Powerful Engines – Long Trains – Steep Gradients – BIG Spectacle!

After a break of several years, the Super Power weekend returns to the Welsh Highland Railway.

The WHR is home to several NG/G16 Garratt locomotives – the most powerful 2’ gauge locomotives in the world – including one currently under overhaul purchased for use on the WHR by Pete Waterman (click here for details).

Once every now and then we really get to test them - and other large engines like the first ever Garratt, K1 - on some extraordinarily heavy loads. The Super Power weekend gives you the chance to witness this spectacle first hand. Other attractions in the past have included some ‘little and large’ combinations as other engines, including those from the Ffestiniog Railway, line up to play their part.

This year is also first chance to see the long consists climb through the stunning scenery and steep gradients of the extension from Rhyd Ddu through Beddgelert and into the Aberglaslyn Pass – opened in 2009. Come and see the Rheilffordd Eryri at its best!

The Aberglaslyn Pullman
This year the event will showcase the capabilities of our new catering team - The Aberglaslyn Pullman will run on the evening of Friday 10th September offering a fine dining experience not to be missed. Further details of this train, including the menu and booking information can be found here.

Things to do on Friday
If you are around early on Friday there are some unusual photo opportunities as Lyd, Taliesin and a set of vintage carriages make their way over the Porthmadog cross-town link and down to Dinas. The train is timed to arrive at Pont Croesor around 0900 then proceed to Beddgelert where it will stand awaiting a crossing with the 1130 service train. It will then continue its journey, crossing the second service train at Waunfawr before arriving at Dinas around 1300.

Later on, there is the unusual chance to take advantage of a luxury evening train. The Aberglaslyn Pullman is our very first dining train on WHR. Both Pullman carriages will be running on the set available for diners only. A five course meal is available at a cost of £75 per head. Places are limited and should be booked by 5th September. Third class seating is also available with a standard trolley service and no advanced booking available for these seats. Please note there is no members'  free travel on this train but weekend rovers are valid.

Lighting up
Lyd and Taliesin will be lit up outside the goods shed at Dinas each morning. Please remember to stay within the public areas of the site if you are arriving early to take photographs. Please note there is no access to the south yard & engine shed area. Bacon rolls and coffee available.

At Beddgelert
There is a regular train service this weekend so please use it as an opportunity to make the most of the facilities in the village. There are plenty of hostelries and cafes in which to eat as well as shops and post office and, of course, the popular award winning ice cream shop. There is a lovely walk by the river too so plenty to keep you occupied.

At Beddgelert station, we hope you will visit the marquee on the station building site. There will be a display of photographs, a Welsh Highland Society stand, a sales stand, a Welsh Highland Heritage Railway stand and other displays. In addition, the ladies from Beddgelert church will be providing their usual excellent selection of tea and cakes.

On Saturday morning, a special train will arrive at 1025, pulled by Lyd, the Company’s newest locomotive. The official naming of Lyd will take place at the station at 1040. Later in the day, there is a chance to be one of the first passengers to ride behind this lovely loco of which we are so proud.

Guided walks
Saturday – walk from Tryfan Junction to Plas y Nant with Tony Baker.

Join the 1000 service from Caernarfon, which will make a special stop at Tryfan Junction, and be one of the select few who have alighted at this 'yet-to-be-opened' Halt. The guided walk will follow the Bryngwyn branch, go over the hill and down to Plas y Nant. Return by an afternoon train.

Sunday – walk from Nantmor to Beddgelert with David Firth.

This walk will take you from the halt at Nantmor, walking going along the Fishermen’s Path, through the Cemetery gates, through Cae Morris and past the Goat reservoir at the back of Beddgelert station. Either catch the 1000 service from Caernarfon and alight at Nantmor or park in the National Trust car park in the village and meet at the station at 1145(remember there is a small charge for the car park). The walk will take approximately two hours so you should be at the station or eating an ice cream by 1400.

Walkers are advised to wear stout walking shoes, waterproofs and bring some sun lotion (!).  Numbers are limited to a maximum of 15 people, with pre-booking being made through Harbour Station booking office, tel 01766 516070 or by email to samantha.hughes@festrail.co.uk.

There is no charge for the walks but you must book your place by 1400 on the day before the walk. A pre-booked pack lunch is available at a cost of £7.50.

Ticket Prices
Normal `Day' Fares apply for travel on the RhE/WHR during the Super-Power Weekend - although passengers with 'Day' tickets will be restricted to travelling on any of the three main service trains (shown with a white background on the Saturday and Sunday timetables).

Visitors who want to travel throughout the weekend should purchase one of our F&WHR Three-Day Rover Tickets. These allow unlimited travel on the RhE/WHR - as well as being required for travel on the limited accommodation Vintage and Mixed trains (shown with a grey background on the Saturday and Sunday timetables).

F&WHR Three-Day Rover Tickets are priced as follows:
Adult £50
Concession £45
Child £25
Free Child - One Child can travel free with each Adult/Concession Ticket Holder.

CRhE/WHRS Members travel entitlements are suspended for the Super-Power weekend (i.e. no Free Travel, no Privilege Rate guests) - instead members will need to buy a Privilege Rate ticket.

Privilege Rate fares are also applicable to FRS / TRPS Members, ATOC Privilege Card and `Y Cerdyn' Holders.

Privilege rates for F&WHR Three-Day Rover Tickets are as follows:
Adult £16
Child £8
NO Free Child entitlement (except for `Y Cerdyn' Holders)

If you want to purchase your tickets in advance - please contact Porthmadog Booking Office (01766 516024) who will make the necessary arrangements for you…

Further Information 
The F&WHR Three-Day Rover Ticket allows unlimited travel on both the Ffestiniog Railway and the Rheilffordd Eryri/Welsh Highland Railway on any three days of your choice between the date of issue and 25th March 2011.

The Super-Power timetables published on the F&WHR website only show trains with passenger accommodation - they do not show light engine, ecs or freight train timings. In line with normal practice, a `Spotters Guide' - priced at £3 - is being produced for those who want detailed working timetables, train graphs, loco roster and stock formations.

Please contact us with any enquiries, by phone on 01766 516000 or by email at enquiries@festrail.co.uk

Download event poster here (.pdf format - 900kb.)
Download event timetable (Saturday) here. (.pdf format)
Download event timetable (Sunday) here. (.pdf format)