F&WHR Loco Round UP

[@RWJP]

I've always thought that more railways should provide updates on the status of their fleet on a more regular basis for those of us who can't visit the railway, so this video is great to see. Thanks for the effort you've put in and congratulations on the successes of your fundraising so far!

[@chriswilson2431]

What a wonderful video. It’s so great to see who love steam, working through all this madness and being grateful they can play with train. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this rare insight behind the scenes; it’s really thoughtful. No doubt my parents will be visiting as usual when they next visit the area. The support for our hobby and passion, will never ever die. Steam is a british institution and it’s one of the few things that’s still as popular as ever, if not more! You have a superb set up, and this was real viewing gold. Thanks again.

[@rogerwhittle2078]

Thank you Paul, in my opinion as a retired engineer (CT's & MRI's, not steam engines) your summation of F&WHR locomotives is just about the most appropriate thing you could have done. Preserved railways are odd things; with loads of history, loads of really lovely architecture, loads of lovely restored or new rolling stock, even whole trains of gorgeous coaching stock, but it wouldn't be anything without its steam engines. Preserved Railways are steam engines and steam engines are preserved railways. As you ran through the list, I kept thinking; Ah, that's my favourite engine, oh no wait, that's my favourite engine. I now conclude I have no favourite, they all are. The originals - 1 thru 6 - obviously have a special place, but all the Garratts are special too, because of their power and sheer work rate. And then there are the Fairlies (mostly the doubles, but including the rather lovely single) which, above any and all F&WHR engines, are the iconic 'Little Welsh Railways' engine. The only confusion is which is which? Engines built in the 19th century are still in 'front line' service, while an engine built in the 20th century has been permanently retired! As an engineer who has loved steam engines since I first saw one over seventy years ago, I know that machines can work well until some, often small, failure stops them. That then seems to suddenly cascade to the level where there is little point in repair or restoration, because there would be nothing left. Stepney on my local railway - the Bluebell - is a case in point. Everybody's favourite engine , but how much of it will be 150 years old? It hurts to see an engine that will never steam again, but I know why that happens and can understand it. Just as long as we know where it is. And thanks to your summary, we do. Thank you again.

[@paullewin5984]

Thank you Roger. I see them often as I keep on top of security. I know that if I wasn't able to be here I would want to see them. So I am pleased to share.

[@paullewin5984]

Roger with regard to the engines not currently in steam. You will notice that we have not said they are beyond steaming or won't ever run again. They are just at the back of the queue at present. In reality EofM is sat on the oldest and most tired power units not ones built in the last thirty years or younger. The tanks need a lot of work but with determination could be saved. The boiler is a big uncertainty and we decided to build new. Had we ripped that apart then found it to be scrap the engine would have just been a pile of bits. As it stands options remain open. With regards to Alco it is all there but very tired indeed and needing much thought. I expect someone will get very motivated and put forward a competent plan to tackle it at some point.

[@icklebean0365]

Brilliant video! Thank you Paul and the camera man!

[@daviobryker]

Love to hear Aussie railways are helping uk mates but it's cool to see your locos they are awesome studied the place for various thing love the England locos and the Garrett's k1 is just as cool.

[@leeallen7491]

My Lad Harry loves your railway and is on it every chance he gets, he will be so Happy with the amount raised

[@alexking506]

May I ask why little giant was included as I thought it was scrapped

[@skarloeyfan01adventures]

Amazing video and I’m hoping that the Victorian weekend will be on this year because I love it 😍😍

[@wideyxyz2271]

Loved it ...many thanks....

[@theextremeanimator4721]

I hope they could recreate little giant I was also shocked to finally see progress on James Spooner

[@DWtrainsNZ]

Really nice video. Informative without going overboard. Just wondering what if anything is happening to the Chinese C2? Last I saw it was a rolling chassis.

[@gwr1787]

I noticed the mentioned neither number 133, the other NG15, nor 140, the other NGG16. Guessing these were both stored in different places and unable to access them, or had no work done on them and weren't mentioned as a result?

[@eliotreader8220]

back in 2013 i saw Princess one of the Ffestiniog's england engines at Paddington railway station in London and me and my dad went on this railway three years ago and i like how the railway keeps everyone up todate, also i especially liked the update on Velinhel's new boiler as i have seen her in steam at her home railway in Cornwall is her new boiler going to have a dome like her old one has?

[@paullewin5984]

The original Velinheli boiler did not have a dome. The current one is a 1925 replacement. The new one reverts to original without a dome. However the tank has the hole in it for a dome so we will probably keep the dome cover as an ornament. I was thinking it could be a good place to keep the crew's lunch or event a kettle. :-)

[@FfestiniogWelshHighland]

The new boiler will be domeless as the original was.

[@eliotreader8220]

@@paullewin5984 apart from needing a new boiler and usual tests is Velinheli viewed at the moment as being not quite in working order or does the engineers who where building her boiler think that she mite need some repairs when they remove her saddle tank? also because of the trouble that both railways will be in when trains start running again because they are down two engines will this most likely delay the work that was going to be done on her boiler and there for delay Velinheli's to steam resulting in the projet taking longer to finish? will there be a new plan made for Velinheli for when the trains start running again?

[@eliotreader8220]

because of the situation that covid 19 has put the Ffestininog and Welsh highland railway own steam locomotives in when the trains start running again will there be a plan made for Velinheli's return to steam. will she now have to wait her turn? is now unlikely that she mite not be able to return to steam in 2021? the last time i saw her in steam was in 2013

[@rynodynomyte2755]

Would love to hop across the pond someday to see these beautiful machines, Paul. Hopefully, I hope Princess could be restored as well and maybe someday someone will want to build a replica of Little Giant and Little Wonder. Does too much of Livingston Thompson need replacing to make it run again? No. 11 became the first new build to be withdrawn. I know most of her parts are being used for James Spooner but does this mean the engine is history?

[@tonyjones9442]

Great video. Worked (Employed) on the WHR catering trolley 2011/12 was great fun.. Shame I didnt notice these videos during early lockdown. Anyhow I'm here now. It would be nice if they could build and design a brand new/from scratch locomotive for the WHR. Similar to a Garrat in size.

[@Channel-ij5px]

Would of liked to see more of the Diesels but still great video

[@sprinterofficial8457]

what's happened to the earl of merioneth?

[@FfestiniogWelshHighland]

EoM is in storage, completely worn out. It was decided that it would be more straightforward to build a whole new locomotive rather than rebuild it. Who knows what will happen in rhe future?

[@graffb.5531]

Great video, would very much like to see a similar one on the diesel fleet.

[@davidsaxton2259]

Great video! Can I ask what the plan is with Mountaineer in the future?

[@FfestiniogWelshHighland]

Not sure what the current plan is. I believe it is 'in the list'.

[@PensalemStudios]

@@FfestiniogWelshHighland that will be a sight to behold, i love mountaineer.

[@theextremeanimator4721]

@@PensalemStudios I was gonna ask that question, too... Glad I got an answer

[@markharrington508]

Anyone got £300,000? Mr. Lewin will be more than happy to take your call....

[@Britlurker]

I read somewhere that she has a firebox optimised for oil burning. This is not compatible with coal burning so an expensive rebuild is in order. Its not worth the F&WHR having a single oil burner, so thats not a solution.

[@paullewin5984]

Just to correct. Merddin has had annual exam and not hydraulic test

[@nickdaniels4899]

An excellent video as always, and thanks for the run down. Though i couldn't help but notice that you've left the Alco out. apart from that, an excellent video. thanks for putting our minds at rest.

[@FfestiniogWelshHighland]

The Alco can be seen in action from 22.00. From a video made in 1986 when it was in its prime.

[@paullewin5984]

@@nickdaniels4899 I asked John to put in some pictures as it is up at Blaenau and I didn't need to go there this week. Felt I should only film at places where I was attending for safety and security reasons.

[@Basaljet]

I never understood why the single fairlies had a swiveling bogie? What is the point? Is it articulated or is it fixed? Does it simply flex against the rear trailing wheels?

[@FfestiniogWelshHighland]

It is an identical, articulated power bogie to those on a double Fairlie. It allows a bigger loco to negotiate sharper curves.

[@Basaljet]

I understand all that with respect to the double Fairlies, and presumably the advantage of having a whole fleet of 7 or more universal/interchangeable bogie units must make servicing and repairs more convenient. but Mountaineer is a rigid 2-6-2 and the "new" Chinese locomotive (which will appear very out of place and push Mountaineer aside for a rebuild) is 0-8-0 (I think without flange rims on the middle wheels). I don't understand how or why the single bogie swivels under the body while the loco stays in line. Presumably the rear truck and the train itself holds it on course but why the need for the bogie to swivel, it is not as long as other engines. It must feel very different to drive by comparison with the big Hunslets, little Englands and Lyd (2-6-2). Moel Tryfan was an 0-6-4 but I notice the notes indicated it had a six wheel bogie. Was that articulated on a swiveling drive unit similar to the Fairlie arrangement? Why not build a replica of that engine than import a strange Chinese cocktail that will have no common parts with other locos in UK..

[@Britlurker]

@@Basaljet My understanding is that the Chinese loco doesn't belong to the F&WHR, it's owned by a group who include volunteers at the railway. Think of Britomart writ large. Restoration is happening at BL but it's the volunteer group who do most of the work, pay the bills. No doubt some 'official' resources have helped the project along here and there along the way and the railway certainly won't be complaining about having a powerful loco available in the future. But she is not part of an official motive power restore/build program. There is no firm date for her entry into service. Moutaineer otoh is a railway owned loco and will be restored as and when resources become available. Maybe some dedicated volunteers will take her under their wing? This might speed up her return to operation. Tl;dr - the C2 is not blocking the Alco in the queue for restoration.

[@harrymurray2515]

8:57 My favourite F&WHR (Steam) loco.

[@markharrington508]

Have just watched this as I remembered Paul saying Tal is number 7. I've always known it as 9. When and why was it changed please?

[@FfestiniogWelshHighland]

Number 9 when built. Renunbered No7 when Little Wonder was withdrawn.

[@Jaidencharlotte]

Is a double fairlie boiler 1 or 2 boilers?

[@FfestiniogWelshHighland]

One boiler with two fireboxes.

[@woobyvr9654]

as a fireman at puffing billy i definitely had a “LOOK MUM IM ON TV” moment haha

[@emmaandserendipity]

How about carriages next?

[@DoctorSpinola]

Diesels first, I think.

[@paullewin5984]

I was thinking about one on great embankments..

[@jameshardy4354]

What's happening with mountaineer is she being over hauled

[@DavidHennessey1984]

The engines sleep on, but hopefully not for long...

[@jackwalker9453]

Barge power