thanks.
This may well be normality now though. You may have to accept that what you want can no longer be delivered because of the economic damage COVID has done. In my view the arrangements suggested will work for most potential customers as they do not impact on what they want from a journey on a preserved railway. I understand those requirements might be the polar opposite to the requirements of an old school enthusiast. I further understand that it is for the business to decide which group offers them the best chance of financial success and to arrange thier services accordingly. To me, that is what the WHFR have done.
if they are wrong you can smugly sit back and say "I told you so" but please don't complain if the railway disappears.
I am not sure hearsay is admissible as evidence!
I am not oblivious to the problems caused by Covid I can see the benefits of allowing people to pre-book. However, there needs to be a bit of a compromise. It is clear that the short Porthmadog - Tanybwlch shuttles are popular with tourists who want a shorter trip and also they bring in income from sales in the Tanybwlch buffet - probably more than what was generated by on train buffet sales.
The ideal compromise would be a morning round trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog and a late afternoon one - both of which connected with Conwy Valley Line trains. This actually does seem to operate but is no promoted well nor really advertised as a link service any more between Conwy Valley and Cambrian Lines. In between these two trains run as many prebooked Tanybwlch shuttles as one can. If there isn't enough passengers to fill a shuttle they could be put on the Blaenau trains alight at Tanybwlch on the way up rejoin on the way down. That way a normal service operates AND the prebooked market is catered for.
Welsh Highland operations might need to be reappraised. The whole point of the WHR as it was sold was to relieve traffic from Snowdonia's roads. How much of that objective it really fills is questionable.
Perhaps the WHR should operate as it did in the 1930s with through passengers changing at Beddgelert?
Thus one could operate the line as two separate lines, with perhaps the section from Porthmadog to Beddgelert offering a more frequent service in the peak summer. This is basically what is happening now with the prebook services which turn back at Beddgelert.
Basically all I want to see is normal timetables published and not these tick box experience tables which keep getting posted to social media.
I am all for adaption and a degree of compromise to sustain the railways in the difficult economic climate BUT I do want to see the railway operating as a railway.
As for other people's comments being hearsay - that could be said about anything.
It is hardly madness if the railways are the main reason for the visit
Tend to agree, though I do like Portmeirion almost as much as the railways!
However, having been to Portmeirion only at the end of July for WHR100 Gala Part 1 I pulled the plug on my October trip and decided to support Llangollen Railway instead.
Not just for the railway but also to support the small family owned hotel I stay at, or call into for food and drink when in that area.
The hotel has not been able to get back to normal post Covid as they have staffing issues and are only offering accommodation Thursdays to Sundays.
There was a bit more motivation for me making my changes than just the railway.
