File:1960-04-30 FRS AGM train b.jpg

FESTINIOG RAILWAY SOCIETY LTD.

Special train, Paddington — Minffordd, Saturday, 30th April, 1960 The Directors of the Festiniog Railway Society Limited extend a cordial welcome to members and guests on this, the fourth annual excursion specially organized to view the efforts of the Festiniog Railway Company, aided by the volunteers, in the rehabilitation of Britain’s oldest public narrow-gauge railway.

Motive power for a special train of this sort is always a matter for much discussion, and this year it has been decided that " County” class 4-6-0 No. 1019 "County of Merioneth” will be used. The "Counties" were the last express passenger type to be designed and built by the Great Western Railway, and were introduced to traffic in 1945. They have 6ft. 3in. driving wheels, a boiler pressure of 280 lb.sq.in., and two cylinders 18½ in. x 30 in., giving a tractive effort of 32,580 lb. Their predecessors in name were the Churchward "Counties”, built in 1904. None of these engines survives today, but we reproduce below a photograph of No. 3829, "County of Merioneth”, taken at Reading in March 1924, at the head of the 12-30 p.m. Paddington-Weymouth express. Mr. K. A. C. R. Nunn, who took this photograph, writes: 'I only wish you could have had that "County” on your train because, as a class, they always seemed to me to be the fastest running engines the G.W.R. ever had’. They had 6 ft. 8½in. driving wheels, a boiler pressure of 200 lb. sq. in., and two cylinders, their tractive effort being 20,530lb.

The train office will be located in the centre of coach C and there will be a bookstall in coach J with a branch at the buffet end of coach D.

No. 3829, County of Merioneth, at Reading, March, 1924 No. 1019, County of Merioneth, at Reading, March 1959

[Photo: K. A. C. R. Nunn [Photo: R. Panting

On the Festiniog

As in 1959, two special trains will be run on the F.R. in connection with the Festiniog Railway Special.

The first will consist of "Prince” and the four-wheeled stock, and the second of "Taliesin” and the bogie stock. Some re-marshalling of these trains will be carried out at Tan-y-Bwlch for the return journey, and those wishing to visit Boston Lodge works should return in the first train to leave (4-15 p.m.) regardless of which train they travelled in to Tan-y-Bwlch. Those wishing to walk up the line to inspect the section not yet re-opened should return in the second train (5-5 p.m.).

No specific allocation of seats has been made on the F.R. other than in the first-class observation car hut please note that first-class compartments are reserved for holders of first-class tickets. Your cooperation is requested to ensure the prompt loading and despatch of the two trains.

We should like to extend a particular welcome to NON MEMBERS travelling on the trains; we hope that the realization of what we have achieved, and the magnitude of the task ahead, may persuade them to join our ranks!

We regret that it is not possible for them to attend the Annual General Meeting. However, it is hoped to hold a film show for all those who are interested, but at the time of going to press details are not available.