Ffestiniog Railway Gala 1986

The Ffestiniog 150 gala of April 1986 was a huge deal. Prior to this the railway didn't really do galas and this was the first time they'd ever attempted anything like this. And the fact they had a visiting loco (in the form of Chaloner from Leighton Buzzard) was also a huge deal. And finally this was the first time that demonstration gravity trains had operated.
That's 17-year-old me firing Chaloner (with the naff green overalls) along with owner/driver Alf Fisher. Great memories!
This was a commercial VHS tape that I purchased in 1986. I don't own the copyright and I'll be happy to take it down if requested by the copyright holder. Uploaded due to its historical interest.

[@glenstrainstuff]

This was a commercial video that I purchased in 1986. I don't own the copyright and I'll be happy to take it down if requested by the copyright holder.
The Ffestiniog gala of April 1986 was a huge deal. Prior to this the railway didn't really do gala weekends so this was the first time they'd ever attempted anything like this. And the fact they had a visiting loco (in the form of Chaloner from Leighton Buzzard) was also a huge deal. And finally this was the first time that demonstration gravity trains had operated.
That's 17-year-old me firing Chaloner (with the naff green overalls) along with owner/driver Alf Fisher. Great memories!

[@quicksilver238]

Excellent!

[@tomlee9534]

Was that Earl of Merioneth hauling 14 coaches at 11:10? Can’t wait til it’s back in steam.

[@adamdrummer1991]

What is that extra exhaust on Linda? Just found out, laidlaw drew exhaust

[@Meengineer100]

I think the additional exhaust by the cab is from the vacuum ejector, usually this would be piped to the chimney entrance. Linda was fitted with a Lempor exhaust in 1985 and had a Gas Producer Combustion System until 1986. It burned coal but with less primary air through the grate, with more secondary air over the top of the fire instead. Laidlaw Drew was the oil burning system the FR used.