It was a real pleasure to meet the crew, both on the locomotive and the train. I came away with a very good impression of both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland railways. A friendly welcome, superbly turned out locomotives, excellent rolling stock and some of the best scenery to be had anywhere in Britain, as youngsters like to say "what's not to like". I'm really enjoying editing the second part of this trip, the deviation around the lake is a remarkable testament to the determination and ingenuity of those early volunteers to link Porthmadog with Blaenau Ffestiniog again. Thanks for a great day out.
Thank you, there has been less change in this part of the world than most places, parts of the railway must look much as it did 100 years ago, especially where it passes through ancient woodland between the old dry stone walls.
Hello Anjali, this is one part of the world I can confidently predict will not change much over the coming years, it looks much as it did more than 50 years ago when my parents took me there as a child on holiday. Most of the slate mines have closed, but as they were mainly underground, not much has changed, except some of the old spoil heaps have been landscaped and nature is reclaiming the rest.
Wow! Very small steam engine, shown from beginning of the film, which height below Pullman, cheerfully pushes (as it shown at 18-19 min) 10th Pullmans! Wonderful railway. Many thanks, dear Tim
Hi Chuck, the little engines are surprisingly powerful, I'm glad you enjoyed watching them working through the beautiful Welsh scenery. Best wishes. Tim.
Fantastic video Tim! I hope in a few years to make a trip from my home in South Australia to the UK to see the steam railways I adore so much. The Ffestiniog is on my list of preserved railways to visit. I've wanted to visit the U.K. since I was very young and I hope to achieve that in a few years time. I'm a huge Great Western fan and I have an accurate and very realistic prototype of the Devizes branch in OO scale. Can't wait to see and visit the UK and it's beautiful trains and trams. Thank you for sharing this with us. I love the use of multiple cameras in your video. Gives a extra dimension to the video, a different perspective so to speak. Anyway, I'll let you go for now and thank you again for posting. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip 😍👌. All the best Cheers Caleb
Hi, I hope you make to the UK, the choice of heritage railways here is second to non, whether you like, steam, diesel, industrial, passenger, standard gauge or narrow gauge, it's all here and very well presented. If there is one thing the British are good at, it is recreating the past. There are also a number of heritage museums worth visiting such as Crich Tramway Museum and Beamish.
Tim, Another superbly edited video, love how you inter mix the journey and surrounds. First class travel at it's best with informative stuff like The Cob, did not know that. Steve
Hello Steve, I'm pleased you enjoyed the video. This is one of those trips where it is worth digging deep and shelling out the extra for a first class ticket. I can't think of a better way to enjoy the fabulous scenery than sitting in a comfortable arm chair surrounded by huge panoramic windows with a beer or coffee.
Thank you, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland railways have matured into an outstanding example of just what can be achieved. We have a lot to thank those original volunteers for and it goes without saying all the subsequent volunteers and staff who have all contributed in their own way to creating these wonderful windows into the past, enabling today's visitors to experience rail travel as it was 100 or more years ago.
Wonderful whistle! Maybe one day...Liked the heat haze and the steam too. Makes me appreciate how accurate the Perth model rail exhibitors had been. How did you avoid wind noise when getting the side of the carriages shots? Great trip. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Terry, I love any steam whistle as it usually announces the presence of a steam locomotive. When I visit Australia and New Zealand it always surprises me how many model layouts are based on places in the UK. I wonder if it is because many people originate from the UK and it is a way of creating a little bit Britain on the other side of the world or is it because there are plenty of British outline models on the market to choose from? The Sony cameras I use are pretty good at keeping wind noise to a minimum, if I know wind is likely to be a problem I use a Rode external microphone, but for this trip the sound was picked up just using the cameras inbuilt microphones. I should have realised from your love of hill walking in Scotland, you meant Perth, Scotland. I have a number of friends in Perth, Australia and I tend to associate Perth with Australia. Please forgive me as I now realise you meant to original Perth.
Ah interesting about ex-pats recreating a little bit of UK. I only have the one movie camera, Sony Handycam about 4 years old and doesn't take an external mic. I love it just the same. Just have to learn to use my new Zoom H1 mic and get a dead squirrel on it. Perth (UK) I usually pass by except for exhibitions it seems: one kayaking one some years ago and the miniature trains one recently.
Hi Peter, it doesn't get much better, especially if the rain Wales is famous for holds off. I don't know if I am just lucky or whether people exaggerate when describing Welsh rain, but I nearly always get good weather for my visits and where else in the world are there so many wonderful narrow gauge railways within less than half a days drive of each other.
Hi, I looked on the internet for further information about Earl of Merionieth, this is what I found posted by Heritage Railway Magazine, written by Sam Hewitt, dated 25th May 2018 - "The Ffestiniog Railway’s ground-breaking new-build double Fairlie Earl of Merioneth has been withdrawn from service to make way for a replacement locomotive. ‘The Earl’, affectionately known as The Square due to its angular appearance, has reached the end of its 10-year certificate and needs a new boiler, a new boiler cradle, smokeboxes, chimneys and water tanks. Only its power bogies, built in 1986, are serviceable and they are in need of heavy overhaul and new tyres. The decision was therefor made that building a brand new locomotive was the best approach rather than patching up one that is life-expired. Earl of Merioneth hauled its final revenue-earning trains on Sunday, April 8 as the rostered locomotive on the 10.05am and 1.35am return trips to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Later that day it made its final run to Blaenau with an evening ‘staff only’ special, returning to Boston Lodge for the last time at around 9.30pm. Earl of Merioneth was built in 1979 and can claim a unique place in railway preservation history as the first full-size all-new-build steam locomotive on any heritage line in the UK - and now also the first to be withdrawn". I was surprised that an engine so young had been withdrawn, but it does still exist and according to this article, it is possible that it could one day be restored back to working order -www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/Earl_of_Merioneth_II
First time I really noted this Pullman observation car outside and inside. Perfect to watch great sceneries at this railway. Tim, how is feeling at riding such Ffestiniog Railway train? More like 'serious rea'l train or more like enchanted 'Alice in Wonderland' mood? Btw: As always great cut by mixing video footage and 'stills' right manner - typical Timsvideochannel1 style. - Heinz
Hello Heinz, The Ffestiniog railway very wisely caters for all types of visitors, whether it be a family on a tight budget or those who are prepared to pay a little more to travel in comfort. All passengers are greeted with a friendly welcome, drinks and snacks are available on the train, but the main thing is that the wonderful views can be enjoyed by everyone. All carriages ride well, giving the impression of travelling on a serious train though Alice in Wonderland scenery. I take still photos as well as video because, sometimes the video does not come out as expected and I like to start with moving photos as a way setting the atmosphere for the rest of the video. -Tim.
They serve tea, coffee, soft drinks, various beers and alcoholic beverages along with light snacks. For more information please click on this link - www.festrail.co.uk/catering.htm
Hi, I watched your video and fully understand your comment. I sincerely hope both you and your scooter are OK. I have seen rubber inserts fitted in the gap, soft enough to allow train wheels to push it down, but hard enough to stop bike wheels dropping into it. I love to film and travel on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, but I am not employed by or a volunteer, so I have no influence, but the management are decent people, who I am sure would implement a solution if one was available. After you unfortunate experience, is there anything further you think the railway can do to alert those on two wheels of the hazard ahead?
I searched the internet to find information about tram lines and cyclists in Europe where the problem you encountered is far more widespread. I found this article which you may find interesting - www.fietsberaad.nl/index.cfm?lang=en§ion=nieuws&mode=newsArticle&repository=Z%C3%BCrich+will+test+bicycle-friendly+tram+rails
I'm sure this is the day you rode with us! Always enjoy seeing our railway from our guests' perspective! Excellent!
It was a real pleasure to meet the crew, both on the locomotive and the train. I came away with a very good impression of both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland railways. A friendly welcome, superbly turned out locomotives, excellent rolling stock and some of the best scenery to be had anywhere in Britain, as youngsters like to say "what's not to like". I'm really enjoying editing the second part of this trip, the deviation around the lake is a remarkable testament to the determination and ingenuity of those early volunteers to link Porthmadog with Blaenau Ffestiniog again. Thanks for a great day out.
Some wonderful 'rustic' scenery there. Take the modern vehicles out and you've a step back in time. Excellent video again!
Thank you, there has been less change in this part of the world than most places, parts of the railway must look much as it did 100 years ago, especially where it passes through ancient woodland between the old dry stone walls.
Fantastic love this
Cheers, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.
I hope & wish that this beautiful railway & the region stays like that, untouched..Looking forward to part 2👍👍😊
Hello Anjali, this is one part of the world I can confidently predict will not change much over the coming years, it looks much as it did more than 50 years ago when my parents took me there as a child on holiday. Most of the slate mines have closed, but as they were mainly underground, not much has changed, except some of the old spoil heaps have been landscaped and nature is reclaiming the rest.
Anjali Rajadhyaksha g
Wow! Very small steam engine, shown from beginning of the film, which height below Pullman, cheerfully pushes (as it shown at 18-19 min) 10th Pullmans! Wonderful railway. Many thanks, dear Tim
Hi Chuck, the little engines are surprisingly powerful, I'm glad you enjoyed watching them working through the beautiful Welsh scenery. Best wishes. Tim.
Fantastic video Tim! I hope in a few years to make a trip from my home in South Australia to the UK to see the steam railways I adore so much. The Ffestiniog is on my list of preserved railways to visit. I've wanted to visit the U.K. since I was very young and I hope to achieve that in a few years time.
I'm a huge Great Western fan and I have an accurate and very realistic prototype of the Devizes branch in OO scale. Can't wait to see and visit the UK and it's beautiful trains and trams.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I love the use of multiple cameras in your video. Gives a extra dimension to the video, a different perspective so to speak.
Anyway, I'll let you go for now and thank you again for posting. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip 😍👌.
All the best
Cheers
Caleb
Hi, I hope you make to the UK, the choice of heritage railways here is second to non, whether you like, steam, diesel, industrial, passenger, standard gauge or narrow gauge, it's all here and very well presented. If there is one thing the British are good at, it is recreating the past. There are also a number of heritage museums worth visiting such as Crich Tramway Museum and Beamish.
Tim, Another superbly edited video, love how you inter mix the journey and surrounds. First class travel at it's best with informative stuff like The Cob, did not know that. Steve
Hello Steve, I'm pleased you enjoyed the video. This is one of those trips where it is worth digging deep and shelling out the extra for a first class ticket. I can't think of a better way to enjoy the fabulous scenery than sitting in a comfortable arm chair surrounded by huge panoramic windows with a beer or coffee.
Beautiful scenery and so well recorded on video. Thanks Tim! Interesting to see how the platform there has been extended since our last visit.
Thank you, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland railways have matured into an outstanding example of just what can be achieved. We have a lot to thank those original volunteers for and it goes without saying all the subsequent volunteers and staff who have all contributed in their own way to creating these wonderful windows into the past, enabling today's visitors to experience rail travel as it was 100 or more years ago.
Wonderful whistle! Maybe one day...Liked the heat haze and the steam too. Makes me appreciate how accurate the Perth model rail exhibitors had been. How did you avoid wind noise when getting the side of the carriages shots? Great trip. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Terry, I love any steam whistle as it usually announces the presence of a steam locomotive. When I visit Australia and New Zealand it always surprises me how many model layouts are based on places in the UK. I wonder if it is because many people originate from the UK and it is a way of creating a little bit Britain on the other side of the world or is it because there are plenty of British outline models on the market to choose from? The Sony cameras I use are pretty good at keeping wind noise to a minimum, if I know wind is likely to be a problem I use a Rode external microphone, but for this trip the sound was picked up just using the cameras inbuilt microphones.
I should have realised from your love of hill walking in Scotland, you meant Perth, Scotland. I have a number of friends in Perth, Australia and I tend to associate Perth with Australia. Please forgive me as I now realise you meant to original Perth.
Ah interesting about ex-pats recreating a little bit of UK. I only have the one movie camera, Sony Handycam about 4 years old and doesn't take an external mic. I love it just the same. Just have to learn to use my new Zoom H1 mic and get a dead squirrel on it. Perth (UK) I usually pass by except for exhibitions it seems: one kayaking one some years ago and the miniature trains one recently.
Excellent what more can you want engines country view's both side and rear wales at its best
Hi Peter, it doesn't get much better, especially if the rain Wales is famous for holds off. I don't know if I am just lucky or whether people exaggerate when describing Welsh rain, but I nearly always get good weather for my visits and where else in the world are there so many wonderful narrow gauge railways within less than half a days drive of each other.
Great video.Shame Earl of Merionieth not now running.
Hi, I looked on the internet for further information about Earl of Merionieth, this is what I found posted by Heritage Railway Magazine, written by Sam Hewitt, dated 25th May 2018 -
"The Ffestiniog Railway’s ground-breaking new-build double Fairlie Earl of Merioneth has been withdrawn from service to make way for a replacement locomotive.
‘The Earl’, affectionately known as The Square due to its angular appearance, has reached the end of its 10-year certificate and needs a new boiler, a new boiler cradle, smokeboxes, chimneys and water tanks.
Only its power bogies, built in 1986, are serviceable and they are in need of heavy overhaul and new tyres. The decision was therefor made that building a brand new locomotive was the best approach rather than patching up one that is life-expired.
Earl of Merioneth hauled its final revenue-earning trains on Sunday, April 8 as the rostered locomotive on the 10.05am and 1.35am return trips to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Later that day it made its final run to Blaenau with an evening ‘staff only’ special, returning to Boston Lodge for the last time at around 9.30pm.
Earl of Merioneth was built in 1979 and can claim a unique place in railway preservation history as the first full-size all-new-build steam locomotive on any heritage line in the UK - and now also the first to be withdrawn".
I was surprised that an engine so young had been withdrawn, but it does still exist and according to this article, it is possible that it could one day be restored back to working order -www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/Earl_of_Merioneth_II
@@Timsvideochannel1 Thanks. I too would like it back before long.
@@wegladstone1967 I'd like to see it back as well, because although it is a new build, it is also a part of the railways history.
First time I really noted this Pullman observation car outside and inside. Perfect to watch great sceneries at this railway. Tim, how is feeling at riding such Ffestiniog Railway train? More like 'serious rea'l train or more like enchanted 'Alice in Wonderland' mood?
Btw: As always great cut by mixing video footage and 'stills' right manner - typical Timsvideochannel1 style. - Heinz
Hello Heinz, The Ffestiniog railway very wisely caters for all types of visitors, whether it be a family on a tight budget or those who are prepared to pay a little more to travel in comfort. All passengers are greeted with a friendly welcome, drinks and snacks are available on the train, but the main thing is that the wonderful views can be enjoyed by everyone. All carriages ride well, giving the impression of travelling on a serious train though Alice in Wonderland scenery. I take still photos as well as video because, sometimes the video does not come out as expected and I like to start with moving photos as a way setting the atmosphere for the rest of the video. -Tim.
Hello,Tim.Yiours videio cone better any bbc documentary aboit railways theme.Very fabulous.
Hi, thank you for your kind comment, it is really appreciated.
What kind of food and drink do they serve in the dining cars of the WHR & FR trains?
They serve tea, coffee, soft drinks, various beers and alcoholic beverages along with light snacks. For more information please click on this link - www.festrail.co.uk/catering.htm
Pretty very wondderful
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Can you take a small dog on this train?
Hi, please click on this link for the full answer - www.festrail.co.uk/attraction_item/dog-owners/
When are you going to sort out the track crossing the road in Porthmadog. It's a death trap one day someone will get killed on it
Hi, I watched your video and fully understand your comment. I sincerely hope both you and your scooter are OK. I have seen rubber inserts fitted in the gap, soft enough to allow train wheels to push it down, but hard enough to stop bike wheels dropping into it. I love to film and travel on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, but I am not employed by or a volunteer, so I have no influence, but the management are decent people, who I am sure would implement a solution if one was available. After you unfortunate experience, is there anything further you think the railway can do to alert those on two wheels of the hazard ahead?
Excellent idea
I searched the internet to find information about tram lines and cyclists in Europe where the problem you encountered is far more widespread. I found this article which you may find interesting - www.fietsberaad.nl/index.cfm?lang=en§ion=nieuws&mode=newsArticle&repository=Z%C3%BCrich+will+test+bicycle-friendly+tram+rails
Just read the article and that's a good option for Ffestiniog Railway. That will help the cyclist and bikers