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Ira Schreiber wrote:Check this out. You will enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwCBm7rpZio
Wayne Laepple replied:Those open cabs would have been tough during a Maine blizzard! Speaking from bitter experience, they're not great on a rainy day in Wales, either.
snowtownbob replied:These little cabless engines were a more or less a a standard product of the Hunslet company, mainly for slate quarries. Since the quarries closed many have found restoration and employment on various tourist railways.
They mainly operated in the quarry galleries (bonciau in Welsh) and when they needed heavy maintenance or repair were hauled up and down the linking inclines by sheer brute force.
The highest locomotive shed in Britain was located at 1840 feet altitude on the Lernion gallery of the great Dinorwic quarry in Llanberis. The weather there could include snow at any time between November and April (I can see this gallery across Lake Padarn from my sitting room window.)
There is a whole collection of books on the Quarry Hunslets and the slate quarries they served. Next time anyone is in UK they should make the effort to come to the Slate Museum here in Llanberis which is basically the complete 1870 heavy engineering maintenance workshops for the quarry equipment, unchanged sine it was all installed at the time of building, driven by shafting and belts from the biggest waterwheel in mainland Britain.
Bob Gartside
James Patten replied:On my next visit to Wales I hope to make a trip to the Slate Museum. And do some exploration of Blaenau...and perhaps view the FR from roadside...etc.
Glenn Christensen replied:On my next visit to Wales I hope to make a trip to the Slate Museum. And do some exploration of Blaenau...and perhaps view the FR from roadside...etc.
Ditto James!
Right now we're planning a return visit in 2010. Maybe we can all meet up once again.
Best Regards,
Glenn
snowtownbob replied:Would be happy to offer any help and hospitality you might need.
Bob Gartside
Glenn Christensen replied:Would be happy to offer any help and hospitality you might need.
Bob Gartside
That would be terrific Bob!!!
It would be great to tour the area with someone who knows it well.
Best Regards,
Glenn
snowtownbob replied:Look forward to it. My contact numbers landline +44(0)1286-872044 cellphone 07771-897067 e-mail mailto:bob.gartside@talktalk.net I live in Llanberis High Street, opposite Joe Brown's climbing shop and fifty yards from Pete's Eats, the finest climber's caff in the universe.
