After the news this week that Nesta will be moved to a new home away from the Bala Lake Railway, a new home has been confirmed.
The Richmond Light Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway Company have come to an agreement to ensure the best future for Nesta, which was built in 1899.
The locomotive has spent a long time in Puerto Rico, where the weather has taken its toll on the locomotive, but has been well looked after by the team at Bala since its arrival at the museum.
The Richmond Light Railway has acquired the locomotive and has outlined a plan for conservation work.
The aim is to return the locomotive to operation, whilst conserving as much of the original locomotive as possible.
Nesta worked at Bethesda and the decision has been made to have the Ffestiniog Railway team at Boston Lodge overhaul the locomotive in the coming years.
The locomotive will be transferred to the Ffestiniog Railway and will be on display to the public in an unrestored condition.
Nesta will form part of a new display for the behind-the-scenes tours which will start in the summer.
Physical work is unlikely to start until the end of 2024 once a plan has been fully drawn up.
Once complete, it is expected Nesta will make regular trips to North Wales from the Richmond Light Railway.
Paul Lewin, Ff&WHR General Manager comments: “Through the Great Little Trains of Wales there is an incredible spirit of cooperation and support. Wales always has been, and is now increasingly the place to visit if you are interested narrow gauge railways. Ffestiniog, Talyllyn, Rheidol and Bala are all working hard to bring new ways to connect visitors to the railways. Working with the team at the Richmond Light Railway on Nesta is just one small part of a most compelling offer. We hope that visitors will enjoy watching and riding on the trains and now getting closer to the conservation process.”
