# Penrhyn Main Line class

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The **Penrhyn Main Line class** is a class of three [narrow gauge](/source/Narrow_gauge) [steam locomotives](/source/Steam_locomotives) built for the [Penrhyn Quarry Railway](/source/Penrhyn_Quarry_Railway) (PQR). These locomotives were built by the [Hunslet Engine Company](/source/Hunslet_Engine_Company) between 1882 and 1893 and supplied specifically to work the railway that connected the [Penrhyn Quarry](/source/Penrhyn_Quarry) near [Bethesda](/source/Bethesda,_Wales) in north [Wales](/source/Wales) to [Port Penrhyn](/source/Port_Penrhyn) on the [Menai Strait](/source/Menai_Strait).[1]

## Penrhyn Quarry Railway

The original locomotives to work the "main line" of the PQR were a series of horizontal boilered [De Winton](/source/De_Winton) locomotives delivered in 1879. These proved inadequate for the task of moving substantial quantities of slate over the railway and in 1882 a more conventional locomotive was ordered from Hunslet to work the railway. This was the first of the "Main Line class" locomotives *Charles*. Charles was joined in 1893 by two more locomotives to the same design but slightly enlarged, which were named *Linda* and *Blanche*. These were the sole locomotives built to this design.[2]

## Preservation

All three locomotives were preserved after the closure of the PQR. *Charles* was donated to the [Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum](/source/Penrhyn_Castle_Railway_Museum).

*Linda* was loaned to the nearby [Ffestiniog Railway](/source/Ffestiniog_Railway) in July 1962. For the 1963 season the locomotive was regauged to the Ffestiniog's and purchased, along with *Blanche* at the end of the year. Both have since received extensive modifications including [tenders](/source/Tender_(rail)), [pony trucks](/source/Pony_truck) and [superheaters](/source/Superheater).[2]

## Technical specification

The following technical specification are for the locomotives as delivered from Hunslet and are from[1] unless otherwise stated:

Charles Linda and Blanche Boiler grate area 4.5 sq ft (0.42 m2) 5.2 sq ft (0.48 m2) Boiler pressure 140 psi (970 kPa) 140 psi (970 kPa) Water storage 500 gallon saddle tank 500 gallon saddle tank Cylinders Two, outside, 10 by 12 in (254 by 305 mm)[3] Two, outside, 10.5 by 12 in (267 by 305 mm) Driving wheels 2 ft 1 in (635 mm) diameter[3] 2 ft 1 in (635 mm) diameter[3] Wheelbase 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m)[3] 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m)[3] Front overhang 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) Rear overhang 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Tractive effort 5,050 lbf (22.46 kN) 5,550 lbf (24.69 kN)

## See also

- [Ruislip Lido Railway](/source/Ruislip_Lido_Railway) – *Mad Bess* is a 12-inch (305-millimetre) gauge [miniature railway](/source/Miniature_railway) locomotive based on *Blanche*
- [Ffestiniog Railway rolling stock](/source/Ffestiniog_Railway_rolling_stock)

## References

1. Boyd, James I.C. (1985). *Narrow Gauge Railways in North Caernarvonshire: Volume 2 the Penrhyn Quarry Railways*. The Oakwood Press. ISBN 0853613125.

1. Blenkinsop, Dick (1993). *Linda & Blanche: Penrhyn to Festiniog*. AB Publishing. ISBN 1869915054.

1. *Penrhyn Castle Industrial Museum*. 3rd ed. The National Trust. 1982.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Penrhyn Main Line class](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrhyn_Main_Line_class) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrhyn_Main_Line_class?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.