GO TO THE DONATION PAGE PAGE
PLEASE HELP BEDDGELERT STEAM AGAIN
Beddgelert Update February 2025
The last few items were stripped from the frames, and all the various foot-plating, steps, valance etc were sent away for grit blasting.
The frames were also cleaned back to a sound surface. As can be seen in the accompanying photo, most of these parts are now reassembled.
The new stainless-steel smokebox and saddletank are nearly ready for delivery back to Fairbourne from our contractors. I’m very proud to say that this new saddletank has been entirely funded by donations raised by the Fairbourne Railway Preservation Society (FRPS) over the last couple of years – well done!
The coupling rods have had to be completely re-engineered. Not only were they very worn, they were actually different lengths which suggests that the axles weren’t parallel to each other when the locomotive was last running.
One of the cylinders had a nasty gouge in the bore which would have been difficult to machine out in our workshop at Fairbourne, so they have been to our friends at the Vale of Rheidol Railway for rectification. They are now back with us, and are in the process of being refitted with new fitted bolts. Once this is completed, we will be able to check the alignment of the motion brackets, axlebox horn-guides etc, and correct any errors before moving on to the wheelsets.
The wheels were removed from the old axles last year as they had been welded on, and this is frowned upon these days. Material is in hand to make new axles, so once these are machined up, the wheelsets can be reassembled and fitted to the frames.
Over the winter some real progress has started to take place on Beddgelert.
Beddgelert Update May 2025
This morning our contractor Denver Light Railway has delivered the new stainless steel saddletank and smokebox for Beddgelert. These were funded by our members of the Fairbourne Railway Preservation Society and will be on display at our Gala over the Bank Holiday weekend.
A lot of the materials we need for now are in hand, but I must stress that we don’t have the money to finish the engine. I would suggest that we need to raise close to another £10,000 to pay for all the very expensive plumbing and fittings the loco will need before it steams again.
