THE overhaul of Ffestiniog Railway’s Hunslet 2-40STT Linda, which was withdrawn in March 2021, has recommenced and the loco is expected to return to steam around Christmas and be fully ready for the 2024 season. Recent work has focussed on rebuilding the tender with new sheet metalwork for the coal and water spaces.
Linda will need new cylinders in the foreseeable future, but not during this overhaul. It has been determined that the new cylinders to be cast will be slide valve types as currently, and not of the piston valve type fitted to‘sister’Blanche many years ago. It has also been confirmed that Linda will return to traffic carrying FR green livery.