With Caernarfon’s magnificent castle as a backdrop, ex-South African Railways NGG16 Class Garratt No. 138, built in 1958 by Beyer Peacock, leaves the WHR’s northern terminus with the 14.15 to Waunfawr on June 1, 2003. ALL PHOTOS BY JOHN STRETTON UNLESS STATED
LIFE throws up moments of serendipity and opportunity that ought to be grasped with both hands.
Since the publication of my first book in 1984, I have been fortunate to experience many more – not least during work on my three books about rebuilding the Welsh Highland Railway in the late-1990s and 2000s.
With the help and grace of the railway authorities, and during numerous visits, I have walked virtually the whole length of the new line from Caernarfon to Porthmadog and witnessed first-hand some of the challenges and tribulations that had to be overcome to give us what we have today, a truly wonderful narrow gauge railway.
There have also been joys and unexpected bonuses along the way, and many friends made. In this article I have sought to portray some of these delights and pleasures with which I have been blessed in my time ‘walking the Welsh Highland’.