Crest of the Furness Railway Trust

THE FURNESS RAILWAY TRUST

Registered Charity 1005211

2004 Rail Bicentenary

2004FR 20 at Railfest is a special year for railways in Britain. It's 200 years since the first steam locomotive in the world, Richard Trevithick's Penydarren engine in south Wales. But its also 100 years since the GWR 4-4-0 "City of Truro" was the first to break the 100 mph barrier, and 400 years since the first waggonways in this country. So it's 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!

FR20 lined up alongside "Prince" and "City of Truro"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! Watch this space...!

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!!

FR Number 20 alongside Warship D832 "Onslaught" before the eventVisitors 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'.

Kerching! The sales stand in action at RailfestThe 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!

 

 

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Railfest 2004 with FR 20 and the North London Coach