of the Ffestiniog Welsh Highland Railways July 2013 · 2013. 7. 17. · This is a new approach to...
Transcript of of the Ffestiniog Welsh Highland Railways July 2013 · 2013. 7. 17. · This is a new approach to...
News in brief for staff, volunteers and supporters of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways July 2013
Introduction
This is a new approach to newsgathering and dissemination for the 40 Mile Railway. This monthly
newsletter will be distributed to those who request it by email and it will also remain accessible from
the main website at www.festrail.co.uk Diary and event information will remain on the online site.
Feel free to print this document out in order that people without web access can read it.
Please continue to send contributions, details of group meetings etc to [email protected] or
[email protected] Information received by the end of July will appear in the August edition.
Station Adopters at Blaenau Clare Britton The FR has its first official station adopters, a scheme that will be run jointly with Arriva Trains Wales, on the station at Blaenau Ffestiniog. The team, led by Sally Horn, are very excited and are determined to make Blaenau a better experience for our customers. They have already started an early morning clean and have planted up the concrete flower tubs on the Arriva platform. They will be joined in the autumn by Ysgol Maenofferen and headmistress Meri Jones is also looking forward to working with us. They have name badges with their name and ‘Station adopter’ underneath. Please make them welcome and help them where you can by taking away rubbish and giving them a drink. There are plans underway for more advertising boards to be used by local businesses and more
signage around the station. The offer in the town is much improved with places to sit, tubs of
flowers, information panels and poetry band trails. We need to be seen to be smartening up our act
too.
Minffordd Yard Refurbishment Dafydd Thomas
The refurbishment of the yard at Minffordd has a dual purpose:
Firstly, the need to provide a safe, good and efficient working environment for staff and volunteers.
Secondly, providing a secure and weatherproof storage facility for the railways’ larger heritage
items.
The current round of work has included or will include:
Relocation of the mess facilities for the Estates Dept and the P Way Dept staff and other volunteers into what was the former buildings dept office.
Demolition of what was the previous P Way Dept mess and small workshop, this building had become unsafe and life expired.
Clearing out and demolition of the S & T Dept storage facility in the Terrapin huts, which have become unsafe and life expired. Items will now be stored in a container pending the building of a new steel framed and clad S & T store, which will be completed by the end of the year.
Clearing out and sorting the telecoms storage in one of the old mobile telephone exchanges; most of the items are no longer of use and have no heritage value to the railway therefore will be scrapped. The moneys we receive for scrap metal will go towards the cost of the new storage facility. The ex‐mobile telephone exchange which housed these items will go to telephone heritage organisation.
Other S & T Dept clearance work has involved the removal of the old office Portacabin and the clearance and demolition of telecom store at Boston Lodge.
Large drums of S & T cables, which had been stored in the yard at Minffordd and therefore liable to be stolen have now gone to Glan y Pwll, where they can be securely stored. The extension to the carriage shed at Glan y Pwll has been cleared out to facilitate this.
Also at Glan y Pwll all scrap metal and rubble has been cleared away and the workshop roof will be repaired.
A clearance and sort out of the P Way items currently in the Goods Shed at Minffordd will take place so as to maximise space and allow for other items to be moved from the Nissen Hut. Once this has been done the Nissen Hut will be relocated to what was known as the scrap boiler section of the yard. This area will be cleared in advance, much of the stone there being used to recreate the garden opposite the platform at Harbour station and create a new garden at Minffordd station.
The Nissen Hut will receive new side and end walls as well as a large access door. This will then become the new storage facility for all the items of heritage track, most of which are currently stored in the standard gauge vans. These vans are life expired and will go for scrap.
The new Buildings Dept store at Minffordd should get its roof installed, thus bringing this building into use.
Provision of a concrete slab for the bulk storage of ballast. The larger the load of ballast we can take the less expensive per ton it is, also loss due to being compressed into the ground is minimised.
The demolition of the old P Way mess cabin and clearance of the surrounding area will allow Phase One of the Waggon Tracks shed to be erected. This will give covered storage for the railways heritage slate wagon fleet as well as providing under cover facilities to maintain them.
The Goods Shed at Minffordd will be fitted with new doors to match the original ones.
Also an overall clearance of scrap metal, redundant non heritage items and other accumulated detritus in the yard at Minffordd is taking place. This should further free up space for the provision of new up to date workshop and storage facilities.
It’s amazing what you find. Apart from more than 300 1970s telephones, we discovered 50 flange lubricators, acquired many years ago, which we are now offering to other heritage railways at the bargain price of £300 each. The sale of unwanted items and scrap will contribute to the building of the new S&T stores, with items already having gone to railways such as Whipsnade and the Llanberis Lake.
Carriage Works Norman Bond
Superbarn 108 is now finished and has entered service in the E Set. It is funded by the FR Trust and
essentially the same as FRSL funded 103 and 121. The connoisseur will be able to spot minor
changes – we would say they are improvements. It should enter service in the next few days and will
provide an extra 35 seats for the high summer service. The interior shows the upholstery done by
local firm Cartwright Upholstery. Buffet staff will be glad to learn that the car offers sufficient space
for the drinks trolleys to pass through it.
Car 22 has been in the carriage works for a much needed quick tidy up. It has had a coat of paint and
has been varnished.
Car 2046 has taken the place of Car 108 as the
main contract job in the carriage works. It is
funded by the WHRSL. It will be different from
previous WHR carriages as it has large
panoramic windows.
There are opening top lights for ventilation
rather than Beclawat windows in front of the
tables. It is panelled below the waist with
mouldings now being fitted.
It will give very good views of Snowdonia and
we believe it should prove to be very popular.
Two more carriages are in the pipeline – 125, a new service car for the FR and 101 – a second
observation saloon like the WHR’s Glaslyn. Both should be in service for the 2015 season. An
additional two carriages have been refurbished for Llechwedd Slate Quarries in Blaenau.
Motive power
Privately‐owned 0‐4‐2 Bagnall Isaac, being rebuilt
at Boston Lodge for use on the Lynton &
Barnstaple Railway, is undergoing running in trials
on the Welsh Highland, using the line between
Cae Pawb and Pont Croesor between service
trains.
The loco is the twin of WHHR stalwart Gelert and
the two sisters appeared together in a joint
working from Pen y Mount to Hafod y Lllyn to mark Gelert coming to the end of her boiler ticket.
After running in, Isaac will be painted, lined and fitted with dual air and vacuum braking systems
before delivery to Woody Bay in time for the L&B gala in September.
To mark the 75th anniversary of Mallard’s world speed record, Garratt 138,
now back in service after conversion to coal firing, is now carrying the
chime whistle from Gresley A4 Pacific Silver King. The whistle was
presented to Bill Hoole on his retirement from King’s Cross shed and
carries a commemorative plaque. Bill’s grandson presented the whistle to
the F&WHR last year with a view to fitting it to Bill’s old loco, Prince, but its
size and steam pressure requirements meant that the big Garratt was a
more suitable home. Both 138 and Prince carried special headboards to
mark the actual date of Mallard’s record breaking run.
Listen out for it.
Harbour Station Development
Work continues at Porthmadog on the £1
million station improvement project. Both
the Signal Box and Relay Room are
structurally complete, with traditional
slate roofs.
Doors and windows are in place and fitting
out work is continuing apace. During the
next Rest of the World Gang working
week, the new FR platform road will begin
to take shape past the new buildings and
the yard crossover points installed.
Ex‐Dinorwig Quarry
Hunslet King of the
Scarlets now has pride
of place in Spooner’s,
pending Princess’
return in 2014. She
was the first of a class
of locos all named after
famous racehorses of
the day.
The loco, recently
repatriated from
Canada, is in the same
condition it was in
when the quarry
closed, giving visitors
the chance to see what
a hard‐working quarry loco would have looked like in the 1950s.
She will receive a light wash and brush up, but will effectively remain in the same condition she was
in when last steamed. The loco, owned by Henry Noon of the Statfold Barn Railway, will eventually
be returned to steam on her return home.
TV news
More TV crews have been visiting the Top
Left Hand Corner of Wales this month.
A crew from the long‐running Dutch series
Rail Away spent an entire week filming
both railways for an episode to be
broadcast in December. The show is
syndicated worldwide and should feature
some spectacular shots as filming involved
a full day’s use of a helicopter in addition
to on‐train footage in fabulous weather.
The BBC filmed on the Welsh Highland for
an episode of Songs of Praise, to be
screened in November. Presenter Connie
Fisher travelled from Porthmadog to
Beddgelert where she interviewed
Richard Buxton for a major segment in
the show.
Pupils from Caludon Castle School in
Coventry visited the FR to film a Zombie
movie. Rumours that members of staff
were asked to appear as extras are
greatly exaggerated.
We’re doing pretty well on the TV front this year with 21 TV and eight radio appearances since
January. The Golden Age of Steam Railways episode featuring the FR seems to have been very
popular, being mentioned by many visitors to the railway as the reason for their visit. It also helps
that this programme has appeared on the BBC no fewer than nine times since its original broadcast
in December.
Partnership for Growth: The Welsh Government Strategy for Tourism 2013-2020 A new strategy document sets out the vision for the industry and Welsh Government to work in
partnership to increase visitor spend to Wales. Partnership for Growth: The Welsh Government
Strategy for Tourism 2013‐2020 was launched by Minister for the Economy, Transport and Science
Edwina Hart.
The strategy identifies a product led approach to developing and marketing tourism in Wales. This
means working with iconic, high quality, reputation‐changing products and events. There will be a
focus on more luxury and branded hotels; more well‐being facilities such as spas; more heritage
hotels that utilise historic and distinctive buildings; more all year round attractions, activities and
cultural experiences; more innovative, unusual and distinctive products.
To view the strategy please follow this link ‐ http://tinyurl.com/k5djscf
Kids’ Training Week Tricia Doyle & Adrian Gray
KTW 2013 runs from Saturday 27th July until Friday 2nd August and will comprise 40 Kids between 14
& 17 and about 60 adults between 18 & 80! The main work sites will be at Boston Lodge with two
teams at Harbour Signal Box site.
Signal Box Team 1 will be wiring up mains services, while Signal Box Team 2 will handle painting
windows and external walls, finishing external details of the Box and Relay Room and internal
painting.
Boston Lodge proposed projects (weather dependent) – no stand out ‘flagship’ this year but all the
projects have been suggested by Works staff or by other departments.
Decorating entrance to offices and stairway & landing to improve 1st impressions for
external visitors
Replacing doors and frame on Erecting Shop 2 road
Repainting corridor in Den
Refurbishing Ladies in the Den
Concrete a working area outside 12 road for Carr works
Make & fit new floors to at least 4 MOD bogie flat wagons for CE Dept
Demolish former S&T office building in Top Yard
Signwriting
Lay a drain alongside the OES extension
Many other small projects as time and weather allows.
A novel feature of some working days will be the opportunity for some of the older Kids to be
trained in steam locomotive preparation, subject to availability of skilled supervisors.
KTW 2013 will be using Penrhyn hostel, as usual, and new accommodation, Snowdon Lodge, in
Tremadog, which is larger and better placed than the hostel in Harlech used for the last two years.
A programme of evening entertainment for Kids, and adults if they wish, includes train trips to both
Beddgelert and Blaenau and the traditional beach party.
KTW will close on Friday evening with the usual barbecue at Minffordd, including drive‐an‐engine
and disco.
During the week an opportunity will be made for all the adult helpers, volunteers and staff, to share
in a group photograph with the FRS Merddin Emrys Shield, awarded at the 2013 AGM of the Society
to recognise their many years involvement with KTW.
We will be pleased to welcome interested visitors to observe KTW projects at Boston Lodge but ask
that they contact Adrian Gray (07774 825157) to ensure that their visit is convenient.
Visits to the Harbour station new works are not possible.
Meanwhile, Princess’ tour to mark the
150th anniversary of steam on the FR
continues, with her taking pride of place
at Dublin’s Heuston Station.
The loco will remain in Ireland until the
24th July and her next port of call will be
at Penrhyn Castle for their Steam Fun Day
on August 8th.
Prince, in matching livery, will be out and
about too, with a visit to the Shrewsbury
Flower show where the loco will be giving
rides on the 9th and 10th of August.
The Old Gent will also be making a return
to London from August 13th – 17th where
the loco will form the centrepiece of
Purple Moose Brewery’s stand at the
Great British Beer Festival at Olympia.
Prince is now once again coal fired and is
performing extremely well.
In other England developments, this
winter will see the long‐awaited
commencement of restoring Large
England Welsh Pony to steam for its 150th
birthday in 2017.
Caernarfon Station Development
It’s not just Porthmadog that’s in line for major station improvements. The railway is working with
Gwynedd County Council, the Arts Council of Wales, CADW and the Harbour Trust to prepare a bid
for the development of Caernarfon Station and its surrounding area.
The planned £10.4 million regeneration package of the waterfront and St Helen’s Road area will
include a new station building, together with car and coach parking. We should learn if the bid for
Welsh Government funding has been successful by the end of September.
Ticketing system
A tremendous team effort has seen most of the teething troubles of the new ticketing and EPOS
system being resolved. When the remaining bugs in the complex new system have been ironed out,
we will move on to the roll‐out of the next phase, online booking.
Tree disease
Following an outbreak of Phytophthora, many trees in the Vale of Ffestiniog have been infected with
the fungus and will need to be cleared. Especially badly affected is the area around Coed y Bleiddiau.
The disease poses no threat to animals or humans and footpaths in the area will remain open.
Boston Lodge Driveway
Car owners will be pleased to learn that the road leading to the works is due to be resurfaced,
making it somewhat kinder to vehicle suspensions.
Catering News Martin Batcock
Martin Batcock is now Catering Manager, with overall responsibility for on‐train services (buffet
cars), stores, Tan y Bwlch Cafe and Spooner’s Cafe and Bar.
Spooner’s New Manager is John Ditchburn, responsible for day to
day running of Spooner’s ‐ John was previously a familiar face on
the Buffet cars. He took an early retirement after a long career in
the hospitality industry, running hotels, restaurants and large
licensed premises.
Spooner’s Assistant Manager – Clare Podmore; Clare has a great
deal of supervisory experience in the industry, gaining experience
in a Canary Wharf wine bar/restaurant before moving back to
Wales to become restaurant supervisor at Hotel Portmeirion. For
the last five years Clare has been a familiar face as supervisor in
Spooner’s.
Head Chef – Tony Cannon;
Tony has many years
experience as a head chef,
most recently working at a
retreat creating meals for
guests special requirements.
His speciality is vegetarian
food.
Second Chef – Sam Cox;
known to probably all of you
for his cheeky quips. Sam also
has a great deal of
experience. His promotion
will strengthen the team.
Senior supervisor – Laura Jones; Laura, again probably known to all of you, her promotion to senior
supervisor reflects her experience and loyalty. This position will enable the front of house and
kitchen to be supervised 16 hours a day 7days a week – a luxury that has not been available before.
This new enhanced team will strive to deliver a much higher standard of customer service and higher
profitability. A new evening menu is planned to be launched in the next few days. During the winter
it is planned to upgrade the present cafe counter, giving it a more contemporary feel. Longer term it
is intended to create a new larger kitchen with improved cold storage.
Staff drinks
At Porthmadog, could staff please try to use the guards’ room facilities, especially at busy
times. Coffee and hot chocolate from Spooner’s will continue to be charged at 20p. If you want tea
please try to use the guards’ room. Cold drinks from the soda dispenser (Pepsi etc.) will continue to
be free so please help yourselves but, because of the need to record drinks which are given away,
please tell one of the staff that you have taken a drink – besides it’s only good manners.
Finally, no‐one other than rostered staff should venture behind the counter or into the kitchen. Our
Environmental Health Officer doesn’t like it!
Parks and Gardens Eileen Clayton
From June to September we strive to keep all our displays free from weeds, the flowers dead headed
and with the present weather, watered.
People can help by:
Removing dead or wilting flowers and dropping them in a rubbish bin.
Removing a few weeds from any of our displays. Minffordd Hostel garden could do with a little help at present
Watering window boxes and tubs, also Port ground frame bed, Minffordd triangular bed and the raised bed below the platform shelter, and Penrhyn raised bed. Minffordd is the biggest problem – can give details of how to access hosepipes and/or watering cans. Just grateful the long bed on the down platform doesn’t need doing!
Bagging and labelling over 2,000 dried bulbs for sale in the shop ‐ this raises over £200 to help us buy new bulbs for next year.
Shooing sheep off TyB platform as they are eating the Pansies. Monday July 22nd to Friday 26th there will be at least a couple of folks working in Minffordd long garden who would welcome extra help on any of the days. Further info from Eileen Clayton at [email protected] or phone 540 46, 01766 770 860, or 07780 567 972 Maintaining attractive flower displays makes a big contribution to the appearance of our stations, as we know from feedback. If just a few of you were in the habit of spending 10 minutes helping now and then, it would help us ensure we do this.
Vacancy: Spooner’s Café & Bar General Assistant
Seasonal Vacancy until 2nd November 2013. Hours: Up to 40 hours per week, any 5 days out of 7 as
rostered. Rate of pay: Meets National Minimum Wage
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways are two heritage railways in North Wales. Spooner's
Grill, Cafe and Bar is at the centre of our operations. We are looking for a hardworking, honest
individual to join our dedicated team of catering staff working in our very busy café & bar in
Porthmadog. Key duties will include serving customers, handling money, clearing tables and assisting
with kitchen duties. Candidates must be able to work evenings and weekends.
Core Skills:
Communication skills are essential
The ability to work cleanly and tidily is required
A basic knowledge and understanding of food and kitchen hygiene is desirable
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable but not essential
Knowledge of locations on the Railways and their use by visitors is desirable
If you would like to be a part of one of North Wales top tourist attractions we look forward to
receiving your application.
For an application form for the above position please contact Jo Vincent. Tel: 01766 516000 or email
Vacancy: Catering Department Grill Chef
Seasonal Vacancy until 3rd November 2013
Hours: Up to 40 hours per week, any 5 days out of 7 as rostered, no split shifts
Rate of pay: Exceeds National Minimum Wage, exact rate dependant on experience
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways are two heritage railways in North Wales. Spooner's
Grill, Cafe and Bar is at the centre of our operations and in high season has the potential for high
turnover of afternoon and evening meals.
We are looking for a Grill Chef to join our seasonal team. The Grill Chef will work alongside the Head
Chef providing good quality, locally sourced food from our Grill Menu.
Candidates should have good standards of hygiene management and good communication and
organisational skills. The ability to work as part of a small kitchen staff is essential. Experience of
working as a Grill chef is desirable. This position will include evening and weekend work.
Key Duties:
Prepare and cook locally sourced food from our Grill Menu
Assist in the day to day running of the kitchen
Core Skills:
Communication and cooking skills are essential
The ability to work cleanly and tidily is required
A knowledge and understanding of food and kitchen hygiene is essential
A Food Hygiene Certificate is desirable but training can be provided if required
Knowledge of locations on the Railways and their use by visitors is desirable
If you would like to be a part of one of North Wales top tourist attractions we look forward to
receiving your application.
For an application form for the above position please contact Jo Vincent. Tel: 01766 516073 or email