Sybil
| Sybil | |
|---|---|
| Type | Quarry Hunslet |
| Home Railway | Richmond Light Railway |
| Original Railway | Pen-yr-orsedd Quarry |
| Number | 827 |
| Status | Operational |
| History | |
| Built by | Hunslet Engine Co. |
| Built | 1903 |
| 1963 | Preserved by Tony Hills |
| Technical | |
| Wheel Arrangement | 0-4-0ST |
| Length | 13 ft 10 in |
| Fuel | Coal |
| Locomotives | |
Sybil is a privately owned quarry Hunslet resident on the Richmond Light Railway.
History[edit]
1903-1980: Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry and Early Perseveration[edit]
Sister to Britomart, this 0-4-0ST quarry engine was built by the Hunslet Engine Company, Leeds in 1903 (works No.827) for Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry, in the Nantlle Vale. She was bought in 1963 for preservation by Tony Hills and restored to working order by 1968. The locomotive initially saw occasional use on the Llanberis Lake Railway and also on display in the Welsh Slate Museum.
1980-2021: Brecon Mountain Railway[edit]
In 1980, Tony Hills opened the Brecon Mountain Railway, and Sybil hauled the first trains. However the demanding route and longer trains resulted the locomotive quickly being unsuitable. She saw very occasional use but was mostly displayed in the railway's museum. In 2011/2012 the locomotive was restored to working order but again only saw occasional use.
2021-Present Day: Richmond Light Railway[edit]
On the 14th of August 2021 it was announced on the Facebook page of the Richmond Light Railway that Sybil had been acquired and moved to the private line in Kent. Here the locomotive would see more regular use than her former home at the various open days conducted by the railway throughout the year. In late 2022 the locomotive was withdrawn and her 10 year overhaul started.
The overhaul of Sybil was completed in time for the Richmond Light Railway annual Charity Steam Fair on August 12th 2023.
2022 Visit to the Ffestiniog Railway[edit]
In April and May 2022 Sybil, along with fellow Richmond Light Railway Quarry Hunslet Elin, visited the FR and operated shuttles in connection with the society AGM. She was fitted with the vacuum brake equipment from Velinheli to enable the locomotive work FR trains without the need for FR locomotive. In addition she was reunited with former Pen-yr-Orsedd stablemate Britomart, the first time the locomotives had been together since the 1950s and probably longer since they were both operational. Sybil received a new toolbox identical to that on Britomart just prior to the visit.
Sybil and Elin worked with Britomart on a series of shuttle trains between Pont Croesor and Minffordd and in additional Sybil also ran along the whole WHR to Dinas in connection with The Snowdonian.
Principal stated dimensions[edit]
| Cylinders | 7" x 10" |
| Nominal wheel diameter | 1' 8" |
| Boiler pressure | 160 psi |
| Major overhauls | 1968 2012 |