Railway pictures (11)

waldo_posth wrote: Wonderful pic - but obviously an even more wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing, Josef!

Yes, Harald it's "The Real Deal"
I chose an open air gondola car, principally for photographing. The fresh mountain air (occasionally mixed w steam engine smoke) ha ha, and views were wonderful
All the Best___Josef

Stefano,

That's a very nice composition and I really like the mood!
We should be in Südtirol this coming October. It will be our first return to the area since pre-pandemic. Looking forward to it. Northern Italy is so beautiful!
Kind regards,

Kelly

AudioDoc wrote: Joe, That's a beautiful landscape -- nice work! Those drop offs over that grade look scary! I've watched YouTube videos of that ride and it's amazing that they were able to build that railroad through that terrain. Hope I can take that ride someday. When I was there a few years ago we were with friends and we arrived too late in the day. Did you have to book it in advance? Our friends were also not so interested in riding. We did visit the museum which was very interesting. Several trains arrived while we were there A few of my Durango photos Thanks for sharing! Regards, Kelly

Thanks Doc,
Yes I did book a month in advance and it was starting to fill up already. I believe on a long train every seat was taken. You know the price is very reasonable. I made sure I would catch the train by driving all day to Durango. The 1st place I went to was the station and got some late afternoon shots. Spent the night in Durango, what a lovely town, and got some early morning shots

Got lucky, you know we have a roaring monsoon going on. My trip fell into the only consecutive nice days in the last 2 months. The early reservation was really taking a chance, but it was really a pleasant day

Then right after I got off the train got in the car and drove to Monument Valley and spent the night, actually in the little town of Mexican Hat. Really fond of that little figure w the perfect Mexican hat
BTW
hope you got to see my photo of the Durango double header, I believe its the bottom photo on page 14
Joe

Coast wrote: AudioDoc wrote: Joe, That's a beautiful landscape -- nice work! Those drop offs over that grade look scary! I've watched YouTube videos of that ride and it's amazing that they were able to build that railroad through that terrain. Hope I can take that ride someday. When I was there a few years ago we were with friends and we arrived too late in the day. Did you have to book it in advance? Our friends were also not so interested in riding. We did visit the museum which was very interesting. Several trains arrived while we were there A few of my Durango photos Thanks for sharing! Regards, Kelly Thanks Doc, Yes I did book a month in advance and it was starting to fill up already. I believe on a long train every seat was taken. You know the price is very reasonable. I made sure I would catch the train by driving all day to Durango. The 1st place I went to was the station and got some late afternoon shots. Spent the night in Durango, what a lovely town, and got some early morning shots Got lucky, you know we have a roaring monsoon going on. My trip fell into the only consecutive nice days in the last 2 months. The early reservation was really taking a chance, but it was really a pleasant day Then right after I got off the train got in the car and drove to Monument Valley and spent the night, actually in the little town of Mexican Hat. Really fond of that little figure w the perfect Mexican hat BTW hope you got to see my photo of the Durango double header, I believe its the bottom photo on page 14 Joe

Thanks Joe! I did see that double header photo and posted a comment. I was wondering about what looked liked cabs on the back of the tenders. I didn't see those when I was there.
Sounds like you had a super time in Durango and Monument Valley! I'm envious! I had not heard about your monsoon. We are having a heatwave up here. Temps hovering around 100F everyday. Reached 107F a couple weeks ago. Almost never rains here in the summertime!
Regards,
Kelly

Bombardier Talent (BR 442)


Sony ILCE-7RM4a Minolta AF 500mm F/8 LA-EA5 adapter

Perfectly placed, Waldo.

A hundred years ago, the Welsh Highland Railway began operations and a centenary event was held this weekend im commemoration. Locomotives used were Russell, a 2-6-2T built by the Hunslet Engine Company in 1906, the only surviving WHR engine, and Palmerston, built for the Ffestiniog Railway in 1863.

Here's Russell, running bunker first.


Palmerston


The railway was spectacularly unsuccessful, 1923 being its best year. Much hoped-for revenue from quarry traffic never materialised as the slate industry had fallen into decline. Its passenger services could not compete with local buses, which often took half the time to complete the same journey. Its rolling stock was out of date, it was short of locomotives and carriages and its marketing was inadequate. In 1924, winter passenger services were discontinued due to poor traffic.



After 1923, it was unable to pay debenture interest and, in 1927, the county council sued and put the railway into receivership. Services continued and by 1933, it was run down and the local authorities decided to close it.

In 1934, the company agreed to lease the line to the Ffestiniog Railway for 42 years. It was a disaster, with the FR forced to pay rent even if the WHR made a loss.

The FR attempted to change the line's fortunes by focussing on the tourist market. They were unsuccessful in this, the last passenger train ran in 1936 and the last goods service in 1937. The early tourist industry did not provide sufficient visitors to make the railway pay, especially during the Depression.

Russell at Waunfawr station.


The line lay dormant for decades but the tourism potential becaame more viable and the railway was re-opened in stages between 1997 and 2011 with financial support from the government and the European Union and much volunteer endeavour.

Palmerston approaches Rhyd Ddu station.

Wonderful scenes, Alan!

Welsh narrow gauge is definitely on my list!