| Having ridden on the Festiniog Railway Company's operated Welsh Highland Railway from Rhyd Ddu to Hafod y Llyn, I then decided to take a look at the new museum that the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (WHHR) have created at Gelert's Farm. Although the volunteers did mention to me that other works are still needed to complete the museum, I personally thought that it's excellent and I would give it ten out of ten. It's recommended to Joe Bloggs and his family of two young kids who don't really want a long ride by train. The atmosphere at Gelert's Farm is superb. There's a Minature Railway that's been built for the Kids. There's interpretation boards mentioning the history of the narrow gauge railways in the area. There's also a friendly staff atmosphere on this railway. They make you feel welcome and will always answer questions as well as they can. The shop at Porthmadog has an excellent variety of railway books for all to read. Lynn Seal does a good job in running this. I also hope that one day WHHR trains using Russell will once again be seen running through the Aberglaslyn Pass to Beddgelert. This of course depends on negotiations between the WHHR and Festiniog Railway Company. My position with this is very neutral due to me having excellent friends in both railway groups. In my conclusion, a ride on railways in North Wales isn't complete without a trip on the superb and friendly WHHR and exploring its newly opened Gelert's Farm museum. 5* |
Steam loco Gelert running around its train Porthmadog. 2592x1944 |
Steam loco Gelert having coupled to its train at Porthmadog. 2592x1944 |
Arrival at Penymount. The trains seemed to be very busy on this day. Out of sight to the right is where the Festiniog Railway run Welsh Highland Railway will run past. 2592x1944 |
Steam loco Gelert running around its train at Penymount. This loco can just be seen at the Penymount Junction point. The railway to the right is the Festiniog Railway operated Welsh Highland Railway. This section isn't operational to passengers yet. 2592x1944 |
Steam loco Gelert backing on to its train at Penymount. 2592x1944 |
In more recent times another platform was built here. This view is looking towards Caernarfon. 2592x1944 |
In more recent times another platform was built here. This view is looking towards Porthmadog. 2592x1944 |
Steam loco Gelert after arrival at Gelert's Farm. Everybody gets off here for look at the museum. 2592x1944 |
For the Kids there's a Minature railway. I missed seeing this train as I spoke to one of the friendly loco crew Andy Carter. 2592x1944 |
For the Family there's a 10p coin operated Model Railway. 2592x1944 |
Inside the museum, we can see a view of three slate wagons. 2592x1944 |
A view of Steam loco Karen. This loco has been out of traffic for a number of years. The Kids are allowed to climb into this engine. You can even see inside the smokebox. 2592x1944 |
A view of a slate and horse wagon. 2592x1944 |
A view of an old steam engine boiler. 2592x1944 |
The old boiler is used as an interpretation board for people who know nothing about boilers on a steam engine. I like this virtual computersised board. 5* 2592x1944 |
A view of a small industrial diesel loco. This diesel looks similar to the Welsh Highland Railways Construction Company's diesel Dolgarrog. As Dolgarrog is currently stored at Dinas, this place here would be an ideal place to display it. Dolgarrog after all is history as it was used constructing much of the modern Welsh Highland Railway. 2592x1944 |
Inside the museum there's plenty for the young Family to do. 5*. Excellent work WHHR. 2592x1944 |
A view of one of the interpretation boards charting the history of the original WHR. 2592x1944 |
A view of I think a platelayers trolley called Busta. 2592x1944 |
A further view inside the musem. One of the Cabs of the LY2 Polish diesels have been opened to the public. 2592x1944 |
A further view inside the newly opened museum. 2592x1944 |
A view of one of the toastrack open coaches. 2592x1944 |
A view of a row of industrial diesels. 2592x1944 |
A view of Hunslet Steam loco Irish Mail. This loco is normally based on the West Lancashire Railway at Hesketh Bank. 2592x1944 |
