November 2016 Update
At the time of writing our 2016 Santa Special Trains are all fully booked. In fact, the demand was so great that we scheduled an extra train for 16.30 on Saturday 10th which also sold out very quickly. Naturally, dry weather is the desired option, and the prospect of watching the glistening lake and the twinkling lights of Bala from the train is most appealing. We will have two locomotives in steam for the Specials, Alice and Winifred, both with open cabs (but warm footplates), and while some might view the lack of protection from the elements as a problem, others consider a December suntan something of a bonus.
Our Halloween Specials were well attended, the final numbers being up on last year, in spite of other half-term attractions. Passenger numbers for the whole operating season were up by 14%, a most healthy increase over 2015, and if the period of the last two years is taken into account, the increase is 33%, which speaks volumes.
During the ‘quiet’ season, the Wednesday Gang has been meeting every week and, as usual, has been getting a lot of maintenance jobs out of the way. During November, the team has concentrated on the far end of the line, tackling what is referred to as ‘Boathouse Bridge’ where the main timbers were replaced earlier in the year. The latest efforts have been in checking and/or replacing the non-load-bearing boards at the side of the bridge. Bob Greenhalgh, a stalwart member of the team, takes up the story of one particular day.
“It was my first time with the ‘Wednesdays’ for a few weeks. Brian, as usual, had the works train ready when I arrived, Chilmark being the loco this time as our faithful diesel, Bob Davies, (aka Trigger) was in the shed with lots of bits missing (see later). Her long awaited overhaul had started. The day’s plan was to go down to Boathouse Bridge where Rob Houghton and Dan Laidlaw would work on the bridge woodwork while everyone else would be doing some serious tree and foliage cutting. As soon as we arrived, the kettle was put on, a great start!
Armed with loppers and bow-saws, James and Brian worked on the side of the line next to the road, while Rod, Liz and I tackled the lake side. Sam, Rob’s and indeed the railway’s faithful hound, took up his usual warm spot near the stove in the ‘catoflat’ works wagon, only venturing out to answer nature’s call. A good day’s work was achieved and the trackside looked very smart. On the way back to Llanuwchllyn, we stopped at Flag Halt to load the Santa Weekend decorations destined for the station café”.
The Locomotives are all undergoing winter maintenance, some more than others. As we have mentioned in previous reports, Maid Marian is now unrecognisable as her enclosed cab has been removed and she has been stripped down to her frames/chassis for her 10 year overhaul. Her boiler will be re-tubed and all her running gear will be inspected, refurbished and checked, the completion being scheduled for the beginning of next season. One interesting variation is that she will re-appear in open (original) form, like Alice and Winifred, the reason being the 50th anniversary since her preservation by the Maid Marian Locomotive Fund. In honour of the occasion, there will be a special day to commemorate this on Saturday, 6th May, 2017. We will provide more information early next year.
After purchase by the Fund, Maid Marian went to Bressingham in Norfolk for three years, then to Llanberis for a period before arriving at Bala, where she has provided sterling service ever since.
As you may have noticed, Chilmark is currently the railway’s prime workhorse, now that her linked alternator belt has been replaced. Our usual maid-of-all-work, Trigger, is finally getting some overdue care and attention, and whereas Rob is looking after Maid Marian, Dan Laidlaw is directing his considerable skills to this project.
The diesel engine has been removed, thus giving access to the frames so that hydraulic pipes can be checked/renewed and anything else discovered can be dealt with. But thanks to our engineers’ combined efforts in getting Chilmark into top form (including her new village-waking horn), there is no need to rush.
And finally….. based on our very successful Volunteers’ Day earlier this year, there is to be another in 2017, a perfect opportunity for anyone even remotely interested in railway preservation to see and experience what goes on. There are so many different facets that there is bound to be something that will appeal, an example being a globe-trotting commentator who wants to learn guarding duties. The day is handled by experienced people, volunteers themselves, who get involved for the sheer fun, camaraderie and productivity involved. We will publish more details early next year.
Our final photo is of Sam, our ‘railway dog’, in perhaps slightly sullen mood. The reason is that dogs like to dig, and one of Sam’s favourite digging areas in the yard has just been concreted for practical reasons, albeit with much canine disagreement.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, we would like to wish a very Merry Christmas and equally Happy New Year to all associated with the Bala Lake Railway, directors, staff, volunteers and particularly all our loyal passengers and visitors, without whom life would be a bit quiet. As they say across the water, in their tactful manner that covers everyone and offends nobody, Happy Holidays.