Dingle Train http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 Wales for a second consecutive weekend http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1774185.html My daughter was working on the Festiniog Railway for three days so we took the chance to get out and about, catching up with friends whom we had not seen for 20 years or so (Sunday); walking from Tanygrisiau to Tan y Bwlch using FR trains to help (Monday); and a walk around Cwm Bychan at the end of the Aberglaslyn pass, through the village of Nanmor, then to Hafod y Llyn, by train to Beddgelert for a quick ice-cream and a wild dash back down the Aberglaslyn to the car park (as the WHR train was running over 50 mins late) so that I could drive back to Porthmadog to catch the 4pm train before finally heading home! We did make it ..just! We stayed in the Travelodge at the far end of Porthmadog, which was very pleasant and the staff friendly. Saturday 24 October 2009: My daughter was working on the Festiniog Railway for three days so we took the chance to get out and about, catching up with friends whom we had not seen for 20 years or so (Sunday); walking from Tanygrisiau to Tan y Bwlch using FR trains to help (Monday); and a walk around Cwm Bychan at the end of the Aberglaslyn pass, through the village of Nanmor, then to Hafod y Llyn, by train to Beddgelert for a quick ice-cream and a wild dash back down the Aberglaslyn to the car park (as the WHR train was running over 50 mins late) so that I could drive back to Porthmadog to catch the 4pm train before finally heading home! We did make it ..just! We stayed in the Travelodge at the far end of Porthmadog, which was very pleasant and the staff friendly.

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]]> Sat Oct 24 2009 Ffestiniog gigabash 2009 http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1769908.html On a glorious Saturday and drizzly Sunday the Ffestiniog's upper works area was tidied up considerably - so much so that the place was barely recognisable by the end of Sunday.. Sadly the weather prevented us from finishing the fence painting, but the current result is still pretty impressive. Both adults and children volunteer for this weekend event and a great time is had by all. The Saturday night train to Tan-y-bwlch is a great time to socialise and the food at TyB was great value. Several bottles of Purple Moose losened tongues and the packed train returned with very happy revellers! Other tasks included building work and gardening at Minffordd. Shame about the weather, but it was still a good if tiring weeked. Sunday 18 October 2009: On a glorious Saturday and drizzly Sunday the Ffestiniog's upper works area was tidied up considerably - so much so that the place was barely recognisable by the end of Sunday.. Sadly the weather prevented us from finishing the fence painting, but the current result is still pretty impressive. Both adults and children volunteer for this weekend event and a great time is had by all. The Saturday night train to Tan-y-bwlch is a great time to socialise and the food at TyB was great value. Several bottles of Purple Moose losened tongues and the packed train returned with very happy revellers! Other tasks included building work and gardening at Minffordd. Shame about the weather, but it was still a good if tiring weeked.

Saturday morning was a cold (clear ice off windscreen) but superb start to the weekend Lilla with the works train waiting for us at Tanygrisiau Lilla with the works train waiting for us at Tanygrisiau Most of the children chose the open wagon to travel in - right next to the engine! Most of the children chose the open wagon to travel in - right next to the engine! Most of the children chose the open wagon to travel in - right next to the engine! Lilla approaching Blaenau Ffestiniog - the slate quarries loom ahead - even they look OK in the early morning sun The right token is needed to approach the upper works yard at Glanypwll where we will be working Hi ho hi ho it's off to work we go - who minds getting up at a silly hour on a Saturday morning when Wales is like this? Moel Hebog sits in the yard awaiting her first duty Moel Hebog sits in the yard awaiting her first duty Lilla, having dropped us all off awaits the go ahead to return for more volunteers at Tanygrisiau The journey is agreed so lets get out of the way Lilla reversing back down the line Cricieth Castle with the first train down of the morning. This train only runs occasionally, but is timetabled - few used it on Saturday but it would have made for a lovely run Cricieth Castle with the first train down of the morning. This train only runs occasionally, but is timetabled - few used it on Saturday it would have made for a lovely run Cricieth Castle with the first train down of the morning. This train only runs occasionally, but is timetabled - few used it on Saturday but it would have made for a lovely run. Even Blaenau can look pretty in weather like this Cricieth Castle with the first train down of the morning. This train only runs occasionally, but is timetabled - few used it on Saturday but it would have made for a lovely run On her return to Glanypwll, Lilla made herself useful shunting wagons around the yard to help with the tidying process The fence was in a dreadful condition. The first job was to scrape it down and tap all the loose paint off. Then the whole length had to be undercoated. Finally, Sunday, was to befor applying the top coat - sadly this job wasn't quite completed as the rain set in quite heavily and stopped play! On her return to Glanypwll, Lilla made herself useful shunting wagons around the yard to help with the tidying process The undercoat going on and the fence already looks better. On her return to Glanypwll, Lilla made herself useful shunting wagons around the yard to help with the tidying process Clearances were always a little tight at times! On her return to Glanypwll, Lilla made herself useful shunting wagons around the yard to help with the tidying process On her return to Glanypwll, Lilla made herself useful shunting wagons around the yard to help with the tidying process On her return to Glanypwll, Lilla made herself useful shunting wagons around the yard to help with the tidying process On her return to Glanypwll, Lilla made herself useful shunting wagons around the yard to help with the tidying process Iarll Merionedd with the first 'proper' down train - quite full! Mountaineer looks very sad stuck at the very back of the shed - even behind the likes of Welsh Pony! Mountaineer looks very sad stuck at the very back of the shed - even behind the likes of Welsh Pony! Welsh Pony ahead in the queue of out of service locos. Welsh Pony ahead in the queue of out of service locos. The mess coach and Harlech Castle brought for use at lunch and for 'breaks'! Enjoying a well earned rest! Lots of children of all ages love working on the Festiniog and come back time and again. Lots of children of all ages love working on the Festiniog and come back time and again. Lots of children of all ages love working on the Festiniog and come back time and again. The line once ran through to Dinas, just over the bridge - the original terminus of the line. Sonn trains will be able to run to Dinas again but a good 40 miles away. The Dinas line connected up to the Greaves and Oakley quarrries The Conway Valley line snakes its way around the tips to the two mile tunnel Childrens love of locos knows few bounds! Even on the well kempt Festiniog lines there are spaces for grass to grow amidst the tracks - almost a romantic view of the 1950's FR Lilla returned us all to Tanygrisiau where our cars were parked to avoid annoying the residents of Blaenau More children and trains On the Sunday the weather turned! Dull in the morning but workable in, but wet and unpleasant in the afternoon A few lucky volunteers got a chance to drive an engine A few lucky volunteers got a chance to drive an engine - one goy off to a racing start and finsihed her trip in record time!

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]]> Sun Oct 18 2009 non train Scotland http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1754801.html Some more scenic photos taken around Scotland this year. Sunday 30 August 2009: Some more scenic photos taken around Scotland this year.

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]]> Sun Aug 30 2009 Welsh Highland Railway http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1754786.html On a superb day weatherwise an engine failure left the WHR in chaos. The staff however rallied round brilliantly and by the last train people would hardly have known of the earlier problems. The cause was a broken brake rod on 143 - a phot of which is shown here Sunday 13 September 2009: On a superb day weatherwise an engine failure left the WHR in chaos. The staff however rallied round brilliantly and by the last train people would hardly have known of the earlier problems. The cause was a broken brake rod on 143 - a phot of which is shown here

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]]> Sun Sep 13 2009 A view from the Highlands of Scotland http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1753968.html Rail journeys and associated views from this summer's holiday. As usual the real images are much larger and better quality. Feel free to contact me via the contact page on www.chestermodelrailwayclub.com Saturday 12 September 2009: Rail journeys and associated views from this summer's holiday. As usual the real images are much larger and better quality. Feel free to contact me via the contact page on www.chestermodelrailwayclub.com

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]]> Sat Sep 12 2009 K1 at Pont Cae'r Gors and in the Aberglaslyn http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1731161.html Sort of what it says in the title plus a couple of other bits. Saturday 25 July 2009: Sort of what it says in the title plus a couple of other bits.

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]]> Sat Jul 25 2009 welsh highland railway to beddgelert http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1722804.html A journey on the Welsh Highland Railway to Beddgelert Saturday 16 May 2009: A journey on the Welsh Highland Railway to Beddgelert

Caernarfon water tower with added drips from the weather Wet wet wet No 87 has watered and approaches the train The train arrives Heritage coach Heritage coach 87 takes on water 87 takes on water 87 takes on water Some jobs are judged on resposibility not difficulty 87 takes on water 87 takes on water Cab of 87 Cab of 87 87 takes on water 87 takes on water 87 takes on water Murky K1 and NG 15 143 at Dinas waiting to take the following train Waenfawr with Vale of Ffestiniog Waenfawr with Vale of Ffestiniog Waenfawr and the Polish coach Waenfawr and the Polish coach Approaching Betws Garmon Approaching Betws Garmon Approaching Betws Garmon At Betws Garmon Approaching Betws Garmon Rhyd Ddu awaiting departure on the new (well it was then) stretch of line to Beddgelert Rhyd Ddu awaiting departure on the new (well it was then) stretch of line to Beddgelert Rhyd Ddu awaiting departure on the new (well it was then) stretch of line to Beddgelert Rhyd Ddu awaiting departure on the new (well it was then) stretch of line to Beddgelert Works train at Rhyd Ddu Departure onto the new (well it was then) stretch of line to Beddgelert Down the hill towards Beddgelert Down the hill towards Beddgelert Down the hill towards Beddgelert Down the hill towards Beddgelert Down the hill towards Beddgelert Down the hill towards Beddgelert Down the hill towards Beddgelert Yes that is the next stretch of line over there! Meillionen or Beddgelert Forest Campsite Down towards Beddgelert Down towards Beddgelert Cutting mawr Cutting mawr Down towards Beddgelert Down towards Beddgelert The line is now above that farm building

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]]> Sat May 16 2009 narrow gauge north http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1722796.html Pictures taken at Narrow Gauge North 2009 - more details later. Sunday 15 March 2009: Pictures taken at Narrow Gauge North 2009 - more details later.

The tail end of the C&L mixed train. A 'milk' van converted to a break Middle and front og the C&L train. Worsley coaches with scratch built van. Keith's much modified Class 5, Donegal loco. This ran a treat given that it had never been run in. An interesting comparison with ours! Keith's much modified Class 5, Donegal loco. This ran a treat given that it had never been run in. An interesting comparison with ours! Keith's much modified Class 5, Donegal loco. This ran a treat given that it had never been run in. An interesting comparison with ours! Keith's much modified Class 5, Donegal loco. This ran a treat given that it had never been run in. An interesting comparison with ours! Keith's much modified Class 5, Donegal loco. This ran a treat given that it had never been run in. An interesting comparison with ours! Keith's much modified Class 5, Donegal loco. This ran a treat given that it had never been run in. An interesting comparison with ours! Keith's much modified Class 5, Donegal loco. This ran a treat given that it had never been run in. An interesting comparison with ours! Keith's much modified Class 5, Donegal loco. This ran a treat given that it had never been run in. An interesting comparison with ours! Taken from a crossing on the Wigan to Kirkby branch at Siding Lane country park. Taken from a crossing on the Wigan to Kirkby branch at Siding Lane country park. John and Andy prepare for their next operating turn. 2T with a cattle and good train leaving for Tralee. The C&L loco had died so No 5T took over the train - as the prototype did. It can pull quite a long train and is quite powerful! T&D cattle wagons for loading. T&D cattle wagons for loading. T&D cattle wagons for loading. Perhaps those beers the night before were a bad idea.

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]]> Sun Mar 15 2009 Tour around N Wales http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1722781.html Tour starting from Bidston - Wrexham - Shrewsbury - Machynlleth - Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog - Llandudno Jnc - Shooton - Upton. A fantastic but long day - soon to be impossible? Tuesday 26 May 2009: Tour starting from Bidston - Wrexham - Shrewsbury - Machynlleth - Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog - Llandudno Jnc - Shooton - Upton. A fantastic but long day - soon to be impossible?

Start of the day at Bidston. Shrewsbury station Shresbury abbey with mid Wales train arriving This end for Pwllheli, the front portion for Aberystwyth Porthmadog Welsh Highland Heritage Railway station Welsh Highland Heritage Railway station Welsh Highland Heritage Railway station Welsh Highland Heritage Railway station Welsh Highland Heritage Railway station Welsh Highland Heritage Railway station Ffestiniog Railway harbour station - in conversation Ffestiniog Railway harbour station - in conversation Ffestiniog Railway harbour station - Taliesin Ffestiniog Railway harbour station - Palmerston Ffestiniog Railway harbour station - Palmerston Ffestiniog Railway harbour station - preparing the double header Ffestiniog Railway harbour station - preparing the double header Viwe from the train, towards Harlech Train spotters! Rhiw Goch - exchanging tokens David Lloyd George - Rhiw Goch Cei Mawr - Festiniog Railway Llyn Tanygrisiau - the old line is visible Llyn Tanygrisiau - the old line is visible Llyn Tanygrisiau - the old line is visible Llyn Tanygrisiau - the old line is visible Llyn Tanygrisiau - the old line is visible - a grill is seen over the old tunnel entrance Palmerston at Blaenau Ffestiniog Taliesin at Blaenau Ffestiniog Palmerston and Taliesin at Blaenau Ffestiniog Cousins at Blaenau Conway valley train arrives in gloom Sunlight at Llandudno Junction North Wales coast express at Shotton - our last change of train Too long a wait at Shooton is finally relieved. Off the train at Upton station - slightly closer to home than Bidston!

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]]> Tue May 26 2009 Waterfalls, baseplates and halloween trains http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1605179.html Sort of does what is says on the title! 1st November we walked up to Pistyll Gain and Rhaedr just up from Dolgellau, went over to Porthmerion, walked the cross town link on public footpaths and went on the FR's halloween train in the evening - a very busy but enjoyable day - the weather was really good considering how it has been. Saturday 1 November 2008: Sort of does what is says on the title! 1st November we walked up to Pistyll Gain and Rhaedr just up from Dolgellau, went over to Porthmerion, walked the cross town link on public footpaths and went on the FR's halloween train in the evening - a very busy but enjoyable day - the weather was really good considering how it has been.

An awkward fall to picture this. It is mixed up in all the mine workings for which a leat from the falls led to the workings. An awkward fall to picture this. It is mixed up in all the mine workings for which a leat from the falls led to the workings. An awkward fall to picture this. It is mixed up in all the mine workings for which a leat from the falls led to the workings. This one is slightly easier to picture although it is at right angles to the main path. There is a narrow path which takes you closer but take great care. It is perhaps the 'better' of the two falls! This one is slightly easier to picture although it is at right angles to the main path. There is a narrow path which takes you closer but take great care. It is perhaps the 'better' of the two falls! This one is slightly easier to picture although it is at right angles to the main path. There is a narrow path which takes you closer but take great care. It is perhaps the 'better' of the two falls! This one is slightly easier to picture although it is at right angles to the main path. There is a narrow path which takes you closer but take great care. It is perhaps the 'better' of the two falls! This looks as though it is falling down - look at the underside - however there is a new bridge over a much older one - it is the latter which is slowly rotting and collapsing! This looks as though it is falling down - look at the underside - however there is a new bridge over a much older one - it is the latter which is slowly rotting and collapsing! To the left of Pistyll Gain there is a small adit. This is fairly inaccessible and I wouldn't risk getting over there. Probably very wet inside anyway - quite possibly a drainage adit rather thatn a working one. Just above the falls there appears to be this 'new' bridge across the river - very nicely finished. From the brifge in the previous picture are attractive views in either direction. Looking downstream from the n'new' bridge - straight into the sun! After parking the car and walking up one side ogf the valley you come down the other side and again the views are delightful. From a similar spot to the last one - the river bends her - mine workings in the bend of the river. The patterns in the water I really like - the flash lighting up the drips makes an interesting effect as well. Just past the car park is the return bridge, a good 20ft above the river. The valley narrows a bit here and the water gets quite excited! Just past the car park is the return bridge, a good 20ft above the river. The valley narrows a bit here and the water gets quite excited! Looking across the sands at Portmerion. The hotel at Portmerion. Where the track from Britannia Bridge changes from tramway rail to ordinary rail, special baseplates have had to be designed and fitted. These shows a completed fitting. Where the track hits Snowdon Street the baseplates connecting the tramway rail to the ordinary rail are just being fitted. These pictures show progress so far. No permanent connection has been made yet with the track heading towards the Cambrian crossing. Again those baseplates will be needed here. Where the track hits Snowdon Street the baseplates connecting the tramway rail to the ordinary rail are just being fitted. These pictures show progress so far. The Moelwyns from the inner harbour at Porthmadog. The sunlight was just in the right place - taken from the cob would have been better, but by the time I got back there the effect wasn't the same. Where the track hits Snowdon Street the baseplates connecting the tramway rail to the ordinary rail are just being fitted. These pictures show progress so far. Roland's rail movers and flat truck together on the link. David LLoyd George prepares for the evening train up to Tan y Bwlch. David LLoyd George prepares for the evening train up to Tan y Bwlch. It's now very dark and photography isn't easy. These area few shots taken at Harbour station Porthmadog. It's now very dark and photography isn't easy. These area few shots taken at Harbour station Porthmadog. It's now very dark and photography isn't easy. These area few shots taken at Harbour station Porthmadog. My favourite! It's now very dark and photography isn't easy. These area few shots taken at Harbour station Porthmadog. It's now very dark and photography isn't easy. These area few shots taken at Harbour station Porthmadog. Family dressed up for the event! Blue bear in a pumpkin outfit!! Monsters and ghouls entertained and scrared the occupants of the carriages to great effect. Monsters and ghouls entertained and scrared the occupants of the carriages to great effect. By the time we got into the woods below Tan y Bwlch strange things began to happen - like mobile phone displays wafting out of the screen. You can meet alsorts in the woods! What's that green mist emerging from the tables - why is the corpse bride getting over ethereal? Strange lights and sounds abound. David Lloyd George waits patiently for the return, unperturbed by the goings on all around. David Lloyd George waits patiently for the return, unperturbed by the goings on all around.

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]]> Sat Nov 1 2008 Royden Park, Wirral http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1603506.html On the 30th October, Royden Park Miniature Railway ran special trains (packed I should add) in aid of Wirral Barn Owl trust. Kat was helping out - something to do with school. It was a dark day but the rain held off and a good day was had by all. Royden Parks 'Tinkerbell' Class locos - all 0-4-4's - ran beautifully - the third of the trio lives abroad en France. Eric the owl also made an appearance. Thursday 30 October 2008: On the 30th October, Royden Park Miniature Railway ran special trains (packed I should add) in aid of Wirral Barn Owl trust. Kat was helping out - something to do with school. It was a dark day but the rain held off and a good day was had by all. Royden Parks 'Tinkerbell' Class locos - all 0-4-4's - ran beautifully - the third of the trio lives abroad en France. Eric the owl also made an appearance.

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]]> Thu Oct 30 2008 Holmfirth and show http://starrpics12345.fotopic.net/c1602675.html These were taken in Holmfirth during the model railway exhibition there on 25th and 26th October 2008 Sunday 26 October 2008: These were taken in Holmfirth during the model railway exhibition there on 25th and 26th October 2008

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