Maenofferen petrol locomotive · AditNow Community

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Penrhynman
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Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

In the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Society's petrol locomotive list there is a note that one of these was sold to Maenofferen quarry in 1942.

Does anyone have any more details please? A photo would be a real bonus.

As background, in the 1930s, Penrhyn converted Morris cars to lightweight petrol locomotives (or rail tractors) using a proprietary chassis.

Penrhynman

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Vanoord
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Newbie

13 years ago

Given you're asking for a photograph, do you know what it looked like?

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/mines/Maenofferen-Slate-Mine/ - but they may not be the ones in question.

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

Penrhynman
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Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Thanks for the reply, Vanoord.

The locos in the photos appear to be small Ruston diesels, probably 20DL type.

The ex-Penrhyn one was a commercial light channel rail chassis by Muir-Hill Service Equipment Ltd, with the engine, bonnet and radiator (and possibly seat) from a 1920s Morris motor car. The steering column had probably been dispensed with as well.

Penrhynman

staffordshirechina
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

If you are into mining and contractors locomotives, there is an event at the Apedale Valley Railway this coming weekend. In North Staffordshire.
They have all sorts of locos and rolling stock there and most of it will be on show, dead or alive. Plus the coal mine will be open too.
Details,
http://www.avlr.org.uk/
and
http://www.mrt.org.uk/

Les

euros
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Newbie

13 years ago

http://amutek.co.uk/penrhynrailway/locomotives.html

This takes you to a list of locomotives from the penrhyn quarries. Scan down to the list of petrol locomotives- see number 18! Is this the one ?

Vanoord
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Newbie

13 years ago

There are some Maenofferen pages on Dave Sallery's website:

http://www.penmorfa.com/Slate/Maenofferen-1967.htm

http://www.penmorfa.com/Slate/maenofferen%201975.html

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

Tamarmole
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Newbie

13 years ago

"Penrhynman" wrote:
Thanks for the reply, Vanoord.

The locos in the photos appear to be small Ruston diesels, probably 20DL type.

The ex-Penrhyn one was a commercial light channel rail chassis by Muir-Hill Service Equipment Ltd, with the engine, bonnet and radiator (and possibly seat) from a 1920s Morris motor car. The steering column had probably been dispensed with as well.

Penrhynman

Dredging the far rececces of my mind I seem to recall that a Muir Hill was used at the top end the FR; this may be one of the Fordson derivitives rather than a Penrhyn Morris type. I think there is a photo in one of those 1970s Bradford Barton type albums - It might be in Norman Gurley's Narrow Gauge rails out of Portmadoc. Apologies for the vagueness

dangerous dave
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Newbie

13 years ago

is this the boy

taken on a recent visit to the site

Tamarmole
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13 years ago

"dangerous dave" wrote:
is this the boy

taken on a recent visit to the site

Both Locos in the photo are Ruston & Hornsby's. The loco in the front is a 10 HP "front tank" and the loco at the rear a 20 HP, possibly either a 16/20 or a 20DL

dangerous dave
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13 years ago

#10

will have a dig around and post a full set of images of em for you sure ive got a few kicking about from that trip

JohnnearCfon
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13 years ago

#11

I have now checked the IRS North Wales Handbook.

This says PQ petrol loco No 18 was built by May 1940. It was derived from a Morris car on a heavy plate frame chassis which was sprung. It had a flat fronted radiator and was out of use by 1949. Only the frame existed by July 1952.

The Muir Hill loco owned by Maen Offeren came to them with the Rhiwbach slate quarry which they purchased in 1928. Rhiwbach had purchased it (possibly new) in 1925.

I think the mention on the Penrhyn website is an error.

I am intrigued by the same list quoting diesel 23 as being sold as parts in 1967.

Tamarmole
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13 years ago

#12

"JohnnearCfon" wrote:
I have now checked the IRS North Wales Handbook.

The Muir Hill loco owned by Maen Offeren came to them with the Rhiwbach slate quarry which they purchased in 1928. Rhiwbach had purchased it (possibly new) in 1925.
.

This is ringing bells, albeit faintly - I seem to recall reading somewhere (Boyd????) that the Muir Hill, using the standard Fordson gearbox, was a failure on the Rhiwbach tramway (three forward gears, only one reverse) and was replaced by the bow frame Hibberd.

(I should explain that I used to be a narrow gauge obsessive - however doing it for a living for nearly twenty years has rather cured me).

euros
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Newbie

13 years ago

#13

is this any use?

http://www.hfstephens-museum.org.uk/locomotives/traction-on-the-festiniog-and-whr.html

JohnnearCfon
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13 years ago

#14

That is certainly the smae type as later used to shunt between the yards at Blaenau after the closure of the FR in 1946. I have seen a photo of it in use there (not sure where I saw it, or the date taken).

ivortheengine
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Newbie

13 years ago

#15

you could try www.festipedia.org

a 'mine' of useful info on the Ffestiniog Railway and its associated tramways and mines..

exspelio
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Newbie

13 years ago

#16

"Tamarmole" wrote:

"JohnnearCfon" wrote:
I seem to recall reading somewhere (Boyd????) that the Muir Hill, using the standard Fordson gearbox, was a failure on the Rhiwbach tramway (three forward gears, only one reverse) .

The standard Fordson gearbox (agricultural version) had two gearsticks, forward and reverse, three speeds in either direction.
Always remember, nature is in charge, get it wrong and it is you who suffers!.

Ty Gwyn
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Newbie

13 years ago

#17

I think you will find,that only the later models had the Hi/Low gear stick.

The Standard Fordson pre War,only had 3 forward and 1 reverse gears

exspelio
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Newbie

13 years ago

#18

"Ty Gwyn" wrote:
I think you will find,that only the later models had the Hi/Low gear stick.

The Standard Fordson pre War,only had 3 forward and 1 reverse gears

Not talking about Hi/Lo selector, talking about forward/reverse selector, but I will admit I am not sure about date of introduction, will have a word with those who know. :confused: :confused:

Always remember, nature is in charge, get it wrong and it is you who suffers!.