Four-Wheel Modified Slate Waggons

From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group

Conversions of surplus slate wagons for various purposes, mostly in the early restoration period.

The FRTG referred to, is the blue coloured Festiniog Railway Traveller's Guide which contains information on these wagons. There have been a number of editions of this publication
The HGC referred to, is the Heritage Group Chronology which contains information on these wagons

Wagon 135[edit]

Flat wagon 135 Minffordd Yard - FRTG describes this as 'Four wheel all metal flat wagon formerly 2-ton slate wagon'. It is seen carrying a load of rail anchors in somewhat badly deteriorated wooden crates!


Wagon 140[edit]

Wagon 140 - Minffordd Yard - FRTG describes this as 'Four wheel all metal flat wagon formerly 3-ton slate wagon'. The load is the body from one of the Gun Powder Waggons and came as part of the ex-Maenofferen slate wagon sale. Another view, albeit in the background appears here


Wagon 171[edit]

Wagon 171 in Minffordd Yard. HGC describes as 3 ton slate wagon built by Brown Marshalls (type 1) after 1868, allocated to Oakeley quarries. Old Co. No. 827. Groups Information Memorandum G71-A2 01/11/78: Converted to bottom discharge hopper wagon.


This wagon is rarely used by the FR Permanent Way gang because in recent years they have not needed to lay large amounts of ballast. It was last used in February 2009 to lay ballast on Dingle Curve and it required a lot of persuasion to get the mechanism to work due to corrosion. Consequently, the wagon is currently out of service, pending repair by Glanypwll Depot.

Wagon 212[edit]

Converted/adapted two-ton slate wagon in use as anS&T tools wagon with non-standard brake handle - Minffordd Yard


212 (S & T) Converted two-ton braked slate wagon allocated to S&T on the official list as tools wagon. It was agreed in 2001 that all heritage wagons like this one would be removed from the works fleet and be available for possible restoration. In effect it has been 'mothballed' hence there being no worry about duplicating the numbers (see restored wagon 212). It used to be numbered 707 under the old company (pre 1954) but was changed to 212 under the new company's 2xx convention (for numbering two ton slate wagons). It has been adapted by removing parts of the two sides. Built in the 1890s [Source: Marcus Ingram FR E-group posting 45081; Iain W FR E-group posting 45097]

Wagon 254[edit]

Wagon 254 Boston Lodge HGC describes as All metal 2 ton slate wagon. Flat. Old Co. No. 187


Wagon 309[edit]

Wagon 309 - Glan-Y-Mor. FRTG describes this as 'Four wheel all metal flat wagon formerly 3-ton slate wagon').


Wagon 317[edit]

Wagon 317 - Boston Lodge. FRTG describes as 'Four wheel all metal flat wagon formerly 3-ton slate wagon').


That is, indeed, what it was. However, this may not be 317 as it has been fitted with a bolster, so it is one of the wagons converted for use by the P.Way dept. It is NOT one of the original Iron bolster wagons, though the bolster itself is an original item, probably recovered from one of the derelict wooden bolster wagons. What may be confusing is the load, an historic piece of machinery saved for posterity and put upon the wagon so it is mobile, rather than cluttering up ground in Boston Lodge or Minffordd yards. The bolster can be seen between the 'feet' of the machine.

Wagon 356[edit]

Wagon 356 - Boston Lodge. FRTG describes this as 'Four wheel all metal flat wagon formerly 3-ton slate wagon').


Wagon 403[edit]

Wagon 403 - Boston Lodge. Now this IS a flat converted from a 3-ton slate.


Wagon 411[edit]

Wagon 411 - Minffordd Yard


This wagon is used to hold any one of the double fairlie power bogies. Its most recent use was on the Earl Of Merioneth's top-end bogie.

Wagon 413[edit]

Wagon 413 - Minffordd Yard. FRTG (1992? version) describes as '(with bolster) formerly short slab wagon'


Wagon 414[edit]

Wagon 414 - Minffordd Yard


Some of the wagons illustrated above have yellow headstocks which means they have been designated restricted use vehicles and are not permitted to run on the main line without the express permission of the CME or Civil Engineering manager.

See also[edit]