Sixties Festiniog

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This article first appeared on the company website back in 2000/1, and reappears here with permission from the company, and John Dobson, the photographer. The photographs below were taken in the early 1960's by him, and show some scenes of the early restoration of the railway. Note some comments relate to when it was written in 2000 .

Merddin Emrys, operational but not complete, seen here. The locomotive was currently undergoing restoration. Seen here at the end of the platform at Harbour Station *Date: 1962 *Photo: John Dobson
Merddin Emrys, operational but not complete, seen here. The locomotive was currently undergoing restoration. Seen here at the end of the platform at Harbour Station
*Date: 1962 *Photo: John Dobson

The
The "Flying Flea" at Tan-y-Bwlch hauled by Taliesin. The locomotive is actually Livingston Thompson, which was renamed Taliesin in 1932 when the single Fairlie of that name was withdrawn. The loco was renamed again in April 1962 - Earl Of Merioneth, the name being transferred to the current "Earl" on its completion in 1979.
*Date: 4th September 1962 *Photo: John Dobson

The loco then regained its original title Livingston Thompson. She was cosmetically restored in the 80's and is now on display in the National Railway Museum at York. The "Flying Flea" was a relief train run in the sixties when passenger numbers outstripped the capacity of the service trains.

Prince in FR green livery with carriages 11 and 12 at Minffordd. Prince and both carriages have been restored, and will be running on Vintage trains in 2001*Date: 22nd September 1962 *Photo: John Dobson
Prince in FR green livery with carriages 11 and 12 at Minffordd. Prince and both carriages have been restored, and will be running on Vintage trains in 2001
*Date: 22nd September 1962 *Photo: John Dobson

Moelwyn, Earl Of Merioneth and Merddin Emrys at Harbour Station in 1962. The stone building on the right is the Britannia Foundry, since replaced by a modern building, offices for the Inland Revenue. *Date: 1962 *Photo: John Dobson
Moelwyn, Earl Of Merioneth and Merddin Emrys at Harbour Station in 1962. The stone building on the right is the Britannia Foundry, since replaced by a modern building, offices for the Inland Revenue.
*Date: 1962 *Photo: John Dobson

Palmerston as seen at Glan-y-Mor, Boston Lodge. The locomotive was rebuilt over a number of years, and was returned to service in 1993 as a coal burner, the majority of FR locos now being oil burners. *Date: 17th September 1960 *Photo: John Dobson
Palmerston as seen at Glan-y-Mor, Boston Lodge. The locomotive was rebuilt over a number of years, and was returned to service in 1993 as a coal burner, the majority of FR locos now being oil burners.
*Date: 17th September 1960 *Photo: John Dobson

Linda seen here with a coal train at Minffordd, the first train she hauled, the day after her arrival on the FR. She is seen in her original Penrhyn Quarry Railway form, without a tender. *Date: 1962 *Photo: John Dobson
Linda seen here with a coal train at Minffordd, the first train she hauled, the day after her arrival on the FR. She is seen in her original Penrhyn Quarry Railway form, without a tender.
*Date: 1962 *Photo: John Dobson

[edit]See also

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