Welsh Mega Steam – day eight

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Sep 192013
 
Welsh Mega Steam - day eight

Homeward Bound After a hectic week of coach and train travel, our last day arrived. It was another bright and sunny day when we made an early start at Wrexham University. Hearty breakfasts consumed, we set off at 08:45 for the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway at Welshpool. The special gala day celebrated 50 years of a preserved passenger railway between Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion. The line closed in November 1956, but re-opened in April 1963. There was a re-enactment the last train to run on the line, with music provided by the Aberystwyth Silver Band. Diesel and steam traction was provided, [Read more]

Welsh Mega Steam – day six

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Sep 172013
 
Welsh Mega Steam - day six

The railway that inspired Thomas On day six, we visited the Talyllyn Railway, which inspired the Thomas the Tank Engine books, and the film The Titfield Thunderbolt. We then went for a trip on the Bala Lake Railway, before travelling to our third, and last, accommodation, at Wrexham University. The weather on day six was cloudy, and there were a couple of spells of very light rain, though not enough to wet the ground. The sun made a brief appearance on a few occasions and it was still mild. The trousers and jacket were still stored in my suitcase. After [Read more]

Welsh Mega Steam – day five

 Holidays, What I do  2 Responses »
Sep 162013
 
Welsh Mega Steam - day five

Bridges and Tea with the Corris Day five was probably the most relaxed day so far. We started with an excellent breakfast before boarding the coach to the Vale of Rheidol Railway, a five-minute drive away. I have been on this line before, but this time it was a glorious sunny day, in stark contrast to the last time when it poured all day. The route goes from Aberystwyth, along the Rheidol valley, before climbing steeply to Devil’s Bridge. This is the location of the Three Bridges, each one built on top of the other over the centuries. Underneath the [Read more]

Welsh Mega Steam – day four

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Sep 152013
 
Welsh Mega Steam - day four

Bangor to Aberystwyth Day four of my Welsh steam adventure took me from Bangor to Aberystwyth, stopping on the way to take some line side shots of the Welsh Highland Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway. Our first stop was Rhyd Ddu station at the foot of Snowdon where the two trains from Porthmadog and Carnarfon crossed. We had an hour to kill here, so there was plenty of time for everyone to choose a spot to get their shots. When the trains departed, we raced the train to the Aberglaslyn Pass, south of Beddgelert. Here we were able to take [Read more]

Welsh Mega Steam 4

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Sep 052013
 
Welsh Mega Steam 4

Welsh Mega Steam 4 was an eight-day holiday that I took between August 24th and 31st 2013 in which I toured the preserved railways of North and Central Wales. A group of 32 were on the trip, which was organised by Railtrail Tours, and was the fourth year they had run the trip. Staying in university accommodation, and using a coach to visit the various sites, the itinerary for the tour was as follows: Day 1 – Alfreton to Bangor via the Great Orme Tramway Day 2 – Lakes and mountains Day 3 – The long and the short Day 4 – Bangor to [Read more]