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From this month's featured article

Prince (originally The Prince) is a steam locomotive built for the Festiniog Railway in 1863. One of the line's original locomotives, it continued in use (much rebuilt) until the mid-1930s.

When the FR closed in 1946, it was left in the works, part-way through an overhaul. This allowed it to become the first steam locomotive rebuilt for use on the reopened railway in 1955. In the early years of the line's revival it was an important member of the locomotive fleet and was rebuilt to improve its usefulness. As train sizes have grown it is now less used, but is still a regular performer on special trains. Prince has also appeared at many events away from the railway.

Prince was named in honour of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII, 1841-1910) who had recently been married. (more...)

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Festipedia is dedicated to recording the history of the Festiniog Railway from the 19th Century to the present day. There is a user friendly index to help you find your way around the main categories. You will also find much detail on the Welsh Highland Railway.

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This month's featured picture

Dahuichang 4 is a modern Chinese-built locomotive that arrived on the Ffestniog for assessment on 16 January 2007. Built at the Harbin Locomotive Works in Manchuria (builder's number 221 of 1988), it is an 0-8-0 tender design. Built for 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge track, it has been acquired by a group of Ffestiniog footplate volunteers who are regauging and rebuilding it.

The locomotive left Minffordd for display at Shildon in mid-August 2008. It has since returned to Boston Lodge, where it is being rebuilt in a specially built shed.

As of April 2026 the cab and tender are wooden mockups. There is, as yet, no approval to use the chinese boiler, and a replacement could cost £100k-£150k.

Photo credit: User:Nigelbarry

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