Gowrie
This was the final engine purchased by the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways in 1908, in anticipation of the completion of the line from Rhyd-Ddu to Portmadoc. It was considered that a larger powerful loco would be required to surmount the gradients and curves north of Beddgelert. The basic design of the loco was the manufacturers, but Gowrie C. Aitchison exerted influence to the extent that the single Fairlie bogie arrangement was used. Many features such as cab, boiler mountings and firebox outline were similar to Russell
This was the last single Fairlie to be built for UK use, until the Festiniog built Taliesin III
Delivery was in September 1908.
Tradition has it that the engine was not a success, and after the combining of Moel Tryfan and Snowdon Ranger into one good loco in 1917, the engine was sold in 1918.
Its subsequent history can be traced to Wake's Geneva yard in Darlington, then Marske-by-Sea, North Yorkshire, and finally for sale in 1928.
[edit] Reference
Boyd, James I.C.. Narrow Gauge Railways in South Caernarvonshire. Lingfield, Surrey, England: The Oakwood Press. ISBN 9780853611158. OCLC 707587. "(Later editions split into 2 volumes)"
and others
