RailScene Focus: The Snowdonian 2019 with Linda & Blanche and Lyn & Lyd 13th April 2019

On 13th April 2019 the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways ran their annual "whole line" Spring Railtour entitled "The Snowdonian". This is a (fairly) comprehensive programme covering the run in some detail; starting at Miffordd station we follow "Linda" and "Blanche" on the first part of the tour from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back to Boston Lodge (c. 12 mins). We then watch the changeover to the pair of Lynton & Barnstaple Railway replica locomotives, the Baldwin "Lyn" and the Manning Wardle "Lyd". These then take the train towards Caernarfon, the advertised destination (c 6 mins) which we visited but the train didn't. Sadly, due to fires on the line to the west of Tan-y-Bwlch (where we see the diesel-hauled fire train pass the "sisters") the train's return from Blaenau was delayed by around 2 hours and it was terminated at Waunfawr, a short further delay being met at the crossing of the Cambrian Coast line in Porthmadog to let a class 158 pass over the crossing. Thus the final part of our story sees them running round at Waunfawr and their return, by now on time, to Porthmadog (c. 12 mins). We end with scenes of the two L&B machines at the Porthmadog coal stage. Locations are shown by way of captions and railway signs. The weather was bright sunshine but with a vicious cold gale-force wind! However, Snowdon did have (a little) snow on it . . . . I hope you enjoy the journey . . . . There's more steam to be seen - search RailScene.