Double Fairlie trials 150 event postponed until June 2021

A PLANNED major celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of the double Fairlie trials on the Ffestiniog Railway has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In February 1870, a gathering took place to view trials organised by Robert Fairlie, demonstrating his new articulated steam locomotive, Little Wonder.

The revolutionary 0-4-4-0 pulled 100 slate wagons, plus an assortment of passenger carriages on demanding gradients and curves, impressing notable guests, including a Russian

Imperial Commission headed by Count Bobrinsky, who later became Minister of Transportation in Russia from 1871. Guests also came from India, France, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Canada, the USA and Britain.

Originally due to be held on June 19-21, the anniversary event was to have included an 1870 trial rerun, gravity train demonstrations, and the first public train pulled by the refurbished 0-4-0STT Welsh Pony. The event has now been postponed until June 18-20, 2021.