18 October 2015
One volunteer project underway has been the refurbishment of the historical wooden bolster wagon set.
These small 4w wagons are run in groups to carry long loads, such as lengths of rails, and were built for the old company in 1874-75. Despite various rebuilds over time, the vehicles have suffered from their natural outside use and storage and were subject to many modifications over the years.
Details and some history can be found on the fascinating Festipedia website.
This is a recreation of a bogie carriage that was built in 1897 for the Ffestiniog Railway and considered scrapped due to its state in 1962.
Unlike the originals, which were built on a wooden underframe susceptible to movement, the recreation is being constructed on a steel underframe that was made in 2013.
Volunteers from Team X and other groups are working on the carriage which can theoretically seat 56 passengers in close comfort!
This 6wDM locomotive is a pioneer of British internal combustion locomotive history. One of the very first British diesel locomotives, it was built by Kerr Stuart in Stoke-on-Trent in 1928 (builder’s number 4415).
It arrived at the Ffestiniog in 1997 and work has recently started to return the loco to working service. The replacement engine has been successfully run and following full dismantling, the component parts have been grit blasted.
The Ffestiniog Railway Society has a restricted fund for the restoration of this loco, with approximately £23,000 raised to date.
A good overview of the history is available on the Festipedia page.
A further new super saloon, this bogie carriage has been constructed by the works staff.