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 excelled itself, and the railway has received some welcomed news too, but more of that later.
Hunslets
All three operational Hunslet locomotives, Maid Marian, Holy War and Alice, passed their annual boiler inspections, and the myriad number of components that needed to be removed, have now been refitted, with nothing left over!
Carriage & Wagon
The on-going work on the coaching stock is now complete, and three have been repainted to great effect. They have also received new logos/transfers to enhance their fresh appearance.
As the photograph shows, the Penrhyn coal wagon frame is really progressing well, and the detail is a delight to see. However, the metal parts have all suffered somewhat from the unwanted consequences of our inclement climate, and the next task will be to repair or indeed re-manufacture some of the original components.
But judging by the success of the Brakeman’s Van, we can look forward to another inspiring ‘resurrection’.
The C&W department has also been busy sorting out some minor improvements in the station café, as well as a piece of loose decking near the signal box. To the casual observer, these would pass unnoticed, but the items were brought to their attention, and the team quickly sorted them out.
Saloon coach for special occasions
The timber for the replica Penrhyn Directors’ Saloon was delivered to David Hale’s home last week, and as the photograph shows, is now neatly stacked ready for his expertise. However, the arrival of numerous planks prompted the odd ribald comment about IKEA doing ‘flat-pack’ directors’ saloons, and where was the screw-driver. The final result will dispel such caustic remarks in due course.
The Wednesday Gang
They have been very busy, but as always, their activities are accompanied by laughter and the obligatory tea. With the Catoflat supply wagon loaded with tools, (as well as food and, of course, copious amounts of tea!), the four Wednesdays’ work in March entailed the considerable task of checking fishplates, sleepers etc. plus anything else that caught the team’s eagle eyes along the track.
There was also an important Saturday Gang, and this involved a substantial amount of work around Llangower, the half-way passing loop on the line. One of the old signals has been removed, in preparation for the installation of a new lever frame, which will make trains crossing a much simpler task. While they were there, a considerable amount of foliage was removed, together with bushes pruned, the end result being a much ‘airier’ appearance around the station. Much of the waste was burned on site, but a lot of logs were cut for next winter!
Contract
The improvements at Llangower were also necessitated because the railway has been awarded a contract, from the 1st April, for postal delivery and collection by rail from Llanuwchllyn to Bala and back, with collection ‘on the fly’ at Llangower. The photo shows a model for guidance. The ‘on the fly’ collection will be radio-controlled by the guard, thus no extra staff will be needed.
Main line companies may have given up this type of service years ago, but local ingenuity and inspiration are thriving around Bala. A spokesman for the postal operation commented: “It will provide a more reliable service between two important hubs of activity in the area, plus it will save us the problem of having to retrieve our vans from ditches along the narrow lake-side road after swerving to avoid wandering livestock. Some of our drivers have been having trouble with the wrong type of sheep”.