The Victorian train is a highlight on Ffestiniog Railway events, particularly since the Curly Roof Van was completed over twenty years ago.
As part of the constant evolution and preservation of the railway’s heritage vehicles, the Curly Roof Van emerged from the carriage shed in time for the Bygones Weekend in a striking new livery, with the all over dark now having a white upper panel and the vehicle nicely lined out.
This is the latest of many of the Victorian train vehicles to be repainted, all of which have been supported by the Ffestiniog Railway Society with the help of a substantial legacy left to the Society a number of years ago. The bug boxes were first, then 15, bowsider 18 and now the Curly Roof Van. Bowsider 19 is in the carriage shed being similarly treated.
Over the weekend, the van could be seen with a mix of other vehicles hanging off the back of it – sometimes the unique Boat, and sometimes the empty slate waggons forming the mixed train.
As well as the Victorian train attempting to hog the show, the other vintage vehicles lovingly restored were seen, including the Colonel Stephens train, 1950s train and even multiple freight trains, which saw the addition of newly completed coal waggons.
Of course, no FR event would be complete without the spectacle of the gravity slate train, including the need to tow it up the hill behind a double engine.
