Electric Locos Move to WHHR

Joint media release from:
- Llechwedd Slate Mines, Blaenau Ffestiniog
- Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Tywyn
- Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, Porthmadog

Two of the most historic railway engines in Wales are to be moved to a museum in Porthmadog as a first stage to their restoration.

“The Eclipse” and “The Coalition” are two of the oldest electric locomotives in Britain, and are based at Llechwedd Slate Mines in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

They were converted to run on electricity in 1927 and 1930 at a time when most of Britain’s railways used steam locomotives and mains power was still a new thing in most people’s homes.

The locomotives worked at the Llechwedd Slate Mines until the 1960s pulling trucks of slate around the site. When they were withdrawn from service, they were preserved on static display. But more recently, time and the weather have taken their toll.

A new agreement means that the pair will now be transported to the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway in Porthmadog where they can be kept under cover until the means can be found to restore them.

Their history is even more interesting because they actually started life as steam engines, built in the 1890s, but were rebuilt as electric engines at the Mines themselves.

Transport for the two locomotives from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog will take place on Wednesday 21st July, and is being paid for with a grant from the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Tywyn, Gwynedd.

The two locomotives are owned by Slate Heritage International, a Registered Charity based at Llechwedd Slate Mines. The company has retained the services of Dr David Gwyn, an industrial archaeologist based in Gwynedd.

David Hicken, Director of Slate Heritage International said: “we are pleased that these two important pieces of slate mining history can now take a step towards being restored.

“Once the locomotives have been restored, we intend that one of them will return to Llechwedd to be put on display, with the other being on show at the WHHR in Porthmadog.”

Don Newing, Secretary of the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Trust said: “these locomotives are historic in their own right because they show how the Welsh slate quarries were at the cutting edge of technology in making the switch to electric power.

“They also show the creative innovation which was the lifeblood of the slate industry because the Mines owners took two old steam locomotives and converted them into the new electric engines.”

James Hewett, Chairman of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway said: “we are pleased to help play a part in preserving these locomotives for the future.

“The WHHR is developing a new museum in Porthmadog to show how the narrow gauge railways of the area influenced the world. The unusual history of these locomotives means The Eclipse and The Coalition have a special place in the hearts of many railway enthusiasts, and are just two examples of how Wales led the way in industrial technology.”

Restoration of the locomotives is likely to take several years, and will not begin until enough money is in place to complete the task. Bids for grant money will probably be necessary to finance the work.

-ends-

A short piece of archive film including a shot of one of the locomotives at work in around 1962 is available here:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoCHbq1JF5g.

 

Great News!
It was a shame to see these 2 locos slowly becoming victims of 'tin worm', now they stand a chance of survival.
I would love to see them in working condition (battery power maybe?) but cosmetically restored is a good start.

 

I remember going to Llechwedd when I was about 12 and seeing them both and even then I wanted to chuck them in the back of the car to save them!

 

I've always been amazed that no-one has called for them to be rebuilt back as steam engines!

 

Why don't we restore them back to steam engines?:cool1:

 

Photos of the move are here - http://whr.fotopic.net/p66062038.html (click next to see more). There'll be more going up soon.

The idea of them being converted back was mooted by one or two volunteers at Gelerts Farm today. The Coalition (the one in most of the pictures) was originally a Bagnall inverted saddle tank (0-4-0 IST), of which none survive today, so even that part of its heritage makes it very special. The decision on what happens to them remains with their owners, but I think the general feeling is that their historic value as electric locos means they're likely to stay that way for some time to come.

The move was achieved with no major problems; both locos actually fitted on the same lorry load, avoiding two trips. But they wouldn't have fitted in anyone's car! Those of you who live in Wales, or can get the Welsh news on the red button, should be able to see a report on the move on the 18:30 news in English and the 19:30 news in Welsh.

CHRIS

 

Great news, however I can think of quite a few more historic locos in North Wales.

There is of course the similar IST, loco I think it's on the NG line at Butterly.
What a rubbish idea, there are steam trains everywhere, funny shaped electric engines however there are very few.

 

I wouldn't say its a rubbish idea, thats a bit over the top really...

 

Loco details as follows:
W.G. Bagnall 1278 (1890) 0-4-0 IST "Edith". Converted to "Coalition", 1930
W.G. Bagnall 1445 (1895) 0-4-0 IST "Margaret." Converted to "The Eclipse", 1927

Might be nice if one was converted back to original and the other rebuilt in its converted form. ISTs aren’t exactly common. The “other” one is "Pearl 2" built by Alan Civil around 1997 at Amerton, I think and is now owned by Mr & Mrs Eddie Draper, based at Butterley, as previously mentioned. I think I saw somewhere that it may have been renamed.

These were not the only conversions carried out by Llechwedd. In the 1930s, they built a 4wPM loco out of a Morris Commercial lorry.

Ian

 

And if I remember correctly, the sad remains of this are still lying at Llechwedd.
I wonder if there is a chance of this being restored?

 

Fantastic news this is.

They are fascinating loco's and as is written above, a true sign of some serious inginuity. Brilliant.

They always stood out during visits to the Quarry.

As for other things, Penrhyn had some Morris car powered locomotives too - maybe one for the future!

R

 

I've heared rumours...

 

These machines have an interest on account of their history but they are very old and well worn so any attempt to make them into steam locomotives again seems extremely misguided. If anyone really wants to have a Bagnall inverted saddle tank, let them build one and help to keep the skills alive.

Experience with Tornado and, in the narrow gauge world, Thomas Wicksteed, suggests new construction is the way "forward",

PH

 

"And if I remember correctly, the sad remains of this are still lying at Llechwedd.
I wonder if there is a chance of this being restored?"

I would have thought that our friend looking for a cheap start up project should make enquiries. How about it, Chris!
Might be a bit of a b*gg*r sourcing parts!
Certainly one of the IC enthusiasts should make some enquiries. These oddities shouldn't be allowed to crumble in this day & age. Ought to be under cover at least.

Ian C

 

I'd have a go if you're in too Dumphrey

 

They don't, you should have been at the FR Quirks weekend.

 

I would have but I had the monumental foresight to book, what became a disasterous, week's holiday in Italy.

I

 

At least "Eclipse" and "Coalition" are now under cover. I wonder if their rarity could be helpful in getting funds for restoration. (out of the HLF or......)

 

In respect of this, - "they built a 4wPM loco out of a Morris Commercial lorry"- does anyone know of any photos of said beast? I've never seen any and are the remains still in situ?

Ian Collins