Hunslet Works No. 554 'Lilla'

Hunslet Engine Company 0-4-0ST Lilla
Built 1891 - Works No. 554
Operated at Cilgwyn Slate Co. Quarry at Nantlle and Penrhyn Quarry

The popular Ffestiniog based quarry Hunslet, has links to the Welsh Highland Railway in its working life, with across from Cilgwyn at Fron Quarry down the Bryngwyn Incline Drum Head which linked to the Welsh Highland Railway. The locomotive moved to Penrhyn in 1928, transferring via the WHR to Minas, before being transported by the LMS to Port Penrhyn.

Once restored, the locomotives preservation life started at Knebworth Park and Winter Green Railway in Hertfordshire until 197, when the locomotive moved to Kew Bridge Steam Museum, although the loco was too large. A further move took place to Bala Lake Railway, were again the locomotive was deemed too large. Finally in 1993 the locomotive visited Ffestiniog for the Hunslet 100 event (celebrating Blanche and Linda's 100th Birthday). The loco remained at Ffestiniog and was purchased for the railway 1997.

In this video we see Lilla in action on the Ffestiniog Railway, Threlkeld Quarry Railway, Statfold Barn Railway and Albert Dock, Liverpool.

www.preservedrailway.co.uk
(C) Lee Andrew Davies 2021