Excellent stuff, speaking as someone who has known the FR for over 50 years. Small correction: the black van in the shed was a gunpowder van not the hearse.
What a great film, interesting and informative. My daughter and son in law visited Tan y Bwlch yesterday and I was telling them about the gravity trains - perfect timing for me to forward this link to them.
A great video with an informative commentary, Nigel. As a kid in the late 70s we, as a family, rode the FR whilst on holiday in Wales. At that age you don't really appreciate the work that had gone in to make this happen. I knew nothing at that time about the significance of the reservoir and the Dduallt loop that had been constructed as a work-around. I was just enjoying the ride but we must have gone around it to reach our destination down by the sea. I believe the high point of the downhill run to Porthmadog is now in the area above the reservoir pumping station. I have seen incomplete videos where the gravity train is let loose from that point. I know the line is busy with paying passengers and timetables are tight but I'm greedy - I want to see the whole gravity run from the summit to the sea!
Thanks Dave. I did consider trying to film the whole thing but to be honest, it was quite difficult to hold a monopod up for that length of time to capture the whole route. Maybe if I am ever lucky enough to be invited again, I will give it a go....!
Excellent video- I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great commentary from Nigel, with all the important details and none of the hyperbole employed by some presenters.
My late friend Tony Bond built a 7mm scale version of the FR gravity train Nd ran it on a layout called Eastgate Wharf. The train had one of the Dandy cars at one end with a horse in it. That wagon had a smalele tric motor under it.
3:57 That is infant George England 0-4-0 Tender - Saddle Tank, Prince 10:45 England built six "England" engines not four, as well as one Double Fairlie, Little wonder
Been trying to get a ride on this for five years! Is there a way to do it as would love to find one. Aparently you ave to have an invite. How can I, or can I, get one?
This is really interesting and a great video well presented by Nigel from a railway I have travelled on when holidaying in Wales - although not by gravity! By the way, I have a video of the model railway version of the gravity train including the station of Ddualt which you may also be interested in: ua-cam.com/video/5fid2yKZKyk/v-deo.htmlsi=n5KzMZSvjXQklce5
Excellent video thank you. Really enjoyed the narration and inset pics to explain all the information. Very enjoyable indeed.
I remember John Knokes Riding the Slate train on Blue Peter
Goodness, great memory - don't remember that one but I did it yesterday myself - and it was brilliant!
Excellent stuff, speaking as someone who has known the FR for over 50 years. Small correction: the black van in the shed was a gunpowder van not the hearse.
What a great film, interesting and informative. My daughter and son in law visited Tan y Bwlch yesterday and I was telling them about the gravity trains - perfect timing for me to forward this link to them.
Brilliant! Hope your daughter and son in law had a good time and that they enjoy watching the video too.
A great video with an informative commentary, Nigel. As a kid in the late 70s we, as a family, rode the FR whilst on holiday in Wales. At that age you don't really appreciate the work that had gone in to make this happen. I knew nothing at that time about the significance of the reservoir and the Dduallt loop that had been constructed as a work-around. I was just enjoying the ride but we must have gone around it to reach our destination down by the sea.
I believe the high point of the downhill run to Porthmadog is now in the area above the reservoir pumping station. I have seen incomplete videos where the gravity train is let loose from that point. I know the line is busy with paying passengers and timetables are tight but I'm greedy - I want to see the whole gravity run from the summit to the sea!
Thanks Dave. I did consider trying to film the whole thing but to be honest, it was quite difficult to hold a monopod up for that length of time to capture the whole route. Maybe if I am ever lucky enough to be invited again, I will give it a go....!
Excellent video- I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great commentary from Nigel, with all the important details and none of the hyperbole employed by some presenters.
Thanks Mervyn, pleased to hear you like the style. We've got lots of other ideas like this.
Certainly enjoyed the Snowdonian with you in 2023 the best weekend ever.
Amazing how they kick the thing off again. Excellent video, thanks for sharing =)
Cheers!
Absolutely fantastic Nigel and a well presented video 👍🏻
Thanks for that! Glad you enjoyed it.
The Tim Traveller would LOVE this.
Thank you. Really enjoyable.
Thanks Stephen, glad you enjoyed it!
My late friend Tony Bond built a 7mm scale version of the FR gravity train Nd ran it on a layout called Eastgate Wharf. The train had one of the Dandy cars at one end with a horse in it. That wagon had a smalele tric motor under it.
This is great film
Excellent video, keep up the good work 😊
Thanks Trevor. It is a wonderful train on a wonderful line.
That's brilliant.
Thanks Robert. It really is a lovely thing from the past. So impressed Paul Lewin and his team keep it going.
3:57 That is infant George England 0-4-0 Tender - Saddle Tank, Prince
10:45 England built six "England" engines not four, as well as one Double Fairlie, Little wonder
❤
Thanks!
Been trying to get a ride on this for five years! Is there a way to do it as would love to find one. Aparently you ave to have an invite. How can I, or can I, get one?
Need to link Carnarvon to Bangor line very important missing Transport for wales Railway link covered by af present Arriva buses
At four minutes that isn’t Blanche or even a 2-4-0 so the view can’t be that good, it’s a George England
This is really interesting and a great video well presented by Nigel from a railway I have travelled on when holidaying in Wales - although not by gravity! By the way, I have a video of the model railway version of the gravity train including the station of Ddualt which you may also be interested in: ua-cam.com/video/5fid2yKZKyk/v-deo.htmlsi=n5KzMZSvjXQklce5
What a great little layout Allan, thanks so much for sharing that link. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@GreenSignals Thanks for taking a look at the video. No central locking doors on those wagons!