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Welsh Highland Railway®
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Russell ran on the Welsh Highland Railway from its opening in 1922 until its closure in 1936, and run the last train in 1937.
When inherited from the NWNGR, Russell was fitted with Westinghouse Air brakes. However to make the Welsh Highland Railway & Ffestiniog Railway compatible, this was replaced with Vacuum brakes.
In 1923, the Welsh Highland was opened throughout, and Russell was cut down to enable it to run on FR metals. However this was not a success, and it never made it to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
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| Russell in un-cut down form at Beddgelert. Note that although the Westinghouse air pump has been removed (and vacuum brakes added), the cab, dome & chimney have yet to me cut down.
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In its cut-down
form. Note that half an oil drum is now on the front footplate, for sanding, and that the 'cut-outs' in the front and rear buffer beams have appeared. These are designed to make it easier to get a jack under the buffer beam to lift the loco up, especially when one of the pony trucks derailed. |
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| At Beddgelert with the Baldwin | Again at Beddgelert, with the Gladstone Car. The effects of the cutting down can be clearly seen. Note also the back sheet has been removed. This is still done in fine weather, to get some air into the cab. Its not appreciated though if it start to rain.
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© Andrew Goodwin,1996-2004 |