Festiniog Railway Little Wonder

Festiniog Railway Little Wonder
Little Wonder, photographed c.1871
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder George England Build date 1869
Specifications Configuration: ​  •  Whyte 0-4-4-0T  •  UIC B′B′ n4t Gauge 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) Driver dia. 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) Loco weight 19.5 long tons (19.8 t) Water cap. 720 imp gal (3,300 L; 860 US gal) Boiler pressure 160 psi (1,100 kPa) † Cylinders Four, outside Cylinder size 8.25 in × 13 in (210 mm × 330 mm) Valve gear Gooch valve gear
Performance figures Tractive effort 8,595 lbf (38.23 kN)
Career Operators Ffestiniog Railway Numbers FfR 7 Official name Little Wonder Withdrawn 1882 Disposition Scrapped in 1882

The Festiniog Railway Little Wonder was a 0-4-4-0 T steam locomotive built by George England for the Ffestiniog Railway in 1869. ^{[1] [2]}

Design

Little Wonder was a Double Fairlie type articulated locomotive designed by Robert Francis Fairlie. It was the first Double Fairlie locomotive on the Festiniog Railway and the fourth Double Fairlie locomotive to be built. It was delivered to the railway in July 1869. ^[3] It was an improvement on earlier designs because having two fireboxes instead of one allowed it to steam more freely.

In 1870, Fairlie invited guests to witness Little Wonder in a trial against the Festiniog Railway's existing locomotives Mountaineer and Welsh Pony. Amongst those in attendance were the second Duke of Sutherland, the Imperial Russian Commissioners, the Commissioners of the Indian Government, and Captain Tyler of the Board of Trade. Little Wonder hauled a train of 112 wagons weighing 206 long tons (209 t; 231 short tons) up the line at an average speed of 12+1⁄2 mph (20.1 km/h). Welsh Pony was only just able to haul a train of 26 wagons weighing 73 long tons (74 t; 82 short tons) at a maximum speed of 5 mph (8.0 km/h). ^[4]

Performance

Little Wonder was hailed as a great success and attracted attention from around the world. However, various mechanical problems arose and the engine required frequent repairs. It was withdrawn from service in 1882. ^{[5] [ unreliable source ]}

See also

• List of Ffestiniog Railway rolling stock

References

1. Kidner, R.W (1960). The Narrow Gauge Railways of Wales. The Oakwood Press. p. 5.
2. Kidner, R.W. (1960). Light and Narrow Gauge Locomotives. The Oakwood Press. p. 24-25.
3. Johnson, Peter (10 July 2013). Narrow Gauge Railways. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 10. ISBN   978-0-7478-1392-7.
4. Armstrong, T.W. (1870). Facts and opinions. Regarding the economical construction and working of railways of narrow gauge with steep gradients and sharp curves, when worked with an improved class of engine and rolling stock.
5. "Little Wonder". Festipedia. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2012.

External links

• Festipedia page on Festiniog Railway locomotives