Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s Bygones Weekend

THE Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway showcased its collection of heritage locomotives and rolling stock during its October 7-9 Bygones Weekend. The event primarily focussed on the Ffestiniog Railway.

PONY PASSENGER DUTY: George England 0-4-0STT Welsh Pony starts away from Porthmadog Harbour with a train of vintage carriages on October 8 during Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s Bygones Weekend. Other trains were worked by Hunslet 2-4-0STT Blanche, which, having developed a steaming problem earlier in the day, ran doubleheaded with Hibberd 4wDM Upnor Castle. Attractions at Harbour station included ALCO 2-6-2T Mountaineer on static display and Hunslet 0-4-0ST Lilla in steam offering footplate rides, and the Wickham trolley recently converted to electric power (The RM, October) being periodically demonstrated. CLIFF THOMAS

TRIP FREIGHT WORKING: Baldwin 2-4-0DM (49604/1918) Moelwyn pulls a train of heritage wagons away from Porthmadog Harbour on the late afternoon of October 8 during the Ffestiniog’s Bygones Weekend. The train was worked between Harbour and Rhiw Goch throughout the day between passenger services by George England 0-4-0STT Palmerston. This interesting picture opportunity arose after Moelwyn crossed the Cob with the gunpowder van (second vehicle) that had earlier been receiving attention at Boston Lodge, shunted it into the heritage train and hauled the ensemble back over the Cob at the end of the day’s operations. CLIFF THOMAS

MOUNTAIN SPIRIT: Double Fairlie Merddin Emrys runs into Boston Lodge Halt at the head of a Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog Harbour ‘Mountain Spirit’ service on October 8 during Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s Bygones Weekend. Bygones Weekend trains employing vintage carriages on the Welsh Highland Railway ran between Harbour and Beddgelert, the afternoon service on October 8 being handled by new-build Manning Wardle 2-6-2T Lyd. CLIFF THOMAS