Year: 2014

November 2014 Update Christmas inexorably approaches, and there are Santa Specials to be prepared on the Bala Lake Railway. But amidst all this seasonal activity, we say goodbye to our retiring General Manager, Roger Hine, and welcome David Jones, who takes over from Roger in December. In the meantime, a…

October 3rd 2014 - Appointment of new General Manager at the Bala Lake Railway The Directors of the Bala Lake Railway Company interviewed the short-listed candidates for the post of General Manager in succession to Mr Roger Hine on September 6th 2014. They are delighted to announce that Mr David…

September 2014 Update Like so many other predominantly summer operations, railways like the BLR are weather-dependant, and this September has blessed us with mostly fine and dry weather. Consequently, passenger figures were very healthy, as was passing traffic through the Llanuwchllyn Station buffet, which saw sales of ice cream greatly…

August 2014 Update There is nothing as fickle as the British summer, especially where passenger numbers are concerned. The railway carried almost as many passengers as during the same month last year, but the Bank Holiday was an oddity, to say the least. The Saturday was good, Sunday was manic,…

July 2014 Update Whether it is as a result of more favourable weather, or generally increased awareness, the railway has enjoyed an 11% increase in passenger numbers over July last year, and the Llanuwchllyn Station café has seen a good increase in turnover as well, particularly from people who have…

June 2014 Update Summer is in full swing. The BLR is in full swing. Ambitious projects are gathering momentum. It is a great time of the year for all concerned. Chilmark Progress on restoring this venerable old lady for active service has been marching on in a slowly but very…

May 2014 Update The first full operational month of the year is always greeted with enthusiasm and all the team see the results of their hard work over the winter. This year there is much more than routine service, improvements and upgrading to report. Glan Llyn Glan Llyn is an…

April 2014 UpdateThe season has started, and what a start. Passenger numbers for the month are described, in delightfully understated manner, as ‘good’. In fact, they are the third highest April figures since 1987. How well this bodes for the rest of the year. Winifred With the other three steam…

March 2014 Update Unlike a classic car, or something elderly of that ilk, perhaps the busiest time of the year for a railway is the lead-up to the start of the season, as there seems not to be enough time to get everything done. But the Bala Lake team has…