Hunslet 0-4-0STs Britomart and Lilla pass Rhiw Goch with the 10.45 departure from Porthmadog toTan-y-Bwlch on October 8.
NICK WARREN
WHILE the public debut of Ffestiniog Railway’s (FR) new Double-Fairlie James Spooner was the star attraction of the FR’s October 6-8 Bygones Weekend (picture RM Headline News, November and see separate launch story in this issue) there was much else going on as the FR showcased historic locomotives and stock.
James Spooner, in steam and periodically moving down to the water tower, and Kerr Stuart 6wDM 4415/1928 (currently without its engine) were displayed at Harbour station.
Action on the running lines included Hunslet 2-4-0STT Blanche, Double-Fairlie Merddin Emrys and Hunslet 0-4-0STs Britomart and Lilla (working double-headed) handling passenger services of heritage carriages, primarily between Harbour andTan y Bwlch. Baldwin 2-4-0DM (49604/1918) Moelwyn worked periodic shuttle trains of restored and recreated Ffestiniog goods wagons in and out of Harbour station, while Double-Fairlie David Lloyd George hauled‘Mountain Spirit’all-line services to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
A unique feature of Ffestiniog heritage events is the operation of a gravity slate train, pictured here at Rhiw Goch as it descends from Power Station Summit towards Minffordd on the morning of October 8 prior to the commencement of passenger services.
NICK WARREN