Conway Castle
This 77hp FC Hibberd "Planet" 4wDM (Builder's number 3831 of 1958, Model SCN) arrived from the Royal Naval Armament Depot at Ernesettle, Devon, on 29 April 1981. It was regauged from 2ft 6ins and rebuilt at Boston Lodge with a Gardner 6LXB 180hp bus engine. It is fitted for operating Push Pull trains. At its naming ceremony, it carried the nameplates CONWAY CASTLE and CASTELL CONWY on either side.
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[edit] As the locomotive looked on arrival
[edit] Taking shape in Boston Lodge
[edit] Initial Entry into Service
The locomotive was named at Blaenau Ffestiniog by The Mayor of Conwy, Mrs Molly Willdigg on 5th July 1986[1]; the livery of orange, black and grey referred to the colours of Mrs Willdig's robes. On the day, a spare nameplate CONWY CASTLE was presented to the Conwy Council and a badge of the seal of the town saying SIGILLUM PROVESTRI ET DE CONWEYE was presented to the FR. This badge was on the front of the loco until it was replaced by a more mundane badge saying 'Gardner 180hp.' The Conwy badge now adorns the front of the gearbox inside the cab; this must be one of few diesel locos with a Latin inscription.
[edit] Push Pull
Repainted into the Green and Cream Livery following the introduction into traffic of Carriage 111 in 1990.
Note that the nameplates have been moved to the cab sides, that the badge has been removed from the front and that the loco has FR150 circular badges on the cab sides.
[edit] Transfer to Welsh Highland Railway
It received a replacement Gardner 6LXB power unit in 1999, and was transferred to WHR(C) in 2000 to be used as the Dinas yard shunter. It has also seen use on Phase 3 and 4 construction work, and limited passenger duties.
It should be noted that the FR has purchased a number of standard gauge Hibberd locomotives for spare parts at various times. These have not come to the railway.
[edit] References
- ^ FR Chronology
Bradley, Vic (1993). Industrial Locomotives of North Wales. London: Industrial Railway Society. ISBN 0-9010-9672-5. OCLC 27769657.
