on FlickrThe Cambrian Coast was up next, 158839 taking me from Porthmadog to Dovey Junction for a short wait. Then onto 158829 for the quick spin to Machynlleth on the following train from Aberystwyth.
158839 departs Dovey Jn by Brit70013, on Flickr158821 returned me back north, with the train really getting busy at Tywyn with the school kids on their way home. Disappointing not to run into one of my final 7 TfW 158s but it was an enjoyable few hours which provided some amazing views of the Llyn Peninsula with the top of Snowdon being clearly visible in the distance.
5199 runs round at Llangollen by Brit70013, on FlickrIt was back to the former Ruabon to Barmouth line but this time further east on the Llangollen Railway. Currently it is only running to Carrog while Corwen station is completed. The timetable still allowed time for the train to cover this section so there was a lot of waiting around throughout the day. 5199 being sampled on all 3 round trips which pushed it over the 200 mile mark.
Part 2 coming soon.
Last edited:
