Is this what Talyllyn No.1 originally looked like?

[Andy Kirkham]

While googling for information about locomotives built by Neath Abbey ironworks, I came across this page on the BBC website from 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25020478 . As I can never resist a picture of a cute narrow gauge loco, the second picture down particularly caught my attention. Certain features, particularly the shape of the saddle tank with its filler cap and the pattern of the driving wheels seem reminiscent of Fletcher, Jennings products, especially Talyllyn No. 1, the Torrington & Marland locos obtained from Jersey and the one illustrated here https://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/3+4/Keeling.htm

 

Boyd's Wild Swan history of the TR mentions that several locomotives similar to No. 1 were supplied to South Wales ironworks, in particular the Plymouth works at Aberdare. Since the loco on the BBC web page is named Plymouth No.6, I wonder if it could possibly be one of the Aberdare machines obtained second hand by Neath Abbey. I can't find any other reason why the name Plymouth should be connected with Neath Abbey.

 

Or perhaps someone knows the authentic history of this loco and I am completely barking up the wrong tree,

Edited November 19, 2017 by Andy Kirkham

[sir douglas]

yes it was originally 0-4-0 and was a squashed down version of a fletcher jennings loco of larger gauge and only after it was delivered to the TR, the trailing wheels were added to support the rear over hang

Edited November 19, 2017 by sir douglas

[Killian keane]

I would suggest though that the weatherboard seen on the loco in the viaduct photograph was fitted from new, as what are the chances of her being fitted up with one in the interim between being delivered and being fitted with a full cab and trailers

Edited November 19, 2017 by Killian keane

[mcowgill]

Martin Fuller's thoughts on this in his history of the Talyllyn locomotives is that the weatherboard was fitted from new, the belief is that the photograph dates from 1867.  

 

What is not obvious from the image above but is clear from the cruel enlargement in his book is that the weatherboard is heavily waisted in the same style as Kettering Furnaces No 3. 

Edited November 21, 2017 by mcowgill

[detheridge]

As an aside, there was an 0-6-0 version of Dolgoch (but larger) by Fletcher Jennings supplied to the Severn and Wye.

[EddieB]

Not an area of expertise, but certainly an interesting find!  The Aberdare & Plymouth Company and the Plymouth Ironworks certainly had 0-4-0STs built by Fletcher Jennings on both standard and narrow gauge (2'8") lines - but from the IRS handbook, I cannot see their fleet numbers reaching no. 6.  The disposal of their known locomotives is not recorded.

 

However, there were two further 2'8" gauge 0-4-0ST FJ locomotives destined for the Aberdare & Plymouth Co.(builders numbers 147 and 148 of 1875) that were not delivered "due to the failure of the company in 5/1875".  I don't know where exactly these locomotives ended up, but 147 is noted as passing through the hands of Powis Carter & Morris, as agents (possibly converted to 3'0" gauge) and 148 via Exors Geo Ashburner, Dalton in Furness (regauged to 3'3").  Could it be that these locomotives had been numbered and lettered for the Plymouth company prior to supply elsewhere?  If it was Neath, then it would be a few years after the date inferred by the BBC - but any locomotives obtained second-hand from the Plymouth Co. would be on or after 1875 anyway.

Edited December 2, 2017 by EddieB