A calm day at the West Lancashire Light Railway
Complete journey and switch round at the West Lancashire Light Railway, as hauled by Hunslet Engine Company "Irish Mail", which was built in 1903.
The locomotive originally known as No. 6 and later named Irish Mail was part of the Dinorwic Quarry fleet. It stood out for having a full cab, unlike other locomotives in its class which had lower side and rear panels. This cab was likely included for its work on the high Lernion level of the Quarry, where headroom wasn't an issue. Although the cab was eventually removed, Irish Mail still differed by having right-angled front corners on its lower cab portion, unlike the rounded corners of its counterparts.
Irish Mail's operational years concluded on the Australia level of the Quarry in 1959, where it was then moved to the Gilfach Ddu workshops. As the Quarry operations gradually ceased, the site closed in 1969, and the last steam locomotive ran just a few years prior. Following the Quarry's closure, an auction was held to sell its assets, and the remains of Irish Mail were purchased in December 1969 by members of the West Lancashire Light Railway Group. The locomotive was transported to the West Lancashire Light Railway at Hesketh Bank, overcoming challenging blizzard conditions during the move.
