Eclectic mix of motive power at Fairbourne gala

Journeys offered on both 12.25in and 15in gauges featuring visiting rolling stock from Littlehampton, Rhyl and Tyseley.

FAIRBOURNE Railway’s

May 27-29 gala featured an interesting mix of steam and internal combustion. Trains on the 12.25in gauge main line between Fairbourne and Barmouth Ferry station were handled in rotation by Fairbourne’s Curwen 2-6-2T Yeo, Milner 0-4-0STT Sherpa and Milner 2-6-4T Russell together with an internal combustion double-headed pairing of

4wDE Albert visiting from the Littlehampton Miniature Railway and Fairbourne’s 20/28hp Motor Rail 8937/1944. MR8937 was purchased by the Fairbourne Railway last year (RM, July 2022) and regauged from 2ft to 12.25in gauge (RM, December 2022) and is believed to be the only 12.25in gauge Motor Rail Simplex in existence. Although it has hauled passenger coaches over the full line, the gala formed its first appearance on public passenger services.

As has become usual during a Fairbourne gala, between main line services a 15in gauge shuttle ran on the quarter-mile dual gauge section alongside Beach Road. These trains featured 4-4-2 Prince Edward of Wales visiting from the

Rhyl Miniature Railway, the 1946-built G & S Engineering 4-4wPMR GWR Railcar from the Sutton Miniature Railway Collection now owned by the Vintage Trains Charitable Trust, and Fairbourne’s original 15in gauge Lister Auto Truck 20886/1943 Gwril. The GWR railcar was not only a first-time visitor to Fairbourne but has not been seen operating in public for many years. It is known to require refurbishment and the visit to Fairbourne revealed issues with the engine’s carburettor and it was taken out of service part-way through the Sunday.

CLIFF THOMAS Fairbourne Railway’s Curwen 2-6-2T Yeo leaves Barmouth Ferry station behind on the afternoon of May 28, and heads back to Fairbourne during the line’s Steam & Diesel Gala.

CLIFF THOMAS The 15in gauge shuttle heads back to Fairbourne station on May 28, during Fairbourne Railway’s steam and diesel gala. Leading the consist is the Sutton collection Railcar, behind which is resident Lister Auto Truck Gwril. On the far end of the shuttle is Rhyl Miniature Railway’s visiting 4-4-2 Prince Edward of Wales.