THE Ffestiniog &Welsh Highland Railway pulled out all the stops to carry out a complete overhaul of its new-build articulated double Fairlie 0-4-4-0T David Lloyd George so it can play a key role in the 2023 roster.
In 1992, the Ffestiniog Railway completed its second new heritageera double Fairlie locomotive, funded in part by a grant aimed at increasing the capacity of the railway; David Lloyd George has gone on to clock up a prodigious mileage over the last three decades.
Its boiler was built to a new all-welded design created by Bob Meanley, of Tyseley Locomotive Works.
The previous two new boilers fitted to double Fairlies Earl of Merioneth and Merddin Emrys were built by Hunslet in 1969 and although giving long service, they had flaws that the new boiler hoped to eradicate.
The Hunslet boilers had a raised firebox similar to shedmates Linda and Blanche. In double-ended format, problems with expansion and contraction, causing cracking around the throatplates, became a serious headache.
A work-around with extra staying was found, but a stronger
