The Bala Lake Railway has announced that steam locomotive, Maid Marian, has returned to regular passenger service this week.

Maid Marian has returned to hauling trains following the re-fitting of her enclosed cab at the narrow gauge railway, which operates between Llanuwchllyn and Bala.

The Hunslet steam locomotive has also become the first locomotive at the Bala Lake Railway to be fitted with Ffestiniog style ‘Chopper’ couplings. These have been made in-house at the railway from FR drawings.

All locomotives and carriages will soon be fitted with the Chopper style couplings and will replace the screw type that has been used on the line for a number of years.

A brief history of Maid Marian

Maid Marian was built in 1903 and worked at Dinorwic Quarry until 1964 when she was withdrawn. In 1865, a new group called the Maid Marian Locomotive Fund bought the locomotive for preservation. Maid Marian has been at the BLR since 1975 where she has been a favorite with enthusiasts and volunteers alike.

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