FR's "Mountaineer"

Hi folks,

I was just wondering if anyone knows what the state of play with "mountaineer" on the Ffestiniog/Welsh Highland is? I used to love travelling behind this loco as a kid. As I remember it is an absolute beast! Would love to see it back in service, any info on whether thats likely?

Cheers,
Andy

 

Unlikely.

 

It is a bit of an interesting one I guess.

I assume she is somewhat surplus to the FR/WHR requirements in many ways? With the addition of Lyd and Tal, and return on Linda & Blanche, I assume that there is minimal requirement for another 'mid' size loco, so any requirement would really be just to keep her a running rather than stored exhibit?

In the current financial climbate, I would assume that it would therefore have to be financed entirely by private funding?

I guess with other things to be worked on in the Lodge and limited finance the best she can hope for is to go on display somewhere perhaps??

It is sad, but I guess you cannot have everything in a running condition.

Rich.

 

Due to the absurd cost of oil - the last figure I heard was £30,000 for a tanker load - Linda & Blanche will only go out on red-red days this year when the lineside fire risk is high. A decision on whether or not to convert them to coal firing will be made later this year. We don't need another mid-sized loco, especially now Lyd is performing so well on coal. Incidentally, when Prince re-enters service, it will be as a coal burner too. Garratt 138 is being converted to coal as we speak, giving us four coal-burning Garratts - three NG/G16s plus K1.

 

Unfortunately as has been mentioned on here many times, Mountaineer has had a hard life so the overhaul would be very comprehensive. With so many appeals for money coming out the FR at the moment such as Waggon Tracks Appeal (hint) now probably isn't the time to launch another. There are a lot of fans out there and more importantly volunteers who would be prepared to work on it though. Having it running for 2016 would be good, could always sell Lyd to pay for it.

Tim

 

Without knowing too much about the practicalities of oil/coal conversions, if hypothetically a fairy godmother came in to fund the overhaul of Mountaineer, how simple/feasible would it be to convert it to coal firing?

 

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. The overall consensus seems to be that its very unlikely that it'll be out in the fairly near future then. A shame as like i said, i have great memories of this thundering up the FR. I would think that it would be an ideal loco for say the Port to Beddgelert shuttles?

I read on another forum that water capacity is a big issue for Mountaineer, but i wouldnt of thought it has any less capacity than say Lyd? I guess the old girl will have to wait until I win the lottery eh!

Cheers,
Andy

 

I'll have her instead?!

 

Is Lyd performing well enough now on coal that it can become a regular service loco. Presumably from what you say it will take the diagram of what would previously have been allocated to one of the ladies.

I am no great fan of Lyd but I can not see the point of having a loco in running order that is semi permanently stored at the back of the shed, buy when it was oil fired because of its reported performance and the cost of oil I was struggling to see when it would actually be used.

 

dont forget that last year they said that welsh pony would be restored

 

Still could be...

 

Are they still plans on swapping Mountaineer for Prince in Engine house at Highley?

Cheers

 

ISTR that's on the back burner.

BTW, the FR's real Mountaineer was delivered in 1863 and scrapped in 1879...

Mountaineer - Festipedia

 

I think the one that still exists is probably more 'real' for most people. That's probably why they keep asking about it.

Tim

 

Slightly OT but Mountaineer was the subject of a Don Young 3 1/2" gauge(?) design many years ago, and I am puzzling over how the horn (pedestal?) cheeks are fitted as there is no way one could get at the inside of the opening in such a small scale, and presumably the axleboxes do not work directly in the frames (or do they)? The same issue would apply to any bar frame loco. Any thoughts?

 

Mountaineer II has been around long enough to be part of the FR (and WHR) history now. I can't wait to see it back - I know its a matter of taste, but I'd much rather see it than some Southern monstrosity with strange valve gear

 

IIRC some 200 Alcos like that were built. It can't be the only one left.

 

There are three left, the other two being in France. (one in a museum, one on a heritage line) So it is the only one left...in this country.

 

Quite agree! 20 years ago or so I visited regularly the FR and she was, by far, my favourite!!!!!!!!!!!sharp, square, strange and strong beauty!I don't like "womanized" engines!
regards
noel

 

Yet you refer to it as 'she'.