July 2015 Update
On the basis of ‘onwards and upwards’, the year to date has been very positive, and passenger numbers are up by 11% to the end of July. Even inclement weather (we prefer to call it ‘liquid sunshine’) fails to dampen the spirit of adventure, and a recent wet Sunday surprised us with the numbers riding the train along the scenic lake. Indeed, numbers have been good enough in recent days to merit six coach trains.
'Maid Marian' ready to leave Bala on a six coach train
In the same vein, the station shop and café continue to perform well, with results up by 20% on the same time last year. The local ice-cream and cake displays have something to do with this, and a new range of books available has been selling well. Likewise, Pauline Hazelwood’s popular Alice and Winifred stories have been flying off the shelves, and deservedly so.
We were also visited by two surprise guests during the last week of July. Firstly, Jennie McAlpine, who stars as 'Fiz' Brown in Coronation Street visited the line whilst on holiday with her family and enjoyed a short ride on Maid Marian at Llanuwchllyn. Secondly, David Williams, who was Winifred's stoker at Penrhyn Quarry in the late 1950's and early 1960's, came for a ride on the line. He was thrilled to be reunited with his old steed, especially as he believed her to still be in the United States.
July also saw a birthday charter on a Saturday evening after scheduled services had ended. The day was fortuitous as the Friday and Sunday were not conducive to outdoor activities, but a great time was had by all, including David Jones, our general Manager, who shared the same birthday, and who was graciously invited by the festive party to join in. The lake was looking perfect in the evening light, particularly when the revellers stopped for a BBQ at Llangower. As the photo shows, there really is something special about steam and water.
In a typical example of the spirit of co-operation among the Great Little Trains of Wales, the Talyllyn Railway has given us their old wheel lathe, which may be quite old but is as accurate as the day it was originally delivered many decades ago. As David Jones wryly commented; “It should know what to do as, over the years, it has turned most of our wheels”.
Locomotives
Apart from routine maintenance, all three operating locomotives,Alice, Winifred and Maid Marian have been performing very well. The main news this month is Holy War’s boiler, which, you will recall, has been undergoing extensive repairs at Bridgnorth. On the basis of doing it right once and for all, what was hoped to be a routine repair has become quite a saga, with more items of concern being spotted. But we are assured that the boiler should be returned to Llanuwchllyn in mid-August, which it is hoped will allow Rob Houghton enough time to put Holy War back together in time for the big Gala at the end of August.
Chilmark, our 1939 R&H diesel, rarely features in the pages, but following some inspired care and attention from Rob and others, she has now been fitted with a dynamo (the alternator being a trifle temperamental), the result being that she is now performing perfectly and has now been cleared to deputise for Trigger in stock movements.
Carriage & Wagon
The resident C&W team are more concerned at the moment with the preparation of the new shiplap for the end of the café, but progress has been hampered by a surfeit of dampness, and they really need a couple of clear days to deal with this. When unable to work outside, their attention turns to the second bolster wagon, the wagon part of which is in reasonable shape, but the bolster has disintegrated, thus work is under way to build a new one.
Holidays naturally mean less work time, thus the Penrhyn Coach Project, which David Hale is doing as a solo effort, has slowed a little. The main tasks have been to source the correct wood for cladding the inside and outside of the carriage, no easy task bearing in mind David’s exacting standards. The same applies to the stainless steel pins required for assembly.
Volunteers
New people have been getting involved in the myriad volunteer work activities. The Wednesday Gang, who start in earnest again after the season ends, is always seeking to welcome new faces, and as you will know from previous reports, it is not only productive but the camaraderie has to be experienced.
Rostering vacancies for footplate duties have been largely filled, leaving Rob with more time to devote to his engineering duties. But we still need guards, so any existing volunteers with a mind to digress, or just new people would be most welcomed.
One task ahead is the slight re-alignment of track together with platform modifications to accommodate Diana, Phil Mason’s locomotive, the overhaul of which is currently nearing completion at the Vale of Rheidol. This fascinating story can be seen on Facebook heading 'Diana 1158 / 1917', with news and photos appearing on an almost daily basis.
The Gala – August Bank Holiday Weekend
The Gala timetables have now been finalised, and will provide a lot of variety and interest, with slight variations each day to add some spice! All four of our Hunslet fleet will be in operation, plus diesels Trigger, Chilmark and Meirionnydd, not forgetting the Wickham trolley. There really is too much to list here, so please have a look at the 'Special Events' section of our website for full details.
And finally………
The line experienced a cow problem a month or so ago. David Jones takes up the story.
“The first train each morning would encounter Daisy (as the staff christened her), who had managed to find access on to the railway where the grass by the line was obviously greener and more lush. Despite rounding her up and putting her back in her field, she re-appeared on the line the next day. We discovered that she had found a weak spot in the fence, in marshy ground. Director Martin Levy, together with his wife, Wendy, and ex GM Roger Hine, spent several days of hard labour installing quite a length of new fence, much to Daisy’s indignation. Thank you all”.