Main Page

Welcome to Festipedia, the FR Heritage Group wiki. 2,733 articles

Locomotives Carriages Stations Alphabetic index

From this month's featured article Train detection is an integral part of signalling systems. The knowledge of the location of a train can be used to alert a signalman or level crossing keeper of the approach of a train, or to control automatic level crossings. Ultimately train detection is used in a signalling system as part of the interlocking between points and signals to prevent unauthorized or unsafe train movements. In traditional signalling systems with mechanical operation of signals and points, there was initially great reliance on the signalman being able to see the location of trains when managing train movement. One of the most important responsibilities laid on the signalman was not to move facing points either under a train or when a train was approaching. Various mechanical and electrical means of detecting the location of a train have been devised, three of which are used on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. Until the commissioning of Rhiw Goch signal box in 1975, the primary use was to indicate the approach of a train at level crossings and to replace colour light signals automatically to Danger at Minffordd, Penrhyn, Tan y Bwlch, and the electrically operated mechanical Up Advance signal at Harbour Station as the train went past the signal. This was achieved by means of a treadle, so we look at this device first. We then look at what are called locking or fouling bars as used at Rhiw Goch and Dduallt, and finally we consider the most common form of train detection, the track circuit. (more...) Recently featured: Horse operation Earl of Merioneth II Quarrymen's carriages Purpose Festipedia is dedicated to recording the history of the Festiniog Railway from the 19th Century to the present day. There is a user friendly index to help you find your way around the main categories. You will also find much detail on the Welsh Highland Railway

Contributing to Festipedia A wiki is a collaboratively edited website. All users can edit any page. You have complete freedom to add to, edit or delete the work of previous authors. It is easy to create new pages, link to wiki pages and format the text on pages. There is a full help system so that you can find out how to do things. You will find it similar to Wikipedia. There is a recent changes page listing all pages that have changed recently. There is also a discussion page where contributors can discuss possible changes to Festipedia, as well as a discussion page for each article. First time visitors If this is your first visit to Festipedia you may find it useful to log in first. That will allow you to set up your username and decide how certain features should work. All contributors to Festipedia are encouraged to log in. If you know little or nothing about the Festiniog Railway then History of the FR is a good place to start. You can also choose from the list in the banner at the head of this page. Returning visitors If you have visited Festipedia before, you may want to visit the community portal for the latest news including information on updates to the wiki software.

This month's featured picture Newly restored Garratt 130 crosses the recently replaced Pont Plas y Nant. The locomotive and bridge represent two of the major projects completed by the F&WHR during the closure period over the winter of 2020/2021. 130 entered service hauling a special members train from Caernarfon to Beddgelert on 30 April 2021 which was also the first passenger train over the new bridge. Photo credit: Chris Parry Recently featured: Power station summit Harbour lever frame Carriage 2048 Rules for Contributions The rules for contributions are simple: Do not post copyright material unless you have permission from the copyright owner Do not post personal details of living individuals (address, telephone number, email address, etc.) unless you have their permission to do so Keep on topic - you can put anything you want on your user pages but articles should be about the Ffestiniog Railway or related subjects Be courteous Do not delete anything unless it needs to be deleted Where possible please record the sources of your information Please record a comment on the change you have made in the box at the bottom of the page No obscene language Abusive or libellous postings are banned If you want to notify us of a possible copyright infringement, please use the Contact Us option in the box in the top left of the page. We have voluntary editors that look after Festipedia. They can be contacted via email or by using their User pages. Response may not be immediate, but they will reply, as long as you leave a contact point!!