WHR (C) Phase 4 Supporters Train

24th March 2007

The same weekend as the Traeth Mawr opening the Northern End of Phase 4 of the Welsh Highland Railway also carried its first "passengers". These were Sponsers specials for those donating regularly to the railway's sponsership scheme. Operationally the day was very interesting.

First of all Castell Caernarfon worked Carriages 37, 38, 39, 24, 23 and 1001 emtpy stock from Dinas to Waunfawr - it should have gone all the way to Rhyd Ddu however an issue with the devisable token resulted in the train waiting for 138 and Carriages 2041, 2020, 2042, 2040, 2090, 2115, 113 and 101 to come up to Waunfawr from Caernarfon carrying the Gold and Silver Sponsers. The two trains then combined to become one for the trip to Rhyd Ddu. Once at Rhyd Ddu the ligher carriages were shunted into the down Platform with 138 on the back. The Gold and Silver Sponsers then transfered from one train to another and Upnor and Conway Castles (both already at Rhyd Ddu) took the first "passenger" train south of Rhyd Ddu. 138 detached from the back of this train at Pont Cae'r Gors. Upnor and Conway continued all the way to near the head of steel before propelling back to Pont Cae'r Gors where 138 was reattached to pull the train back up the steep 1 in 40 to Rhyd Ddu. The Gold and Silver Sponsers then travelled by coach down to Porthmadog to travel on the Traeth Mawr exention.

Meanwhile Castell Caernarfon took the heavier carriages empty from Rhyd Ddu back to Caernarfon to collect the Bronze Sponsers and then returned them to Rhyd Ddu. They then transfered to "lighter" train which then repeated the trip it had made for the Gold and Silver Sponsers.

After this was complete the whole let (expect Upnor Castle) was combined into one train which returned to Dinas, with 138 and the heavier carriages contiuning to Caernarfon returning the Bronze Sponsers to their starting point. The Gold and Silver Sponsers were returned to Caernarfon by coach.

Snowdon in Sunshine with the WHR just visable in the foreground	A view down the valley towards Beddgelert	The Mynydds
Upnor and Conway Castles pass Hafod Ruffydd with the Sponsers Special	Upnor and Conway Castles pass Hafod Ruffydd with the Sponsers Special	Upnor and Conway Castles pass Hafod Ruffydd with the Sponsers Special
Upnor and Conway Castles approach Forest Halt with the Sponsers Special	Heading towards Beddgelert	Returning to Rhyd Ddu in propelling mode
	Heading up the 1 in 40 round the top set of Reverse Curves	The Sponsers Special on Cannel Curve
The Sponsers Special on Cannel Curve	138 waits for the Special at Pont Cae'r Gors	The two Planets arrive back at Pont Cae'r Gors
138 moves forward onto the special	Coupling Up	138 at the Sponsers Special with Moel Hebog (the mountain not the loco) in the background
138 restarts on the stiff 1 in 40 at Pont Cae'r Gors...	...which was a very impressive display and a good taster for the future.	Blasting out of Pont Cae'r Gors Cutting...
	...and on towards the summit and Pitts Head	The first ever passenger train to arrive at Rhyd Ddu from the South.
	138 arriving at Rhyd Ddu	138 arriving at Rhyd Ddu
Meanwhile Castell Caernarfon collected the Bronze Sponers from Caernarfon and was heading towards Rhyd Ddu	Castell Caernarfon above Castell Cidwm	Castell Cidwm with the 8 Carr Sponsers Special
Back at Rhyd Ddu the FR Co. GM, Boston Lodge Works Manager, WHR Construction Manager, and Chief Mechanical Engineer were to be found Sunbathing at Rhyd Ddu!	138 under the new Northern water tower at Rhyd Ddu
Finally Castell Caernarfon arrives at Rhyd Ddu	The Bronze Sponsers change trains at Rhyd Ddu	Two Trains at Rhyd Ddu
Upnor and Conway Castles prepear to head south again...	...with 138 attatched to the rear	The planets climb over the Summit with a little help from 138 at the back
Upnor and Conway Castles approaching Pont Cae'r Gors	138 arriving at Pont Cae'r Gors
138 entering the cutting at Pont Cae'r Gors
Upnor and Conway Castles approach the top of the second "loop" above Beddgelert