Madam,

Eighty years ago the old Welsh Highland Railway closed. Rebuilding the line has been a tremendous achievement.

However, there is one thing missing. The iconic locomotive Russell from the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, the only surviving locomotive of the original Welsh Highland, is currently barred from working on its former line to Beddgelert.

In railway terms Russell is the narrow-gauge version of the Flying Scotsman. It would create not only Welsh railway history but a tremendous amount of good will if it was allowed after 80 years to work along the line it was built for.

Apparently there are a number of reasons why this has not come about. It is now 2017. It will not take rocket science to allow Russell to come back home.

I wish all people who appreciate Welsh Railway Heritage to politely ask the managers of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway to make a generous gesture and bring this locomotive back to where it belongs. They will get a tremendous benefit from this both commercially and good will far beyond their expectations.

Porthmadog is lucky having two narrow gauge railways.

The Heritage Railways provides a valuable function in allowing those of family groups who have medium and lower incomes to have a railway experience.

I wish both railways well.

The F&WR will soon be holding their Super Power weekend.

Letting Russell be part of this would put the ‘Super’ into real ‘Super.’

Yours etc,

Christopher Magner, Dunval Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

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