Changes at Penryhn Museum

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/se...erience-as-it-rehomes-some-of-its-locomotives

Penryhn to create a new exhibition and re-home some of its locomotives.

 

To be fair to NT it was a rather eclectic collection of locos, most of which had no connection to Penrhyn or the N.wales slate industry, but at least they were given safe a home at a time when the likely alternative would have been the scrap man. Other than Charles and Hugh Napier from Penrhyn which will remain in the property of NT it would be interesting to see where the others go. I've read elsewhere that one is bound for Leeds and another, Kent. According to an old IRS list the locos are:
No.1 0-4-0WT Neilson 1561/1870
Haydock 0-6-0T Rob't Stephenson 2309/1879
Hawarden 0-4-0ST Hudswell Clarke 526/1899
Vesta 0-6-0T Hudswell Clarke 1223/1916
Kettering Iron Furnaces No.3 0-4-0ST Black Hawthorn 859/1885 3'g.
Am I recollecting correctly that one of the above was disposed of a couple of years ago?
Ray.

 

Hawarden and Vesta are being transferred to the ownership of the Bahamas Locomotive Society as is the Coal Tank.

 

https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk...-east-lancashire-railway-from-penrhyn-castle/

 

Correct, there are further negotiations taking place regarding Vesta between the BLS and the ELR.
Something similar is happening with Hawarden and the Middleton Railway. The NT are fully aware.

 

If memory serves, in 2010 there was a vertical-boilered locomotive of a gauge larger than 2ft. That is not on this list. Was it moved or...?

 

There was, indeed. 3'g. De Winton 'Watkin' ex Penmaemawr Granite was moved in 2019 to the new FR/WHR station at Caernarfon.
Ray.

 

Glad that more is being made of the industrial heritage - that actually funded the "castle" - but hope that all the really relevant locos and other items are going to reappear when the work is completed.

Currently a bit miffed that "Fire Queen" seems to be emigrating to Aberystwyth [assuming I've read the articles properly] ...

 

Fire Queen is just temporary to Aberystwyth, until a time it can be moved to its former shed at Llanberis which will be its new (old) home.

 

Were Beamish not in discussion about taking one of the locomotives on loan a few years back? My mind says Haydock.

 

The VoR's new building is a much better place to display Fire Queen and the 4ft gauge coach. The two surviving 4ft gauge Padarn Railway rolling stock items would be together and in a spacious location where they can be clearly seen. From what I recall of photos in Fire Queen's original shed a clear view was impossible due to its small size. Yes, I know that Fire Queen was withdrawn in 1886 and the coach built in 1896 so not a historically accurate association.

 

Agreed. The museum space at Penrhyn Castle is very limited, and the exhibits are hard to appreciate.


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The display area at Penrhyn Castle is positively palatial compared with Fire Queen's original Shed at Gilfach Ddu!

Steve B

 

As seen here - https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fire_Queen_Shed,_Llanberis_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4129065.jpg

 

Destinations according to the latest Steam Railway and elsewhere...

Hawarden - Middleton Railway
Haydock - IoWSR
Kettering Iron Furnaces no. 3 - Waterford and Suir Valley Railway
Fire Queen - Llanberis
Vesta - ELR

I haven't seen any mention of Beckton No. 1 moving anywhere - surely a gas works loco from East London isn't going to stay there?!

 

Before Fire Queen goes back I imagine it’ll be extended with visitor facilities. Perhaps one side opened out.

 

Beckton No. 1 has been pictured at Bo'ness

 

The decision to donate Kettering Iron Furnaces No.3 to the Waterford & Suir puzzles me (if S.R. is to be believed) as it is really only a 'park' type train ride with, AFAIK, no museum accreditation or indeed any steam experience. I can think of at least three more suitable recipients for this loco in the U.K. Perhaps someone with more legal knowledge could comment on whether it is even legal for the (U.K.) National Trust to donate a de-accessioned item to a non-UK organization as, unless my geography is seriously amiss the W&S is in the Irish Republic.
Ray.
Photo credit R.G. Jarvis

 

Unless I've missed something, Beckton No1 wasn't ever at Penrhyn. Bressingham then Preston Steam Services in Kent.

I can confirm Vesta has been reported at ELR and Hawarden at Middleton.

I share the astonishment if Kettering Furnaces No3 goes to Ireland. Perhaps there were no other takers.

 

This one
https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/neilson-co-works-no-1561-beckton-no-1/

Not this one
https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/neilson-co-works-no-4444-no-1-0-4-0t/