Author Topic: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway  (Read 9679 times)

Wayne Laepple

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Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« on: April 11, 2016, 05:17:19 PM »
The "Carrabasset," a copy of a Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes observation car commissioned by our friend Adrian Shooter, is visiting the Festinog and is available for charter.

 http://www.isengard.co.uk/#News
« Last Edit: April 11, 2016, 05:19:06 PM by Wayne Laepple »

Philip Marshall

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2016, 08:10:44 PM »
Thanks, Wayne. There was an announcement of the "Carrabasset" visit on the Festiniog's Facebook page last week and it seemed to generate a lot of interest. The car is supposed to be in the consist on this weekend's "Snowdonian".

Do I understand correctly that Adrian Shooter also owns the ex-Darjeeling Himalayan locomotive that used to be at the Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana?


Stewart "Start" Rhine

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2016, 07:17:43 AM »
Hi Phillip,

That is correct.  Mr. Shooter had the locomotive rebuilt at Boston Lodge Works, that's when the tender was added. I spoke to Adrian last Summer and he told me that the "Carrabasset" has an electric kitchen.  He built a generator car that powers the kitchen, the gen. car is pulled behind the Parlor car when it operates on the Beeches Light Railway. 

 

Glenn Christensen

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2016, 11:25:57 AM »
Hi Start,

Mr. Shooter really gets around, doesn't he?

His "Carrabasset" looks like a beautiful car!  If I ever get back to Wales, I'll have to go for a ride.


Best Regards,
Glenn

Philip Marshall

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2016, 03:44:31 PM »
Thanks, Stewart!

Philip Marshall

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2016, 05:02:07 PM »
Here is a video by Mike Spencer of the 16 April 2016 "Snowdonian" (a triple header of DHR 19-B, "Blanche", and "Linda", with the "Carrabasset" at the rear) that was posted on the Festiniog's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/mike.spencer.1213/videos/10154107433683680/?pnref=story

The location was Beddgelert on the Welsh Highland.

Stewart "Start" Rhine

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2016, 06:32:16 AM »
Thanks for the link Philip.  What a beautiful train, rolling right along and it looks to be sold out!

John L Dobson

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2016, 11:38:51 AM »
Thanks for the link Philip.  What a beautiful train, rolling right along and it looks to be sold out!

It was sold out, to the extent that there is going to be a second Snowdonian Limited on June 10 which will feature Garratt haulage non-stop from Porthmadog Harbour Station to Caernarfon. Fares will be £150 standard class and £300 first class, to include a Hog Roast at Dinas on the WHR, a tour of Dinas Works (where the Garratts are maintained), and afternoon tea at Tan y Bwlch on the FR. Seats can be booked at snowdonian@msn.com :-)))

The train last weekend raised over £30,000 for the F&WHR Diamond Jubilee Appeal. This is fund dedicated to paying for major infrastructure projects, many of them around Boston Lodge Works – replacement/enlargement of the 'New' (1970s) Erecting Shop, expanded locomotive servicing and shed facilities, Carriage Storage Sheds, etc.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2016, 11:47:33 AM by John L Dobson »
John L Dobson
Editor, FR Magazine

Philip Marshall

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2016, 03:27:17 AM »
A really wonderful video of the 2016 Snowdonian (with the Carrabassett included) has been posted on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uu-iHAVgbU

The train was pulled two different triple headers: Palmerston, Prince, and David Lloyd George on the FR portion of the excursion (Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back), and then DHR 19B, Linda, and Blanche on the WHR leg (Porthmadog to Caernarfon and back).

Ira Schreiber

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Re: Observation car "Carrabasset" visits Festinog Railway
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2016, 09:04:29 AM »
An excellent video. It brings back great memories of my visit in 2011 riding the same rails.
Thank you.