THE agreement between the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways and the National Trust for the loan of Quarry Hunslet No. 855 of 1904 Hugh Napier has been extended for a further 10-year period.
The deal was confirmed to Heritage Railway by Ff&WHR director and general manager Paul Lewin, who said: “Hugh Napier has been a great addition to the Ff&WHR fleet.
While clearly not suitable for our passenger services, like Lilla and Britomart this locomotive gives a lot of pleasure to our visitors, regularly affording the opportunity for hands-on experience and adding to the rich tapestry of the scene on the railway.
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“The agreement going forward includes carrying out the 10-year boiler overhaul of the locomotive. We will be conducting an appeal during the course of the year to fund materials for this project. We are very pleased that Hugh Napier will be maintained in an operable state and based in North Wales.”
GARETH EVANS
Preserved at the NT’s Penrhyn Castle Industrial Railway Museum in 1966, the locomotive’s restoration to working order was completed at the Ff&WHR in 2012.
The 0-4-0ST has since become a roving ambassador for the NT and Ff&WHR alike. Along with numerous heritage lines, Hugh Napier has visited Shrewsbury Flower Show, Bristol Temple Meads and King’s Cross station, where for February half-term 2018, it was displayed alongside Velinheli and FR carriage No. 10.
The locomotive, which has been restored to Penrhyn Quarry condition, regularly gives footplate rides at the Ff&WHR during special events or on summer Saturdays.
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