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The locomotive known as "Holy War" was built in 1902 by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds, under works number 779 for the Dinorwic Slate Quarry in Wales as the engine No. 3 in their fleet. It spent its whole working life in the quarry alongside other Hunslet engines. "Holy War" received its name in 1908 after a racehorse.

In 1967, "Holy War" had become officially the last steam locomotive to remain in operation in a Wales slate quarry until it was withdrawn from service the same year. The quarry itself closed in 1969.

"Holy War" was sold and went to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in 1970. After being used in Buckinghamshire it was purchased by Reverend Alan Cliff and returned to Wales in 1975, going to the Bala Lake Railway. Restoration of "Holy War" was completed in 1978 and the locomotive entered traffic again in 1979. The Bala Lake Railway eventually purchased "Holy War" from Cliff in 1989.

"Holy War" still resides at The Bala Lake Railway in steam to this day along with some of the other former Dinorwic Slate Quarry locomotives. In 2002 a gala was held to commemorate the locomotive's 100th anniversary.

Trivia[]

  • "Holy War" appears in the children's book "Jack the Station Cat and the Great Little Trains Robbery".

Gallery[]

Dinorwic Quarry Locomotives
De Winton WellingtonHarrietPerisVictoriaPadarn
Alpha Hunslets CharlieMinstrel ParkLouisa
Alice Class VelinheliKing of the ScarletsElidirRough PupCloisterBernsteinCovercoatGeorge B.Holy WarAliceMaid MarianIrish MailWild Aster
Port Class Lady JoanDolbadarnMichael
Tram/Mills Class Jerry MCackler
Other SybilCaledoniaElidir
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