Penrhyn Main Line class
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| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Build date | 1982-1893 |
| Configuration | 0-4-0 / 2-4-0 |
| Gauge | 1 ft 10¾ in (578 mm) / 1 ft 11½ in (597 mm) |
| Driver size | 2 ft 1 in |
| Length | 16 ft 7 in |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Water capacity | 500 gallons |
| Boiler pressure | 140 lbf/in² |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Number in class | 3 |
| Locale | Penrhyn Quarry Railway and Ffestiniog Railway |
The Penrhyn Main Line class was a class of three narrow gauge steam locomotives built for the Penrhyn Quarry Railway (PQR). These locomotives were built by the Hunslet Engine Company between 1882 and 1893 and supplied specifically to work the railway that connected the Penrhyn Quarry near Bethesda in north Wales to Port Penrhyn on the Menai Straits. [1]
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[edit] Penrhyn Quarry Railway
The original locomotives to work the "main line" of the PQR were a series of vertical boilered De Winton locomotives delivered in 1879. These proved inadequate for the task of moving substantial quantities of slate over the railway and in 1882 a more conventional locomotive was ordered from Hunslet to work the railway. This was the first of the "Main Line class" locomotives Charles. Charles was joined in 1893 by two more locomotives to the same design but slightly enlarged, which were named Linda and Blanche. These were the sole locomotives built to this design. [2]
[edit] Preservation
All three locomotives were preserved after the closure of the PQR. Charles was donated to the Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum.
Linda was loaned to the nearby Ffestiniog Railway in July 1962. For the 1963 season the locomotive was regauged to the Ffestiniog's 1 ft 11½ in (597 mm) and purchased, along with Blanche at the end of the year. Both have since received extensive modifications including tenders, pony trucks and superheating. [2]
[edit] Technical specification
The following technical specification are for the locomotives as delivered from Hunslet and are from [1] unless otherwise stated:
| Charles | Linda and Blanche | |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler grate area | 4.5 ft2 | 5.2 ft2 |
| Boiler pressure | 140 lb/in2 | 140 lb/in2 |
| Water storage | 500 gallon Saddle tank | 500 gallon Saddle tank |
| Cylinders | two 10in x 12in outside cylinders[3] | two 10½in x 12in outside cylinders |
| Driving wheels | 2ft 1in diameter, 5ft wheelbase [3] | 2ft 1in diameter, 5ft wheelbase [3] |
| Front overhang | 5ft 7in | 5ft 7in |
| Rear overhang | 6ft | 6ft 3in |
| Tractive effort | 5050lb | 5550 lbs |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Boyd, James I.C. (1985). Narrow Gauge Railways in North Caernarvonshire: Volume 2 the Penrhyn Quarry Railways. The Oakwood Press. ISBN 0853613125.
- ^ a b Blenkinsop, Dick (1993). Linda & Blanche: Penrhyn to Festiniog. AB Publishing. ISBN 1869915054.
- ^ a b c (1982) Penrhyn Castle Industrial Museum, 3rd. Edition, The National Trust.
