News - updated on 15/10/11
The Railway appeared on Countryfile (BBC one) on Sunday 9th October.
View on iPlayer
In the last week the railway has also appeared on the BBC NorthWest website "Fighting Job Losses" and a live interview on BBC Radio Wales
The future of Fairbourne Railway is at stake - details on crisis fund
Unfortunately due to unforseen circumstances the Halloween Special event has had to be cancelled.
Little to Large Gala May 29 & 30
The following is planned for the Gala -
- Sherpa, Russell and Yeo in service including double heading on some trains
- G Scale steam engines running on the Rowen Centre Railway
- Large display of many types of Mamod locomotives and engines on Fairbourne platform
- Railwayana Stall on Fairbourne platform
- Display of 3.5" and 5" gauge engines on Fairbourne platform
- 5" gauge miniature railway giving rides under the workshop canopy at Fairbourne
- Model railways in the paint shop at Fairbourne
- Craft tent at the end of Fairbourne platform beyond the Rowen Centre
- Two full size steam rollers in steam and operating alongside the railway at Fairbourne
- Two miniature traction engines giving rides around the village at Fairbourne
- Tent containing garden railway related trade stands and a garden railway layout at Barmouth Ferry
- 7.25" gauge railway giving rides at Barmouth Ferry
- Face painting tent at Barmouth Ferry
*All subject to availability
Winter Works
During the winter whilst the railway has closed lots of work has been taking place around the railway from the new fencing at Barmouth Harbour Station to the removal of the old Signal Box at Fairbourne Station. In the sheds Yeo has had work completed on its valve gear ahead of another busy season and returned to traffic for February half term. Russell has also had work on its valve gear and suspension and returned to traffic for Easter. Over the winter the biggest job tackled was a new firebox for Sherpa and this was completed by Portobello Engineering Ltd. Sherpa returned to traffic for Easter to star as the Easter bunny.
Latest Photographs of Yeo
Latest News
75 - A balcony coach is currently occupying the paint shop where it is receive work to panelling and a repaint; into the now standard blue livery.
76 - Cheif Engineer and Railway manager Chris Price is seen working in the pit with his assistant Matt Burrows on the valve gear and wheelsets of Russell, which have recently been returned from a contractor in Yorkshire. Once the front set of driving wheels have been replaced back into the frames the valve gear can be returned to the engine.
77 - Showing a close-up of the wheelsets of Russell
78 - Recently the cab of Yeo has been repainted by a volunteer which has brightened up the cab of the loco, also the boiler cladding, smokebox and bunkers have received a repaint whilst the tanks of the engine were removed. Touch up work has also been undertaken to smarten up the appearance of the loco ahead of a busy season.
80 - Sherpa has recently been split from its tender for winter maintenance after running during February half term, the tender cab back has received a coat of paint inside as shown in the picture.
81 - Whilst the tender is elsewhere in the shed Sherpa has been receiving winter maintenance on its valve gear by long serving volunteer Lionel Read. Note that the loco is sitting on the new road in the running shed.
82/83 - The result of recent work by paid staff and volunteers is now visible, Sherpa and Beddgelert sit side by side in the running shed. The new road on which Sherpa is on; only requires a smokehood to be provided before two steam engines can be lit up together undercover.
84 - Yeo is seen sitting in the workshop having moved from over the pit to let work commence on putting Russell back together after the wheelsets for Russell had returned from Contractors. Over the winter period Yeo has been receiving a bottom end overhaul to correct side play and to overhaul the motion of the engine. The loco is also to receive a revised brake gear arrangement and the whistle is to be moved to infront of the safety valves.
85 - Coach 114 has recently departed the paintshop after receiving a repaint inside and out and having the seats refurbished inside.
87 - The fresh interior of 114 showing the reupholstered seating undertaken by FRPS Chairwomen Jayne Bryne
Other recent work around the railway has seen the pond in the Rowen Centre relined to cure problems with water leaks. A new kitchen storage area has been provided by using space that was available following the departure of the reptiles. The outdoor trackwork gang are currently relaying the passing loop which includes new sleepers, track fittings and rail.
Latest Photographs
volunteer Tim Jones steam cleaning the underframes of Yeo after the removal of it's wheel sets for overhaul.
Shows the finished water wagon (prior to painting) and Matt Burrows in a typical work pose.
Another shot of Yeo being cleaned on the traverser.
Russell jacked up in the middle road,(awaiting the return of it's wheel sets from Leeds), with Yeos removed wheelsets in the forground.
Another shot in the works.
A very rare shot of long time volunteer Lional Read cleaning up!!!
Carriages
Significant progress is being made by one of the volunteers with the restoration of one of the thee toastrack carriages acquired in 2005. It is hoped that the, as yet unnumbered carriage, will enter traffic in 2010.
Collision - 27th June 2009
There was a collision between an Arriva train (on the Cambrian Coast line) and a car on 27th June on Fairbourne's level crossing. The result of the accident was that the Arriva train's passengers would have been stranded in Fairbourne. The decision was made to carry the Arriva passengers, free of charge, on the Fairbourne Railway so they could continue their journey to Barmouth via the ferry. Because of the numbers of passengers extra carriages were added, to make up an 11 coach train, which has a capacity of about 160 (see photos below).
Cafes
The Station Cafe and the Harbour View Cafe are both now licensed to sell alcohol. The Harbour Cafe (open during the green and purple timetables) is now also able to accept both debit and credit cards.
Russell
Russell entered regular service, after testing and painting were completed, on 8th July 2009. The SC Crimson livery will be lined out in blue during the closed season. A whistle from a Stanier 4F has been installed and the old dummy brass dome and front mounted oil pots removed.
Workshop
A smoke hood has been installed in the Workshop by volunteer Stewart Brown. This allows locomotives to be prepared inside during inclement weather, making it possible to polish the brass and paintwork when it is raining.
Lilian Walter
The introduction of 'Gwril' into regular service has provided the railway with the opportunity to withdraw 'Lilian Walter' for a mechanical overhaul and rebuild. The American style bodywork, added in 1985, was suffering from extensive corrosion which has now been completely removed. A new body, with a cab at both ends, will be fabricated at Fairbourne.
Charitable Status
The North Wales Coast Light Railway Limited is a registered charity No. 1127261and owns the land and buildings at Fairbourne Railway. Fairbourne Steam Railway Limited is the operating company and owns the track, rolling stock and equipment. All these assets were gifted to the charity by the previous owners, Professor Tony and Mrs Maureen Atkinson and Dr Roger and Mrs Mandy Melton, in order to preserve the long term future of Fairbourne Railway.
Driver Experience Courses
In addition to the ever popular Two-Hour Evening Driver Experience Courses, a number of One Day courses will be made available for £175 (which includes a packed lunch). The number of places for the One-Day Courses are limited. For both courses please contact the Railway at the usual address or telephone number.
DVD
New Fairbourne DVD
£12 + P&P
