Farewell To The Earl

[@nicholashunt9522]

That view at 2:00 mins onwards of trawsfynydd power station in the distance and the Earl powering up is wonderfully powerful.

[@acw71000]

Thanks for watching. That spot is one of my favourites on the line as trains power away from Dduallt up to the tunnel

[@kevp9601]

GOODBYE, OLD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE-FRIEND. :'-((

[@acw71000]

One day she'll steam again I reckon

[@Colinske1946]

Superb working videos. Purely out of curiosity, was it standard practise to work the train engine harder than the leading one or a result of her condition at the time?

[@acw71000]

Thanks for watching Colin. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your query about the engines

[@khankadet]

Good to see her going strongly in her wonderful scenery Austin. A nice compilation to remember her till she returns. Take care - Chris

[@acw71000]

Thanks Chris, be good to see her again one day

[@LuckyTrucker1]

Possibly the best recording of any Ffestiniog Railway that I've seen , thank you very much .

[@acw71000]

Thanks for your kind comments, glad you enjoyed the video

[@ekevinoconnor4761]

A sad occasion, but a wonderful tribute!

[@acw71000]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video Austin nice compilation of shots of this iconic engine.She will be missed.First one we traveled behind on the Ffestiniog. Kind regards C&A

[@acw71000]

Cheers, I've enjoyed riding behind the Earl and she's provided some great lineside moments too, hopefully one day we will see her again

[@Maglona]

A fabulous video. Many, many thanks. del.

[@acw71000]

Cheers Del, glad you enjoyed it

[@arthurbaldwin1804]

There doesn’t look much wrong with it the way it’s going on this film. Making good speed and pulling well. When you think of the rusting wrecks that hard work has brought back ? no use anymore makes you raise your eyebrows.

[@acw71000]

I think one day, when funds and time permit we will certainly see the Earl in action once more

[@TheWesternExplorer]

Superb compilation of The Earl in action Austin. Regards, Dave.

[@acw71000]

Thanks Dave, visits to the Ffestiniog won't be quite the same without the Earl

[@rjas365]

A wonderful compilation in its own right, Austin, as well as a most fitting tribute. I recognise some sequences from previous viewings, but have enjoyed them just as much all over again. At times your choice of beautiful location makes it difficult to remain focussed on the 'Earl', but I guess that is the epitome of the Ffestiniog anyway and superbly captured at that. Kind regards, Bob.

[@acw71000]

Thanks Bob, sad to see the loco withdrawn but there is a new Double Fairlie to look forward to

[@iainpaton7673]

Fantastic video. Such a shame thus loco is having to go. At least we have a New Farlie to look forward to and who knows, she may come back one day.

[@acw71000]

Many thanks for watching. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of the Earl but it will be wonderful to see the new loco

[@PhilbruProduction]

Beautiful Austin compilation. As always, images and choice of perfect locations. Thank you for this good time. Philippe

[@acw71000]

La locomotive a donné de nombreuses années de service à Philippe et il est triste de la voir se retirer mais les chemins de fer construisent une nouvelle locomotive pour la remplacer

[@JamesandPeter]

Lovely compilation Austin, sad to see it go as it's become a regular every time I went to the Ffestiniog Railway. If only I was running next weekend as I'm there then. Regards JamesandPeter

[@acw71000]

Thanks James, going down for the Snowdonian are you?

[@JamesandPeter]

acw71000 I sure am and I'm looking forward to it.

[@MrWhiteeeey]

Great video!

[@acw71000]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it

[@robmasterman]

A wonderful tribute to this hard working loco Austin, 10 years of hauling heavy trains up those gradients will take its toll. Sad to hear that this loco will be replaced....Bob

[@acw71000]

Thanks Bob, amazing that it's 39 years now since she was built, the first new build loco I think. The new Double Fairlie is of more traditional appearance but I don't think we've seen the last of the Earl. At least she is being stored pending a possible future restoration

[@rogervanpraet7965]

What an excellent tribute to an allegedly life expired engine! And you’ve caught me on Gwyndy Bank at 09:40 onwards! With three double engines lined up in the shed - always my first choice engine. Even got into trouble once by ‘misreading’ the Loco roster and taking this over DLG! Trips to North Wales will never have quite the same allure 😩

[@acw71000]

Many thanks Roger. For a life expired engine I have to say that some of her performances over the last year have been quite superb. One in particular stands out for me, at 11:20 in the video climbing away from Coed y Bleiddiau, the sound was tremendous and I've had to cut about a minute of it out!

[@BrianSeaman]

Really excellent film work as usual Austin. Thanks for recording this.

[@acw71000]

Thanks very much Brian, glad you enjoyed the compilation

[@mercury7590]

Long live the Mighty Square.

[@acw71000]

Won't be the same without the Earl. Thanks for watching

[@6109river]

Austin thanks for sharing the video, love the scenery and fond memories

[@acw71000]

Thanks John, sad to see the loco 'retired' but she's provided many good runs

[@STEVEHARLEY1956]

Superb compilation Austin.....Sorry to hear The Earl will no longer be in action .....Maybe one Day it will make a comeback....Best wishes...Steve.

[@acw71000]

Cheers Steve, I have a feeling that we haven't seen the last of the Earl. She seems a popular engine with the crews

[@ADMIRALSCORNER]

What a treat this video compilation is. Thank you!

[@acw71000]

Thank you. Sadly I couldn't make it to the railway for the final runs so the video is by way of a tribute

[@Basaljet]

Stand it outside my church in Greenwich as a tribute to the Pomeroy Iron Works at New Cross where the first Fairlie was built. Robert Farilie is buried nearby at West Norwood. Fr Kevin Robinson Our Ladye Star of the sea. And now for something completely different; Parish Newsletter for Sunday July 12th 2015: George England (what a great name) was a local man born in 1812. He would have watched Our Ladye Star of the Sea under construction. In 1840 he founded the Hatcham Iron Works at New Cross where they made heavy lifting equipment, but very quickly he graduated to steam engines. Mr England constructed the first Six locomotives for the Ffestiniog Slate Railway in North Wales. No doubt the original slate on our church roof came from that source. Amazingly four of those original locomotives still survive. They are the oldest working locomotives anywhere in the world. The little “Princess” was recently on display at Paddington. It was the first to be delivered in 1863 making part of the journey to Wales on a cart drawn by TEN horses. These early locomotives were so successful that soon another inventor teamed up with Mr England: Robert Fairlie devised a locomotive made out of two engines back to back. The iconic Double Engine was born running on articulated steam powered bogies. The “Little Wonder” could haul very heavy loads around steep gradients and tight bends. The locomotive was perfect on the Ffestiniog Railway where three such locomotives still survive. Unfortunately scandal erupted. Robert Fairlie ran away with George England’s young daughter Eliza (as Victorians seemed want to do) and they married in Spain. It made the national press when Mr England prosecuted Mr Fairlie in the courts. Fairlie had secured the marriage licence under false pretences. However it also transpired that Eliza had been born “out of wedlock”. The father was deemed to have no rights over the girl and Mr Fairlie narrowly avoided going to prison. Nevertheless, business is business! By 1869 Mr England’s iron works delivered the first Double Fairlie locomotives to N Wales. Soon “Fairlies Patent” was adopted by steam locomotive manufacturers across the world. New Cross became an international centre of cutting edge technology. By and by Mr England sold the business to Mr Fairlie and retired to France. Hatcham Iron Works in Pomeroy Street was the most important manufactory of railway locomotives in London employing 250 people. This engraving is from an article in the Times, dated 21st July 1869. Robert continued the business as the “Fairlie Engine & Steam Carriage Co” until his death in 1885. His grave stone is still seen at West Norwood Cemetery. What’s this got to do with Jesus I hear you say? Well Jesus liked sailing in boats and I reckon he would have liked to ride on a steam train. Sometimes you’ve just got to think about different things. Would that we had such inventive manufacturing in New Cross today! God Bless Fr Kevin

[@acw71000]

Thank you very much Fr.Kevin for that detailed history of Fairlie and England, much of which was new to me. There are a number of 'what if's' in the tale for sure. I must make an effort to visit the area sometime, and of course, your church. Hopefully 'Earl of Merioneth' will steam again one day and provide a working tribute, as the other locos do, to these fine engineers

[@AECEntertainment]

Great vid. I long for the day Mountaineer returns to steam though.

[@acw71000]

Thanks, yes had a ride behind Mountaineer but never filmed her so it would be great to see her in action

[@PerkyNanaSnifters]

As usual, amazing footage of an amazing railway running through beautiful landscapes.

[@acw71000]

Thank you, the FR has the perfect combination of hard working locos in great scenery

[@Oliverfan2005]

Poor old engine

[@alanfbrookes9771]

It's not that old.

[@TheMendipman]

Brilliant Austin. That overhead shot at Boston Lodge was a master stroke. It hardly seems any time since we read of The Earl being built. Noel

[@acw71000]

Thanks Noel, it's rather frightening how quickly time passes. It would be nice if one day she steams again

[@almostkentish3042]

I'll be sad to see him go... But on the bright side they are building a new Fairlie to replace Earl and there's a possibility it may be returned to service one day. But for the time being there's too much wrong with it. (Boiler, cylinders, tubing, valves, bogies)

[@acw71000]

Exactly, it's good that the Earl is going to be stored pending a future restoration and the new loco is one to look forward to.

[@RailAdventUK]

Excellent video, we did a similar thing too!

[@acw71000]

Thanks, yes, there were quite a few nice video tributes to the Earl

[@pega17pl]

To me the forgotten railways by Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland. - Heinz

[@greatwesternproductions2857]

Nice scenery sad evert😊

[@greatwesternproductions2857]

how long is she going to be off the railway.

[@acw71000]

Thanks, there are no plans for her to be restored at present. Perhaps she will return at some future date if funds can be found

[@steamlocomotivesltdjamesh6760]

Is tomorrow her Last day

[@acw71000]

Yes, the 15.05 from Blaenau is her last train

[@steamlocomotivesltdjamesh6760]

acw71000 she's a new build I carnt understand why she is getting withdrawn very sad 😭😭😭😭

[@acw71000]

It is sad but don't forget that this new build is 39 years old! The new Double Fairlie 'James Spooner' will be a more traditional looking loco but it would be nice to think that one day the Earl will be restored. I think these days you can never say never!

[@steamlocomotivesltdjamesh6760]

acw71000 yep just look at Welsh poney he he he whe she due to return do you know thanks

[@acw71000]

No date fixed, little work has been done on Welsh Pony since last autumn as maintenence of the locos which work the main service takes priority.

[@jmream2618]

it looks the Thomas & Friends character Mighty Mac

[@the_retag]

MM is based on the Ffestiniog locos