Welcome to the Webmaster’s Page
Updates and developments on both Websites and a set of disconnected jottings updated intermittently as time allows.
Last updated 20th June 2008 by John Rutter
I would like to thank everyone for their help and encouragement with the website; in particular John Joyce, who created it 10 years ago, looked after it all that time and has helped me a great deal with the new site.
I would also like to thank Pete Thomas of Mold.org and Phil Parsons of Delfryn Design, both members of Mold Camera Club, who put me on track to start with and pointed me in the direction of the right software and web hosts. Then answered daft questions with equanimity whenever I asked them.
I am a Chartered Engineer and have worked on Chemical Plants all my working life. Initially as a Chemical Engineer, then as a Plant Manager later with responsibility for maintenance as well as production. I then became a Project Engineer/Project Manager and have been building Minerals & Chemicals handling plant ever since.
I joined Llangollen Railway in 1988 and started as a volunteer in the Loco Shed, then on the track gang during the Deeside and Glyndyfrdwy Extensions. I helped on Glyndyfrdwy Station, doing the gardens etc, until I was dragged off into hospital for a heart op in 2004. Since then I have been a member of the “Steam at Llangollen” magazine editorial team and No 2 on the “Steam at Llangollen” Video Crew with Brian Edwards.
I volunteered to take over the website from John Joyce as I felt I needed a new challenge; something completely different that would stretch the old grey matter a bit.
Also, following the heart surgery, I have been left on “light duties” so to speak and wanted to do something to support the Railway which I could do from home.
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My Background with Llangollen Railway
“CALL FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS FOR
STEAM STEEL &STARS 2009”
The 6880 Betton Grange Group have started to plan the next Gala.
Scheduled for 2009, they are looking to make it bigger and better than the last one (which will take some doing!)
They are anxious to ensure that even more volunteers are involved next time.
Link to Volunteers Page for more detailed information on jobs which can be done
So, if you have been a member for some time and have not yet become active. Or are
a potential new member interested in doing something at the railway -
The best way to get to know more is to arrive on the platform at
Llangollen Station after 10:00 am and just talk to people.
We are a friendly bunch and any form of help is welcome.
There is time before the 2009 Gala to get involved, learn the ropes, get that all-
We look forward to meeting you -
the Volunteer Co-
I am also a member of Mold Camera Club and the Wirral & North Wales Model Railway Club
Once you have seen this video clip -
If anyone needs to contact me urgently,
you can also email the Railway Office and they will forward it on.
John Brian
My other job on the Railway
Apparently working hard on a new DVD script!
If you would like to contact me about anything to do with the website please use the email link in the box above
Brian recording the
Guard’s Training Day
My thanks to everyone for your continued interest & support -
Webgnomeon 5552 at Bodmin Parkway in March 2007. Click here for a link to the video of this cab ride
Some time ago, I put a call out for pictures of our locomotives in the days before preservation and as a result received an email from Ted Buckley offering his pictures of our locomotives at Barry Scrapyard. Ted has sent through pictures of 48518 and Willington Hall which have been loaded up on to their specific pages on the Archive Website and pictures of Jinty no 7298 (Now known as “Thomas”) when in Barry Scrapyard and in the Rainhill 150 cavalcade.
These are superb archive pictures and I am very grateful to Ted for allowing me to load them on to the website.
If anyone else has archive pictures of our locomotives and would be willing to let me upload them, please contact me via the link above.
John Rutter 13th May 2008
Following the resignation, due to work pressures, of Chris Pendlebury as editor of the Railway’s Magazine “Steam at Llangollen” , I have volunteered to take up the reins following publication of issue no 116, (published and in the post on 27th June)
I now intend to look at the Website, the Members Newsletter “Ontrack Monthly” and
the Magazine to review the relationship between them and the formats and content
appropriate to each, so there may be changes (not too many I hope) to the presentation
of the website -
I will then inherit the title of Magnome in addition to Webgnome, hopefully I shall be able to remain “intrepid”!
John Rutter 28th June 2008
The more eagle eyed of you may have noticed that the typeface of the “Webmaster’s Page” title changes regularly and can be quite unusual. This is where I try out new typefaces for use elsewhere
Brian has been in hospital over the last couple of weeks for an operation. He is recovering well and intends to carry on recording the activities on and around the railway with he new (much lighter) camera as soon as he is well enough..
Our best wishes go to him for a speedy recovery.
John Rutter 28/6/2008