The Ffestiniog railway opened in 1836 and is the oldest independent railway company in the world. It was originally built to transport slates the 13½ miles from the busy mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog down to the modern harbour at Porthmadog. The slates were then exported around the world.
The railway closed in 1946 when the slate industry was in decline. By 1954, the railway finally reopened in stages and work began to allow the trains to return once again to Blaenau Ffestiniog, without their cargo of slates. After much hard work including constructing Britain’s only railway spiral, needed as a diversion for the new line, the first trains reached their destination in 1982.
Ffestiniog Railway Society
The Ffestiniog Railway is able to run only because of the hard work and dedication of all the staff and volunteers involved in the restoration and rebuilding needed to survive. The Society, a registered charity, began in 1954 and their work is still as valuable today in keeping the trains and services running.
It might be many a young boy’s dream to drive a steam engine and becoming a volunteer is one way to fulfill the dream. They also need guards, booking office staff, firemen, electricians and many other skilled or willing hands.
Ffestiniog Trains
Although many of the trains are steam powered, there are also diesel trains on certain days. The free timetable lists the options and times of travel out and back. At the busiest times of year, authentic vintage carriages and locomotives, dating from the 1860s, run for part of the journey. This gives modern passengers an idea of what it would have been like in Victorian times.
There is a buffet service of hot and cold drinks, cakes and biscuits available on the train, which is served to passengers at their seats on the coaches connected by corridors. This is unfortunately not possible on the vintage trains which have no corridor. There is a toilet onboard the corridor trains but it is mainly for emergencies between stations.
An upgrade to First Class seats is available on the trains, in the Observation Carriage, or First Class compartment. The railway ticket allows passengers to break their journey at any stop and to catch another train back.
Departing Porthmadog Harbour Station
The little steam-hauled train begins its journey at busy Porthmadog Harbour Station. There are eating and toilet facilities here, as well as a very good gift and souvenir shop. Car parking is available a short distance away in the town with a few disabled spaces at the station.
The train departs from the coast across the mile-long Cob, built in the 19th century. A footpath runs alongside it giving a good view of the trains. The railway workshop is at the far end before the train begins its steady ascent towards the hills.
Minffordd and Tan-Y-Bwlch
The Ffestiniog Railway’s first stop is at Minffordd which is the interchange station for trains coming from along the Cambrian Coast. This is also the stop for anyone wanting to visit the Italianate Village of Portmeirion, which is about 1½ miles from the station and roughly a pleasant twenty minute walk.
On the way through winding woodland to the next official stop at Tan-Y-Bwlch, there is a Request Halt available at the footpaths leading to the gardens. Further on at the official stop, there is a café, shop and toilet facilities. Tan-Y-Bwlch is in the Snowdonia National Park and is a lovely area for its Nature Trail and Woodland Walks. It is good rambling countryside, with walks up into the mountains. This is a favourite place for taking photographs of the steam train from the quaint bridge.
Towards Blaenau Ffestiniog
There are two more Request Halts available on the way towards Blaenau, one at DDuallt on the only railway spiral in the UK. After DDuallt, it is possible to see the old tunnel entrance and area where the original line was submerged beneath the reservoir. Near to Tanygrisiau, the next Request Halt, there is an impressive waterfall on the left. From this halt, ramblers can walk up into the mountains near the old slate quarries. Some routes also lead back to Tan-Y-Bwlch where another train can be boarded.
On the approach to Blaenau, passengers can hear the engine’s whistle as it passes a level crossing. There are full facilities at Blaenau Ffestiniog station and a good view of the slate quarries.
The whole journey on the Ffestiniog Railway is a memorable day out for all the family, taking passengers through some of the lushest wooded scenery, dramatic mountain backdrops and deep lakes. But it is the train itself, chugging through the Welsh countryside, which makes it such an enjoyable trip.
There are special train events throughout the year, from ‘Friends of Thomas’ around April and May and Jazz trains in summer, to ‘Santa Trains’ as far as Tan-Y-Bwlch during December. Full details can be obtained from the Ffestiniog Railway.
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