(UPDATED) Welsh Highland Railway - Porthmadog to Caernarfon rear view from carriage 113

[@peterjarvis9367]

Peter, this is wonderful, thank you! It shows how much the track has been improved over the last four years since I had to give up tracklaying. Obviously a lot has been done to correct the initial imperfections - I suspect much of it has been done with the tamper on the days when the train is not running. But the smoothness of the transition curves, the sheer elegance of the trackwork, deserves high praise to everyone concerned. The trees and bushes are kept clear of the envelope, the crossings seem in good order. Even the dog-leg at the north end of Pont Croesor passes muster. The smoothness of the ride may owe something to the fitting of roller bearings, a job well worth doing. Congratulations to you and everyone concerned.

[@petersmith6903]

Brilliant good view something you will never see by road well produced very professional both front and now rear nice day to

[@jeffreyhughesmbe]

I've watched this video 20 times.......and I have been impressed each time. It is so wonderful. Jeffrey SVR.

[@MKTTransportVideos]

Fantastic! I really need to get up to this line this year.

[@simonahem7013]

never been there but after i watched this video for 3rd time...i am now feels that i been to that place

[@jeffreyhughesmbe]

A really lovely ride through magnificent scenery.....Diolch yn fawr.

[@autisticadventuressteam83]

Croeso :)

[@5052Kevin]

Peter, - Great video, very enjoyable. Just a thought, would it be possible to alter the video to play in reverse so the camera would appear to be at the head of the train rather than the tail? Kevin Malone - Durham City

[@gwr5029]

What's that narrow gauge railway at 5 minutes into the video?

[@autisticadventuressteam83]

Sorry for the late reply. It's the WHHR (Welsh Highland Heritage Railway), a separate organisation. There's a controversial and complex history concerning the rebuilding of the WHR. Essentially the Welsh Highland Railway 1964 Company (as the WHHR was originally named) was set up in 1964 with the aim of rebuilding the WHR from their Tremadog Road terminus (the station across the road from the Cambrian/Network Rail station in Porthmadog), building and opening their line to Pen Y Mount in 1984, the point at which the junction occurs in the video. The long and complex details are covered elsewhere online but the Festiniog Railway Company (note the single F - the original and official company spelling) eventually rebuilt the railway, starting at the northern end with an extension from Caernarfon to Dinas on the old standard gauge Afon Wen to Bangor route (the WHR originally terminated at Dinas Junction as it was known then), opening in stages 26 miles back to Porthmadog over a period of 13 years. In a way it's come full circle as although the FR Company didn't own the original railway, they ran it on lease but the dream was short lived. There was some quarrying activity on the northern half (which was an older railway in itself - the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway) but it existed mainly for tourism, the traffic of which proved unsuccessful at the time unlike the modern day. Although only a short trip the WHHR is a nice attraction with a superb museum documenting the history of railway in the area, they also have a fun miniature railway which I used to operate as a volunteer - well worth a visit if in the area. There have been some WHHR test trains run on the new WHR via the junction at Pen Y Mount but as yet no public service which is a long term aim, perhaps special occasions/galas etc subject to agreement between the two companies. I'm seasonal staff on the F&WHR and can't comment further on the situation, mainly because I know very little about it but many of us would like to see progress.

[@Nathan_A_RF]

Why wasn't Pont Croesor Crossing on?

[@autisticadventuressteam83]

+Nathan A RF It was under repair after a car had crashed through the fence into the electrical location cabinets late one night in March. The cabinets were a total write-off (as was the car) and a failed crossing procedure was used (train stops at crossing, fireman stands in road and hand signals train) until the system was up and running again, which was achieved before the main summer season.

[@HoJoCola]

Who wants to see the rear?

[@drspaseebo410]

Ardderchog !