Cylinders cast for new-build Ffestiniog Mountaineer
NEW cylinders for the £250,000 working replica of original Ffestiniog Railway small George England 0-4-0T+T Mountaineer have been delivered.
The right-hand cylinder and valve chest casting were collected from Peak Pattern of Sheffield on March 23, with the left-hand cylinder being cast around the same time.
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway loaned the casting patterns to the 1863 Mountaineer Locomotive Company.
The all-welded boiler for the locomotive, being built at North Bay Railway Engineering Services in Darlington, is, as reported in issue 273, been complete and is now in store. Once finished, the new Mountaineer will complete the line-up of Ffestiniog England locomotives, representing the type as originally delivered to Boston Lodge in 1863.
Named after a local stagecoach and built with square tanks and open footplates, the original Mountaineer ran for 16 years before it was declared worn out and used as a spares donor for Prince, Princess and Palmerston, which are all still with us today. Welsh Pony, representing the larger class of England locomotives on the line, returned to steam last year after an 80-year absence, so the new
Mountainer will plug a void in the UK’s heritage steam fleet.
Mountaineer’s wheels were set to be delivered imminently.
Meanwhile, the 1863 Mountaineer Locomotive Company has appealed to supporters to donate to the fund for machining the castings. So far, £1400 of the required £9000 has been raised.
➜ Anyone wishing to donate is invited to visit www.1863mountaineerloco.co.uk, or go directly to ‘Paypal.Me 1863 locomotive company’ or email David Wood at davewoodmc@btconnect. com