Garden Railway Forum

Two Christmases ago, my good lady gave me vouchers for a Heritage Steam Train ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. After an abortive attempt last year when our booked steam train was replaced by diesel because of fire risk (remember that heatwave?), we finally managed the trip on Friday and were rewarded with one of the most beautiful day's weather of the year. A few snapshots of our trip just to make you all jealous!
. . . . . . It's a while since I've been the summit of Snowdon and over 50 years since I've travelled on the railway. As you can see, we were not alone at the top. However, I can certainly recommend it if you've not had the opportunity. Great scenery, interesting trains an narrow gauge steam. What's not to like?

Rik

Cracking pictures Rik. Sounds like you had a great day and you are lucky to have it that clear at the top I have only been on it once myself. Walked up and caught the train back down turned out it was the last run of the last day of the season. Good job we didn't miss it.


Don

Spectacular Rik, you were fortunate to have such a beautiful day and enjoy the magnificent views. Still never done the journey myself, maybe next year?

I was fascinated to see a plume of white steam emerging from a pipe at the top back corner of the cab on the descent. .
I bought a little book about the railway when we arrived at the station and discovered that the steam is created by air which is drawn into the cylinders and compressed together with cooling water, thereby acting as a brake. Dead cunning these Swiss!

Rik

Video of the trip for anyone who might be interested -


URL - https://youtu.be/VVRvbw-xPOc

Rik

Great video there Rik, the exhaust beats are interesting to hear.

tom_tom_go wrote: ↑Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:15 pm Great video there Rik, the exhaust beats are interesting to hear.

Thanks Tom
I was really fortunate to get seats very near the loco and as it was a warm day the windows were open. The motion on the loco is fascinating. The con rod connects to a lever which gives what looks like a 2:1 reduction to the connecting rod to the wheels on the other end of the lever.

Hope I've got that right for a steam aficionado such as yourself, Tom.

Rik

ge_rik wrote: ↑Sun Sep 22, 2019 5:21 pm Hope I've got that right for a steam aficionado such as yourself, Tom.

Rik

I am but an amateur!

The Swiss can certainly build exotic steam engines.

Great Video. Wish I was there. You sure picked the best day. It's a busy railway. How many crossing loops are there? I didn't notice any smoke coming from the chimney even though I could hear chuffing.

DonW wrote: ↑Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:33 am .......I have only been on it once myself. Walked up and caught the train back down turned out it was the last run of the last day of the season. ...
Don

No, No Don, you've got it all wrong - you should take the train up and walk DOWN.
In Rik's video there were many people with backpacks, so I'm guessing most of them were walkers. 1000m is a good climb.

The sense of achievement comes from walking up. Riding back down is a relief when you realise how tired you are after walking up.
Don

DonW wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 8:09 am The sense of achievement comes from walking up. Riding back down is a relief when you realise how tired you are after walking up.
Don

A lot depends on the route. The video shows walkers on the easy route, from Llanberis. Alternatively, there's always Crib Goch for the brave or foolhardy......


.
This video comes with a 'sweaty palms' health warning!

Rik

So that's what the view looks like at the top .when we went you could not see a thing

tom_tom_go wrote: ↑Sun Sep 22, 2019 5:53 pm The Swiss can certainly build exotic steam engines

The Austrians as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSAOe9Emnxc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc_DctNRb8o

Greetings from Austria
Gerald

Yes, its a great run. About 3 years back my better half and myself took into our heads to do a flying visit from Kent. Drove to the youth hostel (Snowdon Ranger?). Next day went up the mountain then drove home! We never seem to get much time off!

We nearly missed out on the trip because the loco developed a fault prior to being brought off shed' The rest of the day's trips were booked solid.
An anxious wait ensued while a gang of boiler suited chaps clambered over and under the loco. After about 20 mins there was a jaunty whistle and the loco was making its way toward the platform. Stunning ride. Towards the top there was a section which looked as if a derailment at that spot would be catastrophic as the line seems to cling to the edge of a steep drop.
We too were lucky with the weather - a bright sunny day and views over several counties. When its really clear I think you can see the Isle of Man and maybe the Irish coast.