Earl Of Merioneth
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
The Ffestiniog Railway has had two locomotives with this name.
- The 1886 double engine originally named Livingston Thompson and subsequently Taliesin. Renamed Earl of Merioneth in 1961, it finally reverted to its original name after 1979, when it was saved for static display at the NRM. Further details may be found on the Livingston Thompson page and the Taliesin pages.
- The new double engine built in 1979. Details can be found here.
Earl of Merioneth (one of the titles held by HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh) was the name given in 1961 to the Double Fairlie locomotive formerly known as Taliesin, a name it had acquired in 1932, having previously been Livingston Thompson, the last Double Fairlie locomotive built by the old Festiniog Railway Company, in 1886.
Around 1960/1961, it was indicated that the Duke of Edinburgh would be happy to have his name on a FR locomotive. Francis Wayne, the then FR Co. Company secretary, had been at school with the Duke's secretary. In an excess of loyal zeal it was announced that Taliesin will be renamed Earl of Merioneth / Iarll Meirionnydd by Mr Oswald Thomas at Minffordd on AGM day 22nd April 1961, after the arrival of the special from London. There was some grumbling amongst the society membership at the time, as Taliesin is a famous figure in Welsh legend
*Date: 19th June 1968 *Photo: Cyril Perrier
In 1979 a new Double Fairlie was constructed using the same name; see Earl of Merioneth II