Taliesin (the name of a legendary Welsh bard) was built by the Vulcan Foundry and differed from the other FR Fairlies, being a Single - rather than Double - Fairlie. Outwardly it resembled a conventional 0-4-4T, but with the driving wheels on a pivoting bogie, just like the 0-4-4-0Ts. Ideally suited to fast, lighter trains, Taliesin was popular with with crews, but no money could be found for a new boiler in the 1930s, and the engine was dismantled.

Ffestiniog Railway supporters long regretted the disappearance of the Single Fairlie from FR metals, and their support has led to the successful project to build a replacement Taliesin, as a Single Fairlie along the lines of today's FR Double Fairlies, and incorporating some parts surviving from the original; on the basis of this the FR regards the "new" loco as a rebuild of the first Taliesin. The pattern of funding by covenant over a number of years has been followed by other groups building new steam engines, notably the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust - where the Ffestiniog leads, others follow! The rebuilt loco was officially "born" in March 1996, when volunteers erected its mainframe. Taliesin was first steamed on April 11th 1999, and had its public launch at the May 1999 Gala, where it was the star attraction, even though a few details were not yet complete, and there had been no time to apply the lined red livery.

On May 1st, following a special train for the subscribers who had made the loco's rebirth possible, a minor technical problem saw Taliesin miss what should have been its first public train; in the event the loco was rostered to work a later departure, double-heading with David Lloyd George.

The loco's first use after this was on Guest Driver duties, followed by a relaunch, complete and in full livery, at the October 1999 Vintage Weekend. Uniquely among FR locos, Taliesin is designed to be converted straightforwardly to run on coal instead of its usual oil fuel, and the authentic effect of the loco was completed by the coal in the bunker at the Vintage Weekend.

Following an extended period in the works for the completion of various items, Taliesin entered public passenger service in late August 2000, on the summer vintage Porthmadog to Tan-y-Bwlch trains. Taliesin visited the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) for its September 2000 and September 2001 Galas, and has since returned to the Ffestiniog Railway. .

Gallery:

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Taliesin heads for Dduallt, complete with driver in period costume.