Autumnal extravaganza for North Wales
ATTENTION to detail is the keyword when describing the charters that ran on four narrow gauge lines in Wales and were organised by David Williams and Bob Branch this autumn.
A great deal of work by the pair led to authentic trains coupled with a good choice of locations on their tour, which is aimed specifically at the railway photographer, providing a superb variety of trains.
The railways involved pulled out all the stops to provide trains that look more like the old days rather than passenger trains for the general public.
The 12 days of charters began on October 30 with three days on the Welsh Highland Railway. Hunslet 2-6-2T No. 901 of 1906 Russell was turned to work out of Dinas on its own heritage stock, and 1879-built double Fairlie No.10 Merddin Emrys
headed the Colonel Stephens green heritage stock.
Without having to move hotels in Porthmadog on November 2-4, it was the turn of the Ffestiniog. The locomotives used were England 0-4-0STTs No. Palmerston, which was in the last few days of its boiler certificate, and No. 5 Welsh Pony, plus Merddin Emrys.
Four different consists were used with a mixture of vintage passenger coaches, bug boxes, mixed goods wagons and slate wagons.
Baldwin 4-6-0T No.608 appeared on days two and three, working across The Cob on skip wagons.
Chilling out
After such intensity on November 5, it was a ‘chill-out train’ on the Welsh Highland Railway behind Lynton & Barnstaple Manning Wardle replica 2-6-2T Lyd and a visit to the Snowdon Parc Brew Pub at Waunfawr.
Moving over to the Vale of Rheidol on November 6 for the next three days, two original GWR locomotives were used – Nos. 7 and 8 on a passenger and goods. For the final day here, it was NGG13 articulated Garratt No.60 Drakensberg and No. 7.
Charter action then shifted to the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway on November 9 and 10 for more Great Western power with Beyer Peacock 0-6-0T No. 822 The Earl and a GWR mixed train, followed by a passenger on the last day of the tour.
The cost of the full 12 days for trains only was £1300, equating to £108 per day. Options were available to mix and match your choice of railway rather than the complete tour.
Attendees, who were a mix of British, Australian, German and American enthusiasts, had the overnight costs, food, and getting there to take into account.
David and Bob are already planning another Welsh steam extravaganza in the autumn of 2023, which promises to be at least as good.
David also runs many other steam charters both in the UK and Isle of Man, and several photographic day trips in the UK, not just on railways.
Overseas trips are also planned for next year to South Africa, which includes Sandstone among other destinations.
These charters raised considerable funds for the railways after their running season had finished, and a £15,000 donation was made towards the future overhaul of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s 1863-built England 0-4-0STT No. 2 Prince.
For more information about next year’s planned charters and the Welsh steam extravaganza with Bob and David, email djw.edit7@btinternet. com