On Sunday 8th April 2018, staff and volunteers from the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway took steam locomotive ‘Earl of Merioneth’ for one last trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back before the locomotive was withdrawn from service.

The iconic locomotive was built ‘in-house’ at the Ffestiniog Railway‘s Boston Lodge Works in 1979, and after 39 years, it has been withdrawn to make way for new steam locomotive ‘James Spooner’ to be built and enter service. You can read more on that locomotive by clicking here.

Every person who travelled on the farewell trip gave donations to the Welsh Air Ambulance and filled in Gift Aid envelopes to maximise the amount of money raised.

Additionally, the ‘Farewell to Earl of Merioneth’ headboard was auctioned off and raised a massive £1,800.

The totals

The total raised for the Welsh Air Ambulance is £3,200, which includes the £1,800 from Peter and Alison Richardson of Bridlington, Yorkshire, who won the headboard. They have supported the railway for many years and wanted to help the cause.

I’m sure you will agree, it is a tremendous effort from everyone at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. Well done to all involved.

• Visit the Ffestiniog Railway website
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