Projects carried out and supported by the Society have been pivotal to the rebirth of the Welsh Highland Railway. Although the railway is now completed from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, there is plenty left to do to realise the full potential of our railway.
Annual Appeal
1001 Ways to Help
We now see the start of the biggest infrastructure project on the WHR since the railway was completed, so this year’s appeal supports the vital infrastructure department.
The focal point of the appeal is the former Upnor-Lodge Hill Railway combination car, 1001. A uniquely historic vehicle, familiar to anyone involved in the railway’s reconstruction, 1001 has been out of traffic since 2016. A return to use as a designated infrastructure mess carriage to support volunteers and staff on the lineside is planned, and 1001 is already at Boston Lodge for what is likely to be a heavy chassis overhaul. The work will also include a full interior refit and a repaint to bring it into line with other infrastructure department vehicles. It is hoped that with your support, funds can also be made available for upgrading and upskilling volunteers, staff and tools engaged in vital lineside work.
NG15 No. 134 – ‘Kalahari’
CRhE has been financially backing, managing, and volunteer resourcing the restoration of NG15 No.134 ‘Kalahari’ to working order for use on the Welsh Highland Railway. This large and powerful locomotive previously saw service in South Africa where the class spent their working lives, before being withdrawn when dieselisation took over. No. 134 came to North Wales in 1998 alongside sister No. 133 with the ambition to return the pair to steam to operate trains on the railway.
However with the scale of challenge of restoration combined with the need to keep the main fleet of NG/G16 Garratts operational to keep the railway going, overhaul was not a priority and the loco rested in the yard at Dinas for a number of years. The current effort to restore the engine began in 2008 since when it has steadily progressed through a huge amount of volunteer effort. CRhE has funded the project to the tune of nearly £800,000.
Now very close to completion, No. 134 will soon be a unique addition to the Welsh Highland Railway fleet thanks to the support of CRhE donors and volunteers. Find out more about our NG15 and the journey to bring it back to steam on the NG15 project site here.
Super Saloon No. 2050
As the UK’s longest heritage railway with journeys taking up to two and a half hours and as well as being one of the biggest tourist attractions in North Wales, our visitors rightly expect a quality experience. The standard of our carriages plays a big part in this as this is where our passengers spend the majority of their time. The Society has previously funded the construction of three ‘Super Saloon’ carriages and a stunning First Class Observation carriage ‘Gwyrfai’ for the Welsh Highland Railway, but to bring all of the standard carriage sets up to a consistent high standard that meets demand needs more stock to be constructed. To this end the Society has committed to build a further ‘Super Saloon’ No. 2050 to expand the fleet and help meet the needs of the railway.
Boston Lodge No.8 Road Shed
Our hard-working Garratt locomotives, soon to be joined by NG15 ‘Kalahari’, are crucial assets for the operation of the Welsh Highland Railway worth over a million pounds each So you wouldn’t expect our cherished possessions to be left exposed to the elements and corrosive saltwater spray overnight, which is currently the case for the engine stabled at Boston Lodge. This is not sustainable and with the upcoming launch of ‘Kalahari’, we are keen to avoid the same fate falling upon our newest addition. Therefore we have launched a project to build a covered facility to store and service the Welsh Highland locomotives stabled at Boston Lodge, called the ‘8 Road Shed’ project. This will ensure that adequate provisions are in place to protect our prize assets and reduce the maintenance demand.
Help us realise the dream
You can play a part in helping us to finish the remaining parts of the jigsaw of the rebuild Welsh Highland Railway so that future generations can fall in love with it. There are many ways to join the journey and support Britain’s longest heritage railway, so why not take the step and get involved today?
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