February 2015 Update 
If one photograph can speak volumes, it is this one of Winifred blowing her whistle for the first time in 50 years. In spite of the inauspicious weather, it was a memorable moment for all present, particularly Chief Engineer, Rob Houghton, and owner, Julian Birley.
February was also of note with trains running, for the first time, over the half term period. During that week, over 400 passengers came to enjoy the scenery and atmosphere of the line, with the added seasonal bonus of better views of the lake and countryside. The whole operation was a great success.
Locomotives
Apart from our trusty diesel, known affectionately by all as Trigger, the other two heritage diesels are still in hibernation with cooling systems drained. But much has been happening with the steam fleet.
Winifred has, for a while, had fires lit in her boiler, but the best possible news is that the restoration is a total success and it passed the official steam test, but out of her frames. The boiler will need one final test when completely reassembled, surely nothing more than a formality. In the meantime, work continues on cladding the boiler and preparing the wooden framework that holds it in place.
Of the other three, Alice passed her steam test and Maid Marian will undergo hers very soon. As we reported last month, the boiler for Holy War is still away having repairs carried out. Apart from the mudhole door work, it has been decided to have other small remedial items dealt with at the same time.
Carriage & Wagon
The dampness of winter plays havoc with woodwork, thus we include all aspects of rolling stock together this month.
One of the open carriages, always a popular option during the warm, summer months, is having a new floor fitted. The Penrhyn Coal Wagon is now nearly complete and painting has started. Our photo shows just what a large wagon this is, as well as the need for space all around when working.
The Penrhyn Saloon project has been hampered by the recent damp climate, but a recent visit to David Hale gave a much better idea of what is involved. As is known, wood absorbs moisture and swells slightly as a consequence. Although this is only by a few thousandths of an inch, it is enough to make joints, which have been precisely cut to a tight fit, even tighter, thus there is a chance of splitting. Therefore, because the mortises and tenons have been so accurately cut, David cannot fit the end and side frames of the saloon together until they have dried out sufficiently.
But the pieces are all there, so with a bit of dry weather, the wooden parts will slot precisely into place, and then be joined to the metal chassis frame. Incidentally, all the wooden framework is being assembled together with a type of ‘urea formaldehyde’ glue called Resintite. It comes in the form of a fine powder which is mixed with water to produce a consistency similar to single cream! However, when set, it is completely waterproof, and the joints are stronger than the timber which is being glued.
The Red Dragon Project
Wednesday 18th February was a memorable day, in that Julian Birley, chairman of the Project, hosted two meetings in Bala in order to put across the aspirations of the railway.
The first was an afternoon open forum to show interested people the plans for the extension into Bala, and to listen to comments from all, both for or against. Naturally, there were a few dissenters who put forward various arguments, but the point of the gathering was to meet as many people as possible and discuss the issues. Julian, as well as David Jones, the BLR General Manager, spent well over an hour meeting town residents and listening to varied points of view, the majority of which were favourable and encouraging. All in all, it was definitely a worthwhile exercise.
After the tea-time forum, the team then decamped to the Gorwelion Centre on the outskirts of Bala, where the Tourism Committee, under Mrs. Mel Williams, was kind enough to let Julian put forward the plans again. He spoke without notes for just under an hour, all the while pointing out features on the excellent detailed drawings on the display panels.
At the end, questions from the assembled members of the Bala business community covered a wide range of issues, including liaisons with Snowdonia National Park to the Highways Agency. To each one, they were told that meetings had already taken place and that matters were progressing positively. It was interesting to witness the visible brightening of expressions. The mood of the evening was good to start with, but at the end, it was even better. Councillor Dilwyn Morgan, a staunch supporter of the project, was delighted.
And finally….
Following on from the above, generous donations are coming in for our ambitious project, but we have a long way to go, so if you are as inspired as we are, please help us by making a donation through the website.The Bala Lake Railway Trust
The weekend of 14 – 15 March is our next working weekend, so if you can, come along for a really worthwhile day or two, doing something that will be of benefit to everyone. Changing sleepers or greasing fishplates may not sound the most appealing of pastimes, but combine it with a truly great bunch of people, wonderful atmosphere and inspiring scenery, and you will go home with a satisfied grin. One day or two, it matters not. This is Bala, it has The Buzz, and it is like no other.