Ffestiniog Railway 2-4-0st+t 'Linda'

As a reaction to high oil prices Ffestiniog Railway 2-4-0st+t 'Linda' was converted from oil firing back to coal firing during an overhaul lasting from late 1983 to early 1985. The conversion was not just a straight conversion back to coal, rather the locomotive was modernised. The Ffestiniog originally moved to oil firing to remove the risk of lineside fires - the line runs through large areas of forest where fires could be a disaster. To reduce the chances of lineside fire from sparks emitted from the chimney and to allow the locomotive to meet the required service conditions 'Linda' was equipped with a full Gas Producer Combustion System. As would be expected this incorporated a restricted primary air flow, clinker control steam and over fire air holes in the firebox sides. At the front end a Lempor ejector and chimney was fitted along with a self cleaning spark arrestor. A number of articles appeared in the railway press around the time of this work. These are reproduced here, click below to read them:

'Linda' Back on Coal
Railway Magazine October 1985
Locomotive Performance on the Narrow Gauge
Steam Locomotive Development on the Ffestiniog Railway
Railway Magazine September 1986
Locomotive Performance on the Narrow Gauge
Steam Locomotive Development on the Ffestiniog Railway - Railway Magazine September 1986

Shortly after conversion in 1985 Linda displays perfect combustion as she hauls an up train into Ddaullt. The Fireman is the FR's then Operating Manager Terry Turner. He is now General Manager on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. Behind him, just visible, is Phil Girdlestone monitoring performance. © G. Rushton
Shortly after conversion in 1985 Linda displays perfect combustion as she hauls an up train into Ddaullt. The Fireman is the FR's then Operating Manager Terry Turner. He is now General Manager on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. Behind him, just visible, is Phil Girdlestone monitoring performance. © G. Rushton

Linda in GPCS days at the head of a special train conveying the then General Manager of BR's London Midland Region. The driver is Seamus Rogers whilst fireman, looking back, is Shaun McMahon. The steam exhausting in front of the cab is from the vacuum ejector. Also note the ashpan and escaping clinker control steam. Taken at Tan-y-Bwlch in May 1986. © The late L.H.Murphy, courtesy of Shaun McMahon.
Linda in GPCS days at the head of a special train conveying the then General Manager of BR's London Midland Region. The driver is Seamus Rogers whilst fireman, looking back, is Shaun McMahon. The steam exhausting in front of the cab is from the vacuum ejector. Also note the ashpan and escaping clinker control steam. Taken at Tan-y-Bwlch in May 1986. © The late L.H.Murphy, courtesy of Shaun McMahon.

Linda in July 2004 - now largely demodified and back as an oil burner. At least the locomotive retains a Lempor nozzle. In the mid 1990's when the original nozzle became life expired a replacement was manufactured under the guidance of Nigel Day. July 17 2004
Linda in July 2004 - now largely demodified and back as an oil burner. At least the locomotive retains a Lempor nozzle. In the mid 1990's when the original nozzle became life expired a replacement was manufactured under the guidance of Nigel Day. July 17 2004

If you have any photographs of Linda in GPCS form and would be prepared to allow them to be used on these pages please get in touch.

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