Ffestiniog& Welsh Highland Railways2021 calendar
(£ 8.50, plus £ 3.60p& p. Order from www. festrail. co. uk/ shop/ or by telephoning 01766 516034).
IF LARGE photographs and plenty of space to writeare important, the Ffestiniog& WelshHighland Railways’ 2021 calendar is for you.
Measuring 23x34cm, the large format calendar features 12 stunning new images.
Photographs include: Linda at Penrhyn station with a train of slate wagons; Prince at Tryfan Junction with heritage carriages; Lyd climbing towards RhydDdu with a snow- capped Snowdon in the background; a side- on view of Taliesin passingYnys Ferlas; Palmerston crossing Nantmor road bridge with heritage carriages; Merddin Emrys exitingMoelwyn tunnel’s north portal; Garratts Nos. 143 and 87 at Ffridd Isaf; Blanche and Lyd seen through thewindows of Rhiw Goch signalbox; and Vale of Ffestiniog waiting at Porthmadog for anearly- morning run to Caernarfon as the sun rises over the Cob.
The landscape format provides a photograph on the upper half, with the blockof datesbelow. Measuring
4 ½ x3 ½ cm, the individual date boxes offer plentyof space.
The text isbi- lingual ( Welsh/ English) throughout. Weekends are inabolder font, helping to easily distinguish them.
Produced by Snowdonia Design& Print inPorthmadog on high quality paper, itweighs 362g.
Helpfully, it comes withahole already punched, enabling it tohangon the wall with ease.
AMUSTFOR FF& WHR FANS
OPENEDin 1859 asahorse tramway, the 2ft3in gauge CorrisRailway isone ofWales’oldestnarrowgauge lines. Fortunately, partof it survives today and is gradually beingreopened, as reported inHR issue 267.
Thecomplex historyofwhat is todayafriendly heritage railway is easily overlooked, but this book charts it all inadigestible manner.
In the author’s familiar style, the text is highly informativeyet easy and enjoyabletoread. Drawing onahost of original sources, including our sister title TheRailway Magazine, Parliamentary archives and newspaper archives, the author revealsawealthofpreviously unknowndetailed information.
Thebook’s four chapters are titled Thehorseera; Tramway company ownership; Railwaycompany ownership; and Revival. Interesting detail in the appendices include Acts of Parliament; Locomotives; Board ofTrade returns from1872- 1930; Payments to ImperialTramways; Mileage1900- 1913extracted from the CorrisRailwayCompany’sannual reports; and Planning applications 2001- 2011. An index ishelpfully provided at the rear.
Starting withacomprehensive accountof the line’s early horsedrawndays in1858, it charts the developments and hurdles which were overcometo permit the introductionof steamlocomotives and the carriage of passengers using tramway- stylecoaches.
In addition to the evolution of the line’s rolling stock and infrastructure, the book covers somehuman interest– principally Joseph Richards Dix. Taking up the railway’s general manager role on January1, 1879, he brought innovation and commercial flair tothe railway.
He oversawthe operation of horse- drawnroad coach journeys to Talyllyn Lake. Hewas also unusual amongst Englishmanagers ofWelsh enterprises inthathesettled inthe community and learnedWelsh.
In the publisher’s best tradition, thebook iswell- designed and clear to read throughout. Informative captions accompany the 200 colour andblack and white illustrations and maps – the images arereproduced largeand sharp.
If youwant‘ chapter and verse’ on theCorrisRailway in a readable, gripping style, this is the book for you. COMPLETE HISTORY