SNOWDONIAN 2024 - Steam train footplate ride on the Ffestiniog Railway
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- Опубликовано: 6 май 2024
- A very special footplate ride on the Ffestiniog Railway’s Snowdonian. A special steam train that travels the entire length of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways in a single day. 80 miles of glorious steam in one of the most beautiful parts of the British Isles - North Wales and Snowdonia National Park - Eryri to give it its proper name.
Richard joins Driver Matt and Fireman Tim on the footplate of Hunslet 2-4-0 Linda from Porthmadog to Tan y Bwlch, leading as the pilot engine from Minffordd, on a glorious April day in 2024.
Sit back, turn up the volume, and bask in some wonderful Snowdonian narrow gauge steam!
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Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail) 
Развлечения
When riding in the carriages you have no idea about the amount of constant care and attention being given to the engine to maintain optimum performance. Great to see but must be exhausting for the highly skilled crew. Must congratulate Richard on the steady camera work, can't be easy in such a rocking vehicle! Enjoyed a ride on this line many years ago, a great day out. What terrific weather too!
The Stephenson boilered, reciprocating steam locomotive…harbinger of the modern world and serendipitous work of art.
Beautifully filmed and what a treat to see crew and loco working in complete harmony. I would imagine that it was quite noisy on the footplate, especially with the loco behind as well! Huge appreciation to both the paid staff and most importantly, the volunteers, who keep these wonderful railways going for everyone to enjoy!
Thanks Brian! It was jolly noisy but tremendously exciting. Totally agree re the paid staff and the volunteers. They are all amazing. Richard
That was a real treat. Not only a fine display of driving and firing, but some pretty nifty camera work in such a confined space. Cheers, Rob
Cheers Rob! It was a tight space indeed - but the heroes were Matt (driver) and Tim (fireman).
What a very relaxing and satisfying film gents.
Thanks! I confess it was a little nerve-racking holding everyting steady. But very happy with result.
Wonderful. Let's hope this encourages more youngsters to get involved and learn the skills.
I totally agree. And thanks - it was great fun.
I'm 18 and if I could I would want to work on the footplate for a living, or even the engineering workshop
A fascinating insight into a hot and demanding footplate experience. Matt and Tim are one hell of a skilled duo. I'm in awe of their ability to work so well in a small area that is constantly rocking and rolling. Great camera work as well!
Thank you! And they were one heck of a team. It was an honour to watch them at work. Thank goodness for image stabilisation!
Watching this while speeding along in a TGV Lyria from Paris to Zurich; what a contrast!
Indeed Chris - but both wonderful.
A pleasure to watch. Crew and loco working in unison. Plus excellent camera work and explanations on route.
Thanks! Credit to Nigel H for the excellent captions and I’m glad I was able to hold the camera steady for half an hour!
Best 30 minutes on RUclips I've seen.
Gosh, what a kind thing to say! It was such fun to make and experience.
A great film, showing great team work and the locomotive working hard. All looks "jolly good fun!"
Thanks Peter. It was a real privilege to watch them at work.
Thank you for the excellent display of teamwork, which includes the videographer - the commentary captions bring it all together in a very moreish fashion.
This seems the right place to ask about how brake vacuum is created - having seen steam on the Continent, I'm used to hearing the very obvious clacking sound of the airbrake compressor, usually a discrete unit apart from the main loco functions - from memory, I've heard it on WHHR's Russell too. Mention is made of a 'blower' in this clip, which suggests that vacuum generation is more integral to a loco - what is the process and what should I listen/look out for when viewing a stationary train?
Also wondering why Linda needed so much attention to the spark arrestor on this particular trip.
Anyway, thanks again to all involved - you have a sub from me! \m/
Just a lovely watch information just made it complete well done
Thank you. Nigel's captions were excellent indeed!
One to add to the bucket list!
Definitely. The Snowdonian is brilliant.
On the footplate at speed-wonderful.
What a superb soundtrack!!!
It most certainly is!
What a fantastic video ! Thanks for sharing it. My history with Linda goes back around 1968 when my father and his friend drove us to Portmadoc for a couple of days. We then moved to Metioneth and the FR became nearer and just about cyclable. In the 1970s I remember Linda with the silver smoke box and the ugly chimney and so on and do on.
Great to see what "Ricket rescue" have done for both the Penrhyn "ladies" but really looking forward to 2025 when hopefully my fave FR engine will return to steam
Thanks again
You’re very kind! It was a real treat to be allowed to be on the footplate with two superb professionals.
Wonderful video! Glad you enjoyed / you had a fab day for it. Very steamy leaving Port. Linda looks marvellous in the sun. She’s a beauty!
The weather was extraordinary wasn't it - which also helped your superb lineside images....!
@@GreenSignals the sun always helps!
What a smashing video I had the same ride last year on Welsh Pony .
Thanks - and so pleased you got to try it as well!
This is when a driver and a fireman earn their money, unlike modern ASLEF drivers imo.
Rather different worlds I think - but Matt and Tim were superb.....
Their volunteers. Not paid for it. They do it for the fun enjoyment and satisfaction of it.
@@gquayle really? are you sure?
A great look behind the scenes well filmed Richard ,hard work to keep the camera steady on a rocking footplate
It was, although thanks heavens for image stabilisation on GoPro Hero 12!
What a beautiful depiction of Men & Machine in perfect harmony, Many thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome Andrew. It was terrific fun!
Looks likely a bit tiring just standing on the footplate trying to point the camera.
Usually these drivers eye views are from a camera mounted on the front of a Fairlie taking it all in its stride, but these smaller (modified) Penrhyns are being worked to the absolute max and not in the manner they were designed for.
When Garraway - whose name was on the inside of the cab roof eg. 6:26 - was driving that one, ( wasn't he supposed to be the Manager ) it was oil fired, so a lot less work and mucking about in those days.
Great Vid.
Anyone who hasn't seen it should contrast this vid with the one on this channel of the gravity train - right now, whilst its all still fresh. ( Ffestiniog Railway Gravity Train- ride the engineless slate train!)
The gravity train vid starts at the same spot where this train stopped for water at the end of this vid.
Thanks Chris. It was a bit tiring but the GoPro 12 is quite light and I have a carbon extension stick which is ok to hold for long periods. Plus the built in image stabilisation is a real boon.
The weather was organised to order as well of course!
superb, thank you
Cheers!
Very enjoyable. Is it just an impression with the camera angle but they certainly seem to be travelling much faster than 25mph.
Actually under 20 mile/h (which is the limit). It’s all a bit more dramatic on narrow gauge!!
The driving and firing were superb to watch!
@@GreenSignals they were indeed...
Excellent rendition of "Ilkley Moor" whilst passing the Works.
As often heard on the horns of 101s heading for the town, whilst sitting atop the cow....
Quite!
Really interesting . I know Linda is a single loco but I wonder what happens in a Double Fairlie. Does the fireman have to keep both boilers going?
I have ridden on the Ffestiniog line several times and found this very interesting. These locos work a good deal harder than originally intended but seem to thrive on it. The exhaust is nice and even and quite snappy, rather like a piston-valve loco. I didn't see the driver adjust the reversing lever so I wonder what cut-off was used. Or is it full gear throughout?
A fascinating video and skilfully filmed as well. Diolch yn fawr i chi gyd. (Thanks to all concerned).
Linda has slide valves as originally built; Blanche has piston valves fitted when the cylinders were replaced in the 1972 overhaul. The driver does adjust the reverser and therefore the cut-off but it's very subtle.
You give the impression that you spared no effort to try to have NIgel present as usual, implying that you were very reluctant for Stef to stand in. Was that a false impression?
Absolutely thrilled to bits that Stef and I were able to do this show together. First of many.
good to watch the crew and the engine well done a first class job !