This page is picture-heavy, and reads in reverse chronological order - the most recent news and pictures are towards the top.
Recent updates are underlined and in red.

Requirements ahead of opening include route learning for loco and train crews, and the running of at least forty test trains (for a comparison see the Phase 3 Testing page).

Simulated Running to Beddgelert, week 2 [top of page]

No. 143 was operating solo on April 5th 2008, hauling five carriages and both bicycle wagons.

No. 143 joined the tests part of the way through April 3rd 2009, after Vale of Ffestiniog had worked the day's first trips solo. The two locos ran "top and tail" downhill, with 143 running round to run uphill double-headed. Filming was also taking place for S4C's Wedi Saith magazine programme, which was broadcast on April 7th.

The pattern of test trains continued on April 2nd 2009, this time with perfect Spring weather in attendance. In addition to learning the route, railway staff also distributed leaflets to businesses in Beddgelert.

YouTube videos of the uphill run (Alun Evans): One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven.

The Funkey was in charge again on April 1st 2009, and the test runs continued to operate smoothly.

On March 31st 2009 Vale of Ffestiniog shuttled between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert with the test train, while K1 operated the Caernarfon - Rhyd Ddu service trains. The uphill run from Beddgelert to Rhyd Ddu averaged about twenty minutes. ITV Wales were out filming again, as they had been the previous day (see below).

TV Filming, March 30th 2009 [top of page]

Two Garratts were seen together on Phase 4 for the first time on March 30th 2009, when K1 and 87 ran to the Aberglaslyn Pass for TV filming. The locos are shown below afterwards at and above Beddgelert.

Training Weekend 4, March 28-9th 2009 [top of page]

Motive power changed again for the last weekend of the March training programme, with no. 87 being used. The train left Rhyd Ddu for Pont Croesor at 11.45, and stopped at a number of places down the line so that Phil Brown could explain the various features. Train crews were given the opportunity to get an idea of sight lines on the level crossings as well as being given a running commentary on speed restrictions and other safety information. Some time was spent looking at Beddgelert station before no. 87 and train cleared the stop block at Beddgelert Cemetery and headed through the Aberglaslyn Pass. On arriving at Hafod y Llyn, Upnor Castle pulled the train back to allow no. 87 to proceed into the siding. No. 87 was then re-attached to the train at the rear, and propelled the train on to Pont Croesor. Roland Doyle explained how the three adjacent crossings at Pont Croesor would function after granting of the Level Crossing Order is granted. From Pont Croesor the train returned at currently applicable line speeds to Rhyd Ddu, with a brief stop at Beddgelert to take water.

More pictures here and here (Martin Ellis).

YouTube videos:

1) Lower S-bend, including Cutting Mawr (Alyn Ashworth)

2) Canal Curve to north of Hafod Ruffydd (Alyn Ashworth)

3) Climb from above Canal Curve, through Hafod Ruffydd, to just below Pont Cae'r Gors cutting (Phil Brown)

Start of Intensive Tests to Beddgelert, March 26-7th 2009 [top of page]

The programme of simulated passenger services between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert began a little ahead of schedule on March 26-27th 2009. In this mode of operation, a train comprising a locomotive (in this case no. 87) and a full passenger rake (carrying staff only) ran between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert up to four times each day, on an "as required" basis, and not to any fixed timetable.

YouTube videos:

1) Climbing out of the lower S-bend, 27.03.09 (Phil Brown)

2) Pulling uphill from Coed Mawr towards the upper S-bend, 27.03.09 (Phil Brown)

Training Weekend 3, March 21st-22nd 2009 [top of page]

The March 22nd train used the same formation as the one a week earlier.

Training Weekend 2, March 14-15th 2009 [top of page]

The second of the March 2009 route familiarisation trains ran on the 15th, again running as far as Pont Croesor. The recently arrived Vale of Ffestiniog did the honours, and the carriages were used all the way through to Pont Croesor, without the change to wagons that had been decided on for the previous weekend's train.

The first of a series of crew training events prior to reopening to Beddgelert (but covering locations and topics through to Boston Lodge) was held over the weekend of March 7-8th 2009, culminating in a route familiarisation train on the 8th, which ran as far south as Pont Croesor. Criccieth Castle (recently delivered by road for a short stay on the WHR) acquitted itself well on its first run beyond the confines of Dinas yard, hauling carriages 2020, 2021 and 101. On the southbound run the train also picked up carriage no. 1001 at Beddgelert, and then two ballast hoppers and a B wagon at Hafod y Llyn; the group transferred to these vehicles, as the line south of Hafod y Llyn was not yet cleared for carrying passengers in the three longer carriages, which were left at Hafod y Llyn. This transfer was reversed on the way back, leaving the wagons and no. 1001 on the main line at Hafod y Llyn on the return journey, after which the loco propelled the three carriages up to Beddgelert before running round. The trainees were walked through various sections where particularly close detail knowledge was involved, including the section around the Forest Campsite (where volunteers were also at work on the track) and the Bryn y Felin area.

December 2008 - Track Walk [top of page]

On December 30th 2008 a group of about thirty staff and volunteers participated in a twelve-mile educational track walk from Pont Gae'r Gors to Porthmadog Harbour, as part of the ongoing route learning process in preparation for the opening of Phase 4 to the public. On the way the group examined the many challenges of the new section, with special regard to safe working at, for example, the approaches to crossings on a 1 in 40 downhill gradient, but also including operational aspects of locations such as Beddgelert Station and the crossings at Pont Croesor.

April 1st 2008 - diesel test to Hafod y Llyn [top of page]

An early morning test train was run to Hafod y Llyn, with Castell Caernarfon hauling the E-set. The train left Rhyd Ddu around 07.00, and returned there about 09.30, having taken roughly 45 minutes for the uphill journey.

Videos c/o Youtube

(1) Beddgelert, Aberglaslyn and beyond; climbing out of Beddgelert and through both Cwm Cloch level crossings (Mike Fisher)

(2) Return run climbing through Pont Cae'r Gors cutting (Richard Southey)

Conway Castle took a gauging train of full-size carriages to Hafod y Llyn, in preparation for the forthcoming Sponsors' Day specials.

November 12th and 26th 2007 - First tests to Aberglaslyn [top of page]

On November 12th 2007 diesel Castell Caernarfon took two of the 2007-built saloon carriages (the longest on the railway) on a test to Beddgelert, then through the first tunnel and into the Aberglaslyn Pass. This was the first time any of the modern, larger carriages (or indeed the Funkey diesel) had ventured on to Phase 4. The carriages were then left in the Pass (just visible in the last picture below) to avoid any danger of their brake gear getting tangled up with rails stored in the "two foot" ahead of the November tracklaying week. The loco proceeded through the three Aberglaslyn tunnels to just short of Nantmor Crossing. The test proved that everything fitted - just - and identified a couple of teething areas for attention.

Castell Caernarfon took another test train into the Aberglaslyn Pass on November 26th 2007, this time taking large carriages (two of the 2007-built saloons and "Combination Car" no. 1001) as far as the short tunnel (T3).

K1 became the first Garratt to reach Beddgelert (indeed the first to run south of Pont Cae'r Gors), with a test train (a rehearsal for an October visit by FR Trustees) which was then taken onwards to the Aberglaslyn tunnels with diesel power. K1 was taken along both sides of the platform at Beddgelert to check clearances for its large low pressure cylinders; the clearances were tight, but would improve as the rail level would rise with later ballasting.

Visiting Quarry Hunslet Velinheli appeared on Phase 4 during the April 2007 tracklaying week, running evening staff familiarisation trains on Phase 4 despite wet weather at the start of the week. A first test run on Sunday 22nd ended up running with Conway Castle instead of the Hunslet in light of heavy rain, but the loco is seen below (second picture) preparing to leave Rhyd Ddu on the evening of Monday 23rd, with carriage no. 1001 in tow and extra water supplies on the footplate. On this occasion Velinheli ran almost to the cutting at Cwm Cloch (third and fourth pictures), but no further because of concerns that loose rails (waiting to be moved forwards using RRM trolleys) lying foot upwards between the rails might foul the eccentric sheaves of the loco's inside motion.

The weather was somewhat kinder on the 24th, when another run was made to Cwm Cloch.





The following pictures were taken on the run on the 25th.