Garratt K1 to visit Welshpool ‘Beyer Bash’

Gathering to mark 120th birthdays of The Earl and The Countess.

THE WELSHPOOL & Llanfair Light Railway (WLLR) is marking the 120th anniversary of its Beyer, Peacock 0-6-0Ts No. 822 The Earl and No. 823 The Countess with a May 20-22 ‘Beyer Bash’ event.

The Earl will be in service, working regular shuttle trains from Welshpool to the newly reconstructed loop and halt at Sylfaen, the first time the new island platform has been used by passengers.

Although The Countess is out of ticket, WLLR is signing up visiting locos also built by Beyer, Peacock & Company. The first to be confirmed is Beyer Peacock 0-4-0+0-4-0 Garratt K1 which has been running at the Welsh Highland Railway since last autumn and will appear at WLLR’s Welshpool Raven Square station before returning to Statfold Barn Railway.

The RM has learned that temporary 2ft gauge track is to be laid at Welshpool to demonstrate K1 in action.

The WLLR also anticipates visits by two further Beyer, Peacockbuilt locomotives, the identities of which awaited confirmation when The RM went to press.

■ The RM is sad to report that WLLR’s vice-president Ralph Cartwright died on February 26, peacefully with his family around him. A long-time supporter and volunteer, his contribution included editing the line’s Llanfair Railway Journal (LRJ) for 30 years between 1968-1998 and documenting the railway in his books. His funeral was on March 15.

Encouraged by Mr Cartwright, The RM’s deputy editor Gareth Evans had his first piece published in the LRJ at the age of eight – a pivotal moment in what would become his future career.

MARK HAMBLY Ogwen relaunched: Martyn Ashworth’s Avonside 0-4-0T, which made its public debut following restoration last September in its original form as Durham, was officially launched as ex-Penrhyn Ogwen during a private March 13 event at Statfold Barn Railway following the addition of Penrhyn lining by Matt Acton, who trades as Berry Hill Works. Lined up for the occasion are (left to right) Ogwen, ex-Penrhyn locos Avonside 0-4-0T Marchlyn, Andrew Barclay 0-4-0WT Cegin (with Hunslet 0-4-0ST Jack Lane behind) and visiting from Bressingham, Hunslet 0-4-0ST Gwynedd. Following a speech by Martyn Ashworth, Ogwen, Marchlyn and Gwynedd worked passenger trains and a short rake of slate wagons.

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