THE RM’s Narrow Gauge correspondent Cliff Thomas also visited Boston Lodge during a ‘Bygones Weekend’ event there on October 8, seeing the Old Locomotive Shed (north of the main Works site, sandwiched between the running line and the A497 road) and one of the railway’s oldest workshops, the Blacksmith Shop.
1863-built ‘Small England’ No. 1 Princess stands outside the Old Loco Shed, which was also built around 1863 and was once capable of holding up to six engines. To the left is the ‘new extension’, while the Ffestiniog Railway’s running line is to the right
Inside the old Blacksmith Shop, currently used by the FR Heritage Group. It is to be upgraded with a visitor interpretation area as part of a £4m scheme, largely funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to boost training, employment and tourism.
Left: Detail of the walls and roof, showing some of the original stonework and more recent slate roof.