Festiniog Railway Little Wonder

The Festiniog Railway Little Wonder was a 0-4-4-0T steam locomotive built by George England for the Festiniog Railway in 1869.[1][2]

Festiniog Railway Little Wonder
Little Wonder, photographed c.1871
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder George England Build date 1869
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-4-0T Gauge 1 ft 11 ^1⁄2 in (597 mm) Driver dia. 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) Loco weight 19.5 long tons (19.8 t) Water cap 720 imperial gallons Boiler pressure 160 psi (1,100 kPa) † Cylinders Four, outside Cylinder size 8.25 in × 13 in (210 mm × 330 mm) Valve gear Gooch valve gear
Performance figures Tractive effort 8,595 lbf
Career Operators Festiniog Railway Numbers FfR 7 Official name Little Wonder Withdrawn 1882 Scrapped 1882 Disposition Scrapped

Design

Little Wonder was a Double Fairlie type articulated locomotive designed by Robert Francis Fairlie. It was the first Double Fairlie locomotive on the Festiniog Railway and the fourth Double Fairlie locomotive to be built. It was an improvement on earlier designs because it had two fireboxes, instead of one, and this allowed it to steam more freely.

Performance

Little Wonder was hailed as a great success and attracted attention from around the world. However, various mechanical problems arose and the engine required frequent repairs. It was withdrawn from service in 1882.[3]

See also

• Ffestiniog Railway rolling stock

References

1. Kidner, R.W (1960). The Narrow Gauge Railways of Wales. The Oakwood Press. p. 5.
2. Kidner, R.W. (1960). Light and Narrow Gauge Locomotives. The Oakwood Press. p. 24-25.
3. "Little Wonder". Festipedia. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2012.

External links

• Festipedia page on Festiniog Railway locomotives