Ffestiniog Railway

Until the mid 1990's most of my railway interest was centred around Main Line steam running and standard gauge preserved railways. In the past couple of years I have to say that my interest in those has waned - Main Line steam has become a little too expensive and, I have to say, in my opinion less entertaining than it once was, and the running on most preserved lines is not what it used to be. Fortunately I discovered narrow gauge!
I have always retained an interested in most of the narrow gauge lines in North Wales since my first visit there in the late 60's but have to say that my favourite has always been the Ffestiniog. When the Welsh Highland is fully open that may change although unless they start producing more noise with those Garratts, I doubt it!
This first recording was made during the early May Gala Weekend in 1999 when, perhaps the main event of the weekend was the introduction into service of the newly constructed Single Fairlie 'Taliesin'. This loco hauled it's first scheduled passenger train on the morning of 1st May and is heard in this recording leaving Minffordd with a train of 2 bug boxes and 3 bogie coaches full of invited guests.

I know a few steam enthusiasts who are of the firm opinion that, if it's not BR then forget it, they're not interested. So, presented with not only something that is not only not BR but which runs on rails less than 2' apart then I probably have little chance in engaging their enthusiasm for this recording. Now this is rather a pity and I would like to ask anybody who has any doubts to suspend them for a few minutes and have a listen because this is good!
This recording was made on the 3rd May 1999 (which just happens to be my birthday) on the Ffestiniog Railway during a Gala event. One of the features of these Galas was the running of a freight train of slate wagons from Minffordd which is returned by gravity. This train also gives the opportunity for some of the smaller locos to get out on the main line. On this occasion the loco was 'Lilla', an 0-4-0 saddle tank built by the Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds in 1891. This loco is rather a favourite of mine partly thanks to the amount of noise it seems to be capable of making but also because I have driven it. Ok, it was only for about 100 yds but I thoroughly enjoyed every yard of it!
In this recording 'Lilla' is heard at Gwyndy between Minffordd and Penrhyn at the head of about 15 slate wagons and making a fine sound on the 1 in 82 gradient.

During the same weekend the George England 0-4-0STT 'Prince' was returned to service and was regularly used throughout the summer on Vintage trains which were extended through to Tan-y-Bwlch that year. Running these trains required the use of the passing loop at Rhiw Goch and, in this recording 'Prince', having crossed the Funkey diesel 'Vale of Ffestiniog' is heard departing for Tan-y-Bwlch in fine style with the afternoon Vintage train on 31st August 1999.

The Double Fairlie locomotives are a unique of the Ffestiniog Railway and in this recording 'Earl of Merrioneth' can be heard emerging from Moelwyn Tunnel heading for Blaenau Ffestiniog on 28th August 1998.

The Ffestiniog Railway often have a Vintage Weekend in the Autumn to round off the season. On the morning of 7th October 2000 the two Hunslet 2-4-0STTs, 'Linda' and 'Blanche' double head the 10.25 service train out of Harbour station and across the Cob.