Samson at Ffestiniog

During the May Day Bank Holiday, 28th April to 1st May, Samson visited the Ffestiniog Railway's Quirks & Curiosities II. Along with its tender and London Lead Company tub, Samson joined a mixture of weird and wonderful railway oddities ranging from vertical-boilered steam locomotives, through bizarre internal combustion powered locos to the unique wind-powered Spooner's Boat. Samson was seen in and around Minffordd Yard and Portmadog Harbour Station during the event.
The original ‘Samson’ was built at Stephen Lewin’s Poole Foundry in 1874, believed to be one of the first locomotives built by the firm.
It was supplied to the London Lead Company and worked over a mile-long tramway between Cornish Hush lead mine and a crushing plant at Whitfield Brow near Fosterley. It is thought the mine ceased production around 1883, and the company wound up in 1905, at which point the locomotive was sold, probably for scrap.
The engine therefore enjoyed only a short working life. It is of particular note because of its unusual design, being an ‘overtype’ with crankshaft and flywheel drive.
Seventy-nine-year-old David Thomas Young painstakingly recreated the 19th century steam locomotive with the help of one surviving photo.
David spent more than 5,000 hours, over three years, building Samson at Beamish Museum, based on the original 1874 narrow gauge engine. He is following in the footsteps of his great, great grandfather, Thomas Young, who worked at Hetton Colliery Engine Works.
On Thursday, 29th September David officially launched the locomotive, alongside Paul Jarman, Beamish’s Assistant Director Transport & Industry, with whom he worked on the project. Paul has written The Book of Samson, which tells the fascinating story of recreating the steam locomotive, which worked on the tramway to Cornish Hush mine in Weardale.

[@jimbodeek]

What a charming little engine! It kinda reminds me of those old traction engines that were used before gasoline-powered tractors became a thing.

[@harriojanpera3818]

Toivelauluja 1 te hukassa

[@GoingtoHecq]

I love Samson. What a cute and strong little engine. It just has a perfect look to it.

[@Lutheriarotavita]

Bravoooo!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😍😍😍😍😍

[@Tombola1993]

That engine looks cool.

[@dawooddawood289]

I feel like driving the train

[@hypertrain24]

Whats the flat truck behind the engine?

[@theextremeanimator4721]

An extra coal tender.

[@fabriciomedina3971]

Me siento orgulloso

[@eliotreader8220]

how much fuel does the engine use in a day

[@josephinebennington7247]

You’re the first person to ask. No-one actually knows.

[@HyperCat72]

Friend be like

[@fangliu2763]

Wow,not much comments

[@fabriciomedina3971]

Pero quiero el tren