Barclay 0-6-0T locomotive Gertrude will be joining the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway fleet for the 2010 operating season. The agreement to bring it to Wales for 2010 will see it steaming for a minimum of 30 days, allowing it to share duties with the WHHR resident Bagnall, Gelert.

James Hewett, Chairman of the WHHR, said: “we’re delighted that Gertrude will be joining us for the coming season. We believe she will prove a popular, powerful and attractive locomotive, and add some extra variety to the service in 2010.

Gelert

Gelert on the Welsh Highland

Gertrude is due to arrive in Porthmadog over Easter, and will be steam tested before entering service at the WHHR’s gala weekend on 1st – 3rd May.

It’s not the first time that Gertrude has had an association with Welsh Highland Railway Limited, the charity that runs the WHHR. The locomotive was destined to come to Wales in the 1970s when the organisation was in its early days. It spent some time at Kinnerley in Shropshire, where the company was based at the time, but never made it to Porthmadog.

For more information, visit the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway website.

Before appearing at the Welsh Highland Railway, Gertrude will be in operation at the Statfold Barn Railway Open Day near Tamworth on 27th March 2010. Gertrude will be running throughout the day alongside the other resident Statfold locomotives and other visiting engines. The event is invitation only, raising money for charity. Invitations can be obtained by applying to the railway.

- North Wales Daily Post Report