PENRHYN PAIR TO BE REUNITED AT QUARRY-THEMED BALA LAKE GALA

A pair of ex‑Port Penrhyn ‘Quarry Hunslets’ will be reunited for the first time in over 50 years at the Bala Lake Railway’s quarry‑themed event on June 16‑18. Visiting Bressingham Steam Museum‑based Gwynedd was one of three 0‑4‑0STs designed to work the sidings at Port Penrhyn on the quarry system. The BLR’s resident Winifred is another, and it will be the first time these two engines have worked together since their days at the port. National Trust‑owned Hugh Napier is the second visiting locomotive booked for the event, which is expected to feature double‑heading, a mixture of passenger and goods trains, plus a locomotive cavalcade. The Ffestiniog Railway is sending its George England 0‑4‑0STT Palmerston to cover the BLR’s services while the latter’s entire operational fleet of ‘Quarry Hunslets’, together with Gwynedd, takes part in the FR’s ‘Hunslet 125’ event on June 22‑24 (SR478). The 1863‑built locomotive will be making its debut on the BLR, and will be hauling trains on June 21 and 23/24.