The Ffestiniog Railway has sent RailAdvent an update on the progress made on ‘New Build’ Double Fairlie, James Spooner, as well as the overhaul work to Hunslet, Linda.

Plate work for James Spooner is now largely complete, as are many of the other fittings.

James Spooner is expected to be taken apart soon to allow painting to take place.

The locomotive’s power bogies, which have come from donor locomotive, Earl of Merioneth, are having some work completed on them before they are married up with the rest of the locomotive.

Overhaul work has progressed on Hunslet Linda, with reassembly work now taking place.

However, re-tubing of sister locomotive, Blanche, has now taken priority in order to get the locomotive back in service as soon as possible given that the 2023 season is now just around the corner.

If you would like to support the Ffestiniog Railway with the overhaul costs of Linda, overhauling Mountaineer or building James Spooner II, then you can do so on the Ffestiniog Railway Society website.