File:1961-04-22 AGM train b.jpg

6002 King William IV [By courtesy of British Railways

FESTINIOG RAILWAY SOCIETY LTD.

Special train, Paddington — Minffordd, Saturday, 22nd April, 1961

This is the fifth year that an excursion has been specially organised to give members of the Festiniog Railway Society Ltd., and guests an opportunity to view the efforts of the Festiniog Railway Company, aided by the volunteers, in the rehabilitation of Britain’s oldest public narrow-gauge railway, and the Society Directors extend a cordial welcome to you and hope that you will very much enjoy the trip. In the first instance it is the friendly co-operation of British Railways—Western Region that enables us to make our annual visits such a success, and to them, and in particular to the individual members of their staff who put in so much hard work to ensure the smooth and satisfactory running of the train, we offer our warmest appreciation.

This year, the locomotive selected to haul the special train from Paddington is one of the "King” class, No. 6002 "King William IV”. The "Kings”, first introduced in 1926, were at that time Britain’s most powerful passenger engines, having a tractive effort of 40,300 lb. Their introduction into traffic coincided approximately with that of the "Royal Scots” on the L.M.S. and the "Lord Nelsons” on the Southern, and the Great Western heralded the arrival of their new giant with almost unprecedented publicity. No. 6000 "King George V” was sent to the U.S.A. in 1927 in connection with the Railroad Centenary celebrations there, and attracted much attention, not only by its performance, but also by its appearance. The photograph reproduced here emphasises the massive yet beautiful proportions of the class, and the remarkable simplicity of line and absence of frills for which Great Western design was always so renowned.

In recent years, the appearance of the "Kings” has been considerably altered by modifications to the front end, including the provision of a double chimney, resulting in much improved performance, and it is a testimony to the design that after thirty-five years the engines are still as hard at work as ever on top main line duties. Although "Kings” do not normally work beyond Wolverhampton, permission has been obtained on this occasion for No. 6002 to work the special through to Ruabon.

On the Festiniog

On arrival at Minffordd, passengers should proceed from the W.R. station to the F.R. station, whence trains will convey them to Tan-y-Bwlch. Before departure, a brief ceremony will be held at which the F.R. double Fairlie "Taliesin” will be re-named "Earl of Merioneth”. This title is one of those borne by H.R.H. Prince Philip and we are proud to record that a letter has been received from Buckingham Palace stating that His Royal Highness has been pleased to agree to this naming of one of our locomotives. The ceremony will be performed by Mr. Oswald Thomas, a well-known figure in the Portmadoc district, and formerly B.R. stationmaster at Portmadoc. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Welsh Tourist Board, Caernarvon County Council and the Portmadoc U.D.C.