Last weekend, on Saturday/Sunday the 25th/26th June 2016, the Penrhyn Quarry Railway held its ‘Evolution of Transport’ event. This is one of two open day events the railway is holding over the course of this year. We visited the railway on the Sunday. It was a rather damp day, but still a very good day out.
The railway currently runs along a small stretch of track. However there are plans to extend the line, as funds and time allow.
The ‘Evolution of Transport’ event saw three different steam locomotives visiting the railway, from other railways around the UK.
The Visiting Locomotives
Hugh Napier
Hugh Napier was built by Hunslet Engine Company for the Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda. The locomotive is currently owned by the National Trust, but is operated by the Ffestiniog Railway. In 2011, Hugh Napier was taken to Boston Lodge Works at the Ffestiniog Railway for restoration. I was restored back to quarry working condition, and care has to be taken if on longer runs.
Fernilee
Fernilee is a newly built vertical-boiler locomotive. This is a more unusual design to most of the steam engines you see on narrow gauge railways. Built by Roger Lees, the locomotive is privately owned. Fernilee has visited a few different railways around the UK. It visited the Llanberis Lake Railway for most of the 2015 season.
Chaloner
Chaloner is another example of the unusual vertical-boiler design. It was designed by De Winton, and it was used for many years in the quarries of Wales. Chaloner is a resident locomotive at the Leighton Buzzard Railway, in Hertfordshire.The engine has made visits to other railways. Previous visits made by the engine include the Ffestiniog Railway for galas, along with the Welsh Highland Railway and Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. A new boiler for the engine was installed at the Ffestiniog Railway Boston Lodge Works.
- Visit the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Website
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