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The first part of the locomotive exchange between the Ffestiniog Railway and the Hollycombe Steam Collection was completed on Saturday 19th April 2008 with the safe arrival of Palmerston from North Wales. Palmerston and Jerry M were seen together for the first time, with Jerry M assisting in unloading Palmerston. On the completion of sucessful test running of Palmerston, Jerry M will then be transported to North Wales, where she will undertake a variety of duties on the Ffestiniog Railway during the whole of May, returning to meet up with Palmerston again for the Hollycombe Railway weekend on the 31st May and 1st June.
Palmerston is planned to be in use at Hollycombe every Sunday and Bank Holiday until Railway Weekend on 31st May and 1st June.
Palmerston being prepared to transfer from the lorry to the track at the unloading ramp.
Jerry M Assists Palmerston to the shed
Jerry M and Palmerston descending the bank to the station.
Sunday 6th April saw more snow at Hollycombe, this time up to six inches in depth. There were some great photo opportunities and a lot of fun for the children as the whole of Hollycombe was blanketed in snow.
The Gallopers with a covering of snow
The station master was somewhat cold that day.
The early Easter has meant a sterling effort from our limited number of winter volunteers to get everything ready for opening on time. We are pleased to say that we opened over Easter Weekend with all the anticipated attractions operating over the weekend. The weather was not kind, with everything from high winds to hail and snow being thrown at us over the four days but there was some sunshine and those people that braved the weather enjoyed their time with us.
The Car Park covered in snow on Sunday morning before opening.
Braving the sleet on the Chair-o-planes
The Juvenile Roundabout in a rare bit of sunshine
Our volunteers have been very busy throughout the winter, carrying out maintenance work on the entire collection and preparing the engines and rides for reopening at Easter.
Hollycombe re-opens on Good Friday, 21st March when we plan to operate the fairground, Narrow Gauge Railway and Miniature Railway.
As well as our own locos, there will be a visiting Bagnall loco, Scott on the miniature railway for Good Friday and hopefully also on Saturday.
We look forward to seeing you.
Hollycombe's Jerry M will be spending a month working on the Ffestiniog Railway during May and the Ffestiniog Railway's Palmerston will be visiting Hollycombe throughout May and staying with us for the Railway Weekend on 31st May and 1st June, when Jerry M will return home and both locos will be in steam together for the first time ever.
This is the first time a Ffestiniog Railway loco has steamed in the South of England and the first time Jerry M has been back to Wales (her home for her working life) in over 40 years.
Palmerston
Palmerston will be working at Hollycombe every Sunday and Bank Holiday in May and on 1st June. She is planned to haul passenger trains on all these days and will also haul some goods trains on some occasions.
Jerry M
For Jerry M, this will be an opportunity for her to be put through her paces as she will have the chance to run the full length of the Ffestiniog Railway and also haul a full train of slate trucks, recreating the work that she would have done in her former working life.