Welsh Pony may headline three Englands late August spectacular
NEWLY-RESTORED Ffestiniog Railway ‘ large England’ 0- 4- 0STTNo. 5Welsh Pony is set to star on the line in late August, along with its two operational smaller sisters.
It will mark another major first for the railway as it and No. 2 Prince and No. 4 Palmerston have never run together in the heritage era.
As reported last issue, a worldwide audience viewed the launch of Welsh Pony at Boston Lodge Works on Saturday, June 27, through the line’s Facebook page, and saw it make its first movements in more than 80 years, part of its time being spent plinthed at the entrance to Porthmadog Harbour station.
The 1867- built locomotive will not be officially named until the October 9- 11 Victorian Vintage Weekend, and until then will carry only the number 5.
Following an overhaul which cost more than £ 250,000 and which continued under the Covid- 19 lockdown, it underwent trial runs over the line on July 11, and then, on
July 18, hauled its first heritage- era passenger train, a private special for members and invited guests.
However, its biggest moment of modern times came two days later, when, following the Welsh Government’s easing of lockdown, the railway was able to start running passenger trains again, on July 20.
No. 5 headed the second train, the first being hauled by Hunslet 2- 4- 0STT Blanche. Each did two round trips.
Debut
Welsh Pony’s debut also marked that of the‘ Large England’ Class in preservation. The capabilities of the original four‘ Small En glands’ supplied in 1863-64 were considered to be out grown because of the soaring volume of slate traffic, and so engineer Charles Spoon er drew up a revised specification for George England &Co to supply two larger versions. Welsh Pony saw major rebuilds in 1891 and 1915 and continued in use until early 1940.
When first out shopped, Welsh Pony appeared in an all- over unlined plum livery ( the same colour as the line’s Victorian carriages). It will be repainted back into green livery as a tribute to the late Allan Garraway, who made the first contribution to the rebuild appeal.
Ffestiniog& Welsh Highland Railway general manager Paul Lewin said that it was hoped toget all three operational Englands out running at the end of August. Aswe closed for press, Palmerston was in Boston Lodge receiving repairs to its axle boxes and crossheads, but it was hoped that the work would be completed in time.
On July 20, the Ffestiniog Railway restarted services, but only over the section from Porthmadog to Tan- y- Bwlch, with six round trips a day. The line’s legendary Victorian compartment carriages were used because of the strict social distancing procedures in place. Each compartment seats up to six people, and additional dividers have been installed between seating bays.
Ticket prices start from£ 50 per compartment, including the fare for two adults. Tickets for each additional adult costs £ 25, while the fare for each child is £ 1, with a maximum of six people per compartment. Tickets are available via online booking at www.festrail.co.uk/ and cannot be purchased at the booking office.
Measures
At we closed for press, services on the sister Welsh Highland Railway had not yet restarted. Paul explained that was because the Welsh Highland used open plan saloon carriages, where social distancing measures had yet to be installed, whereas the Ffestiniog had the advantage of its heritage compartment stock. However, hesaid that the Welsh Highland might yet runin August.
Visitors’ routes into, through and out of Porthmadog Habour station have been clearly signed to maintain social distancing. The station shop has remained closed, but orders can be made online atwww.festrail.co.uk/shop/ and by telephone on 01766 516034.
Meanwhile, while the line’s public emergency appeal for funding at www.festrail.co.uk/appeal. htm has passed £ 400,000. Paul said it might have to be relaunched because of essential costs that will be incurred over the coming months.