Steam Locomotive Information

Here is the photo album for Ffestiniog Railway No. 8 'James Spooner', a 0-4-4-0T located in Porthmadog, Gwynedd. If you would like to suggest additional photos for this album, please click here.

A photo taken during the construction of No.8, 'James Spooner' showing one of the loco's two power bogies - an early design of articulated steam locomotive that has stood the test of time on the Ffestiniog Railway.

Ffestiniog Railway No.8, 'James Spooner' at Porthmadog station on 15th September 2025. A 21st Century built loco, keeping alive the traditional Double Fairlie design on the railway.

The trailing power bogie of FFestiniog Railway No.8 'James Spooner' on 15th September 2025. Notice the mechanical lubricators drive from the crank pin. This 21st Century built loco closely follows its 19th Century design but there are many modern touched like the lubricators.

The leading power bogie of FFestiniog Railway No.8 'James Spooner' shows the same mechanical lubricator arrangement. Notice the polished name plate. James Spooner was a surveyor by profession, and surveyed the route of the Ffestiniog Railway in 1830. He introduced gravity working on the railway at first with horses to draw the wagons back up to the terminus at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Later, his son, Charles Easton Spooner commissioned Robert Fairlie to design and build the first articulated locomotive for the line called 'Little Wonder'. And the railway still builds them today!

FFestiniog Railway No.8 'James Spooner' at the head of its train at Porthmadog station on 15th September 2025.


Ffestiniog Railway 0-4-4-0T No. 8 'James Spooner' Porthmadog, Gwynedd, UK	Location: Ffestiniog Railway Status: Operational