A press release has been issued by Llechwedd and the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, Porthmadog, concerning the two overhead electric locomotives that formerly worked at Llechwedd and are currently stored at WHHR:-
HISTORIC LOCOMOTIVES TO BE SAVED FOR THE FUTURE J. W. Greaves & Sons Ltd at Llechwedd quarry is delighted to announce that they have commissioned a conservation management plan for two historic electric locomotives The Eclipse and The Coalition. They worked at Llechwedd quarry, and are currently housed at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway in Porthmadog.
Andrew Roberts, Director of J. W. Greaves & Sons Ltd, stated:
‘We are delighted it has been possible to arrange this plan for these two locomotives, which have been out of use for about forty years. Once the plan is completed in a few months we will know what the best options are to safeguard them for the future. They are an important part of Blaenau’s heritage and of railway history. Our thanks to the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway for continuing to store them, and we will be sharing results of the plan with the heritage community as soon as possible.’
Background Information
The Eclipse and The Coalition are electric locos built in 1927 and 1930 using the chassis and wheels of two 19th century steam locomotives. They played an important role in keeping Llechwedd quarry working, and now tell the little-known story of 20th century innovation in the Welsh slate industry.
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http://www.welsh-slate.com/ https://www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/The_Eclipse https://www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/The_Coalition http://www.whr.co.uk/ Contact – John Crosskey
[email protected]