North Wales Narrow Gauge “Gowrie”

In 1906 construction began on the Porthmadog, Beddgelert and South Snowdon Railway, which was to become an extension of the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways. Although the line was to be electrified, steam locomotives were initially ordered from Hunslet. One these was the “Gowrie”, which was not delivered until after construction had been halted. It was named after the manager of the planned railway line, Gowrie Colquhoun Aicheson.

Like all of the NWNGR, the Gowrie was built in 1 foot 11 1/2 inch gauge. It is considered to be the last locomotive built for this company. Due to the very tight curves, the locomotive was built as a Single Fairlie. This meant that the three coupled axles were in a front bogie and the two trailing axles in a rear bogie. 

The loco was not as successful as the “Moel Tryfan” and “Snowdon Ranger” which had been combined into a single loco in 1917. The “Gowrie” was sold in 1918 and went through several owners. It was almost bought back when the Welsh Highland Railway was founded, but ultimately this did not happen. It was seen for the last time in service in 1928 and was scrapped in 1931.