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Ffestinog Railway: Merlin on the Mountain
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- čas přidán 25. 04. 2023
- On April 17, 2023 I returned to the wonderful Ffestiniog Railway in Porthmadog, Wales. Being an off-season Monday the railway was running a limited service, with only a single Mountain Spirit to Blaenau Ffestiniog, the two daily Woodland Wanderers to Tan-y-bwlch and no trains on the Welsh Highland Railway. To my delight, the train to Blaenau was headed by Merddin Emrys, the first locomotive to be built by the Ffestiniog's Boston Lodge Works back in 1879 and the only operational pre-preservation Double Fairlie locomotive. I began the day at Boston Lodge, watching the Fairlie being readied for the day in front of the workshops where it was born 144 years ago alongside Lyd, the most recent product of the shops completed in 2010. After picking up the 10-car train - about a third of which was reserved for passengers from the "Great Britain XV" railtour that was laying over in nearby Llandudno that day - Merddin headed across the Cob to load up at Harbour Station and then headed up into the mountains. Merddin Emrys is the Welsh name for the legendary wizard known in English as Merlin, and the red locomotive certainly cast a spell as it chuffed through the striking landscape of Snowdonia. I chased the train all the way up to Blaenau Ffestiniog and then down to Tan-y-bwlch, where I stopped to enjoy lunch at the station's Tea Room - only getting a shot with my phone, so please forgive the poor stabilization. All in all it was lovely if short day and I am grateful to have had the chance to spend some more time at one of my favorite railways.
Wow what a beautiful locomotive! Thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful railroad! Funky little engine too, I love it
It really is, there's no place else quite like it.
Coolio!! This is such a neat railway. The locomotive designs are so intriguing and fun to watch. I see a UK trip in my future 👀
Also that shot at 8:33, fascinating to watch that little thing fly.
I don't think anywhere else on Earth matches the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland for sheer diversity of steam power. I highly recommend a visit if you ever get the chance.
Another wonderful video and some great locations! Thought of you on the 22nd when the annual 'Snowdonian' ran over the full length of both railways - and not one, not two, but three Garratts were in service and you would have enjoyed the sights and sounds (you'll have seen my video, no doubt). Hope you are well! Don't forget to visit the NYMR and the Jacobite in Scotland when you get another chance! Dave Benjamin
Thank you Dave! I did see your video, and it certainly was a little frustrating to have missed the Snowdonian so closely. Alas, I was only back in the UK as part of a family trip for my younger sister who hadn't been to Europe yet, and was taking a few days alone to follow the Great Britain XV. I rejoined my family when our paths crossed in Edinburgh and was all the way in France while the Snowdonian and Clun Castle's run to Carlisle were happening (probably for the best, I'd have driven myself mad trying to choose between them). I doubt I can get back across the sea within a year again but I'm keeping an eye out for the Stockton & Darlington bicentennial - should be a good chance to see some (hopefully LNER) steam in the North and I'll certainly try to get to the highlands & Jacobite if possible.
@@SmokyMtnSteam It was the same for me - 7029 vs The Snowdonian - luckily the weather forecast clinched my decison!
Glad to hear the Ffestiniog Railway is your favourite Welsh narrow gauge railway. It's easy to see why you've fallen in love with it so. There are those who have visited multiple times. Could you say you are among the throng of Ffestiniog Railway lovers?
Certainly, in fact the F&WHR is in competition for the top spot on my ranking of favorite preserved steam railways.
Is that rust on the rails or paint? I have never seen rails look like that, with such an even color all over. Wales is a beautiful place!
I think it's just an even layer of rust. Wales and its railways certainly are beautiful!