Hunslet Penrhyn Quarry – Narrow Gauge Mainline 2-4-0ST+T Locomotives Blanche, & Linda Oil Fired.

Hunslet Penrhyn Quarry – Narrow Gauge Mainline 2-4-0ST+T Locomotives Blanche, & Linda Oil Fired.

The Penryn Quarry built its 6 mile long mainline from the quarries near Bethesda to Port Penrhyn near Bangor. The railway operated from 1801-1876 when it was rebuilt and lasted in operation until 1963.
It had one of the largest stock of locomotives totalling approximately 30.
In 1882 Hunslet built an 0-4-0 Saddle Tank locomotive Charles to take loaded slate wagons from the quarries to the Port.
Charles continued to work up until the 1950s but was stored out of use by1958.
Two further locomotives were built in 1893, Linda & Blanche both worked the line up until 1962.
Whilst in preservation Linda and Blanche were rebuilt by the Ffestiniog Railway with pony trucks making them 2-4-0ST and gave them tenders making them 2-4-0ST+T.
The original coal fuel was changed to Oil firing on Linda in 1970 which due to the high temperature had to have the smokebox painted silver as the black paint would not stand the heat.
Later development in paint technology eliminated this problem.
Now all Ffestiniog locomotives use oil fuel to avoid sparks setting fire to the surrounding countryside.

Both Linda and Blanche have been preserved in their oil burning state.

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