There were perfect running conditions for the inaugural running session at the Preseli Mountain Railway, the first of the group’s June meetings. We were again lucky with the weather, particularly as we were almost as high above sea level as you can get in Pembrokeshire. A superb lunch was enjoyed, and running trains resumed. The following images show the visiting locos and rolling stock on the line.
Simon Wood
May ‘23 meeting at The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Our May meeting took place on a beautifully sunny – even hot – day, at the end to end Railway in the Valley of the Mill, which climbs around a couple of metres to its current terminus (with further extension work currently under way).
April ’23 meeting at the Hoffnant Valley Railway
On a dry – and sometimes even sunny – day we assembled at the Hoffnant Valley Railway. With two independent running circuits, challenging gradients, and a picturesque and well thought-out quayside with sidings and passing loops, it is a line with huge operating potential. Three or four trains ran almost constantly – mostly 16mm scale, plus a 1:32 Talyllyn loco, a mix of battery and live steamers. Constantly, that is, except when the operators took a break for a very delicious lunch of quiches, salads and cakes!
February ’22 meeting at the Lambak Railway
After our Christmas meeting was comprehensively derailed, it was wonderful to be able to get together again to run trains on the newly revamped Lambak Railway. For the second meeting in a row not only did it stay dry, the sun even came out again (even more astonishing this time given the time of year!) Since it was our Christmas meeting we had mince pies to follow an extremely delicious chicken curry.
August ’21 meeting at the Rhos and Betws Tramway
Finally we were able to actually get together in an actual garden, and run trains together! That in itself was a cause for celebration; at this first meeting in 20 months we also remembered our friend Dennis. The R&BT tramway’s resident Double Fairlie has been named in his honour, and we ran a procession of trains in his memory.
May ’21 “mini-meeting” 1 at the Railway in the Valley of the Mill
With the easing of pandemic restrictions allowing meetings of up to 6 people in private gardens, a few of us participated in the first “mini-meeting” reintroducing physical meet-ups for the first time since December 2019 at the delightful end-to-end Railway in the Valley of the Mill, where we enjoyed distanced socialising along with coffee, biscuits and even a barbecue!
May Day Bank Holiday Weekend ’21 Virtual Meetup
On the first of the May bank holiday weekends, as has become our temporary tradition, together with the North-West Wales 16mm Area Group we again posted photos to our virtual meet up site.
Easter ’21 Virtual Meetup
Over Easter Weekend, with the North-West Wales 16mm Area Group, we again posted photos to our virtual meet up site on the anniversary of our first virtual meetup. Since then we have seen plenty of progress on our railways – and 11 further virtual meetings!
March ’21 Virtual Meetup
On the first weekend in March together with the North-West Wales 16mm Area Group we again posted photos to our virtual meet up site.
February ’21 Virtual Meetup
On the first weekend in December together with the North-West Wales 16mm Area Group we again posted photos to our virtual meet up site.