Dyffryn Nantlle – a landscape of neglect

 

Nantlle Vale Quarry Steam Locomotives in Preservation

 

The following details update the list published in Appendix A of ‘Dyffryn Nantlle – a landscape of neglect’. This is the 4th version of the original list, which accounts for all the steam locomotive survivors and includes updated comments. The locos are listed in two groups – Table 1 shows the locos that have steamed in preservation and Table 2 includes the rest (two of which are nearing completion). The locos are listed chronologically. Future updates to this list will be published on my website http://www.darkhorse.co.uk/nantlle/locos.htm                                                Alan Carr  (Sept 2004)

 

TABLE 1

Ex-Nantlle Vale quarry locomotives that have steamed in preservation.

 

LOCO                QUARRY              BUILDER (No.) / TYPE / BUILT    LOCATION (in 2004)

 

CHALONER         Pen-y-Bryn              De Winton / 0-4-0 VBT / 1877              Leighton Buzzard Railway

                                                      Pen-yr-Orsedd

The only original vertical boiler loco to have been restored. Built in Caernarfon for Pen-y-Bryn quarry who sold both their De Wintons to Pen-yr-Orsedd – Chaloner in 1888 and Rhymney (scrapped 1933) in 1892. One of about ten De Wintons owned by Pen-yr-Orsedd (see Table 2 for the other 2 survivors). Steams occasionally at Leighton Buzzard. One of the oldest working locos in the UK. In 2005 may visit Paris and Llanberis (to see her old pal Una).

 

 

LILLA                  Cilgywn                   Hunslet (554) / 0-4-0 ST / 1891             Ffestiniog Railway

 

Delivered new to Cilgwyn but bought by Penrhyn quarry in 1928. Bought out of private ownership by the F.R. in 1997 and placed in the care of the Lilla Locomotive Group. Helps to run shuttle trains at gala events and raises revenue towards her own upkeep with footplate experience runs, including the Minffordd Slate Shunt. Will commence a comprehensive overhaul at end of 2004 which will include a new boiler & firebox. Won’t be back until 2007 at the earliest.

 

 

BRITOMART        Pen-yr-Orsedd         Hunslet (707) / 0-4-0 ST / 1899             Ffestiniog Railway

                 

The first of 3 quarry Hunslets to be acquired by Pen-yr-Orsedd (SYBIL and UNA being the others). Privately owned and Ffestiniog based. Dismantled at Boston Lodge, undergoing major overhaul in 2004 with boiler reported as being in “dubious state”. Return to steam unlikely before 2006 at earliest.

 

 

SYBIL                  Pen-yr-Orsedd         Hunslet (827) / 0-4-0 ST / 1903             Brecon Mountain Railway

                 

Worked with Una and Britomart at Pen-yr-Orsedd. Used in the B.M.R.’s early days, but not powerful enough for current requirements. Boiler certificate now expired. She is in need of some attention before returning to steam (for which there are, unfortunately, no immediate plans).

 

 

UNA                    Pen-yr-Orsedd         Hunslet (873) / 0-4-0 ST / 1905             Welsh Slate Museum

                 

Worked at Pen-yr-Orsedd until 1960. Has her 100th birthday in 2005 - perhaps a celebratory trip on the adjacent Llanberis Lake Railway could be arranged? Steamed occasionally in the museum yard at the Padarn Country Park in Llanberis. (Had a trip on the L.L.R. extension in 2004 and has had the occasional outing down the line with a demonstration slate train.) Retubed in Autumn 2002. Always well turned out she is a credit to the museum (where entry is now free).

 

 

WENDY               Dorothea                 Bagnall (2091) / 0-4-0 ST / 1919           Burlesdon Brickworks

                 

Ex Votty & Bowydd quarry (Blaenau Ffestiniog). Sold as scrap to Dorothea in 1930 – working there from 1935 – 1945. Named after the daughter of the Dorothea Managing Director. Now owned by Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway trust. Restored to original condition and based either at Kew Bridge Steam Museum (where ex-Dinorwic ‘Cloister’ keeps her company) or at HNGR’s other site, Burlesdon Brickworks, Nr Southampton - her likely location in 2004/5.

Dyffryn Nantlle – a landscape of neglect

 

TABLE 2

Ex-Nantlle Vale quarry locomotives that have not yet steamed in preservation.

 

LOCO                QUARRY              BUILDER (No.) / TYPE / BUILT    LOCATION (in 2004)

 

GELLI                  Pen-yr-Orsedd         De Winton / 0-4-0 VBT / 1893              Not on public display.

 

The chassis was discovered in one of the loco sheds at Pen-yr-Orsedd a few years ago. The frame is now in private storage in Berkshire. A loco tank (de Winton?) found at Pen-y-Bryn (used as a storage tank for a winder boiler) may be adapted for the Gelli’s restoration - not yet begun.

 

 

PENDYFFRYN      Pen-yr-Orsedd         De Winton / 0-4-0 VBT / 1894              Brecon Mountain Railway

 

Bought from Pen-yr-Orsedd, where it probably hadn’t steamed since the late 1940s, in 1965. Partly rebuilt, but no progress in last 2 years - not a priority at BMR where it will stay.

 

 

JUBILEE 1897      Cilgywn                   Manning Wardle (1382) / 0-4-0 ST / 1897   

                                                                                                                  N.G. Museum, Talyllyn Railway

On display in ‘as used’ condition in the Narrow Gauge Museum, Towyn. There is no intention to restore her to working order, as this would involve making changes to the original loco which is against museum policy. A companion of LILLA at both Cilgwyn and Penrhyn quarries (Penrhyn bought both locos in 1928).

 

 

DOROTHEA         Dorothea                 Hunslet (763) / 0-4-0 ST / 1901             Launceston Steam Railway

                 

One of two Dorothea steam survivors – WENDY (see Table 1) is the other. Last reported working in 1941. Was in a sad state when brought down from the Dorothea waste tip having been abandoned for almost 30yrs during which time her shed fell down around her!  Now in the late stages of restoration at Launceston. Although not in running condition, was privately steamed in late 2001 - her centenary year – using a boiler borrowed from Covertcoat. Her boiler will be retubed during winter 2004 - cab, plumbing & smokebox work still to do - could steam 2005 but 2006 is more likely. I wonder if Wendy might come to the party?

 

 

DIANA                 Pen-yr-Orsedd         Kerr Stuart (1158) / 0-4-0 T / 1917        Not on public display

                 

Originally worked at the Oakley quarry (Blaenau Ffestiniog) and  sold to Pen-yr-Orsedd in 1945. Being patiently restored by private owners who “will not skimp anything”. A new boiler has been completed and hydraulically tested. Work on the valve gear should be completed in 2004. It is planned to reassemble boiler to frames early 2005 and following boiler steam testing Diana could return later that year. Where she will be based is not yet decided but a visit to the Teifi must be a possibility. Who will be the next Nantlle loco to steam in preservation, Dorothea or Diana?

 

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

A few other details which don’t fit into Tables 1 & 2 are worth recording in these notes.

 

The side tank from TAFFY, a Votty & Bowydd (Blaenau Ffestiniog), ex Fron, loco - a "sister" of the KELSO locos one of which was at Pen-yr-Orsedd, was salvaged from the upper Votty tips and is now at Gelert’s Farm, Welsh Highland Railway. One tank doesn’t make a loco so this Vulcan Foundry 0-4-0T isn’t regarded as a ‘survivor’.

 

At least two ex-Nantlle diesels survive

R/Hornsby (235711) appropriately named Pen-yr-Orsedd (worked at Pen-yr-Orsedd and was then sold to the contractors who were repairing the fire damage on the Menai Tubular Bridge in 1971). Was bought for the narrow gauge museum at Gloddfa Ganol – now closed – and is now operational at Devon Railway Centre.

Lister (3916) ex-Dorothea (bought for £16 in the Dorothea auction!) and is now understood to belong to the owner of a private railway in Essex.

AJC