Ffestiniog Railway, North Wales, UK

2-4-0st+t 'Linda'

This loco already has quite a history of modifications. Starting life as a 0-4-0 she is now a 2-4-0. However perhaps the most interesting changes were made by Phil Girdlestone in 1983/84 with the installation of the equipment required to give the locomotive a Gas Producer firebox. Despite success Linda was converted to oil firing matching most other FR locos after Phil Girdlestone moved on. That said, fortunately, the Lempor front end was not removed.

When the Lempor nozzles became life expired Nigel was called in to manufacture a new nozzle. The design was slightly altered to take in to account the change from the Girdlestone Lempor chimney back to the 'traditional' look chimney.

Click below to hear what Linda sounded like when this photograph was taken.
To listen to the sound of Linda, equipped with Nigel's Lempor, climbing around Ddaullt loop on August 15 2003 click here. (143KB MP3 file.) Note the roar from the oil firing.
This is a short, edited version.
 Listen
To listen to the sound of Linda, equipped with Nigel's Lempor, climbing around Ddaullt loop and on towards Moelwyn Tunnel on August 15 2003 click here. (1.04MB MP3 file.) Note the roar from the oil firing.
This is the full version.

On the left is a view of Linda's smokebox as was. © Nigel A. H. Day The new nozzle (left) and old nozzle (right). Note the different shape and construction. © Nigel A. H. Day
On the left is a view of Linda's smokebox as was. The right hand photo shows the new nozzle (left) and old nozzle (right). Note the different shape and construction. © Nigel A. H. Day

A view of Linda's smokebox with the new nozzle installed. Note that the steam pipes from the superheater header are removed. The two items pointed to by the yellow arrows are a hang over from the days when the loco was a gas producer. These carried exhaust steam for use as clinker control steam at the grate. © Nigel Day

A view of Linda's smokebox with the new nozzle installed. Note that the steam pipes from the superheater header are removed. The two items pointed to by the yellow arrows are a hang over from the days when the loco was a gas producer. These carried exhaust steam for use as clinker control steam at the grate. © Nigel A. H. Day

With chimney cap on Linda is seen at Boston Lodge prior to testing. Note the blue pipe to the left of the chimney set up to measure one of the parameters monitored during the testing procedure. At this stage the loco was still running with the old nozzle and chimney arrangement. © Nigel A. H. Day
With chimney cap on Linda is seen at Boston Lodge prior to testing. Note the blue pipe to the left of the chimney set up to measure one of the parameters monitored during the testing procedure. At this stage the loco was still running with the old nozzle and chimney arrangement. © Nigel A. H. Day

A manometer in Linda's cab used during testing. © Nigel A. H. Day
A manometer in Linda's cab used during testing. © Nigel A. H. Day

2-4-0st+t 'Linda' at Porthmadog station. August 14 2003

2-4-0st+t 'Linda' at Porthmadog station. August 14 2003

As seen in 2003 Linda carries a 'normal' chimney again, somewhat different to the Lempor fitted when the locomotive was a Gas Producer. August 14 2003
As seen in 2003 Linda carries a 'normal' chimney again, somewhat different to the Lempor fitted when the locomotive was a Gas Producer. August 14 2003

Linda in action in 2003. On July 13 she is seen about an hour down with the 16:00 service from Porthmadog near Glan-y-Pwll depot on the approach to Blaenau Ffestiniog. July 13 2003

Working flat out to make up the hour delay Linda climbs away from Tanygrisiau with the 17:30 ex Blaenau Ffestiniog. Hearing the engine working this hard it was obvious the loco had a Lempor exhaust. Not surprisingly Linda sounds very similar to Puffing Billy 6A. July 13 2003
Working flat out to make up the hour delay Linda climbs away from Tanygrisiau with the 17:30 ex Blaenau Ffestiniog. Hearing the engine working this hard it was obvious the loco had a Lempor exhaust. Not surprisingly Linda sounds very similar to Puffing Billy 6A. July 13 2003

Close Window