PROJECT RHEILFFORDD ERYRI

WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY PROJECT

1997 NEWS ARCHIVE

See also - [2009 News] [2008] [2007] [2006] [2005] [2004] [2003] [2002] [2001] [2000] [1999] [1998] [1997] [1996] [1995] [1993-4]

January 1997 - Mowlem staff set up site at Dinas and started work.

Temporary track was laid at Dinas; diesel loco Caernarfon Castle was delivered to Dinas from storage on the Ffestiniog Railway. The loco was presented to the press emerging from the original WHR goods shed to break through a "Rheilffordd Eryri - Welsh Highland Railway - Rhyd Ddu 2000" banner stretched across the track.

(Thanks to Eddie Bellass for the above photo)

WHLR Beyer-Garratt locomotives nos. 138 and 143, shipped from South Africa, arrived at the Ffestiniog Railway for storage and commissioning.

Gwynedd Council donated its remaining £29,000 of debenture stock in the original Welsh Highland Railway (Light Railway) Company to the Ffestiniog Railway, giving the FR (which already held some 75% of the stock) total control of the issued capital of the original company.

January/February 1997 - Preparatory work was carried out on the trackbed from Dinas to Caernarfon, clearing excess vegetation and preparing the ground for tracklaying and reinstatement of the cycle path alongside. The large underbridges at Bontnewydd and Pont Seiont were stripped down to the brick arches for re-waterproofing, prior to having the formation remade ready for laying ballast and track. Reclamation of land at Dinas for railway use proceeded apace, including work on the first of the platforms. Preparation/regauging of points was started at the Ffestiniog Railway's Minffordd Yard, for later transfer by road to Dinas.

March 1997 - Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate gave approval in principle for operation of the WHLR using the primary rolling stock intended for the line (K Class Garratt; NGG16 Class Garratts; NG15 Class 2-8-2; Funkey diesel; passenger coaches now under construction). This does not, of course, preclude later approval of further suitable stock.

The application for an order under the Transport & Works Act to rebuild the old WHR route from Dinas to Porthmadog was submitted.

April 1997 - The Project's third NGG16 Garratt, no. 140, was delivered to the Ffestiniog Railway. The overhauled power units of Garratt no. 138 were towed up the FR from Boston Lodge to Glan-y-Pwll, where the loco was reassembled, following the completion of remedial boiler work.

May 1997 - The FR Gala gave the public its first real taste of WHLR Garratt power, with no. 138 in steam, no. 140 (nearest camera) as delivered, and no. 143 being worked on at Glan-y-Pwll and Boston Lodge works.

Contractors began preparing the Caernarfon Station site.

(Thanks to Tony Miles for the above two photos)

Tracklaying started at Dinas.

June 1997 - The Government announced that a Public Enquiry would be convened to consider the application to rebuild and operate the line between Dinas and Porthmadog. Click for a press release (English/Cymraeg) c/o the Central Office of Information.

Contractors completed the ballasted trackbed from Dinas to Caernarfon.

The first of the initial batch of new coaches for the Welsh Highland was delivered to the Ffestiniog Railway.

July 1997 - The Lôn Eifion cyclepath alongside the railway from Caernarfon to Dinas was formally reopened by Gwynedd Council, with Sustrans and WHLR participation in the ceremony.

Diesel shunter Harold was moved from the FR to the WHLR.

Tracklaying efforts were supported by working visits by volunteers from the Llangollen Railway, the Mid-Hants Railway, and the WHR Ltd. See how the WHRL gang got on.

August 1997 - Diesel loco Upnor Castle was moved from the FR to Dinas; Harold was returned to the FR upon arrival of the larger diesel.

Mechanised tracklaying began, using the WHLR's tracklaying vehicle.

By the end of the month, tracklaying had reached the outskirts of Caernarfon.

Access was gained to the south yard at Dinas (ex-WHR, ex-Welsh Water), and its preparation for railway use began.

September 1997 - Tracklaying reached Caernarfon Station.

Garratt no.138, Alco 2-6-2T Mountaineer and the first five new passenger coaches built by Winson Engineering were delivered to Dinas.

October 1997 - Inspection trains were run for HM Railways Inspectorate, and demonstration runs were laid on for the Welsh Highland Railway Society AGM.

October 11th 1997 - the railway from Caernarfon to Dinas was opened to the public. An official ceremony was held on the 13th.

First Hydro Company, the owners of Dinorwig and Ffestiniog Power Stations, announced a six-figure sponsorship and partnership package for the WHLR. The first fruit of this was seen on the line in sponsorship of Coach 2090, designed to accommodate disabled passengers. Later contributions were to include assistance with the purchase of a locomotive, to be named Edison after FHC's parent company in the USA, Edison Mission Energy, and a specially liveried First Hydro Carriage for the Millennium Year.

November 1997 - Mountaineer was returned to the Ffestiniog Railway.

Discussions were reported to have resumed between the Ffestiniog Railway and the WHR Ltd, under the Chairmanship of the AIRPS (Association of Independent Railways and Preservation Societies). This followed a disagreement earlier in the year regarding the terms of WHR Ltd participation in the project and their interpretation.

December 1997 - The Public Enquiry into the proposed Welsh Highland Railway Order (authorising reconstruction from Dinas to Porthmadog) opened in Caernarfon (Dec. 9th).

Snippets from the Public Enquiry (based on reports from people attending it):
Objections to the Order by Railtrack and Gwynedd Council have been withdrawn. Negotiations are proceeding well with the WHR Ltd. The Enquiry has received 377 letters and petitions totalling 1,115 signatures in support of the Order. 355 letters and a petition with 184 signatures have been received in opposition. See also Peter Johnson's TAW Enquiry page.

WHR Project News page

Authored by Ben Fisher; last modified January 15th, 2004