An update on Hunslet steam locomotive, Velinheli, has been shared by Paul Lewin, General Manager at the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.

Early January has seen the locomotive’s brand new boiler, what has been under construction for five years at Boston Lodge Works, pass its hydraulic test.

The previous boiler was condemned just two years into a 10 year ticket and meant that the locomotive was withdrawn from service at the Launceston Steam Railway in 2016.

The owner was committed to other projects, and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways offered to lend a helping hand.

A new boiler was already in planning for Velinheli’s next overhaul, so this was brought forward and work started on the locomotive six years ago.

The designed of the boiler has been revised with flanged and welded plates but a riveted foundation ring, and this has all been carefully designed to fit just like the old boiler but also complies with modern design requirements.

The boiler was privately funded and was test fitted over the festive period before the hydraulic test.

During the test, the boiler was tested up to 360psi, although the design pressure is 180psi and the locomotive runs at 120psi. The reasoning behind such a high test is that the boiler was designed for higher pressures so that similar boilers could be built for other engines of the class should it be required.

The locomotive will now be reassembled in the coming months and should be back in service in the spring.

Velinheli will now be based at Boston Lodge Works where its support team can look after the locomotive, but Paul Lewin says that visits to other railways are expected.