Quarry Power 2012
An exciting line-up of ex-quarry locomotives will be on show in September at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.
WHHR joins in F&WHR Quarrypower gala September 14th 16th
The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway is joining forces with the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway to play a significant part in this September's Quarrypower event.
Half a century ago, the scrap line at Penrhyn was photographed and the locos which looked so sorry for themselves then have now been restored to their former glory. We are celebrating by bringing the engines back, in steam and lined up as they were 50 years ago. We will be running them in a cavalcade at Beddgelert so they can all be seen and photographed against the backdrop of Snowdonia.
The Welsh Highland's popular Superpower weekend is to become Quarrypower this year and restored Penrhyn Scrap line locos will be in action over the length of the F&WHR with the added attraction of the chance to see the locos in a convoy on the WHR from Caernarfon to Porthmadog and on both the WHHR and FR over the course of the weekend.
For many of the locos it will be the longest single journey they have ever made.
The date is set for the 14th - 16th of September when Lilian, Stanhope, Eigiau, Sgt Murphy, Bronllwyd and the newly-restored Hugh Napier will be reunited with the F&WHR's Lilla, Linda, Blanche and Britomart in what promises to be an unforgettable demonstration of Quarrypower.
Friday sees the grand arrival at Dinas of the engines for the first time as they steam over from Boston Lodge. There will be the opportunity to ride behind triple-headed shuttle trains from Dinas to Caernarfon and Waunfawr.
All the locomotives will be in steam for evening photography in the yard at Dinas, where music, food and beer will be available. Meet the loco owners, crews and the people who restored and now care for them and perhaps buy them a pint.
On Saturday, big sisters Linda and Blanche `The Queens of the Hill' will double head a special service from Porthmadog to Caernarfon and back, while Dinas opens to the public at 07:00 so you can see the engines emerge from the shed and prepared for the day's activities. Don't worry about breakfast, bacon butties and tea will be available on site.
At 1000, there's a chance to see the locos lined up in scrap line order for the first time in 50 years, accompanied by the Nantlle Silver Band. At 11:30 you can follow the locos up the line with our special bus service as they head for the Beddgelert cavalcade.
On arrival, each of the engines will be showcased on the S bends above Beddgelert, providing great photo opportunities. Then follow the locos through the Aberglaslyn Pass as they make their way to their overnight stop at Gelert's Farm on the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. The WHHR will be operating an enhanced service throughout the day, on the hour and half hour.
Enjoy a pint or a meal in Spooner's as the sun goes down and watch out for a special guest appearance on Saturday evening at Harbour Station.
Sunday is your chance to see the locos light up at Gelert's Farm, which opens at 07:00. Food will be available in the Russell Tea Rooms. Then there's a chance to ride behind them as an intensive service operates between Pont Croesor, Minffordd and Porthmadog Harbour and between Porthmadog WHHR and Pen y Mount. Trains will run non-stop through Harbour Station on their way to Minffordd.
Watch regular Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland services mingling with Quarrypower specials at Harbour Station throughout the lunchtime and early afternoon peak.
See and ride the grand finale special from Pont Croesor to Harbour Station at 16:00 and marvel at the most unusual sextuple header you will see this year.
In addition, there will be book signings of David Payling's new volume on the Garratts and Kalaharis of the Welsh Highland and Gordon Rushton's long-awaited definitive history of the rebuilding of the WHR.
There will be guided walks along the Bryngwyn Branch and the route of the Penrhyn Quarry Railway and the National Slate Museum at Llanberis will have its incline working specially on the Sunday between 11:00 and 15:30. Pre-booking is essential for these activities.
DATES
- Friday 14th to Sunday 16th September 2012
LOCOMOTIVES ATTENDING
| Loco | Coming from | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Lilian | Launceston |
 |
Eigiau | Bredgar |
 |
Stanhope | West Lancs |
 |
Sgt Murphy | Teifi Valley |
 |
Bronllwyd | Statfold Barn |
 |
Hugh Napier | National Trust |
 |
Linda | FR |
| Blanche | FR | |
 |
Lilla | FR |
 |
Britomart |
PROGRAMME
Friday
Normal services on the F&WHR & WHHR during the day.
Evening Glow event at Dinas with the visiting Locos, with Sales stands from all railways, Bar and food, music from “The Rough Shunters”, Evening shuttle service between Caernarfon and Waunfawr via Dinas using some of the locos.
Saturday
Lighting up at Dinas, Line up of Little Engines as per scrap line at Penrhyn, Engines run in convoy to Beddgelert with vintage & open top buses chasing the locos, cavalcade on the curves above Beddgelert. Convoy proceeds to Pen Y Mount Junction. Special Service on the F&WHR, 30 minute interval service on the WHHR using 2 sets, special train from our Porthmadog Station to greet the locos to our railway, then proceeds to Gelerts Farm for people to view the locos arriving at Gelerts Farm and ashing out.
Sunday
Lighting up the locos at our Porthmadog Station, Russell’s Tea Room serving Breakfasts and Bacon Butties etc. from 0700, watch the locos coaling and watering at Porthmadog, Footplate rides, then a 30 minute service on us using visiting locos and hauling FR coaches with two of the vacuum fitted locos Lilla & Hugh Napier, Stanhope & Sgt Murphy on our train set. A special shuttle service on the F&WHR between Minffordd & Pont Croesor with side by side running between Gelerts Farm & Pen Y Mount, extra trains on the F&WHR. Guided walk up the Bryngwyn Branch.
Please note: Members' free tickets at all three railways will be suspended for the three days, as is usual with special events.
Tickets are available from the FR booking office at Harbour Station, either in person or by telephone on 01766 516024.
