Taliesin
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
| Taliesin | |
|---|---|
 Makers photograph 1876 | |
| Built By | Vulcan Foundry |
| Status |
Scrapped |
| Loco Number |
9 (later renumbered 7) |
| History | |
| Type | Single Fairlie |
| Built |
1876 |
| 1932 | Dismantled |
| 1935 | Boiler scrapped |
| Fuel | Coal |
| Locomotives | |
This page describes the Vulcan Foundry single Fairlie of 1876. The name Taliesin has also been carried by two other locomotives:
- The double engine formerly named Livingston Thompson and later Earl of Merioneth
- The single Fairlie replica of 1999
Taliesin was an 0-4-4 Single Fairlie built by the Vulcan Foundry in 1876, originally given the number 9. It had its first run on 10th August 1876, double heading with Little Giant, and was put into service on 17th August. It was completely rebuilt between 1898 and 1900. Over subsequent years the locomotive fell into increasing disrepair and was dismantled in preparation for a new boiler in 1924. However, despite recommendations from the Locomotive Superintendent and Engineer, the Board refused to purchase a boiler and Taliesin was reassembled with its existing boiler. The locomotive was finally dismantled in 1932 and the boiler was sold for scrap in 1935. Some parts of the original locomotive survive. A replica was built in 1999, also named Taliesin. The replica uses the reversing lever from the original locomotive.
Contents |
[edit]Early history
The locomotive was heavily used and consequently was damaged quite often: in September 1877, November 1878 & September 1880. The bunker was enlarged in 1878 and a balance weight was fitted between the bogie frames in 1879. In 1880 it is reported that, “Owing to the use of inferior coal, the tubes are deteriorated and will have to be replaced shortly, the tube plate is cracked and gives some trouble...”
In December 1881 it was retubed and the original sandboxes were replaced with those of the 'standard' FR pattern. The tanks were altered to give more water space. In February 1882 it was derailed on the Cob by a stone being left between the point blade and the stock rail. It took 4 days to repair. From 1883 Taliesin was renumbered as No. 7, (Little Wonder, the previous No. 7, the first FR Double Fairlie, having been condemned on 6th December 1882. Also in this year a canvas cover was provided for the cab.
In 1886 it was damaged at Tan-y-Bwlch and needed a new cast iron buffer end & buffer. Two hinged doors were fitted to the cab in December of that year.
In February 1887 the dome was polished (it had been painted to this point) and the two small brass handrails added to the smokebox “for sanding”.
In June 1887 it is recorded as being “In working order but in need of heavy repairs”. In November the firebox was patched, the carrier frame was lowered and strengthened, the main bogie frame was repaired with a steel plate “above Horn plate gab”, new connecting and coupling rods were provided and an all over cab was fitted. The work was completed by 16th December 1887.
In 1890 a new balancing pipe was fixed between the two water tanks. The rear bogie wheels (which were braked) had worn down so far that a quarter inch plate was inserted between bogie and superstructure. The wheels were replaced in 1891 and the main bogie frame was patched and the smokebox & chimney were replaced.
In February 1893 it came off the line “at Portmadoc Points” and in the subsequent repairs a vacuum brake was put on. However it broke down in September, the frames and cylinders were replaced, returning to service in March 1894. The boiler now was giving concern. “Top of firebox wasted away considerably” was noted in 1895 and a further patch was put on the boiler in 1896. 75 new ferrules were put in the tubes in 1897 and the 3 handrails on the smokebox were replaced by the single 'all round' handrail.
It is noted the loco was “taken to pieces Sep 30th 1898”.
[edit]Rebuild and early 1900s
Between 1898 and 1900 Taliesin was completely rebuilt with larger tanks, a new steel boiler from the Vulcan Foundry, a more enclosed cab and new smokebox. The rebuild should have been completed in 1899 and the Boston Lodge foundry cast suitably dated works plates in anticipation. However, they had not bargained with a mini-hurricane that struck the North Wales coast in November 1899 and completely demolished the wooden framed and corrugated-iron clad Boston Lodge Erecting Shop, inside which was Taliesin. Rebuilding the workshop delayed the final stages of the overhaul and, despite the date on the rebuild plates, Taliesin did not re-enter service until May 1900. Trial runs were made through Moelwyn Tunnel to test whether the crew could escape from the new cab.
The boiler was retubed in 1903 with the original tubes “eaten away by sulphur in the coal”. The driving wheels were re-tyred by Cammell & Laird in 1905.
In 1909 it had a major overhaul, the boiler was patched and the tubes were examined and “found safe for a while”. The boiler was tested hydraulically to 150lbs but working pressure was 135lbs. In 1911 a new steam connection was made for the injector because the steam was not dry enough in the previous position.
[edit]Final years
In 1916 as part of a report from the Locomotive Superintendent to the Company Board a retube of the boiler was recommended. By 1923 the working pressure was down to 120lbs and the description was “Engine poor, Boiler bad”. In 1924 the boiler was condemned and the locomotive was dismantled for a new boiler to be fitted. The Vulcan Foundry tendered for a replacement, but the Board refused to sanction the purchase although recommended by the Locomotive Superintendent and the Engineer. Thus the engine was re-erected with the condemned boiler. It returned to traffic in 1925 but the boiler was not passed at inspection. It was used spasmodically on light work until 1927 at least.
Taliesin was finally dismantled in 1932, and the boiler was later sold for scrap in 1935. Of the original locomotive, the reversing lever has survived to be used again, and the eccentrics were put onto Linda in the 1960s. An accident with Welsh Pony's tender in the early 1930s pushed the boiler through the back of the old engine shed and so it was too damaged for re-use on the boiler barrel of Palmerston and the chimney was also broken.
The name Taliesin was reused almost immediately, when the engine previously known as Livingston Thompson was renamed Taliesin
The name Taliesin was used yet again in 1999 for a replica of the single Fairlie.