More Logging With Steam...

[jlancasterd]

We ran an even bigger logging train on the Railway today, again using double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys'.

The loads this time were a mixture of larch and sessile oak - the latter specially chosen for its shape, to be used in the construction of a traditional Welsh hay barn on a farm on the Lleyn Peninsula which is a centre for the conservation of traditional farming methods. We were also loading slightly further up the line at Cei Mawr - the very large drystone embankment that you can see in the background of some of the shots - it's the largest structure of its kind in Europe, and part of the reason for felling the larch plantation is to open up the view of the structure for passengers on our trains.

Word had got around and we had an audience this time - the world and his dog in fact (the dog seemingly bent on committing suicide under the loader...) and a local teacher had even brought his whole class...

The loader driver had plenty of opportunity to demonstrate his skill as he was loading the timber UNDER the telephone and single line staff wires. He didn't touch them once. The machine, incidentally, was built in Finland (which probably accounts for its rather odd name...) and cost £160,000 - you could buy a lot of M8s for that money!

This time I used my R8 plus DMR and a 28-90 zoom rather than the M8 and 28mm Ultron that I used on Tuesday. I still can't decide which I prefer, although the M8 is easier on the wrist when a shoot goes on for several hours...

Logging-on-Cei-Mawr-14.jpg

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Logging-on-Cei-Mawr-6.jpg

Logging-on-Cei-Mawr-17.jpg

Logging-on-Cei-Mawr-11.jpg

[ejd]

I think you make an unanswerable case: steam is the only way to log! Very picturesque and charming scenes. The steam locomotive is wonderful, and I love the little yellow guards van at the end of the train. I've never seen the ffestiniog railway, but your pictures make one want to. Great stuff.

BTW -- am I right in thinking that the Larch is unusual as a deciduous conifer? John

[elansprint72]

John 1,
Good reportage series but as an old B&W fart I can't help thinking that colour on a very grey day brings nothing to the party.
John 2,
You are correct about the Larch. The Ffestiniog is an absolute gem and is just one of many little railways in Wales which are a tribute to John (1) and his mates, who put in a great deal of effort purely for the love of it. Try to pick a sunny day when you visit Blaenau, it can be seriously grey on a wet day.

[jlancasterd]

Originally Posted by elansprint72

John 1,
Good reportage series but as an old B&W fart I can't help thinking that colour on a very grey day brings nothing to the party.

I can't help thinking that I agree - but the FR Management wanted colour for their press releases to the technical (woodland management, etc) press, so that was what they got. I might play around with Alien Skin over the weekend.

[jlancasterd]

Originally Posted by ejd

I think you make an unanswerable case: steam is the only way to log! Very picturesque and charming scenes. The steam locomotive is wonderful, and I love the little yellow guards van at the end of the train. I've never seen the ffestiniog railway, but your pictures make one want to. Great stuff

Hi John

I'm pleased that you like my efforts. If you want to know more about the FR try looking at: Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway / Welsh Highland Railway (C)

The little yellow guards van is normally part of the permanent way train. For this job it was loaded with log straps, ratchet jacks etc and became what North American loggers called a 'crummy'. This picture of the interior, taken on Tuesday, probably shows why - it was even more untidy by the end of operations on Friday...

The-Crummy-CMYK.jpg

[stuny]

John -

Delightful! thank yo for posting more of these. The last looks a lot like how we keep the room where I'm typing this.