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FFESTINIOG RAILWAY SOCIETY AGM 2023
Saturday 29th April 2023
In action with the Ffestiniog Railway Society's AGM, a series of special workings and a pair of visiting steam locomotives took part in events on the FR over the May Bank Holiday Weekend. 'Penrhyn Mainline' Hunslet 2-4-0ST+T Blanche took two slate trains up to Dduallt, which returned down in the traditional gravity train style.
We see the 'anti-gravity' train at Boston Lodge, Penrhyn, Cei Mawr and Tan-y-bwlch, with the gravity train seen at Tan-y-bwlch and arriving back on the Cob. On arrival on the Cob, the slate waggons were propelled into harbour station by 'the bottom end shunters' for the weekend. Shunting harbour station for the day were Arnold Jung Works No. 3175 of 1921 0-4-0WT 'Jenny' from the Richmond Light Railway and Orenstein & Koppel Works No. 5668 of 1912 0-4-0WT No. 6 'Eigiau' from the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway. 'Eigiau', originally named 'Sunlight' and used in the construction of the garden village of 'Port Sunlight' is one of the few industrial steam locomotives built aboard for use in the UK. Its current name comes from a lake, near to were the locomotive was used during the construction of the Cowlyd reservoir near Capel Cruig. The locomotive moved to Penrhyn Quarry in 1928, working until 1949.
The Woodland Wanderer service for the day (Porthmadog to Tan-y-bwlch) was hauled by Large England 0-4-0ST+T No. 5 'Welsh Pony' piloted by Quarry Hunslet ' Britomart'. The Ffestiniog Railway Society AGM Special was hauled by Lynton & Barnstaple Railway replica 190 Lyd, and is seen at Cei Mawr.
The days 'Mountain Spirit' (Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog) was doubled by Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' and is seen crossing the Cob. On the Welsh Highland Railway we see Garratt 87 departing Porthmadog Harbour Station for Caernarfon.
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