FFESTINIOG RAILWAY

This line,2ft gauge,first opened in 1836 as a gravity system to carry slate from the quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog, to the harbour at Porthmadog, a distance of some 13½ miles. Steam locomotives came into operation in 1863 and the pioneering Robert Fairlie's Patent double bogie locomotive was introduced in 1870, greatly increasing the capacity of the line.

2-4-0ST "Blanche" built by the Hunslet Engine Co. in 1893. This loco, ex Penryn Quarry Railway is seen here at Tan-y-Bwlch station en route for Blaenau Ffestiniog.

0-4-4-0T "David Lloyd George" double Fairlie built in 1992 by the Ffestiniog Railway Co., Boston Lodge Works.Pictured here at the Harbour Station, Porthmadog.

0-4-0STT "Prince" built by George England & Co. in 1864, seen here at Tan-y-Bwlch Station

"Blanche" taking on water at Tan-y-Bwlch Station, bound for Blaenau Ffestiniog.

2-4-0STT "Linda" built by the Hunslet Engine Co. in 1893 one of a trio built for the Penryn Quarry Railway, the third, "Charles" is to be seen in the Railway Museum, Penryn Castle.

0-4-4-0T "Earl 0f Merioneth" built by the Ffestiniog Railway Co. Boston Lodge Works in 1979. Pictured here at Tan-y-Bwlch with the down train for Porthmadog.

Double Fairlie" David Lloyd George" pauses at Tan-y-Bwlch before setting off to Porthmadog.

"Prince" seen here at Harbour Station Porthmadog

Double Fairlie "David Lloyd George" shrouded in steam at Tan-y-Bwlch on the up train to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Alco 2-6-2T "Mountaineer" built in the USA 1917 for the British Army in France during WW1,seen here at Harbour Station, Porthmadog.

 

"Mountaineer" waiting at Tan-y-Bwlch ready to take the down train to Harbour Station,Porthmadog.

 

The web author Peter(left), at the halfway stage of a milestone birthday present footplate ride from his wife Mary on "Mountaineer", pictured here at Blaenau Ffestiniog station with Nigel fireman on the footplate and driver Mike, enjoying a tea break before the descent back to Harbour Station Porthmadog.

 

0-4-0-+0-4-0 K1 Garratt built in 1909 by Beyer Peacock for the North East Dundas Tramway, Tasmania..This loco is notable for being the first articulated Garratt built and will be put into service on the WHR in 2005. It is seen here at the Boston Lodge Works of the Ffestiniog Railway with the rebuild almost complete, just about to raise steam to coincide with the WHR Super Power Weekend Sept 2004.

 

0-4-4ST "Taliesin" Single Fairlie built by the Ffestiniog Railway, Boston Lodge Works 1999, replacing the original engine built by the Vulcan Foundry in 1876 and scrapped in the 1930's. The loco seen here at Boston Lodge Works Sept 2004 being prepared for duties with the "Talking Train"

 

"Taliesin" at Tan-y-Bwlch station with a vintage rake.

 

 

Details to follow

 

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