The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
"2003/2004 latest news - September 2004"
Page 1
Gala 2004
Gala 2004 was a great success as usual with maximum loadings, full car park and the real ale lasted almost to the Bitter end! Here we see Countess posing late Saturday evening with the W&L Mixed set at Llanfair and No 5, on a rare outing, with the 19-50hrs departure from Welshpool on the Sunday evening with headlight aglow. Also note the wreath on the smokbox in memory of Pete Ford (W&L driver) who died suddenly a few days before, he was sadly missed by all who knew him.We are promised that we will see more of No5 in traffic in future as members expressed concern that it was not being used enough after it's expensive rebuild - the Manager relented!
The "New" Pickering coach proved very popular and some customers likened it to a Club Car due to it's cozy atmosphere, it's longitudinal facing seat leading easily to a face to face conversations.
NEW Coach
The Newly built replica of the 1902 Pickering W&L Coach is seen here in Tanllan Carriage shed awaiting final adjustments before it's launch trip later in July 2004. The quality of the workmanship can only be glimpsed in these shots.
On 24th July the new coach carried it's first passengers on a special mixed train working seen here passing Dolhryd Mill.
"NEW" LOCOS at Llanfair
Latest Diesel to arrive was the Diema No. 175 from Taiwan seen here outside the workshops at Llanfair on 16th June 2004 and on crew training running round it's train at Cyfronydd on a fine evening 3rd July 2004.
Recent arrivals: Hunslet "No17" ex MOD on loan at Llanfair in April with fellow Hunslets in the background. New Steam loco "Resita" (Romania) 0-8-0T No 1679 tucked up next to 699.01 in Tanllan.
THE PERMANENT WAY
Schoolmistress Cottage
Winter track work continued in February to replace one of the few sections retaining "LT" sleepers (Former London Underground hard woods) which have been down for 23 years. Between mile post 8/0 and the mill we completed this work in less than a week including using the last of our concrete sleepers for just over a length of the 16 length relay. Weather condition were a little wintry on occasions as can be seen below.
Gofla Bank
January 2004 saw progress on the complete relay of track from
the outer home at Welshpool (near MP1¼) up to New Drive Crossing, some 50 lengths on
new 60lb rail and hard wood sleepers. The rails connect up with the 60lb
rail laid from Welshpool Station in 1980. Also in contrast as
it was in May 1980 waiting leveling and packing. In July we replaced an
occupation crossing below New Drive - Picture right.
Castle Bank
Winter track work was on Castle Bank around Mile Post 4½. 21 lengths were relayed with new 50lb rail and steel base plates with pandrol clips. On this 1:33 bank well fettled track is welcome.
Dolarddyn Crossing culvert
Complete rebuild was required after water build up behind the Welshpool side wall caused it to bulge out. Here we see the Welshpool side rebuilt and the Llanfair side being dug out ready for concrete (Feb 2004) - the "little" stream is very cold and can rise quite dramatically!
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