ICRS Ffestiniog 50th Anniversary Special

18th June 2007 to 19th June 2007

On 18 June 2007 the Imperial College Railway Society recreated a journey made on 27 April 1957 from Porthmadog Harbour to the North portal of Moelwyn tunnel to retrieve rolling stock and materials stranded by the impending flooding of the line in the creation of Tanygrisiau reservoir. The 2007 train included the Baldwin diesel locomotive "Moelwyn" that propelled the 1957 train and the passengers included five alumni of Imperial College who had been on the original trip. The train reached Dduallt, from where members of the group were able to walk the old trackbed to the South portal of the old tunnel.

Included are a few photographs from an independent visit the following day to view the deviation and find the other end of the tunnel.

"Criccieth Castle" has run round the train at Dduallt for the return to Porthmadog 1204x861 PICT2143a.jpg 2007-06-18 00:00:00	"Moelwyn" assembles the special train at Porthmadog Harbour station. 1280x960 PICT2127.JPG 2007-06-18 09:51:08	Prior to departure members of the group were guided along the route of the future reinstatement of the Welsh Highland Railway route through Porthmadog to the Harbour station via this bridge over Y Cyt 1280x960 PICT2129.JPG 2007-06-18 10:07:13	The crossing with the standard gauge line waiting to be connected. 1280x960 PICT2131.JPG 2007-06-18 10:15:45
The special train was headed by diesel locomotive "Criccieth Castle" because "Moelwyn" was not able to provide sufficient vacuum to brake the three-coach train. 1280x960 PICT2137.JPG 2007-06-18 11:12:46	The special waits for the departure of the 11:40 service train to Blaenau Ffestiniog 1280x960 PICT2140.JPG 2007-06-18 11:41:40	Ready for departure from Porthmadog, with "Moelwyn" bringing up the rear 1280x960 PICT2142.JPG 2007-06-18 12:13:23	1957 alumni pose with "Moelwyn" at Dduallt 1280x960 PICT2145.JPG 2007-06-18 13:40:12
The South portal of the old Moelwyn tunnel 1280x960 PICT2147.JPG 2007-06-18 14:01:01	The special has returned to Porthmadog in time for the 16:00 departure to Blaenau ffestiniog 1280x960 PICT2152.JPG 2007-06-18 15:51:50	"Criccieth Castle", "Moelwyn" and train at the Harbour station 1280x960 PICT2154.JPG 2007-06-18 16:02:02	"Moelwyn" with the empty carriages 1280x960 PICT2155.JPG 2007-06-18 16:10:30
Tanygrisiau reservoir and the power station, seen from a point above the old Moelwyn tunnel. "Merddyn Emrys" is in Tanygrisiau station with the 15:10 from Blaenau Ffestiniog 1280x960 PICT2174.JPG 2007-06-19 15:14:41	The 15:10 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog approaches the new Moelwyn tunnel on the deviation line 1280x960 PICT2176.JPG 2007-06-19 15:25:21	The blocked-up North portal of the old Moelwyn tunnel 1280x960 PICT2178.JPG 2007-06-19 15:35:20	The former trackbed heads into the reservoir, photographed from immediately above the tunnel portal 1280x960 PICT2181.JPG 2007-06-19 15:41:33