2004
was a special year for railways in Britain. It was 200 years since the first
steam locomotive in the world, Richard Trevithick's Penydarren engine in south
Wales, and 100 years since the GWR
4-4-0 "City of Truro" was the first to break the 100 mph barrier,
not to mention 400 years since the first waggonways in this country. So all
in all it was a year to celebrate!
To mark Britain's founding role in the railway revolution, the National Railway Museum held Railfest, a 9 day event drawing together the story of Britain's railways in late May and early June. To do this, the NRM invited representatives of many eras of our glorious railway heritage, and Furness Railway Number 20, and the North London Railway 2nd class coach, were "must have" guests. Our old engine is seen here in position awaiting the crowds. FRT Chairman Tim Owen is on the footplate, which was open to all visitors. Most of the locomotives present dated from the 20th century, so it was a different experience altogether for the visitors to climb up the steps, and step back to 1863!
FR
Number 20 was in light steam throughout the event, so visitors could see how
the fire heats the water to make steam, and blow the whistle! A number of
engines were booked to operate trains on short running lines - including the
1904 record breaker "City of Truro", seen here alongside the Festiniog
Railway's "Prince" which ran trains on its 2' gauge track. However,
such was the clamour from visitors to see our old engine in action, that on
the Thursday and Friday, 3rd and 4th June, FR Number 20 was entrusted to haul
passengers on the main running line, and is seen here standing at the platform.
The Festiniog's "Prince" was, like Furness Railway Number 20, built in 1863, and holds the title of being Britain's oldest working narrow gauge engine. It was fitting that the two 1863 veterans performed alongside each other - and gave the crews a chance to try and establish once and for all which really is the oldest working engine in Britain, full stop! We reckon our engine is a couple of months older, and far more of the original survives in our locomotive, so we are claiming the title!
Before FR Number 20 and the North London coach were transported to York, the brass and copper fittings were highly polished, and the paintwork buffed up, as befits a working museum piece. After all, FR Number 20 was to be in the company of the NRM's own collection, so we wanted it to hold its own!!
Visitors
to the NRM were wowed by our old engine - which is such a contrast to the
much more sizeable 20th century motive power on show. Most visitors to the
footplate commented on the simplicity of the controls and the lack of any
roof! FRT volunteers were overwhelmed at the constant stream of people who
repeatedly used words like "beautiful" and "fantastic"
to describe the locomotive, and quite a number said the presence of FR Number
20 was the reason they had come to Railfest!
Railfest wasn't just about steam - FR Number 20 is seen here at the National Railway Museum waiting for the show to start, alongside former Western Region diesel hydraulic D832 'Onslaught'.
The
FRT Sales Stand was also in attendance as part of a massive retailing and
information hall. Trust volunteer Derek Milby is seen here in charge of the
stall in the Great Bazaar. The stand stocks the Trust's own high
quality fundraising products, Thomas the Tank engine models and other
toys for children, and a range of gifts such as tea towels, jigsaws and calendars
for those whose interest in railways isn't overwhelming!
Since Railfest, FR No. 20 has been invited to the other part of the National Railway Museum - Locomotion at Shildon in County Durham. A short visit for Locomotion's Steam Gala in September 2008 has been followed up by an invitation for our engine to be the operational locomotive in residence at Locomotion for the majority of 2009.
And York is claiming another piece of the action, booking FR 2o to haul passenger rides on nine consecutive days from October 24th to November 1st 2009, subject to availability. The engine will return to Shildon following this brief but intensive hire period.
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