Sanctioned by an act of parliament in 1832, the Rheilfford Ffestiniog Railway is now the oldest independent railway company in the UK. The initial opening took place in 1836, and the line operated as a horsedrawn tramroad until 1863, when the first four steam locomotives were delivered from G. England & Co. of New Cross, London.
The railway continued it's humdrum existence, of carrying slate and then from 1865 passengers until 1925 when Lt. Col. H. F. Stephens took control of the line. Under his direction, the railway began to purchase secondhand items of rolling stock, which were available as war surplus. These items, often acquired at 'knocked down' prices, put in many years of valuable service until closure of the Welsh Highland Railway in 1937. The Baldwin 4-6-0T 'LR590', was scrapped soon afterwards as it could not negotiate the tight clearances on the Ffestiniog railway. Other ex-WW1 equipment acquired in the 1920's included, many WDLR class 'D' open wagons (and 6 Hudson built 'toast track' coaches for the WHR), ex WDLR 40hp Armoured Motor Rail, ex-French Artillery Railway Baldwin 50hp tractor and an ex-US Army speeder.
The Ffestiniog Railway is now one of the UK's premier heritage railways. The surviving WDLR/WW1 railway equipment on this line is still very much in revenue earning service (apart from the odd heritage group item). As such many vehicles have been modified to suit a specific need.
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"Mountaineer" (ALCO 57156/17) former LR1265, arrived at the line in 1967. It was formerly used on the Tramway de Pithiviers a Toury (No 3-23). It has since been rebuilt with a superheated boiler, Piston valves on the cylinders and a new cab. |
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"Mary Ann" is a standard 40hp MotorRail (MR 596?). This loco was bought for the line by Col. Stephens from the Kent Construction Company. |
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Much modified, former French Artillery Railways Baldwin 50hp tractor "Moelwyn" (wn49604/17). |
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Visiting the Ffestiniog railway in 1995, Perserved French ex-Feldbahn 0-8-0T #743 "Burgonde" - Anyone have any further (- replace (AT) with @ to make address work) details? |
