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6 episodes with ffestiniog
Send us a textWelcome to the first episode of making tracks of 2025 the start of a special year in the Railway calendar – Railway 200Railway 200 is a cross sector, government backed, partner led campaign to celebrate Two centuries since the start of the modern era of rail travel marked by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825 The bi-centenary Celebrations started with a New Years Day 'Whistle Up' across the UK and beyond.Alan Hyde joins us from the Railway 200 campaign, we talk to to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways General Manager Paul Lewin to get his take on the bi centenary and hear about their combined Railway 200 and FR Platinum Jubilee celebration... and historian Dafydd Gwyn puts the whole anniversary into perspective.Sharon Gregory swaps biker boots for walking boots this time and explores disused railway lines across north Wales on foot. We also visit the narrow gauge Corris Railway in Powys and talk to to David Coleman about their Southern extension which could eventually double the length of the running line. **Please find details of the Railways, books and Events mentioned in this episode below:Railway 200The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Whistle up Reel with Paul Lewin GM.The Volks Electric Railway Whistle Up Reel (with kind permission Ludwig Tails) Volks Electric RailwayNorth Yorkshire Moors Railway Author and Historian Dafydd Gwyn's book The Coming of the Railways available at Railway specialist book stores and on Amazon.The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Special Event - Railway 200 and the FR Platinum JubileeCorris Railway and the southern extension This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
Heritage railways face an existential threat as Autumn Budget tax changes will cost some more than £200,000 a year! We speak to Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway General Manager and Acting Chair of the Heritage Railway Association Paul Lewin to find out just how challenging things have become for steam and heritage railways. Heidi Alexander becomes the new Transport Secretary following the shock resignation of Louise Haigh The Public Ownership Bill to nationalise Britain's railways receives Royal Assent And Richard finds out more about Britain's latest open access operator Go-Op Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too. YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/join Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals Green Signals: Website - http://www.greensignals.org Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list Follow: X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers Credits: Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
Send us a textThis episode focusses on engines from Africa. The first returned to steam after 20 years of restoration work and fundraising from dedicated volunteers – the NG 15 134. Alasdair talks to volunteer project leader Adrian Strachan and some of the volunteers and staffNow you know many a gem is found browsing a Railway Second hand book stall – a pastime Sharon from our Railway Ride Outs and Alasdair have in common.Well our second story from Africa this episode came to light when Alasdair was looking through books with a colleague John Gardener now retired and volunteering in Sussex.And to round off the heritage railway season and this episode more Railway Ride outs from Sharon Gregory as she visits four Welsh lines by motorbike; the Gwili, Teifi Valley, Llangollen and the Welsh Highland Heritage. Links to the railways mentioned below: Watch- NG15-134 in Steam for the First Time Sept 24on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways You Tube Channel - credit John WoodenNG15-134 Restoration websiteNorgrove Railway, California Sharon Gregory's Railway Rideouts visited:Gwili RailwayLlangollen RailwayTeifi Valley RailwayWelsh Highland Heritage RailwayThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
Send us a Text Message.This episode is a tale of two railways both celebrating. A new beginning of the final stretch the two mile missing link that will join Robertsbridge to Tenterden and the Kent and Sussex Railway.Mainline steam locomotive 'Britnannia' travelled down from Crewe, and provided motive power on shuttles between Robertsbridge Junction and Northbridge Street. The inauguration of the RVR's new turntable coincided with the K&ESR 50th We meet volunteers from both railways and I get to speak to a former politician and Railway Royalty, Michael Portillo.A return to north Wales and the Ffestiniog Railway Society's 70th anniversary. This summer at the Ffestiniong and Welsh Highland Railways, National Lottery Heritage Funding has enabled new 'experience' tours at Boston Lodge. They are additional offers over and above train rides. We go behind the scenes to view the newly restored buildings, and learn some of the fascinating history of the site, before learning about how steam engines work on a very much ‘hands on' experience You will find links to the Railways mentioned below:The Boston Lodge Tours and 'How a Steam Locomotive Works Ffestiniog Railway SocietyRother Valley RailwayKent and East Sussex Railway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
Trains vs planes – why taking the train can be up to 80% cheaper than flying and 17 times greener, according to new research published by the Rail Delivery Group. We examine the findings in detail… and discover some surprising facts along the way. Rail ‘fat cats' earn big bonuses, while passengers face worse performance… but is that really true? According to the Daily Mirror it is, but we don't agree. We have a bit of an update on the Jacobite steam train and its return to service, but many questions still remain unanswered. Is the heritage railway sector in crisis? We discuss our recent experience having fun with steam trains on the fantastic Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway's ‘Snowdonian' and some of the conversations we had about the fate of the heritage railway sector more widely. And… it's Railway Family Week and you can get involved! Green Signals: Website - http://www.greensignals.org YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list Follow: X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers Credits: Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
Send us a Text Message.We visit Amberley Museum in West Sussex. Get off on the main line at Amberley and you are there, at this excellent showcase of rural, transport, industrial and communications history of the south of England. They're also recent recipients of The King's Award for Voluntary Service … staying with the subject of volunteering ..the main stay of many heritage railways – later in this episode I chat to Doug Alldred from isle of Wight. There's also a word from a handful of volunteers on why they spend their free time in the loco sheds and buffet cars of the heritage railways across the UK...whats not to like....a great use of time.Amberley Museum Tribute to Arthur Haffended 1930 -2020 on You TubeBBC news feature Amberley and its Bond connectionsVolunteering at the Ffestiniog and Welsh HighlandVolunteering at the Isle of Wight Steam RailwaySee our facebook page for photos of Making Tracks trips and to get in touch - thank youThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
Send us a Text Message.In this episode we look at engines built for service overseas that are now running or will run, on railways in the UK. We ask why travel around the world to find a loco to restore when there's no shortage in the UK?We hear from enthusiasts behind the restoration projects of engines which have journeyed to the UK from China and India - The Darjeeling tank engine 19B and the C2!We visit the Vale of Rheidol railway to see their Garratt and find out about a fundraising initiative for another 'Out of Africa' loco. Keeping with the overseas theme, we chat to a volunteer who has to have one of the longest journeys to volunteer, don his guard's uniform and blow his whistle!You can see photos of the engines and guests mentioned in this episode on our Facebook page.Here are links to the Railways and projects if you would like to find out more:The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive TrustThe Vale of Rheidol RailwayThe NG15 Kalaharis Restoration ProjectThe C2 ProjectVolunteering at the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland RailwayOh, and we have branched out onto twitter do give us a follow @makingtrackspodThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
Send us a Text Message.Episode 4 of Making Tracks looks at the new Double Fairlie Loco built at Boston Lodge and now in service on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway .We also look at another Railway investment, this time on the mainline and the £30M refurbishment of the iconic Barmouth Viaduct.You can view the animation of Barmouth metallic viaduct construction methodology here. https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/video-successful-test-lift-of-160-tonne-metallic-span-marks-countdown-to-final-stage-of-barmouth-viaduct-restorationThere's also some more up to date photos and info from Network Rail here. https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/one-step-closer-latest-video-and-pictures-show-movement-of-new-spans-onto-the-iconic-barmouth-viaduct-north-walesIn this episode we also here from Rebecca Butcher of ‘Wales on Rails' and the Cambrian Partnership You can also download the free Window Seater app: Window Seater - Audio guides for train travel.Peter Johnson's book on the Cambrian Railway and his other titles are available through Amazon.Cambrian Railways: A New History: Amazon.co.uk: Peter Johnson: 9780860936442: BooksThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
Hidden in the mountainous peaks of Snowdonia's National Park is a clean source of energy storage that has been supporting the UK's electricity grid since it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1963. Ffestiniog was the UK's first ever pumped storage hydropower project and it remains a critical part of today's energy system....
Send us a Text Message.In this first episode Alasdair talks to two experienced volunteers and looks at the challenges and positives that come with having volunteers involved in a large scale high value Heritage Rail infrastructure project. Alasdair heads to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway to reminisce with former volunteer colleagues Stuart McNair and John Sreeves.Here are the links to the Railways mentioned in Episode 1.Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway: https://www.festrail.co.ukLynton & Barnstable Railway: https://www.lynton-rail.co.ukRother Valley Railway: https://rvr.org.ukGloucester and Warwickshire Steam Railway: https://www.gwsr.comYou can read about Alasdair Stewart's contribution to the Welsh Highland Railway in the publication: Welsh Highland Railway Renaissance by Gordon Rushton. Pages 216-217 : Phase 4 the Engineer's tale - published by www.adlestroppress.co.uk This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
Guests include Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Paul Lewin, clinical epidemiologist at Queen Mary University in London Dr Deepti Gurdasani, Cynon Valley Labour MP Beth Winter, Lucy Fisher - deputy political editor at the Telegraph and Professor Trevor Taylor - research fellow in defence management at the Royal United Services Institute, journalist Stephanie Vandenberg, Steff Mastoris - head of the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea and communications consultant and trainer Sara Robinson.
Megan Llyn Parri begins her exploration of North West Wales' finest attractions at the iconic village of Portmeirion. Along the way she uncovers the history of the area at one of the last surviving working slate mines, takes a trip on a heritage railway and discovers an environmentally friendly family attraction.
Steam railways are often run by armies of volunteers, but some people can be paid for it! Today we're talking to Will Stratford, who has been working on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways (often branded as 'best railway in the world') on his day-to-day experiences. Anorak Rating: 2/5 RAILWAY MANIA is a podcast covering everything to do with trains and railways. Each episode, Corwin takes you on a bite-sized journey through many topics and tales of the Iron Road, including everything railway modelling to railway history, interviews with fellow enthusiasts and experts. Pop the kettle on and let's talk about trains!
In our second bonus episode, we catch up with Ceri and Selwyn from Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog. Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog is a pioneering development in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales; a network of successful community enterprises which have come together to co-operate under the banner of one overarching community company to make a difference in their local area. It's early days, but these are exciting times for the area!
Beti George yn holi Sel Williams o Ffestiniog. Wedi cyfnod o ansicrwydd ynghylch beth i'w wneud ar ôl graddio, i fyd addysg yr aeth yn y pen draw, gan dreulio blynyddoedd lawer ym Mhrifysgol Bangor. Yno, bu'n gweithio ar gyrsiau newydd, gan gynnwys rhai'n ymwneud â datblygiad cymunedol. Does ryfedd, felly, mai'r gymuned leol yw un o'r pethau pwysicaf yn ei fywyd ar ôl ymddeol. Mae tua dwsin o fentrau cymunedol yn Ffestiniog, ac wrth sgwrsio gyda Beti mae Sel yn pwysleisio pa mor hanfodol ydyn nhw yng nghyd-destun un o ardaloedd tlotaf Gorllewin Ewrop. Mae ganddo deimladau cryf am Gymru hefyd, a chyfraniad posib y wlad a'i phobl i'r byd yn ehangach. Ai'r cyfryngau cymdeithasol ydi'r ateb, tybed, yn hytrach na dibynnu ar sefydliadau fel prifysgolion?
Amateur Traveler Podcast (iTunes enhanced) | travel for the love of it
The Amateur Traveler talks to John Clayton about a recent trip to Wales. John was the host of a radio travel show called “Travel with a Difference” for 16 years in the Los Angeles area and was invited to Wales by the Wales Tourism board. John is a train buff and was invited to ride on the restored narrow guage railroads of Wales which were built originally to carry slate from the Wales slate mines. He road the Mount Snowdon, West Highlands and Ffestiniog railways. John also recommends touring the slate mine at Llanberis. We also visit Port Meirion which will look familiar to fans of the TV show The Prisoner. Also find out what Bed and Breakfast you can stay at where some of the Royals used to live.
The Amateur Traveler talks to John Clayton about a recent trip to Wales. John was the host of a radio travel show called “Travel with a Difference” for 16 years in the Los Angeles area and was invited to Wales by the Wales Tourism board. John is a train buff and was invited to ride on the restored narrow guage railroads of Wales which were built originally to carry slate from the Wales slate mines. He road the Mount Snowdon, West Highlands and Ffestiniog railways. John also recommends touring the slate mine at Llanberis. We also visit Port Meirion which will look familiar to fans of the TV show The Prisoner. Also find out what Bed and Breakfast you can stay at where some of the Royals used to live.
The Amateur Traveler talks to John Clayton about a recent trip to Wales. John was the host of a radio travel show called “Travel with a Difference” for 16 years in the Los Angeles area and was invited to Wales by the Wales Tourism board. John is a train buff and was invited to ride on the restored narrow guage railroads of Wales which were built originally to carry slate from the Wales slate mines. He road the Mount Snowdon, West Highlands and Ffestiniog railways. John also recommends touring the slate mine at Llanberis. We also visit Port Meirion which will look familiar to fans of the TV show The Prisoner. Also find out what Bed and Breakfast you can stay at where some of the Royals used to live.
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