Chapter 13
CAR
SYDNEY: The harbor?
CERI: Yep. Porthmadog Harbour. Top station of the Ffestiniog Railway, and main terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway. One narrow gauge, and one standard gauge.
SYDNEY: Nice!
The car stopped as they pulled into the parking lot.
SYDNEY: I just gotta say, I am loving this trip.
CERI: Yeah?
SYDNEY: Yeah. It's amazing. I love being here. I love Wales! And I love that I get to see it all with you.
CERI: I love it, too.
Sydney and Ceri kissed.
SYDNEY: Come on.
PORTHMADOG HARBOUR – PORTHMADOG, WALES
The girls got out.
SYDNEY: So, Ffestiniog is the narrow gauge one, right?
Ceri nodded.
CERI: It's just smaller in gauge than the Talyllyn by about three inches.
SYDNEY: And, this is right by the sea.
CERI: Yes.
SYDNEY: So, you said these two are famous for something. What are they famous for?
CERI: Welsh Highland is famous for its Garratt locomotives.
Ceri pointed to a
large locomotive on one side of the station.
CERI: Like that.
SYDNEY: Cool!
CERI: Meanwhile, Ffestiniog is famous for two things. Number one, the
double fairlie locomotives.
SYDNEY: The what?
CERI: Imagine a steam locomotive, but with a second steam locomotive conjoined to its cab, facing the other way.
SYDNEY: Ah.
CERI: If we see one, which I'm sure we will, I'll point it out to you.
SYDNEY: Okay.
CERI: Now, the other thing the Ffestiniog is famous for, is that.
Ceri pointed out a smaller engine, with a tender, on the other side of the station. The two walked up to it.
CERI: This is
Prince. Formerly “The Prince”. The oldest operating narrow gauge steam locomotive in the world.
SYDNEY: Whoa! It's beautiful!
CERI: He's the younger brother of
Princess, who was built just the year before him.
SYDNEY: So, wouldn't Princess be the oldest narrow gauge engine in the world?
CERI: She would, but she's not in running condition. She's on static display in a bar called Spooner's. Feel like lunch?
SYDNEY: Totally!
CERI: Well, we can see her first, then. From what I've been told, Spooner's is a great place to eat. We'll see Princess, and then ride behind one of her brothers.
SYDNEY: You mean she has more?
CERI: On this railway, she has three brothers in total. Prince,
Welsh Pony and
Palmerston. I'm hoping for either Welsh Pony or Prince, because neither were in service last time dad took us here.
The girls went into Spooner's, which was part of the Harbour Station, and walked up to a beautiful steam locomotive. Princess was identical to Prince in almost every way. However, instead of being red, Princess was deep brown.
SYDNEY: I don't know what's more beautiful, her or Prince.
CERI: They're both as beautiful as each other, to me. Last time she ran was about three years ago. They were having a special celebration for all four locomotives of this type, and brought Princess back into service. But, now she's back here.
SYDNEY: That's kinda sad. Still, it's nice that we get to see her.
CERI: Yeah. So, ready for lunch?
SYDNEY: Definitely!