DOCSLIB.ORG

Bala Extension Pushes Ahead – but Must

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bala Extension Pushes Ahead – but Must NEWS County Donegal Bala extensionpushesahead commissions specialbadge for –but must raise£300,000 By Robin Jones forthe managementofthe lake, £23,000 to coverthe additional design 60th anniversary is set to embark on asignificant work required. THE Bala Lake Railway (BLR) has taken upgrade to the flood defences that BLRtrust chairman Julian Birley COUNTYDonegalRailway three major steps in its bid to join the protectthe townfromfloodingfrom said:“I have beeninvolved with Restoration Limited has growing number of heritage lines that the lake.Theseupgradescoincide capital projects forheritage railways commissioned aspecial badge to can boast atowncentrepresence. with over aquarterofthe route fornearly 25 years,but in thattime, mark the 60th anniversaryofthe As it is continuing to forgeahead of the extensionand,with close Ihave never come across such closureofthe County Donegal with extending the railway into collaboration with NRW, the civil universal supportfor aheritage Railways(CDR), which falls on down-townBala, theLlangollen worksrequired forthe extension will railway. December 31.Thelast trains Railway,the otherline to have be carried outbythem. “NRW could not be more ranonthe 3ft-gauge system on revived asection of theGWR Ruabon supportiveorhelpful in what we are December 31, 1959. to Barmouthroute, is completing its Stakeholder support trying to achieve. Matt Jenkins,who Thebadge uses the colourful long-awaited extension into Corwen Therailwaywill have to contributefor is heading up the project forNRW, crest of the County Donegal towncentre. the additional work required to create is going the extramile to ensure RailwaysJointCommittee, Forthe extension,two more the formation forthe laying of track, the railway gets whatitwants while which wasdesigned in 1906, to land purchaseshave almost but because of the economies of scale, managing the much larger £6million mark the jointpurchase of the been completed,and mattersare by beingpartofamuch larger project, projectfor upgrading the flood Donegal Railway Companyby well in hand foragreeingadeal the savings will be considerable.For defences all around the town. the GreatNorthern Railway of to have running rights over the this partofthe project, the railway has “Support continuesinthe much Ireland and the Midland Railway flood defences at the northend of to raise£300,000.Magnox, the nuclear wider community, from the county of England.The number 60 Bala Lake. energy company, owner of the nearby council, the town council, local has been incorporatedtomark Natural ResourcesWales (NRW), decommissioned powerstation at businesses and residents. the anniversary. thegovernment body responsible Trawsfynydd,has awardedagrantof “They all see the hugecommercial TheCDR crest incorporatesthe arms of the O’Donnell clan, and wasused on steam locomotives, railcars and trailers until the closureofthe railway in 1959, and remained proudly in use on the company’sreplacement buses until CórasIompair Éireann took over the CDR road services in 1971. Threeshamrocks, situatedatthe base of the original,havebeen replaced with the number 60, with two of the shamrocks movedtothe Passing trains:QuarryHunslet 0-4-0STs No.680 of 1898 side of the number to create the George B and No.822 of 1904 Maid Marianin action during anniversarybadge artwork. thegala. Withhelpfrom Heritage Railway readers,£300,000 County Donegal Railway could soon be raisedtoallowthemtorun into Bala town An aerial visualisationofthe Bala Lake Railway’sextension Heritage Centre manager Niall centre. FRED KERR into thetowncentre. BLR McCaughan said:“The badges arebeing made as alimited editionventure, and cost £5 plus post and package.Weare considering producing special, County Donegal Railway-themed badges everyyear, as collectors’ items,and we hope that railway enthusiasts will supportthe 60 badge which represents one of the ways in which we will be marking the 60th anniversary of the railway’s closurethisyear.” ➜ Details of the badges and howto purchase them areatwww. donegalrailway. com Above:The 60th anniversary badge and theCounty Donegal Demonstration freighttrains, comprised of slate quarrywagons takenfrom theline’sextensivecollection,wererun between Railways original. Llanuwchllynand Llangowerduring thegala, in addition to passengerservices. Hunslet 0-4-0STNo. 780of1902 Alice is seen shunting agoods train at LlangoweronJune 16,while sister Hunslet Maid Marian waitswithapassengertrain. FRED KERR 34 Heritagerailway.co.ukFindusonwww.facebook.com/heritagerailway 034 News_257.indd 34 24/07/2019 10:55:19.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Eryri-Npa.Gov.Uk
    1 Content Where to Get Information 3-5 Enjoying Snowdonia Safely 6-8 Discovering Snowdonia 9-19 Caring for Wildlife 20-22 Contact Details 23-27 Snapshot - Ffestiniog 28-30 Caring for Snowdonia 31-39 Crossword 40-42 Kids Corner 43 Canolfan Astudio 44-47 Questionnaire 48-50 SNPA Improvement Objectives 51 New „App‟ 51 For an audio CD of this publication contact the Communication Section at the Authority‟s Headquarters in Penrhyndeudraeth or one of our Information Centres. The publication is also available in large print on our website www.eryri-npa.gov.uk 2 Welcome This year the Snowdonia National Park will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Snowdonia was designated a National Park because of its natural beauty. The Park Authority is responsible for safeguarding and promoting enjoyment and understanding of the Park‟s special qualities. Today, the Park is under increasing pressure. Every year, because of its renown, millions of people come to enjoy Snowdonia‟s coast, hills, rivers, lakes, wildlife and its special cultural heritage. Remember, when you come to Snowdonia, support the local businesses, recycle your waste, and use public transport whenever possible. In this issue of Snowdonia we provide information on how to enjoy Snowdonia healthily and safely. We provide information about a circular walk in the Bala and Ardudwy areas, and an accessible path in Betws y Coed. You will also be given a snapshot of the Ffestiniog area, and read about the history and heritage of Blaenau Ffestiniog. In this issue we have information on how to care for wildlife, and become more familiar with Snowdonia by attending a course at Plas Tan y Bwlch.
    [Show full text]
  • Jclettersno Heading
    .HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION. Mark Garnier MP (2nd left) presents the HRA Annual Award (Large Groups) to members of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and the Severn Valley Railway, joint winners of the award. (Photo. Gwynn Jones) SIDELINES 143 FEBRUARY 2016 WOLVERHAMPTON LOW LEVEL STATION COMES BACK TO LIFE FOR HRA AWARDS NIGHT. The Grand Station banqueting centre, once the GWR’s most northerly broad gauge station, came back to life as a busy passenger station when it hosted the Heritage Railway Association 2015 Awards Night. The HRA Awards recognise a wide range of achievements and distinctions across the entire heritage railway industry, and the awards acknowledge individuals and institutions as well as railways. The February 6th event saw the presentation of awards in eight categories. The National Railway Museum and York Theatre Royal won the Morton’s Media (Heritage Railways) Interpretation Award, for an innovative collaboration that joined theatre with live heritage steam, when the Museum acted as a temporary home for the theatre company. The Railway Magazine Annual Award for Services to Railway Preservation was won by David Woodhouse, MBE, in recognition of his remarkable 60-year heritage railways career, which began as a volunteer on the Talyllyn Railway, and took him to senior roles across the heritage railways and tourism industry. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway won the Morton’s Media (Rail Express) Modern Traction Award, for their diesel locomotive operation, which included 160 days working for their Crompton Class 25. There were two winners of the Steam Railway Magazine Award. The Great Little Trains of North Wales was the name used by the judges to describe the Bala Lake Railway, Corris Railway, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, Talyllyn Railway, Vale of Rheidol Railway and the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway.
    [Show full text]
  • Now Is the Time to Back Bala Railway Extension
    NEWS ‘Skipper’ makes a welcome Devon return The extension of the Bala Lake Railway along the eastern shore of the lake can revolutionise CLASS 142 ‘Pacer’ No. 142023 has Bala town centre’s fortunes. BLR been bought for preservation by the Plym Valley Railway (PVR), returning a ‘Skipper’ to the West Country. Now is the time to back It was unloaded at the line’s Marsh Mills headquarters in Plymouth on January 26 after a long journey from Heaton Bala railway extension depot, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The two car set is one of the original ‘Skippers’ which By Robin Jones Bala is no different. also ongoing. worked services in Devon and “The attractive High Street is “With the coming of the visitors will Cornwall during the 1980s. THE Bala Lake Railway’s £2.5 million deserted and one expects to see come their requirements for other In common with many other town extension could hold a vital key to tumbleweed blowing across the facilities, such as shops, restaurants, heritage lines, the PVR said the post-lockdown revival of the tourist road. Residents and business owners pubs, hotels and B&Bs. the acquisition of the ‘Pacer’ sector in central Wales, chairman Julian are putting on brave faces, but we “Heritage railways, having been will allow it to operate low- Birley believes. all know we are in unprecedented first established down the road from cost passenger services on Bringing the 2ft gauge line into times and are uncertain as to what the us at the Tallyllyn for almost 70 years, off-peak days.
    [Show full text]
  • Visits to Tourist Attractions in Wales 2018
    SOCIAL RESEARCH NUMBER: 7/2020 PUBLICATION DATE: JANUARY 30, 2020 Visits to Tourist Attractions in Wales 2018 Report for Visit Wales Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. This document is also available in Welsh. © Crown Copyright 2020 Digital ISBN 978-1-83933-782-6 Visits to Tourist Attractions in Wales – 2018 Research on behalf of Visit Wales Fiona McAllister, Beaufort Research Ltd. Views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and not necessarily those of the Welsh Government For further information please contact: Tourism Research Welsh Government QED Centre, Main Avenue Treforest Industrial Estate Treforest CF37 5YR Tel: 0300 060 4400 Email: [email protected] Contents Page Glossary of acronyms and how to read the tables .................................... 1 Executive summary ...................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction ................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Background ..................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Tourist attraction definition .............................................................................. 7 1.3 Objectives ....................................................................................................... 8 1.4 Economic and climatic background to 2018 .................................................... 8 2. Methodology...............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Caulmert Limited
    Caulmert Limited Engineering, Environmental & Planning Consultancy Services RHEILFFORDD LLYN TEGID LTD. FULL PLANNING APPLICATION (AND LISTED BUILDING APPLICATION) FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF BALA LAKE NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY COMPRISING OF 1200M OF RAILWAY, LEVEL CROSSING AND ERECTION OF STATION AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT. LAND AT LLYN TEGID, BALA, GWYNEDD COMMUNITY AND LINGUISTIC STATEMENT Prepared by: Caulmert Limited Intec, Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4FG Email: [email protected] Web: www.caulmert.com Doc ref: 4369-CAU-XX-XX-RP-T-0302.A0.C1 July 2021 APPROVAL RECORD Site: Land at Llyn Tegid, Bala, Gwynedd Client: Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd. Project Title: Full Planning Application (and Listed Building Application) for the Proposed Extension of Bala Lake Narrow Gauge Railway comprising of 1200m of railway, level crossing and erection of Station and Associated Development. Document Title: Community and Linguistic Statement Document Ref: 4369-CAU-XX-XX-RP-T-0302.A0.C1 Report Status: PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION DRAFT Project Director: Howard Jones Project Manager: Neil Foxall Caulmert Limited: Intec, Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4FG Telephone: 01248-672666 Jenny Coxon MRTPI Author Date July 2021 Senior Planner Neil Foxall (BA) Hons MCD MRTPI Reviewer Date July 2021 Associate Director of Planning Neil Foxall (BA) Hons MCD MRTPI Approved Date July 2021 Associate Director of Planning DISCLAIMER This report has been prepared by Caulmert Limited with reasonable skill, care and diligence, in accordance with the instruction of the above named client and within the terms and conditions of the Contract with the Client. The report is for the sole use of the above named Client and Caulmert Limited shall not be held responsible for any use of the report or its content for any purpose other than that for which it was prepared and provided to the Client.
    [Show full text]
  • 7-Night Great Little Trains of Wales
    7-night Great Little Trains of Wales Destinations: Snowdonia & Wales Trip code: DGHRH-7 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW One week – 11 railways to enjoy! Enjoy Snowdonia’s stunning and varied scenery aboard a variety of trains from full-size steam trains to narrow-gauge and a cliffside funicular. Climb Mt Snowdon the easy way by train! WHAT'S INCLUDED • High-quality Full Board en-suite accommodation and excellent food in our country house • The guidance and services of our knowledgeable HF Holidays Leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday • All transport on touring days on a comfortable, good-quality mini-coach • All admissions to venues/attractions that form part of your holiday itinerary HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Ride on the Talyllyn Railway, the world’s first preserved railway • Visit the Vale of Rheidol and Ffestiniog railways, with dramatic scenery • Journey on the Welsh Highland Railway, a stunning highlight of the week www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 TRIP SUITABILITY Our Heritage Tours are your opportunity to immerse yourself in an area of history that interests you, at the same time as exploring the local area with a group of like-minded people. Each day our leaders will provide fascinating commentary on the places visited and share their knowledge with you. This holiday involves active sightseeing so please come prepared to spend most of the day on your feet. We may walk up to 3 miles (5km) each day at the various venues and attractions we visit. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards.
    [Show full text]
  • Teithiau Penllyn Go Bala
    Teithiau Penllyn Go Bala T11 Trails around Bala Lake the highest point Moel-y-Garnedd (360 m) where there are There are many footpaths around the lake which follow all-round views. For the High Route, good map reading skills Teithiau o gwmpas Llyn Tegid Trails Around Bala Lake marked routes, such as the Leisure Network or you can find are required and the terrain is more demanding, particularly Cymdeithas Twristiaeth y Bala a Phenllyn Bala & Penllyn Tourism Association your own route, using an OS map and the map overleaf for Gwastadros. guidance. In addition, there is an all ability trail along the A494 (Bala to Glanllyn, planned to be extended to Llanuwchllyn) and Distances & Times – High Route paths along the lake foreshore although these can be over- grown or flooded at times. The intermediate stations of the Bala - Llanuwchllyn Llanuwchllyn - Bala Circular Distance 13½ km (8½ miles) 10½ km (6½ miles) 24 km (15 miles) Cerdded Llwybr | Walking Trail Bala Lake Railway (seasonal) can be used for a shorter walk, e.g. Bala to Llangower or Llanuwchllyn to Llangower. Ascent 520 m (1,700 ft) 300 m (990 ft) 820 m (2,690 ft) Time 4 - 5 hours 3 - 4 hours 7 - 9 hours SUMMARY Some suggested walks starting at the Leisure Centre or SNPA Choose a circular walk around Bala Lake or a shorter linear car park in Bala or Llanuwchllyn: The Trails walk using the Bala Lake Railway (seasonal) or local bus service • A short circular walk using the footpaths (see OS map) (Llanuwcllyn-Bala) for return transport.
    [Show full text]
  • Ngn 95 Jun-July 1975
    Hon. Editor IVAN STEPHENSON 27 HILLHEAD DRIVE BIRSTALL • BATLEY YORKS. WF17 OP.A THE NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY SOCIETY Number ..92 June-July 197'5 F'ROM YO"LJR EDITOR~ The following Committee .Members indicated before the press date of this issue that they would not seek re-election at the· Annua L General Meeting; - Ma gazine t.di tor R. P. Morris Records Officer P. D. Nicholson Correspondence Secretary A. J. lt/ilson The Miniature, ·Pleasure Lines, Preservation, and Nar-r ov Gauge in Industry sections in this issue have again be8n compiled by Pete Nicholson from member's reports. The f'o.l Lowi ng members have agreed to con t i.nue this vo rk, and the relevant reports should be sent direct to them: MINIATURi:!: R,,,IU.JAYS: R. D. Bu t ce re.l L, 7 Cathedral Green, '.-!ells, Somerset, BA5 2UE. INDUSTRlAh Pfu..S.t.RVATION AND PL~nSURl:!. FAIUJAYS: P .Brd.ddon , 144 Earl Marshall Road, Sheffielc S4 8LB News reports covering The Old Companies and Overseas Railways should continue to be sent direct to me, except overseas items for record purposes, which should be sent to the Overseas Records Officer: B.J.Hawkesworth, 44 High View Road, Endon, Stoke-on• Trent, ST9 9HS. IMPORTANT:- Press Date for NGN 96 (August) is July lst, your co-operation to meet this is vital. POSTAL CH.1,HGt.;S. The minimum inland letter rate has again been increased, and has now nearly doubled in one year. It follows that because our annual postal bill was previously around £400 this increase will have a marked effect on our finances.
    [Show full text]
  • Thomas Brassey and His Link to Heritage Railways No 5 the Bala
    Thomas Brassey and his link to Heritage Railways No 5 The Bala Lake Railway The photograph below taken at Llanuwchllyn Station in 2019 shows former quarry locomotive Maid Marion. The Bala Lake Railway is a narrow gauge line operating between Llanuwchllyn and Bala (Pen-y-Bont) in Gwynedd, North Wales, a distance of 4½ miles. The narrow gauge line is built on the track bed of part of the former standard gauge railway between Ruabon and Barmouth. The section between Ruabon and Dolgellau, a distance of some 48 miles, was originally built by Thomas Brassey under four separate contracts. The contract for the construction between Bala and Dolgellau, on which the Bala Lake Railway runs, was awarded to Brassey in 1866 by the Bala and Dolgelley Railway Company. The line opened in August 1868 and included stations at Bala Junction, Llangower, Llanuwchllyn and Bont Newydd. At Dolgellau the line connected with the Cambrian Railways route from Barmouth. The separate operating companies were gradually absorbed into the Great Western Railway although Cambrian Railways remained independent until 1922. PictureThe Ruabon to Barmouth line was included for closure in the Beeching Report of 1963 as a result of which traffic on the line was gradually reduced. Passenger services through Bala Junction ceased in January 1965 when the line from Ruabon to Barmouth closed. Some goods traffic continued until January 1968. By 1969 the track had been lifted. However, local engineer George Barnes saw the potential of the lakeside section for both local and tourist traffic. Together with Tom Jones CBE, the then Chairman of Merioneth County Council’s Finance Committee, the company Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd (Bala Lake Railway) was established with the objective of restoring a section of the line as a narrow (2- ft) gauge railway.
    [Show full text]
  • CHARTS Heritage Railways Good Practice Site Visit to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway
    CHARTS Heritage Railways Good Practice Site Visit To The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway Introduction Railway Heritage was identified as one of the additional four good practices that the CHARTS project was required to consider. The Welsh Government was identified as the donor of this good practice and Partner 1 South Pelion and Partner 7 Vidzeme Tourism Association were identified as potential recipients on account of them both having heritage railways, and Partner 8 the National Institute for Research & Development in Tourism expressed interest in being an observer. It was decided to add on a site visit to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways to the first thematic workshop on Climate Change held in Conwy on the 24th of September, 2012. A day long visit on the 25th of September was organised by Cadw with ECTN assistance. Background Narrow Gauge Heritage Railways are an important of the Welsh tourism product. There are a total of 10 narrow gauge railways which collectively carry in excess of 600,000 passengers in 2011. They are mainly run by charitable organisations and are heavily dependent on volunteer labour. Most were built to transport minerals principally slate from the mines to the coastal ports. The most recent one to be rebuilt is the Welsh Highland Railway at the cost of £28m with the aid of volunteers reopening a 25 mile route between Caernarfon and Porthmadog. The number of passengers carried by individual railways which reported figures for 2011 to the Welsh Government’s annual visitor attractions survey are listed below: Bala Lake Railway 20,420 Brecon Mountain Railway 72,439 Llanberis Lake Railway 73,539 Snowdon Mountain Railway 143,224 Talyllyn Railway 46,934 Vale of Rheidol Railway 41,319 The railways which did not submit figures were; Welshpool & Llanfair Railway, Ffestiniog Railway, Welsh Highland Railway and the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.
    [Show full text]
  • 'On Shed' Journal Material
    ON SHED The Journal of the 8D Association Volume 10, Number 1 : March 2020 ‘On Shed’ : Journal of the 8D Association Volume 10, Number 1 : March 2020 Page 3 News Round Up : Chris Hollins 7 Signalling Controls : Dennis Flood 12 Earlestown Wagon Works Test Train : Rod Dixon 14 Merrymakers, Mystery Specials and Round Robins : Chris Hollins 18 Near Miss at Ditton Junction ! : Tom Temple 19 Unusual Working at St Helens Junction : John Atherton 20 Edge Hill MPD ‘Star Turns’ : Dennis Flood 23 Former Residents of 8D : Colin Turton 24 Once Upon a Time ...... (A Rail Photographer’s Paradise) 25 43924 - First Out of Barry : John Atherton 28 Future 8D Association events From the Editor Here we are - another year and another increasing the number of editions each year. edition of ‘On Shed’ - the first of 4 due to be published in 2020. At a recent Committee In the meantime, I remain indebted to those meeting it was reported that there have been members who have contributed articles for suggestions that, as an Association, we might inclusion in this edition of ‘On Shed’, and I live move towards bi-monthly editions of the in hope that others may be inspired to submit journal. Regrettably, practicalities render the material for publication in future editions. suggestion impossible at this time. In addi- The ‘Future Events’ section on the back cover tion to the financial implications (our printing shows that, in addition to 2 visits to the SEUZ costs have recently increased considerably), a Waste Transfer Station at Kirkby, there is to major factor is the availability of suitable be a varied programme of guided walks led material ! by the Association’s Chairman, Paul Wright.
    [Show full text]
  • “Alice” Comes Home. “Alice”, the Last Steam Engine to Leave Dinorwic
    “Alice” Comes Home. “Alice”, the last steam engine to leave Dinorwic Quarry will be returning to her spiritual home in Llanberis for the first time in over 40 years for a gala weekend on the 30th June and 1st July. When the vast Dinorwic Quarry in Llanberis closed in 1969, several hundred feet up in the quarry in what was known as the Australia level, the little quarry Hunslet engine “Alice” stood abandoned, robbed of many parts to keep its sister engines going. Many of the other engines had been sold off as they became surplus to requirements or were finally sold at the auction once the quarry closed. But “Alice” was bereft of most of her useful parts and stranded in her shed. What remained were bought as spares by the owner of sister locomotive “Holy War” and in 1972 moves were eventually made to bring her down from her shed via the old quarry inclines. She was originally moved to Quainton Road in Buckinghamshire, before arriving at the Bala Lake Railway in 1977. Little happened until she was purchased by Chris Scott in 1987, and by 1994 she was restored to working order with the help of the Ffestiniog Railway and Leighton Buzzard Railway. As part of the deal to restore the locomotive she worked at the Leighton Buzzard Railway between 1994 and 2003 when she returned once again to Bala. Since then she has visited many other railways, but until now has never returned home to Llanberis. Over the weekend of the 30th June and 1st July 2012 she will be the star attraction on the Llanberis Lake Railway.
    [Show full text]