Topics

1

UK (Welsh, British) Two Footers / Welsh Highland latest - March

« on: March 12, 2009, 08:41:09 AM »

The first train has travelled from Porthmadog to Dinas in a move of coaching stock, including the new observation car.  This was also the first train to use the CTRL (Cross Town Rail Link) through Porthmadog.  Photos on this link, with more promised later.
http://whr.bangor.ac.uk/whlatest.htm
Phil

2

Other Narrow Gauge / Chinese 2'6" railroad

« on: January 02, 2009, 08:24:11 PM »

For those interested in such things, the following link will take you to a page by an American who toured China several times, and actually operated some of the Polish-designed, Chinese-built 0-8-0 C2 locomotives.  One of the locos he saw is now in Wales, to be rebuilt by Ffestiniog volunteers for future use on the Welsh Highland & Ffestiniog Railways.  The C2's are part-way down the page and include a link to a video of two narrow gauge trains passing on double track, taken from the cab of one of them!

I realize that importing one for use on the WW&F is a non-starter (it isn't historic), but it is interesting to think about such a loco and what it could have pulled on some of the Maine railroads.  I wonder if turning it into a 2-8-0 or 2-8-2 would improve its looks or handling?

http://www.livesteaming.com/china05.htm

Phil

3

Two Footers outside of the US / Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway video

« on: October 12, 2008, 09:15:03 PM »

The Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway (a 2'6" line) now exists only as a paved fotpath, which I have walked on.  In a beautiful area of England, it closed in 1934, but carried standard gauge cars on special wagons.  The following video shows them in action and how they were loaded (pushed by the crew!) .  The locos were 2-6-4T's (2 of them), with headlights (never used!)  , which made them look "colonial", as the British referred to them!  I hope you enjoy the video, made in the 1930's!

Phil

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dWZbZGGnE6E

4

Two Footers outside of the US / Moseley Railway Trust

« on: July 31, 2008, 05:39:28 PM »

For those who like critters, this site is of developing museum in England with many industrial and WWI trench diesel/gas critters.  They recently finished a new three track storage facility with two 2' gauge tracks and one dual gauge (2' + 2'6") track -all for their critters (very little non-powered stock so far that I can see!).  This is their news page, with links to other parts of their site.

http://www.mrt.org.uk/

Enjoy!
Phil

5

UK (Welsh, British) Two Footers / Welsh Highland latest

« on: July 30, 2008, 06:18:27 PM »

Since the links (on the old messages) have disappeared with the old board, here are the links to current updates on the Welsh Highland Rwy:
Latest news: http://whr.bangor.ac.uk/whlatest.htm
Changelog, with the REALLY latest news(!): http://whr.bangor.ac.uk/changelog.htm

To bring you up to date, most of the summer has been spent (1) installing the railroad crossing and base for new passing siding at Pont Croesor, (2) building 2 farm field access bridges (basically two huge pipes!), (3) installing a continuously welded rail tramway (in-road "trolley" tracks) near the standard gauge crossing, and (4) installing the track across the highway bridge/railroad crossing (more tramway) into the Ffestiniog station at Porthmadog.  These are all nearing completion, and volunteers will soon (August?) be completing the tracklaying to connect them all together.  When complete, at least one new coach (possibly two or three) and Garratt 2-6-2+2-6-2 #89 (also being rebuilt) will be some of the first equipment to use it, being moved onto the WHRwy for placing into service.

Phil

6

Two Footers outside of the US / 1935 Lynton & Barnstaple film

« on: July 30, 2008, 06:02:02 PM »

If you are interested, there is a 1935 film of the Lynton & Barnstaple available at this site:
http://www.mrol.com.au/
Click on "video of the month".  (Obviously, it will change in a few weeks, but is the L&B film  at the moment!)
The L&B discussion site is really enjoying it!
Phil