Today saw the formal naming ceremony for ‘James Spooner’ the new Double Fairlie steam locomotive at the Ffestiniog Railway.
RailAdvent were invited along to this special event and below you can see some of the pictures that we took during the day
Refresh the page for the latest updates
16:10
With James Spooner back at Boston Lodge, this brings us to the end of our live blog showcasing the naming ceremony.
We would like to thank you, our readers, for joining us today. A big thank you to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways for inviting us along and for allowing us to bring you this live blog.
Video footage of the day will be coming soon to the RailAdvent website, so stay tuned.
16:00
James Spooner takes its coaches back to Boston Lodge after a success trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back.
15:24
Almost back at Porthmadog
15:01
Passing David Lloyd George at Tan-y-bwlch
14:46
14:31
Time for us to head back to Porthmadog
14:15
Here are a few more pictures of the unveiling and of James Spooner
13:45
And the nameplate is unveiled
13:15
James Spooner with the curtain covering up the nameplate
13:05
Our destination, Blaenau Ffestiniog, here Merddin Emrys is waiting in the other platform
12:49
We have arrived at a rather damp Tanygrisiau
12:37
Steaming around the curve at Ddualt
12:25
Waiting for the signal at Tan-y-bwlch
12:20
David Lloyd George at Tan-y-bwlch
11:50
At Minffordd
11:39
Passing Boston Lodge
11:35
And we are now onboard and on our way to Blaenau Ffestiniog
11:30
James Spooner getting ready for departure
11:01
A couple more of James Spooner, of the covered nameplate and without the roof cover
10:57
Welsh Pony is also here with James Spooner
10:52
We are back at Porthmadog now, James Spooner is here with nameplates covered
10:35
Plenty going on in the carriage works
10:05
Here is the new boiler for Taliesin
09:48
David Lloyd George preparing for one of the trains running today
09:36
Boston Lodge is where James Spooner was completed recently.
Here is Linda, currently undergoing overhaul.
09:25
Time for a quick look around Boston Lodge before our train to Blaenau Ffestiniog later this morning
08:42
Upnor Castle and carriages arrive into Harbour Station
08:15
We have arrived in Porthmadog, the rain is still falling
06:50
Time for us to head off to Porthmadog, seems like a rainy day ahead. More updates once we arrive, around 8am
06:34
Welcome to our live update page on the naming ceremony for James Spooner, we are looking forward to keeping you updated throughout the day.
Responses
Thankyou phil for telling us some interesting facts about Ffestiniog railway and when water authority flooded part of the track when doing the reservoir. Also about blanche and linda the 2 130year old steam engines. Wow fab day wednesday with our service user jonny whom we support. Thankyou for your knowledge and enthusiasm in keeping these railways going.