February 2014 Update
One word was on everyone’s mind during the last month – storms. But happily, apart from power cuts, no serious damage was sustained by the railway or the infrastructure. However, it prompted some improvements to the benefit of all, and even with the worst that nature could conjure up, much was achieved.
Hunslets
Since our last report, all the boilers have passed their inspections, and there remains only to refit the myriad components that have to be removed for inspection. A cursory glance would make the uninitiated blanch at the prospect, but when asked, Rob was totally relaxed and knew exactly where everything should go.
Alan White was working on his Hunslet, George B, with his brother, Frank, and we can now report that the intricate valve gear is now complete, after much time and detail work. It will be better than new.
Saloon coach for special occasions
We can now confirm that a commission has been received for the construction of a brand new Saloon coach for special events on the railway, based on an original in the Penrhyn Castle Industrial Railway Museum. It is to be built by David Hale at his home in Somerset, where his workshop contains everything that is needed. Some exquisite plans have been drawn up on his computer, and while the final details are yet to be confirmed, there is much excitement at the prospect of having such a fine and appealing vehicle on the line, to be pulled by Winifred, of course.
The Wednesday Gang
This is the name of the railway’s loyal and devoted group of volunteers who meet every Wednesday (in all weathers) to carry out a very varied number of maintenance tasks, which keeps the railway humming. They arrive early each week, and in spite of frequent downpours (and provided that there is ample tea on the stove), everything is done in a most positive atmosphere.
Rather than write from a ‘third party’ position, it is better to read the words of Bob Shell, one of the Wednesday Gang, who perfectly describes the enthusiasm for their activities on the 26th February.
I arrived at Llanuwchllyn to find several cars already in the car park, and people everywhere. David was checking over some wheel sets, Ian and Geoff were planning their day on Carriage & Wagon duties. Chris and Julian were discussing Winifred, Brian had started ‘Trigger’, the railway’s faithful maid-of-all-work, and was waiting for the air pressure to rise. Roger & Bobby were at the station, together with Rob and Sam (the railway’s four-legged security advisor). Frank and Alan White were planning their next jobs on the Hunslet, George B. As usual, it was a very busy start to the day. Time for overalls.
After some shunting, we left Trigger and the ‘catoflat’ (the service bogie wagon) in the platform, and went off for a well-earned cup of tea. Here, a bag of sugar was spotted bearing the motto, ‘Tea solves everything’. We decided there and then that this should be the Wednesday Gang motto.
With all the team suitably refreshed and assembled, we set off to the top of the bank, about half a mile from the station, to start our day of fishplate oiling, a vital part of the maintenance programme to keep things running smoothly. Rob went on down the line to Bala in Trigger to check again for fallen trees and culvert levels / obstructions, leaving us with the catoflat and our equipment. Rod, Brian, Bobby and I managed to remove, oil and refit all the fishplates on this section, a grand total of 22 sets of rail joints, or 44 fishplates. (Bobby had the unenviable and strenuous task on Thursday of dealing with some culvert obstructions).
Meanwhile, back at base, much work was being done on carriage floor replacement, a sizeable wooden frame for the Penrhyn Coal Wagon had been assembled, and the rebuilt bogie for the brake coach, after complete refurbishment, was refitted in 15 minutes! Coach under gantry, lift, remove temporary ‘dolly’, refit refurbished bogie. It was that easy.
With only four Wednesdays until the start of the season, it really is ‘all hands on deck’ to make sure OUR railway is ready, Can you spare a day in the future to help?
The 2014 Season
We start commercial operations again in April, so there is much to do beforehand, but we are looking forward to another lively season. Likewise, we are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers of all ages to join our team. The work is inspiring, and where else can you work on a railway in such beautiful lakeside environment? Do call us.