Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry 'Britomart'

Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry 'Britomart'
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hunslet Engine Co.
Build date	1899
Rail gauge	600mm
Cylinders	7x10
Boiler pressure	160
Fuel type	coal

Britomart is a privately owned quarry Hunslet resident on the Ffestiniog Railway.

History

1899-1966: Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry to FR

This 0-4-0ST quarry engine was built by the Hunslet Engine Company, Leeds in 1899 (works No. 707) for the Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry, in the Nantlle Vale. She was named after a character in The Faerie Queen (an epic poem by Edmund Spenser published in 1596) as is demonstrated by the fact that another locomotive in the quarry was named "Una" - a second character in the same work. She was bought in 1965 for preservation by a private consortium of FR workers and volunteers arriving on the FR on 5 June, and was first steamed on the FR in July 1966. Its blue livery is based on that of the former Great Northern Railway of Ireland. The original owners on the FR were Steve Coulson, Bob Harris, Tom Baskcomb, Roger Goss and Anthony Massau.

1974-2007: Guest player at various locations

Britomart visited Dublin in 1974, courtesy of Sealink, to publicise the Great little Trains of Wales in the annual St Patrick's Day Parade. It visited the Leighton Buzzard Railway during September and October 1986 and the WHRL in 1990.

In 2007 a major overhaul and repairs, including the fitting of a new inner firebox, was completed. Britomart visited the WHR(C) for the first time when it attended the "Join In" Weekend on 8–9 September 2007.

2009: Spark arrestor and new ejector

In February 2009 Britomart probably became the first Quarry Hunslet to be fitted with a very effective Master Mechanics spark arrestor allowing it to be used in drier weather. A small ejector was also fitted for uphill running, reducing the demand on the boiler and tank compared to the one fitted in 1982 (the same size as Prince's!).

2010-present: more guest plays between repairs

In 2010, it visited Hollycombe for their railway weekend and attended an open day at Tyseley with Lilla on 26–27 June.

Also in 2010 it had some mechanical work done, including new piston rings (possibly replacing ones fitted in 1936!). Axleboxes whitemetalled, horn faces surface ground and squared up. Due to whitemetal bearings, under feed lubrication has been fitted. The journals were also skimmed.

Britomart visited the Statfold Barn Railway on 4 June 2011 and travelled with Lilla to Dinas Junction on the WHR in connection with Superpower Weekend in September 2011.

Principal stated dimensions

Cylinders	7" x 10"
Nominal wheel diameter	1' 8"
Boiler pressure	160 psi
Major overhauls	1966 1982

Gallery

Gallery