Extension progresses as Bala celebrates half a century

THE Bala Lake Railway (BLR) marked its 50th anniversary on the April 30-May 2 Spring Bank Holiday weekend with a ‘Bala at 50’ gala. With the weekend corresponding with the one in 1972 when the initial BLR rails were laid, festivities kicked off with a works train top-andtailed by Ruston & Hornsby diesels Lady Madcap and Chilmark. Commemorating the contribution made by Kerr Stuart ‘Wren’ 0-4-0ST ‘Dryw Bach’ – now based at Vale of Rheidol but out of service, which ran on the BLR during its early years, Jennie, a newbuild of the same class, visited from the Amerton Railway for the gala. Over the weekend, Jennie double-headed with resident Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0STs George B, Maid Marian and Winifred. A new book, Bala Lake Railway – The First 50 Years 1972-2022 was launched. Further commemorations are planned for August 13, the anniversary of the actual first train to the then terminus at Pentrepiod – and the annual Steam Gala on August 27-29. Meanwhile, after seven years of negotiation, the BLR Trust has completed the purchase of a crucial piece of land for the line’s extension into Bala town centre. It will be site of the station throat and ancillary sidings. With the exception of a 500 square metre plot, the acquisition means the trust now has all the route required. A decision on the planning application is due by early summer. Earlier in the year, Natural Resources Wales started upgraded flood defences, including the civil engineering works required for the all-new railway alongside Llyn Tegid.