Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways - 'Scene Thru The Lens'
F&WHR - October 2008
1st October 2008 to 31st October 2008
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05.10.08: The FR Heritage Group’s replica of ‘Spooner’s Boat’ was in action at the beginning of October. Having recently been fitted with a new, larger sail the opportunity was taken for some trial runs across the Cob from Boston Lodge to Porthmadog, and return. The ‘Boat’ is seen here being turned on the waggon turntable in Boston Lodge Top Yard, prior to the afternoon run...
05.10.08: The crew – Andrew Foulds, Richard Stagg, Dave High and Adrian Gray – carefully line up the turntable before rolling the ‘Boat’ back into Boston Lodge’s Bottom Yard...
05.10.08: Once back in the main yard, it was time to prepare the sail in readiness for the trip to Porthmadog...
05.10.08: With the sail raised, the ‘Boat’ waits in glorious sunshine for the 1335 train to Blaenau Ffestiniog to pass by...
05.10.08: ...giving the chance for a closer look at some of the detailed ropework on the front of this ecologically-friendly ‘hybrid’ vehicle!
05.10.08: Fireman Roger van Praet admires the ‘Boat’, as ‘Merddin Emrys’ rounds Boston Lodge Curve with the 1335 train to Blaenau Ffestiniog...
05.10.08: Once the service train had reached Minffordd, a token was obtained and the ‘Boat’ was rolled out of Boston Lodge and onto the main line...
05.10.08: Once the points were reversed, the crew – now increased to five, with the arrival of Dave Yates – pushed the ‘Boat’ back onto Boston Lodge Curve, giving the chance to see more detail of the new sail’s construction...
05.10.08: Driver Dave High holds the brakes on, and Andrew Foulds keeps a tight hold to the sail, as the ballast is added – sorry, as the passengers climb aboard...
05.10.08: As the wind begins to fill the sail, Dave High releases the brakes and ‘honks’ his bulb-horn to warn passers-by of the otherwise silent approach of the ‘Boat’...
05.10.08: ...silent and sedate approach, as the wind speed had dropped significantly compared to the weekends’ other runs across the Cob...
05.10.08: Proudly displaying its motto – ‘Ni l’un ni l’autre’ (Neither one nor the other) – the ‘Boat’ sails across Pen Cob points and heads onto the Cob towards Porthmadog...
05.10.08: Work on NGG16 No.87 continues in the Boiler Shop - the un-repaired dome cover has been temporarily placed back on top of the boiler and pipework is being fitted inside the smokebox...
05.10.08: The ‘Stone’s turbo-generator has been fixed in place - this is a very tight fit and explains the presence of the un-repaired dome cover...
05.10.08: The fitting out of No.87’s cab interior is progressing well...
05.10.08: Meanwhile, inside the New Erecting Shop, a new erection has appeared – the Ffestiniog Railway Society has funded the construction of this mezzanine storage gallery...
05.10.08: This mezzanine gallery will help improve efficiency within the works by providing storage for components and requisites close to the working area, rather than in various outbuildings...
05.10.08: The section underneath the mezzanine gallery provides room for tool chests and this new machine-shop area...
05.10.08: The mezzanine floor also provides an unusual vantage point for photographs of work taking place in the New Erecting Shop...
05.10.08: ...such as the overhaul of the top-end bogie from Double-Fairlie ‘Earl of Merioneth’. The three white ‘sprayed’ areas on the black paint are where the frames have been checked for cracks – previous welded repairs in these corners can be seen. It’s also possible to see the welded repair needed to correct a large crack on the right-hand side of the bogie...
05.10.08: The welded repair is seen much more clearly in close-up...
05.10.08: Components from ‘Earl of Merioneth’s top-end bogie laid out on the floor of the New Erecting Shop. The white and purple colouring is the result of using penetrating dyes for non-destructive testing of components...
05.10.08: Inside the HLF Carriage Works, work on the interior of WHR Observation Carr. 2100 has moved on to applying panelling and mouldings, as well as ceiling finishes...
05.10.08: A close-up of the ceiling rose and ornate lamp cover on WHR Observation Carr. 2100...
© 1998-2009 Roger Dimmick - All copyrights rest with the Author
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