Fairbourne Railway 'Sisters Reunited' Steam Gala 2025

Описание: 24/5/25

After visiting the Corris Railway, hearing about a gala going on at Fairbourne Railway just days before, we decided to call in before our final destination of the day (to be revealed in the next video). I was especially eager to visit this gala as it was a chance to finally see 'Katie' and 'Sian' reunited at their original home railway, Fairbourne Railway.

I had not seen these two before so decided to make the opportunity whilst it was here. From speaking to the driver of 'Katie', the loco had just returned recently, "handrails went on Monday", whilst 'Sian' has a year left on its ticket, so this was likely one of the last opportunities to see them together at Fairbourne for a while.

Also whilst speaking to the driver, I found out about the differences between the two, I'd always assumed they were identical, turns out 'Sian' is taller and wider, fitting the profile of the original coaches behind it (these having been reunited for this event), having been specially built for the line as opposed to 'Katie' which was purchased for the line from Dudley Zoo Railway, a crazy coincidence given I had visited there last week.

Due to the limited remaining 15in gauge line at Fairbourne, the pair topped and tailed up the line, to just before the curve, before heading back, whilst the smaller 12¼in gauge could traverse the whole line.

I had last visited this line, again as per Corris, just after lockdown eased, unlike Corris though, I did do the line! Both locos which I saw then were in steam at this gala too, 'Yeo' and 'Russell'. I also saw Sherpa in steam, completely forgetting it was based at the line, having only seen it at Ruislip Lido Railway, both railways video can be found on my channel. The opportunity to see 'Beddgelert' was also available, this was a loco I never saw last time, due to its ongoing overhaul even back then.

The Full Gala Lineup was as follows:
Home Fleet;
. 'Russell'
. 'Yeo'
. 'Sherpa'
. 'Beddgelert'
(on display in the shed)
Visiting Locomotives;
. 'Katie'
(Courtesy of Whistletop Valley)
. 'Sian'
(Courtesy of Whistletop Valley)
. 'Victoria'
(Courtesy of Statfold Barn Railway)