January 2017 Update
It is regularly reckoned, by those in the know, that the off-season of a railway is busier than when trains are running, and the Bala Lake Railway is a case in point. We start this new year with a round-up of what has been happening in Llanuwchllyn.
Under the heading of Carriage & Wagon, Ian Whitson reports that work has recommenced on the wooden frame which will be fitted to support the new, elevated water tank. As always, weather is an important factor with outside jobs of this nature. Likewise, David Hale reports that the Penrhyn Coach has now had a primer coat applied, and the doors will receive the same attention shortly. A seating/upholstery expert has visited the coach to take measurements, and samples of leather for this sumptuous appointment will follow soon.
The repainting and revitalising of the carriage stock has started in earnest, and Ben Nelson has completed the first closed carriage, (no. 7, normally at the Llanuwchllyn end of the set, and which uniquely has an end window), including floor, sides and ceiling rubbed down and repainted, not forgetting the seat cushions and backs which have been removed and refitted, with replacements if necessary.
Two more carriages will receive his attention very soon, thus making the best of the time available. As Ben only has Tuesdays available for this exacting task, any offers of help will be gratefully appreciated.
While all this was happening, Dan Laidlaw has been very busy carrying out the mechanical inspections of the carriage stock, a task which includes the lifting of each carriage to check the bogies and the total maintenance of the running gear, a time-consuming job.
The Station Café and Shop have been getting a serious spring clean by Wendy Levy and Bobby Hine, in readiness for the early opening of the season on the 16th February, of which more later. When it comes to spring-cleaning, it is best to leave the ladies to it.
Rob Houghton, our Chief Engineer, has been busy getting our Locomotives ready for their annual inspections, namely Alice, Diana and Holy War. All have completed and passed their cold boiler inspections, and we now await the same results for their steam tests. Rob is also looking after the 10 year overhaul of Maid Marian, which we have already mentioned, and he has started to remove the boiler tubes. The Maid Marian Locomotive Fund, which owns this locomotive, has decided to replace her water tank, after several irreparable leaks appeared in the existing one. Maid Marian's chassis has also been stripped down and, as can be seen from the accompanying photograph, there is still much work to be done.
But the big news this month is the Trackbed. In just over a week, (it took two last year), 45 lengths of track were lifted and 400 new sleepers (actually mainline Azobe sleepers cut in half) were put in place, with everything reaffixed. To prove all was well, our diesel, Chilmark, ventured over the freshly completed metals with a bogie flat wagon, on to which were piled the old sleepers. Apart from the numerous willing volunteers, including directors plus the General Manager, all getting cold and filthy, the onerous task was done with the usual jocular positive atmosphere (plus copious amounts of tea and flapjacks). Hopefully the photos speak for themselves.
Mention should be made of the use of Rob’s tractor fitted with the railway’s ingenious home-made plough, which neatly gathers and then levels the ballast. Additionally, a 15 second film on Facebook by Dan Laidlaw, available byclicking here, shows how this bit of home-made ingenuity works to perfection.
January sees a change-over in the board of the railway, and we say goodbye to Roger Hine, erstwhile General Manager for many years. While Roger tendered his resignation a year ago, he agreed to remain on the board until a suitable replacement could be found. In the meantime, he intends to remain a valued volunteer, and his painting expertise, among numerous other talents, will be seen on Maid Marian and George B as they become ready during the season. The repainting of Winifred is testimony to his superlative talent for detail (and steady hand), but it is not widely known that he is not only a highly respected model maker but also a noted and very knowledgeable watch and clock restorer. Roger has given many years of his life to the BLR and he will be greatly missed, not least for his engineering eye and instinct. For example, it took but one leisurely glance from him and Rob at the replacement engine for our diesel, Chilmark, to prompt the laconic comment, “It’ll fit”, and this with the aid of nothing more than a tape measure! We wish him well for the future, and his visits to the railway will always enjoy a warm welcome.
We are delighted to announce the appointment, as a Director of the BLR Company, His Honour Judge Peter Heywood, someone already known to the railway for his enthusiasm as well as his various activities on its behalf, not forgetting regularly enjoying driving courses on the line.
Judge Peter Heywood was born in Bangor in 1949, the son of a clergyman in the Bangor diocese. He was educated at the John Bright Grammar School in Llandudno, and turned down a place at Oxford in order to read law at Aberystwyth. After achieving LLB there, followed by LLM at City University, he became a barrister of Gray’s Inn in London, was appointed Recorder in 2003 and then a Circuit Judge in 2008. He is currently a Probation Liaison Judge, from which position he will be retiring in 2019.
Peter has been a lifelong railway enthusiast and enjoyed the singular distinction of cleaning, firing and driving Holy War in Dinorwic Quarry after doing his O'Levels in the 60s. He has fired on the Festiniog Railway, and has been a regular volunteer at Llanuwchllyn since 2015.
To conclude our explanation of how the names of our locomotives came about, we list the remainder of our ‘fleet’.
Holy War is named after a successful race horse; the stable being owned by the Dinorwic Quarry’s owner. When she arrived at Dinorwic, she originally was known simply as No. 3.
Maid Marian was also named after a thoroughbred from the same stable, and was originally No. 5.
George B was yet another to wear a name from the owner’s stable, but ‘she’ was previously named Wellington, this also being the name of one of the slate galleries at Dinorwic. Incidentally, one of the quarry’s first locos, a de Winton acquired in 1870, was also called Wellington.
Our Lady Madcap, a Ruston & Hornsby diesel, was named in honour of the original steam Hunslet loco of the same name, which was thought to be lost (mostly scrapped) but is now actually being rebuilt by the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway with original pool spares and new frames. Our diesel is always ready to assist when needed.
Chilmark, our other R&H diesel, was ordered by the Air Ministry in 1939, and sent to work in the huge RAF underground ammunition silo, discretely located near the village of Chilmark in Wiltshire.
Last but not least, Diana, our resident Kerr Stuart, presents a problem. Her owner, Phil Mason, has researched as much as he possibly can about his cherished steed, but on the question of the origin of her name, he has had to admit that the details seem to be lost in the mists of time.
And finally, Important Dates are appearing already.
The railway will be open on Thursday, 16th February to offer a service for those on holiday from the few areas which have half-term earlier than the majority.
Likewise, George B’s first public outing will take place on Tuesday, 7th February. She will be the star of a David Williams Photo Charter, pulling a rake of slate wagons. As there are still a few places available, anyone interested should email the BLR and we will be happy to forward enquiries to David Williams.