Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway - Locomotives

Locomotives

The tramway owned three steam locomotives.

• "Victoria" was the only locomotive built by Messrs John Slee & Co of Warrington. It was an 0-4-0 of highly unusual design, with a vertical boiler and tram-like bodywork. Some sources report that the locomotive originally had four cylinders, but two were later disconnected as the boiler could not supply enough steam to power four. Victoria was delivered to Llanfihangel on 12 May 1897. The locomotive did not run well and is not known to have ever run in revenue-earning service. Its intended duties on the main line were taken over by "Talybont".

• "Talybont" 2-4-0T was a conventional design built by W.G. Bagnall, originally for a customer in Brazil who cancelled the order. It worked the main line from Llanfihangel via Talybont to the foot of the Hafan incline.

• "Hafan", Bagnall 0-4-0 ST works number 1510, ran on the quarry section above the Hafan incline. Repurchased by Bagnall in 1901 and subsequently worked on the Halifax Corporation's Walshaw Dean Reservoirs construction contract for which she was regauged to 3 ft (914 mm). After several further reservoir construction contracts she was last noted working at the Bedley Timber Company at Nairn, Scotland in 1920.

Both the Bagnalls were returned to the makers after the line closed, while "Victoria" was probably scrapped. "Talybont" was regauged and sold on to the Vale of Rheidol Railway and became their No.3 "Rheidol", while "Hafan" went on to work on reservoir contracts.