FFESTINIOG FIELDS FIRST GEORGE ENGLAND TRIO
FR boasts three Victorian 0-4-0STTs working simultaneously for the first time since 1935.
Three George England 0-4-0STTs are running at the Ffestiniog Railway for the first time in 85 years, following the re-entry to traffic of No. 4 Palmerston.
The 1864-built locomotive returned to service on August 23, after completion of its ‘bottom end’ overhaul at Boston Lodge, running as far as Rhiw Goch with a rake of skip wagons before doubleheading with 1863-built classmate No. 2 Prince to Tan-y-Bwlch that afternoon – after the latter slipped to a stand near the station earlier in the day following heavy rain – as part of its running in trials.
With recently restored ‘Large England’ No. 5 Welsh Pony also currently in traffic – having been pressed into service weeks after its first steaming to assist with the FR’s post-lockdown passenger services (SR509) – the Ffestiniog now has three operational George England locomotives for the first time since 1935, the year before Prince was condemned, leaving No. 1 Princess, Palmerston and Welsh Pony as the remaining working England engines (Nos. 3 Mountaineer and 6 Little Giant had been scrapped in 1879 and 1929 respectively).
Prince, Palmerston and Welsh Pony ran the day’s services alone for the first time on August 30.
Welsh Pony made its longest journey since returning to steam on September 5, when it took a special train for Ffestiniog Railway Society supporters as far as Tanygrisiau, near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Since the line reopened to the public on July 20, trains have only been running as far as Tan-y-Bwlch, roughly halfway on the 13-mile route between Porthmadog and Blaenau.
The 1867-built locomotive is due to be officially named at the FR’s Victorian Weekend on October 9-11, having carried temporary ‘5’ nameplates since its first steaming on June 27. Currently painted in FR deep plum, it is to be repainted into Garraway-era lined green in honour of the line’s former general manager who sent the first cheque towards its restoration.
Meanwhile, trains returned to the Welsh Highland Railway on August 18, in the form of recently overhauled ‘NG/G16’ 2-6-2+2-6-2T No. 87, which has been repainted into authentic South African Railways black livery. Only one train per day is operating between Caernarfon and Beddgelert, running on Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday each week, departing Caernarfon at 11am each day with a 90-minute stopover at Beddgelert before the train returns to Caernarfon.
●● At least one double Fairlie will be running this year, as Merddin Emrys joined the FR’s motive power line-up for its post-lockdown services on August 28.