Ffestiniog Railway 'Harlech Castle'

Harlech Castle is a 0-6-0DH medium sized diesel locomotive that was built in 1983 by Baguley-Drewry of Burton-on-Trent under builders number 3767.

The locomotive did trials on the Ffestiniog Railway in 1985 but was found to be too large to fit within the loading gauge. Subsequently, the company purchased her in 1988 from the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway in Kent in part exchange for The Peckett . She was altered at Boston Lodge with funding from the INCA Programme, with a re-positioned and differently-profiled cab and a replacement transmission. Fitted with RAF wagon couplings and no vacuum brakes, she went into service in 1990 with the Permanent Way Department.

In 2009 she suffered from a series of failures and entered Boston Lodge Works for a major overhaul in August. This has included re-profiling the wheels and the fitting of a new gear box.

During the winter of 2011, "Harlech Castle's" electrics were rewired due to a series of failures over the previous year. During the overhaul it became apparent that other components had failed and she was fitted with a new radiator and a new turbo. The engine was tested and passed by an engineer from Cat, the manufacturer.

In early 2015, "Harlech Castle" received attention at Boston Lodge. At this time the couplings were changed to choppers as part of a coupling standardization program.

During the early part of 2018 "Harlech Castle" suffered a transmission failure. The transmission was removed and sent away for repair. Whilst the locomotive was in the works the opportunity was taken to prepare it for having vacuum brakes fitted. To house the new equipment required the bonnet was widened, giving an appearance similar to that of sister locomotive Criccieth Castle. "Harlech Castle"emerged from the works in October 2018 in the new standard infrastructure livery of green with a cream stripe.

Gallery

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