Whilst on tour in North Wales a visit to the Bala Lake Railway was a must as this was the first opportunity to take a ride on the railway that offers some very panoramic views from the open coach as below.  For more information about the railway please click here

Perhaps a first for me is to include a boat trip on this website. The journey for us started in the town centre being picked up by bus to take us to the start of the boat journey near to the aqueduct. It was to be a two hour boat trip that took us over the famous aqueduct which I recall walking over in the 1980's on a family visit. A head for heights is needed more so when you on the boat and there is little between you and the valley below. 

Postcard view of the aqueduct and a views looking over the side of the narrow boat. A cup of tea was welcome after the experience for most passengers. 

Finally after first visualising in 1966 on a camping holiday I could questioned if there could be a possible re-opening of the then closed WHR. Many others who probably asked the same question and some of those took it a stage further and pulled together to undertake such a feat that is now a wonderful railway journey and big tourist attraction  I was able to ride the final section from Beddgelert to Porthmadog on the 9th September 2013. For more information about this railway click here

Returning back we see the original concrete water tank base which has now had a water added recently. To the right the trains now travel over the bridge and road using the new tram-rails acquired from Nottingham.

New developments at Porthmadog where a new station is being built alongside the line to Ffestinog already the first of the point work is in place. So something that will be on the 2014 calendar to return to see the progress.

A visit to North Wales was made during September. Setting up campsite on the Station Campsite at the present terminus at Carrog Station is was not long before the camera was on Platform 2 at Llangollen Station the main terminus at the end of the line.  The Llangollen Railway is presently one of the longest persevered standard gauge railways in Wales. If you want to obtain further information and train times etc visit their website.  Above we see views at the Llangollen station one from Platform 2 of the train awaiting to depart to Carrog, and the GWR locomotive Foxcote Manor just arriving at Platform 2.

Foxcote Manor reverses to the end of the line under the bridge which is a popular location for photographers. To the right the locomotive passes by the loading gauge and wagon and carriage with visitor information.

Carrog station as the 12.00  headed with Stanier Black 5 - 44806 arrives at the present terminus of the line.  One of the lamps by night at Carrog station. During 2015 trains should be operating further onto Corwen as the tracks are being re-laid. 

Work well under way to extend the line to Corwen but not as far as the closed station which is now being used by a Ifor Williams who makes trailers.  Below is the site being prepared for the new railway station at Cowen.

Trams still operate to Meadowhall but due to worn out tracks being lifted on Park Grange Road has meant that the tram service to Half Way and Herdings Park are operated part of the way from the city centre with buses between Spring Lane and Castle Square.

Trams at Gleadless. Above left trams were amongst about three others awaiting the Mon - Sat service and peak hour service. Access to the depot not being available so the trams are stored on the central reservation. Middle  back to using the point lever. Right trams depart for Half Way and Herdings Park from the temporary tram terminus.