Return after major overhaul

Monday May 28th sees the return to steam of Maid Marian at the Bala Lake Railway after major overhaul and resident loco's 'Alice' and 'Holy War' will also be in steam.

Maid Marian's boiler was found to be defective in 2004 and Bradford, Yorkshire based boiler-maker Israel Newton were contracted to build a replacement using the old one plus a set of original Hunslet plans, by the engines owners the  Maid Marian Locomotive Fund.

The new boiler was delivered to the Bala Lake Railway works at Llanuwchllyn late 2006 after which a major overhaul of all the other parts of the locomotive took place, concluding in a total repaint using traditional coach paint.

Steam testing of the rebuilt engine is due mid April and the locomotive will be formally reintroduced to hauling trains on the 28th May at Llanuwchllyn.

Maid Marian History

Hunslet 0-4-0 ST No. 822, new to Dinorwic slate quarry, Llanberis, N. Wales in 1903, withdrawn 1964 & purchased by Maid Marian Locomotive Fund who moved it to Bala Lake Railway in 1975.

Source: Bala Lake Railway Press Release