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Ffestiniog Railway

The Ffestiniog Railway (Welsh: Rheilffordd Ffestiniog) is a heritage railway based on 597 mm narrow-gauge, located in Gwynedd, Wales. The railway is roughly 21.7 km long and runs from the harbour at Porthmadog to the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, travelling through forested and mountainous terrain. The line is single track throughout with four intermediate passing places. The first mile of the line out of Porthmadog runs atop an embankment called the Cob, which is the dyke of the polder known as Traeth Mawr. The Festiniog Railway Company, which owns the railway, is the oldest surviving railway company in the world. It also owns the Welsh Highland Railway, which was re-opened fully in 2011. The two railways share the same track gauge and meet at Porthmadog station, with occasional trains working the entire 64 km route from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Caernarfon. The railway was established by an Act of Parliament in 1832 to transport slate from the quarries in Blaenau Ffestiniog to the coastal port of Porthmadog. Originally, the railway operated as a gravity-powered system, with horses pulling the empty wagons back uphill. The railway became the first narrow-gauge railway in the world to use steam locomotives in 1863. This innovation significantly increased efficiency and capacity, making it a pioneer in narrow-gauge railway technology. The decline of the slate industry led to a reduction in traffic, and the railway ceased operations in 1946. The tracks and infrastructure fell into disrepair. Enthusiasts formed the Ffestiniog Railway Society in the 1950s, marking the beginning of its preservation. The railway was gradually restored and reopened in sections. The first public passenger train from Porthmadog to Boston Lodge ran in 1955, eventually reaching Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1982. Since restoration commenced in 1954, tourism has been the only significant source of income. Today, the Ffestiniog Railway operates as a heritage railway, offering scenic journeys through Snowdonia National Park. It remains an important cultural and historical asset, showcasing historic steam locomotives and carriages.

January 3rd 2025

 

 
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