Turntables
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
Surprisingly enough, neither the FR, nor the WHR, possesses a locomotive turntable in operational use. To expand on that, from what data is available, the WHR never had one during its, or its predecessors, existence.
The FR had a number of wagon turntables. Many still exist, although the one at Penrhyn Station was reinstated for show. There are still wagon turntables under the slate waste on Maenofferen wharf at Minffordd Yard, and one of the two wagon turntables in Boston Lodge top yard is still used for turning small locomotives including the England Engines.
The FR had 2 turntables for locos and carriages. These were located at Duffws (put in in 1870) and next to Boston Lodge cottages 3 & 4 (put in in 1869, 22ft long and built by Baines Railway Foundry, of Soho, Birmingham). Boyd states that the Duffws turntable was moved to Glan-y-Pwll in 1900.
The turntable at Glan-y-Pwll was probably last used in 1923[1] and was apparently removed prior to WW2. The associated pit (which still had the outer circular rail) came to light in 1976 during preparation for construction on the site and was subsequently covered over. It was located alongside the old engine shed and is now buried underneath the steel shed which has been built alongside.
The Boston Lodge one is still in situ, underneath the garage next to Boston Lodge Cottages (see here for further details.)
[edit]References
- ^ Mitchell, Vic; Keith Smith [1995]. Porthmadoc to Blaenau. Midhurst, Sussex, England: Middleton Press. ISBN 1-873793-50-2. OCLC 36589826.