Welsh Highland Locomotives
Moel Tryfan was built for the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways by the Vulcan Foundry (738 of 1874) . During the WW1 parts from her and Snowdon Ranger were combined to restore the loco to running condition. Further work on her was done in 1923/4 when she was cut down to fit the FR’s lower loading gauge and up to 1935 she was used on both the WHR and the FR from Dinas to Blaenau; possibly as FR No 11. She went into Boston Lodge for repairs in 1936 where she ended her days.
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BEDDGELERT – Hunslet 206 of 1878 was bought to work the WHR Bryngwyn Branch; she had twice the power of the two single-Fairlies. A much needed overhaul and repairs were never done and she struggled on and latterly out of service until she was withdrawn in 1906.She was a joint project between Alan Doherty, Brian Love and myself (with a little bit of Paul Holmes thrown in). She is a stately loco and looks magnificent.
Gowrie - was built in 1908. She was an 0-6-4T built by Hunslet and bears a strong family resemblance to Russell. She was not much loved by the crews and was disposed of only 10 years later.
This project started when Max Brayne showed me photographs of a 3D printer body he had produced as Mountaineer Models. I ordered a 6 wheel BullAnt chassis, with a double belt drive. Simon Chivers (of Slimrails) helped out by supplying valve-gear motion and parts and back-head castings from his WD Hunslet 4-6-0T kit. Name plates are Narrow Planet and the lining is from Fox’s. These basic components were brought together by Brian Love using his exceptional
magic skills into the characterful ‘ugly-duckling’. With
huge thanks to Max, Geoff, Simon and, most of all, Brian – I am very pleased!
This project started when Max Brayne showed me photographs of a 3D printer body he had produced as Mountaineer Models. I ordered a 6 wheel BullAnt chassis, with a double belt drive. Simon Chivers (of Slimrails) helped out by supplying valve-gear motion and parts and back-head castings from his WD Hunslet 4-6-0T kit. Name plates are Narrow Planet and the lining is from Fox’s. These basic components were brought together by Brian Love using his exceptional
magic skills into the characterful ‘ugly-duckling’. With
huge thanks to Max, Geoff, Simon and, most of all, Brian – I am very pleased!
Russell - Originally built for the NWNGR, it was paid for by the North Wales Power and Traction Co. Ltd but was placed into the possession of the NWNGR This began as a model built by Frank Martin from the Chivers’ kit and painted by Chris Clark. The model was finished to represent her in her 2013 condition. Frank built her “dual gauge”, one chassis to run on O16.5 track on the Bachman Prairie chassis recommended by Chivers, and one on a 14mm gauge BullAnt chassis with extended axles and Hornby OO Crab valve gear to run as a visitor on Rhyd. |
She is no longer available as a guest loco – as, having moved, it is now 600 miles away! I had the opportunity to purchase what could have been the “last” kit from Chivers/Slimrails and I contacted Frank to see if I could buy his (no longer used)14mm gauge chassis. Frank very generously gave it to me free of charge. As Frank had built the “modern” version I decided on the FR cut-down condition superbly captured by Brian in his build – complete with liberal dashings of Archers rivets! It looks as though the Chivers kit is about to be released again and Brian and I are already talking about a possible “as built” body to be interchangeable on the 14mm chassis! Watch this space!
590 - was built by Baldwin for the War Department Light Railways for use on the Western Front. A 4-6-0T locomotive (Builder's number 45172 of 1917). It was originally numbered in the range 001 to 1104, however, these locomotives were renumbered 546 to 700. After the was she was overhauled by Bagnalls of Stafford in 1919 and bought by Colonel Stephens for the WHR for £240. She was a big loco, never running on the Ffestiniog Railway, and was always regarded as a rough riding locomotive, and was latterly confined to the slower goods traffic. In 1942 590 was in very bad condition and was cut up for scrap. Very little remains one of the side tanks, now on display at the WHHR’s Gellert's Farm, and a builder's plate, at the NRM York. The model is a Mike Hodgeson chassis, Wrightlines body and Brian Love magic!
Dick Kerr - During WW1 (War Department Light Railways) ordered 200 Petrol-Electric tractors, built by 2 manufactures, British Westinghouse Ltd & Dick Kerr Ltd. By February 1917 the first 3 of the production Petrol-Electric (believed to be Dick Kerr) tractors were sent to the then North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway (later Welsh Highland Railway), for extensive trials. It is believed that these were later sent on to the WD Testing & Training depot at Longmoor – eventually going to France.
The model represents a preserved and rebuilt example of the first loco, obviously the work was done by the Rhyd Heritage Group – and a fine job they made of her too (actually it was the work of Paul Lindsay-Scott).
The model represents a preserved and rebuilt example of the first loco, obviously the work was done by the Rhyd Heritage Group – and a fine job they made of her too (actually it was the work of Paul Lindsay-Scott).
K1' Beyer-Garratt 0-4-0-0-4-0 - This loco was the first Beyer-Garratt locomotive ever built. She was one of a pair built in 1909 for the North-East Dundas Tramway in Tasmania. She was brought back to the UK by Beyer-Garratt for preservation in 1947. She was purchased by the FR in 1966 where she spent most of her time under a tarpaulin - which was where I first saw, and fell in love with, her. She was loaned to the National Railway Museum in 1976 and returned to the FR for full restoration in 1995 for work on the rebuilt WHR. The model was built by Paul Berntsen from a Backwoods Miniatures kit and weathered by Brian Love.This loco was the first Beyer-Garratt locomotive ever built. She was one of a pair built in 1909 for the North-East Dundas Tramway in Tasmania. She was brought back to the UK by Beyer-Garratt for preservation in 1947. She was purchased by the FR in 1966 where she spent most of her time under a tarpaulin - which was where I first saw, and fell in love with, her. She was loaned to the National Railway Museum in 1976 and returned to the FR for full restoration in 1995 for work on the rebuilt WHR. The model was built by Paul Berntsen from a Backwoods Miniatures kit and weathered by Brian Love