■ NewTrawsfynydd revival group launches ' Timber for a tenner'
THE Bala & Ffestiniog Railway Heritage Trust- formed in November 2018 as a second attempt to revive the mothballed Blaenau Ffestiniog to Trawsfyndd branch - is inviting the public to sponsor a major sleeper replacement drive.
The' Timber for a Tenner' appeal aims to fund not only the replacement of around 14,000 sleepers on the route, but also the legal and administrative costs of securing a lease of the line from Network Rail and costs involved with the initial stages of surveying the trackbed to find out exactly what is needed to return the line to working order.
The last train to carry nuclear material from the closed Trawsfynydd nuclear power station left on April 22, 1997 hauled by EWS Class 37 No. 37426.
The appeal is being divided into five stages using the proposed stations/ halts as milestones - 1: Blaenau Ffestiniog to Manod ( one mile); 2: Ma nod to Cwm Teig I ( 2 ½ miles); 3: Cwm Teig I to Lian Ffestiniog ( four miles); 4: Lian Ffestiniog to Maentwrog Road ( 5 ½ miles); and 5: Maentwrog Road to Trawsfyndd Halt ( seven miles).
New organisation
Treasurer Steve Richardss aid:' Tue previous attempt to refurbish the line came to grief in 2017. Wearea newlyformed organisation and have reviewed and learnedt he lessonso f that failure. Members of the current committee are determined to'do things properly' - recruiting a mix of professional and technical members who share a common aim - that of restoring traffic to this picturesque line. Since our trust was established, we have taken the time to put in place a robust strategy that will form the foundations of our efforts going forward.
"We are now at the stage where we need to turn words into action. Launching an appeal in the middle of one of the most crippling pandemics that we have ever encountered might not be seen as great timing - especially as the rest of the heritage rail sector is doing the same. With no end- date in sight however, we believe that we must press on:'
Chairman Shane Barry said: "We are now starting negotiations with Network Rail with a view to securing a long term lease of the trackbed and its supporting infrastructure. We have raised the money to begin these talks, but will need to raise a significant amount of funds to cover the legal costs of entering into an agreement with them. That, of course, is just the start as we will need to cover the costs of surveying the line just to find out what needs doing!
"Our Timber for a Tenner' appeal will do just that. If we can get each sleeper sponsored for£ 10, then that will give us a really solid financial base on which to build:'
Working parties
The trust has already been granted Gift Aid status. It has pencilled in September 19/ 20 for its first two working parties, subject to confirmation because of lockdown restrictions.
Trawsfynydd was the largest intermediate settlement and station on the route. Opened in 1882 by the Bala & Ffestiniog Railway, it was backed by the GWR, of which it became part in 1910. It closed to passengers on January 4, 1960 and a last train special ran from Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back on January 22, 1961, before the through route closed.
➔ If you are interested in supporting the appeal or becoming a member of the trust, visit www.balaffest.org.uk