| Despite the fact that I'm still unemployed I treated myself to a trip on West Coast Railway Company's 'The Cambrian' from Machynlleth to Pwllheli. This was steam hauled by Standard 4 76079 as these trips have always been since they started in 2005. This was my first trip behind main line steam since 'Penine Limited' September 2008. Since I'm on state handouts I can't really afford to travel on steam hauled trips. I have however travelled on three diesel hauled charters since being made redundant in November 2008. Hopefully when I've got a job, I will once again travel behind steam and since this is unlikely for the forseable future given the current recession then this years steam trip is probably the last for myself. I hope to travel on the odd diesel charter. In the meantime, I really enjoyed myself on the Cambrian steam. I've not photographed much of the 'Cambrian' due to there being many pics further down the album. |
Standard 4 76079 at Machynlleth. 2592x1944 |
A view of the fine fire inside 76079's cab. 1944x2592 |
A view of Machynlleth Station showing how busy the train was on that day. 2592x1944 |
A view of Machynlleth Station showing how busy the train was on that day. 2592x1944 |
We're now departing Machynlleth. 2592x1944 |
76079 racing along the section between Machynlleth and Dovey Junction. 2592x1944 |
76079 racing along the section between Machynlleth and Dovey Junction. 2592x1944 |
We're now leaving Dovey Junction and will then head across the Wooden Trestled bridge over the Dovey river. 2592x1944 |
We now cross over the Dovey river bridge. 2592x1944 |
We now cross over the Dovey river bridge. 2592x1944 |
Approaching Tywyn and we pass the Talyllyn Railway. We receive a whistle from the Talyllyn Railway's steam loco Dolgoch and our steam loco 76079 sends a replied whistle. This is one of the highlights of riding on this train. 2592x1944 |
Approaching Tywyn and we pass the Talyllyn Railway. We receive a whistle from the Talyllyn Railway's steam loco Dolgoch and our steam loco 76079 sends a replied whistle. This is one of the highlights of riding on this train. The volunteers also wave to us too. 2592x1944 |
We're now at Tywyn station and a number of people are joining our train here. 2592x1944 |
Our train then races along as we leave Tywyn. 76079 really works hard here. 2592x1944 |
Our train then races along as we leave Tywyn. 76079 really works hard here. 2592x1944 |
We then come into a Barmouth where we're in contact with a plastic train (158 DMU)!!! 2592x1944 |
We're now approaching Harlech and we see a superb view of the Castle. 2592x1944 |
A view of Harlech Castle. 2592x1944 |
A view of Harlech Castle. 2592x1944 |
We're now at Harlech Station and we pass DRS Class 37218 and its Network Rail train. 2592x1944 |
We're now passing Minffordd Quarry and along here the track is to be diverted to allow the new Porthmadog bypass to be built. Construction of the bypass is due to begin in 2010. 2592x1944 |
We're now passing Minffordd Quarry and along here the track is to be diverted to allow the new Porthmadog bypass to be built. Construction of the bypass is due to begin in 2010. 2592x1944 |
We're now passing over Cae Pawb Level Crossing. According to a Festiniog Railway Company press release, the Welsh Highland Railway will not now be running over this crossing to Porthmadog Harbour until 2011. 2592x1944 |
We're now approaching Porthmadog and here we can see a view of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (WHHR). The volunteers who run this railway are very friendly. Like the Talyllyn Railway, the WHHR were also whistling their steam loco Gelert at our train and likewise our steam loco 76079 whistled back. It's nice to see this sort of friendly relationship between railways. 2592x1944 |
