The Fairbourne Railway on the west coast of Wales has released an update on the overhaul of Beddgelert.

The 0-6-4 saddle tank locomotive was built in 1979, and it has been a resident of the Fairbourne Railway since 1984.

The locomotive last ran in 2008 when an overhaul was started, though not long after beginning the overhaul, the railway fell into a financial crisis which curtailed Beddgelert’s restoration.

Since then, the loco has been put back together and has been cosmetically restored for display in the museum at Fairbourne.

Beddgelert has also been on a trip to the Ffestiniog Railway for the Hunslet 125 gala, where it ran on a flat wagon, before taking a trip up to its name-sake station on the Welsh Highland Railway.

As 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of the loco first arriving at Fairbourne, and with the engine not run for 14 years, the railway is making progress on getting the locomotive back in service.

The restoration of the locomotive is underway.

The locomotive has been stripped down, and the chassis and frames have been thoroughly cleaned and painted, while the rods have been reconditioned to a more dimensional profile with the rest of the locomotive.

A whole new stainless steel smokebox has had to be made, and this has been contracted out to Denver Light Railway Ltd, which is also under contract by the Fairbourne Railway to build a new saddle tank for Beddgelert, both of which have been funded for by the railway and volunteer / public donations.

Though having got this far, the funds to complete the locomotive are still short of the overall target.

If anyone would like to donate to the restoration of Beddgelert, they can do so by visiting the Fairbourne Railway or online at fairbournerailway.com/beddgelert.html.