Garden Railway Forum

That would fit with my supposition that it couldn't be Taliesin (the nameplate is too long).
Well spotted and researched, Philip.

Anyone want to add anything?

Rik

I think it might be when the line was coming up to closure. When the FRPS took over, there were dilapidated coaches and slate wagons parked on the sidings at Harbour Station.

Rik

This extract from the history of Merddin Emrys lends some weight to Philip's suggestion

In January 1940 it was taken out of traffic for maintenance which took until May to complete. However it was then set to one side and only returned to service in March 1942 when Taliesin needed repairs. From then onwards it was the only double engine in service. When the railway closed, because the closure came so abruptly, literally overnight, the loco had been put into the shed with water in the boiler and tanks and coal in the bunkers, ready for its next turn of duty. The unfortunate results were inevitable and corrosion of the tanks and boiler rendered Merddin Emrys completely unfit for use during the eight years when the railway was closed.

Rik

Another from the NGRS Ffestiniog Collection.
This one has been catalogued as "Merddin Emrys Taliesin and The Princess at Boston Lodge Works".

That doesn't look like Boston Lodge to me. On the back of the photo in pencil someone has put "WHR?" which makes me wonder if it's Dinas.
Also, If that is a single Fairlie in the middle, wouldn't it have been called Moel Hebog and not Taliesin?

I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Rik

To my untrained eye, that looks very much like Boston Lodge, with the mainline on the right there.

SimonWood wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:49 pm To my untrained eye, that looks very much like Boston Lodge, with the mainline on the right there.

I think you could be right. Just found this online

https://www.festrailmedia.co.uk/gallery ... w_YvBGa49c

Rik

This photo is even more persuasive. It shows that engine shd in context
https://www.festrailmedia.co.uk/gallery ... SsHlMplO78

Rik

ge_rik wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:16 pm Another from the NGRS Ffestiniog Collection.
This one has been catalogued as "Merddin Emrys Taliesin and The Princess at Boston Lodge Works".

That doesn't look like Boston Lodge to me. On the back of the photo in pencil someone has put "WHR?" which makes me wonder if it's Dinas.
Also, If that is a single Fairlie in the middle, wouldn't it have been called Moel Hebog and not Taliesin?

I'd be interested in your thoughts.

NGRS Collection 3 - Ffestiniog Rly - undated poss late 1800s - Locos Merddin Emrys Moel Tryfan Princess at - RH Bleasdale.jpg

Rik

Although this is a somewhat delayed reply to your question Rik, I have discovered some useful information in relation to the picture you attached...

According to my copy of 'The Spooner Album' it shows the Running Sheds at Boston Lodge Works with Merddin Emrys, Taliesin and The Princess. The two road stone structure is the oldest part of the shed, built in 1863 for The Princess, Mountaineer, The Prince and Palmerston. The figure on the right is Locomotive Superintendent William Williams.
Robert Williams, who succeeded his unrelated namesake as Works Superintendent is standing on The Princess.
Together with the shed at Dinas Station, where it was the practice to to keep at least one of the England engines and often Taliesin, there was sufficient capacity until the decision to build a third double-bogie engine was taken in 1877. The timber framed, corrugated iron clad extension was built at the same time as the similar Erecting Shop, to accommodate Merddin Emrys and later, Livingston Thompson. This part of the shed was on the original alignment of the railway at this point, superseded in the early 1870's by the cutting to the right of the shed, as the line was improved for locomotives.
At the corner of the shed is the Down disc signal protecting the Works entrance.
Above the figure of William Williams, on the wall of the shed, is the locomotive water tank. Just visible in the distance is William Williams' cottage, No.3 Boston Lodge.

Fascinating info, Peter. Thanks.
I do love this forum when all sorts of in depth knowledge like this is plumbed.

Rik