Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: Fairbourne

A panoramic three photo stitch of this wide view over the estuary. The River Mawddach continues inland under the viaduct on our left and runs into the sea also to our left. We see here most of the span of the Barmouth railway viaduct at 820m long. In the background is the southern Snowdonia Range with Cadair Idris. To my right this causeway runs to the tiny hamlet of Fairbourne and the small narrow railway track is also just behind me. Enjoy full screen.

Well what a difference a week makes. This time last week I was traveling the 125miles + from my home to here where we took a short stroll and photo stop as a prelude to our short holiday about 12 miles south of here. A short time after taking this the clouds blackened and we had heavy rain for 24 hours which coincided with the realisation that my wife and I had both contracted Covid after years of avoidance. Alongside with the news that a close relative was in hospital seriously ill and then my car breaking down, the photos taken here were to be my only ones of this aborted five day holiday. We are back home now, and apart from the car, all is proceeding better, albeit slowly and still C positive, with our relative on her way to recovery. We are looking up the Afon Mawddach towards Dolgellau all within the Snowdonia National Park. Just behind me is the end terminal of the ever popular Fairbourne narrow gauge railway. Barmouth Bridge, or Barmouth Viaduct is a Grade II* listed single-track wooden railway viaduct across the estuary of the Afon Mawddach near Barmouth, Wales. It is 820 metres long and carries the Cambrian Line. It is the longest timber viaduct in Wales and one of the oldest in regular use in Britain. It was opened in 1867 and still allows tolled pedestrian access across its whole length. A wonderful walk that I have taken several times in the past. Barmouth itself is on the left side here. Last December it underwent a 30 million pounds restoration program. Enjoy full size and enjoy your week in safety.

Journeys end! A visit to Barmouth cannot be complete without crossing the estuary by ferry to Fairbourne and it’s narrow gauge railway. Here we are at its end terminus which gives us a chance for a photo call as well as coffee and cakes. The 12.25inch gauge railway has been running for 100 years and is run mostly by volunteers. The close up-engine PiP shows ‘Sherpa’ a 0-4-OST built in 1978 and the symbols on the side of the engine gives a clue to its Darjeeling Himalaya Railways connection, on which it is designed. The other picture shows just how many carriages these small engines can pull (or push). It is on its way back to Fairbourne itself with its cargo of happy holiday makers. The buildings show parts of Barmouth on the other side of the unseen River Mawddach. More info: www.fairbournerailway.com/index.html Enjoy full screen

We are looking at the famous Barmouth viaduct here on the River Mawddach estuary. It is in fact the longest timber viaduct in Wales at 820m and the oldest in regular use. It was opened in 1867 and carries the Cambrian Railway line. It is also a pedestrian and cycle path. We don't see the impressive swing bridge here to the left for that is for another photo capture. The small town of Barmouth sits to the left too. We are standing near the terminus station of the Fairbourne Narrow gauge railway. The valley between the highest peaks here is were I took my Cregennan Lake and Pared-y-Cefn-hir photos from. see 3xPips Enjoy full screen.

A look at the footplate of this narrow gauge steam engine whilst at the Barmouth turn-around halt. A 0-4-0ST, build in 1987 by Milner Engineering and based on the Class B Sharp Stewart locomotives of the Darjeeling Himalaya Railway. This was to set-off back a few minutes after snapping this and so must have been almost ready here for the off. See last photo for the big event! Enjoy full screen

Another look at the narrow gauge engines of Fairbourne engines. Here is ‘Sherpa’ again hauling its happy passengers back to Fairbourne itself. See next photo for more details. Enjoy full screen

Situated near Barmouth in Wales we are looking NE here towards the mountain range of Cadair Idris. Big walking country over there which all lie a little way SE of the Snowdonia Range. Essential full screen

The Fairbourne Railway has been running from Fairbourne village to the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary, connecting with the ferry to Barmouth for over 100 years. It started as a two foot gauge horse-drawn tramway which was then converted to a 15 inch gauge railway in 1916. The line in 1986 was completely re built to a 12.25 inch gauge. Here we see the engine called Russell returning from the terminus with its popular cafe, back to the main station at Fairnbourne itself. In the background the the foothills of Snowdonia National Park with the Barmouth viaduct. There are five engines in total running on this line. RUSSELL unlike the loco on which it was based is a 2-6-4T built in 1979 by Milner Engineering originally as a scaled down copy of a Leek and manifold locomotive and named Elaine but was re-built in its present form based on a Welsh Highland Railway Hunslet in 1985 at Fairbourne. www.fairbournerailway.com Enjoy full screen