Tryfan’s first steamy blip of 2025

The first operating day of the new season saw stalwart Standard Class 4 76017 at the head of the first train while the freshly painted DMU waits in the loop for the next departure.

A few technical hitches to start with as there the section signal lever would not pull despite a tablet being withdrawn. Turned out it was a blown fuse. A treadle wasn’t working rather so I had to guess where the train was before working the gates for its arrival.

The box was in a bit of a state so I undertook some early spring cleaning; burnishing the brass instruments, cleaning sink, cooker and surfaces and hoovering and mopping the floor. It looked a different box in the bright winter sunshine this afternoon.

The DMU looks splendid (extra) in its new paint, showing up against the guards van in No 1 siding and in that sun.

The new signalling installation that we learned about in last week’s meeting worked well and was easy to use. And the day ended on time.

Ready for that Saturday night tradition