THE Lynton & Barnstaple Railway encountered another guest locomotive setback for its September 23/24 gala in early September, when the Ffestiniog Railway’s England 0-4-0STT Welsh Pony had to be withdrawn from the visit.
Welsh Pony was itself a replacement for the originally announced guest attraction, Welsh Highland Heritage Railway’s Hunslet 2-6-2T Russell which encountered a mechanical issue at its home line (RM, September).
However, the Ffestiniog Railway(FR)rescuedthesituation bysending Hunslet0-4-0STs Lilla andHughNapiertoWoodyBay as replacement attractions.
Welsh Pony had to be withdrawn when a crank pin was found to have moved within the wheel. Correcting the problem will involve lifting the loco, removing the valve gear and dropping the wheelsets. This will be undertaken, but not rapidly since other FR priorities taking precedence are completing new Double-Fairlie James Spooner, returning Hunslet 0-4-0STT Linda to service, continued work on Single-Fairlie Taliesin (see separate stories) and winter maintenance of Double-Fairlies Merddin Emrys and David Lloyd George.