Penrhyn Port Class Explained

Hunslet Port class
Powertype:Steam
Builder:Hunslet Engine Company
Builddate:1883–1885
Uicclass:B n2
Driverdiameter:1feet
Fueltype:Coal
Watercap:150impgal
Boilerpressure:120-1NaN-1
Cylindercount:Two
Numinclass:3
Locale:Penrhyn Quarry Railway
Officialname:Gwynedd, Lilian, Winifred
Withdrawndate:1937–1956
Disposition:All preserved
Notes:The technical specifications are for the locomotives as delivered from Hunslet

The Penrhyn Port Class is a class of three narrow gauge steam locomotives built for the Penrhyn Quarry Railway (PQR). These locomotives were built by the Hunslet Engine Company between 1883 and 1885 and supplied specifically to work at Port Penrhyn near Bangor, north Wales. They were a variant of the standard Dinorwic Alice Class design.[1]

History

The three locomotives of this class were ordered by the Penrhyn Quarry Railway to replace two vertical boilered De Winton locomotives. The first pair, Gwynedd and Lilian were delivered in 1883 and the final locomotive of the class, Winifred was delivered in 1885.[1]

Winifred worked until July 1964, Gwynedd until August 1954, and Lilian until August 1956.

Preservation

All three engines are preserved. Gwynedd is preserved at the Bressingham Steam Museum, Lilian at the Launceston Steam Railway and Winifred spent many years in private ownership in the United States before returning to the UK in 2012 to work at the Bala Lake Railway.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Boyd, James I.C. . Narrow Gauge Railways in North Caernarvonshire: Volume 2 the Penrhyn Quarry Railways . The Oakwood Press . 1985 . 0853613125.
  2. Web site: Three British Locos Being Repatriated After 50 Years in USA. 23 September 2012.