Bygones Weekend: Steaming Through Storm Amy

A two part recap of the Bygones Weekend

Part 1: Deb Justice, Development Officer for the Cambrian Railway Partnership

Storm Amy made a memorable backdrop to my first community stall with Network Rail and Ffestiniog Railway during their Bygones weekend. I travelled up the coast on Friday morning and found Network Rail tucked into a small gazebo in the railway car park beside two larger marquees of independent traders. Driving rain and strengthening wind made the site feel exposed and wild.  The car park felt almost empty, apart from Osian Hughes, the Marketing Manager, who was battling the wind and rain while carrying a ladder to take down a banner that was coming loose as the gusts grew stronger.

Janice Mitchell-Rose (Workforce Health Safety & Environment Coach) and Nicky Marsh (Assistant Level Crossing Manager) from Network Rail in their orange workwear; BTP PCSO Mike Norris behind the table were all in the gazebo with smiles despite the weather. I put up my brand-new banner and laid out pens and materials despite the blustery conditions and Janice made me a mug of hot chocolate.

We were surprised to have several visitors almost immediately. Sally and Ken were keen to try the police car, and PCSO Mike Norris put the blue lights on for Sally, which was a brilliant hit. People engaged with the map game and chatted about rail history and safety.

After lunch Janice decided the conditions were too severe to continue safely, so Network Rail packed up and we headed off. I spent that evening in the Premier Inn watching the wind and rain batter the coast and thinking how hardy steam railway enthusiasts truly are. Despite the weather they were determined to have a good time and the steam trains trundled up and down the platform and visitors dressed in sensible clothes were enjoying the weather.

I arrived early the next morning and Osian kindly positioned me on the platform under a protective canopy. The wind had eased though rain still fell straight down, and the canopy kept us sheltered. Cambrian Railway Chairman Neil Scott arrived with his daughter Tessa, who was dressed in Victorian finery and they went off to enjoy a steam train ride. Rebecca Butcher, our social media manager, joined later and by then the rain had finally stopped, bringing a brighter atmosphere and more conversations with visitors.

Part 2: Rebecca Butcher, Social Media Manager for the Cambrian Railway Partnership

This is my third year manning a stand for the Cambrian Railway Partnership at the Bygone’s Weekend and it truly is the highlight of my year. I’ve been lucky in previous years as the weather has always been fresh, a bit chilly but DRY. I knew Storm Amy was on her way, so I made sure I packed my waterproofs.

When I arrived Saturday lunchtime, I was pleased to see the platform busy with visitors and Storm Amy had started to ease. I spotted the Cambrian Railway Partnership’s new banner and made my way over to the stand. Deb was mid conversation with a visitor, so I placed my belongings close by and was instantly greeted by a volunteer of the railway. He volunteers regularly at the Bygones Weekend and is always eager to help with anything. He took me to see Osian and the railway’s new Marketing Officer Linda who was dressed in Victorian wares, as were many staff, volunteers and visitors throughout the weekend, very fitting for the Bygones Weekend

Upon my return to the stand, Deb was free, and it was lovely to catch-up with her in person – working remotely means that our catch-ups are predominantly online, making meeting up in-person something of a special occasion, I don’t think that’s something anyone would have even thought of as being special 6 years ago.

Deb left an hour or so later to get her train, not before recording a few short video clips of for social media, if you follow us you may have seen them. That afternoon and the following day, the weather started to brighten up and it was a welcome change from the torrential rain. Everyone was having a fantastic time, from complete newbies to the regulars that attend the Bygones Weekend every year.

I spent many hours speaking with visitors about the Cambrian Line and our Community Rail activities, I even met a fellow Community Rail Partnership’s Chair who came to introduce himself, as the saying goes ‘it’s a small world’. What’s really great about attending events like these is the opportunity to champion Community Rail and make people aware of the Partnerships in their area and encourage them to get involved.

Thanks to feedback we received in previous years at the Bygones Weekend, this year we updated our map and had a lot of fun playing ‘spot the difference’ with visitors. Our map, which has been illustrated by Starfish Design, Llandudno is always a popular talking point and attracts many visitors, it’s always nice to hear people reminisce on the places they’ve visited along our beautiful line and offer recommendations of destinations and attractions.

Some things that never cease to impress me is firstly the distance visitors travel for the weekend, one visitor was from Melbourne, Australia and secondly, the dedication of the volunteers who commit their free time to ensure everyone enjoys a spectacular weekend. Their contributions are very much recognised and appreciated.

We would like to say a big THANK YOU to Network Rail, British Transport Police and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway for all their support throughout the weekend. We look forward to next year!

We hope you enjoyed the coverage of the weekend on our socials and in case you missed it, check it out below.