The popular play area beside the Tea Room at Tan-y-Bwlch Station now has a brand-new train for children to play on.
The delightful wooden train was commissioned by the Friends of Tan-y-Bwlch group and sponsored by the Ffestiniog Railway Society. It was made locally by renowned sculptor and designer Howard Bowcott and his assistant Ed Dance. The train has been made from windfall Oak – not the usual pine or plastic commonly used. The cab roof and van roof are both recycled-plastic sheet, while the wheels are old FR Telegraph posts.
The little locomotive at the front of the train has more than a passing resemblance to Hunslet Quarry locos (such as ‘Britomart’) and carries the name ‘SANDRA’ – after the Tea Room’s Manager, Sandra Bond. Hidden on and around the train itself are a dozen or so engraved pictures (about 2x3ins) of various local birds and wildlife, so that children can have a nature hunt whilst playing. There are also many sculpted details carved or installed on the loco and wagons to discover – such as a kettle, mugs, oil cans, flag etc – adding even more fun to the play train.
Although the train itself is complete – and already a popular part of the playground – there are plans to construct a station platform between the train and the stone wall behind it. The F&WHR Infrastructure Dept. will be supplying old railway sleepers for the base, which will be boarded over and completed with a station fence against the wall to further enhance the appearance of the area.
Make sure you look out for the play train if you’re passing by – and remember, there are plenty of things to do in and around the station. So, why not bring the family for some great outdoor fun, let the children play in the sun while you enjoy some tasty treats from the Tea Room. You can visit by train, on foot or by car – Sandra and the Tea Room team are looking forward to seeing you!
Mae gan y man chwarae poblogaidd ger yr Ystafell De yng Ngorsaf Tan-y-bwlch drên newydd sbon i blant chwarae arno.
Comisiynwyd y trên pren hyfryd gan grŵp Cyfeillion Tan-y-Bwlch a’i noddi gan Gymdeithas Rheilffordd Ffestiniog. Fe’i gwnaed yn lleol gan y cerflunydd a’r dylunydd enwog Howard Bowcott a’i gynorthwyydd Ed Dance. Mae’r trên wedi’i wneud o dderw annisgwyl – nid y pinwydd neu’r plastig arferol a ddefnyddir yn gyffredin. Mae to’r caban a tho’r fan yn ddalen blastig wedi’i hailgylchu, tra bod yr olwynion yn hen byst ‘FR Telegraph’.
Mae’r locomotif bach o flaen y trên yn fwy nag ymdebygu i locos Chwarel Hunslet (fel ‘Britomart’) ac yn cario’r enw ‘SANDRA’ – ar ôl Rheolwr yr Ystafell De, Sandra Bond. Yn guddiedig ar, ac o gwmpas y trên ei hun mae rhyw ddwsin o luniau wedi’u hysgythru (tua 2×3 modfedd) o wahanol adar a bywyd gwyllt lleol, fel bod plant yn gallu cael helfa natur wrth chwarae. Mae yna hefyd lawer o fanylion cerfiedig wedi’u cerfio neu eu gosod ar y loco a wagenni i’w darganfod – fel tegell, mygiau, caniau olew, baner ac ati – gan ychwanegu hyd yn oed mwy o hwyl i’r trên chwarae.
Er bod y trên ei hun yn gyflawn – ac eisoes yn rhan boblogaidd o’r maes chwarae – mae cynlluniau i godi platfform gorsaf rhwng y trên a’r wal gerrig y tu ôl iddo. Bydd yr Adran Isadeiledd F&WHR yn cyflenwi hen gysgwyr rheilffordd ar gyfer y sylfaen, a fydd yn cael eu bordio drosodd a’u cwblhau gyda ffens orsaf yn erbyn y wal i wella golwg yr ardal ymhellach.
Gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod chi’n cadw llygad am y trên chwarae os ydych chi’n mynd heibio – a chofiwch, mae digon o bethau i’w gwneud yn yr orsaf ac o’i chwmpas. Felly, beth am ddod â’r teulu am hwyl fawr yn yr awyr agored, gadewch i’r plant chwarae yn yr haul wrth i chi fwynhau danteithion blasus o’r Ystafell De. Gallwch ymweld ar y trên, ar droed neu yn y car – mae Sandra a thîm yr Ystafell De yn edrych ymlaen at eich gweld!
