0-4-0 Avonside Locomotive ''Desmond'' Built 1906 no. 1498
This locomotive No. 1498 is named 'Desmond' and was kindly donated to us by the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, Cardiff. Many thanks are expressed to all concerned by this kind gesture. This loco is a long term restoration project and was moved to the Llangollen Railway, North Wales in May 2006.
This loco is currently undergoing a full restoration, which was funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant towards the project. Three Primary Schools in Llanelli (Swiss valley, Five Roads and Felinfoel) are engaged in carrying out projects on the history of the LMMR in conjunction with the restoration of Desmond, and two schools in Llangollen and Yale College, Wrexham, are also carrying out projects on the actual restoration of the engine. It is possible that the work being carried out by the pupils and students can form the basis of an exhibition to be set up in the wooden carriages at a later date.
We must express our thanks to the HLF for this generous grant which ensures that 'Desmond' will steam once again.
This locomotive spent it's working life at the Orb Steelworks, Newport which still operates to this day. After retirement in the 1970's the loco was kept at the ill-fated Caerphilly Railway until finding itself at the Narrow-gauge Teifi Valley Railway where it was kept as a static exhibit.
A page showing images of the loco's progress since its' acquisition can be found by clicking here
UPDATE: Photographs from an April 2009 visit to Llangollen Railway to visit the loco have now been uploaded and can be viewed at: http://lmmrcoltd.fotopic.net/c1688375.html