Below are just a few options to consider or we can create an. It was incorporated on 28 july 1873 and opened on 1 november 1882. The first locomotive delivered and run on the ffestiniog railway and originally numbered 1. Our driver experience courses are designed to give you the thrill of being at the controls of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive, doing the job for which it was designed. The ffestiniog railway society exists to support the oldest independent railway in the world being founded by an act of parliament in 1832 now a historic and worldclass tourist attraction. A major initiative to improve the visitor experience by enhancing the first class interior of ffestiniog railway carriages. From the first greeting and briefing and tour from john. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog. Experience the nostalgic pleasure of steam train railways. Following the recent announcement that london, midland and scottish railway stanier class 5 460 black five no. The railway received its parliamentary assent after three attempts. Ffestiniog travels roots lie in north wales and as a sister company to the world famous ffestiniog and welsh highland railways we are perfectly placed to offer short private group breaks to this beautiful north west corner of wales and provide an opportunity to experience its many steam railway gems. Currently we are facing one of its greatest challenges for survival due to covid 19.
Our driver experience courses are designed to give you the thrill of being at the controls of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive, doing the job for which it. An added bonus of this course is that its a onetoone experience. Ffestiniog railway drivers eye view blaenau ffestiniog to. The ffestiniog and welsh highland railways stretch for 40 miles through the glorious snowdonia national park, allowing you to experience the magnificent. Ffestiniog mountain railway tours rail discoveries. Returned to service in time for the 150th anniversary of steam on the railway in 20. You will be one on one with the driver, as participants you will help clean and prepare the loco before firing it up and taking it for a spin. The railway was constructed between 1833 and 1836 to transport slate quarried from the mountains around blaenau ffestiniog to the coastal town of porthmadog where it was loaded onto ships for export. Footplate experience realise your lifelong ambition. Having used them to book tours with my family, this is the first time i have done one of their group tours. It is truly a great little railway and is the oldest independent railway company in the world today. Ffestiniog railway drivers eye view blaenau ffestiniog to porthmadog wales. A six disc dvd set or two disc bluray edition featuring the view from a camera clamped to the front of merddin emrys on the ffestiniog and garratt 87 on the welsh highland.
Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. They will drive a full 15 mile round trip from llangollen to carrog under full supervision. Shortly after alan pegler purchased a controlling interest in the festiniog railway company, he set up a trust to. The ffestiniog railway company operates the two foot 597mm gauge ffestiniog and welsh highland railways, which carry up to 400,000 passengers a year. Money came from ireland and henry archer was the first managing director. Im on the very splendid merddin emrys, a pushme pullyou double fairlie locomotive built in 1879, on the ffestiniog railway, fulfilling a lifelong dream to travel on the footplate of a steam train. It opened in 1836 to take slate from the quarries of blaenau. You will be hauling one of our standard train sets along a challenging route that abounds with sharp curves and steep gradients. Add in helpful and friendly staff and you get more than a hint of magic. The ffestiniog and welsh highland railways stretch for 40 miles through the glorious snowdonia national park, allowing you to experience the magnificent scenery in comfort whilst savouring the romance of gleaming steam engines and carriages. Truly a great little railway, ffestiniog is the oldest independent railway company in the world today. The oldest operable ffestiniog railway steam locomotive. In 2011, the welsh highland was officially opened throughout from caernarfon to porthmadog. How to enjoy the welsh highland railway tripadvisor.
We offer the thrill of firing and driving a fullsized steam or diesel locomotive on one of britains premier preserved railways. In 1863, it introduced the worlds first narrow gauge steam locomotives, four of which still remain. Drive a train on a journey of adventure that you will never forget. Driver experience course on steam locomotive 44871 at the. Ffestiniog railroad founded by an act of parliament in 1832, the narrow gauge ffestiniog railroad is the oldest surviving railroad company in the world. The railway runs from the coast at the harbour town of porthmadog, through the terrific scenery of the national park to blaenau ffestiniog, a slate mining town.
Ride the ffestiniog railway, then join in the fun message from the organisers. Inside motion the monthly newsletter of the ffestiniog. We are recognised by the guinness book of world records as the oldest railway company in the world, being founded in 1832. The railroad was constructed between 1833 and 1836 to transport slate quarried from the mountains around blaenau ffestiniog to the coastal town of porthmadog where it was loaded onto ships for. In may 2007, ffestiniog proudly celebrated the 175th anniversary of the.
The romance of driving a steam engine appeals to many people, but is only gained after much experience at the works. Ffestiniog travel run tours for rail enthusiasts who also want to see the countryside and experience the culture of the countries they visit. Whether its to realise a lifelong ambition, or as that very special railway gift, driving a. The modifications received at the ffestiniog railway included the addition of a tender, which provided greater room for the loco crews, making it an ideal locomotive for use in the guest driver programme when up to four people shared the footplate. The ffestiniog railway is the oldest operational railway company in the world, being founded by act of parliament in 1832. The ffestiniog railway is recognised by the guinness book of world records as the oldest operational railway company in the world, being founded by act of parliament in 1832. Ffestiniog railway founded by an act of parliament in 1832, the narrow gauge ffestiniog railway is the oldest surviving railway company in the world. Many, many thanks for the superb steam train driving experience on the railway. Whhr special events 2020 welsh highland heritage railway.
Since the 1950s, the ffestiniog railway has become a leader in railway preservation and is now one of the uks top tourist attractions. Porthmadog to blaenau ffestiniog and caernarfon to porthmadog return. It has eight garratt locomotives seven of which were built for south african railways and one for the tasmanian government railway. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the snowdonia national park the railway is roughly 1. In 1883 the line was extended by converting the existing festiniog and blaenau railway between llan ffestiniog and blaenau ffestiniog from 1 ft 11 1. The ffestiniog mountain railway is a narrowgauge heritage railway in the snowdonia national park. With the ffestiniog and welsh highland railways stretching for 40 miles across the snowdonia national park, you can experience the magnificent scenery whilst savouring the magic of train travel as. Your chance to have a go at driving our steam engine for a return trip or two at the end of the day. Up to four family or friends, over the age of 12, can also travel. Founded in 1832, the ffestiniog railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world. The railway originally connected bala with llan ffestiniog. The festiniog railway company, in north wales, is the oldest surviving railway company in the world. You will get the railway to yourself for the day and individual instruction from our driver and fireman. Established by an act of parliament in 1832, built to serve the slate industry of blaenau ffestiniog.
Originally the festiniog railway trust, it has been renamed to reflect the expanded operation of the fr co. The railway was originally a gravity and horse drawn line for transporting slate from the mountain quarries around blaenau ffestiniog. Click for details of the tracks to the trenches guest driver experience course steamdiesel footplate day. Delivered as a side tank locomotive and the only one of the. The festiniog railway was opened in 1836 to connect slate quarries around ffestiniog with william madocks harbour at portmadoc. Rail holidays, escorted rail tours, train journeys, exploring the worlds heritage railways or simply buying a train ticket all reasons why ffestiniog travel can claim to be britains complete specialist in rail holidays of the world. Blaenau ffestiniog to llandudno jn cab ride experience by track access portal. A selection of shots from porthmadog, beddgelert and rhyd ddu. It opened in 1836 to take slate from the quarries of blaenau ffestiniog to porthmadog for. Youve always wanted to drive a real steam locomotive or you want a present.