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One hundred and eighty seven years ago today in 1832 – The day it all began…

Posted on May 23, 2019May 23, 2019 by admin

That famous Act of Parliament:

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STEAMING INTO CHRISTMAS ON THE F&WHR… It’s ju

STEAMING INTO CHRISTMAS ON THE F&WHR…

It’s just over two weeks to the first of our Santa trains between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu, with Santa and his Elves onboard - greeting passengers, handing out presents to the children and singing Christmas carols. There’ll be local music groups and singers providing entertainment at Caernarfon Station, with time to browse the shop or enjoy a tasty treat from Caffi de Winton.

In Porthmadog, Santa will be visiting his magical Christmas Carriage Grotto, specially prepared by his team of hard-working Elves. Come along and admire the fantastic Christmas decorations, enjoy a footplate ride on a steam locomotive and take a shuttle train ride to Minffordd and back. The station shop will be open, as will Spooner’s Café-Bar – so there are certainly lots of ways to make the most of a family visit to see Santa..!

Our gift shops in Caernarfon and Porthmadog are open most days for pre-Christmas shopping, with a wide range of local and railway interest gifts, offering present ideas to suit all tastes. Of course, our web shop is open 24/7 throughout the year for shopping from the comfort of home - visit www.festrail.co.uk/shop

Between 28th December and New Year’s Day (inclusive) we will be running scenic ‘Seasonal Snowdonia Specials’ - from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu return and from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog and return - so there will be plenty of opportunities to shake off any post-Christmas blues..!

Please Note: Tickets for Santa Trains and Santa’s Grotto should be bought in advance.

For more details on all of the above and to buy tickets - visit www.festrail.co.uk/christmas

Fingers crossed (on both hands) for the Go North W

Fingers crossed (on both hands) for the Go North Wales Tourism Awards tomorrow... 🤞🏻

We are on the shortlist for the 'Go Activity or Experience of the Year' - and the 'Go Attraction of the Year'..!

https://gonorthwalestourismawards.website/finalists-winners/

A big thumbs up from the Interpretation and Boston

A big thumbs up from the Interpretation and Boston Lodge project. @HeritageFundUK

#ffestiniogandwelshhighlandrailways #bestrailwayintheworld #ffestiniograilway #festiniograilway #welshhighlandrailway #nlhf #heritage #volunteers #engineering #steam #scenery #snowdonia #whhr #gonorthwales #visitwales #wales #cymru #eryri #locomotives #Thanks To You

‘Earl of Merioneth’ and tin carrs. A nostalgic

‘Earl of Merioneth’ and tin carrs. A nostalgic look and one available in 4mm scale direct from the shop. www.festshop.co.uk

#ffestiniogandwelshhighlandrailways #bestrailwayintheworld #ffestiniograilway #festiniograilway #welshhighlandrailway #nlhf #heritage #volunteers #engineering #steam #scenery #snowdonia #whhr #gonorthwales #visitwales #wales #cymru #eryri #locomotives

MEWN COF - IN REMEMBRANCE... On this Remembrance

MEWN COF - IN REMEMBRANCE...

On this Remembrance Sunday, we are sharing a photo of LYD in November 2016, carrying a wreath to commemorate the contribution of all British and Commonwealth personnel - civil and military - involved in the two World Wars and later conflicts.

As no trains are running today, a representative of the F&WHR will be one of those laying wreaths at Porthmadog's War Memorial this morning...

🟢 COME AND HAVE A GO AT DRIVING A STEAM LOCOMOT

🟢 COME AND HAVE A GO AT DRIVING A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE..!

▪️ HALF-TERM FUN - 26th and 28th October
▪️ or
▪️ CHRISTMAS TREAT - 28th and 30th December

Much more than a short footplate ride up and down the station platform, these three-hour workshops give you a chance (in a small group) to learn more about how a steam loco works. Two of our friendly loco drivers/fitters with in-depth experience of building, maintaining and driving locos will take you through the way a steam engine works.

Participants will get to help prepare a steam loco, see it in action behind the scenes (at our historic Boston Lodge workshops), receive information on ‘how it works’ and then have a go at firing and driving in the yard - or under cover in our large carriage shed if the weather is uncooperative..!

It’s all very friendly and relaxed… an ideal experience if you are looking for something a little different. This makes an ideal gift for anyone with even a passing interest in locos, heritage, engineering or simply the challenge of driving an unusual vehicle.

Don’t just take our word for it, read what past visitors have to say..!

✅ “…definitely a tick off the bucket list. A great privilege to have such access. Will recommend…”

✅ “A really wonderful experience fulfilling childhood fantasies. The driver and fireman were fab and fun.”

✅ “Driver experience just what the doctor ordered. Great.”

✅ “A great experience and very informative”

We have spaces left on the four dates above - don't miss your chance of a real 'hands-on' way to learn more about how steam locos work..!

For more information and to book your place in the group, head to
https://www.festrail.co.uk/workshop-how-steam.../

Two for the price of one! Palmerston and Blanche d

Two for the price of one! Palmerston and Blanche double-head the Mountain Spirit this morning 🚂🚂#bestrailwayintheworld #steam #railway #train #snowdonia #wales #ilovewales #ffestiniog #welshhighland #loco #locomotive #victorian #wonderfulplaces #uk #holiday #heritage #gwynedd #cymru #mountains #transport #steamengine #engine #engineering #northwalestagram #northwales #gosnowdonia #snowdonia360 #thisismywales

A quick summary of what we’ve been up to this ye

A quick summary of what we’ve been up to this year.

#ffestiniogandwelshhighlandrailways #bestrailwayintheworld #ffestiniograilway #festiniograilway #welshhighlandrailway #nlhf #heritage #volunteers #engineering #steam #scenery #snowdonia #whhr #gonorthwales #visitwales #wales #cymru #eryri #locomotives

Even on a slightly drab morning, James Spooner and

Even on a slightly drab morning, James Spooner and the slate train looks great.

#ffestiniogandwelshhighlandrailways #bestrailwayintheworld #ffestiniograilway #festiniograilway #welshhighlandrailway #nlhf #heritage #volunteers #engineering #steam #scenery #snowdonia #whhr #gonorthwales #visitwales #wales #cymru #eryri #locomotives

James Spooner and newly out shopped curly roof van

James Spooner and newly out shopped curly roof van.

#ffestiniogandwelshhighlandrailways #bestrailwayintheworld #ffestiniograilway #festiniograilway #welshhighlandrailway #nlhf #heritage #volunteers #engineering #steam #scenery #snowdonia #whhr #gonorthwales #visitwales #wales #cymru #eryri #locomotives

Bygones weekend is well underway. #ffestiniogand

Bygones weekend is well underway.

#ffestiniogandwelshhighlandrailways #bestrailwayintheworld #ffestiniograilway #festiniograilway #welshhighlandrailway #nlhf #heritage #volunteers #engineering #steam #scenery #snowdonia #whhr #gonorthwales #visitwales #wales #cymru #eryri #locomotives

FROM NORTH WEST LONDON TO NORTH WEST WALES... It

FROM NORTH WEST LONDON TO NORTH WEST WALES...

It was great to welcome visitors from the Ruislip Lido Railway this week - the home of ‘Blanche’s distant cousin: ‘Mad Bess’.

Ed, John and Anne all volunteer at the RLR and planned their trip especially to ride the Quarryman service behind ‘Blanche’...

Their railway’s loco ‘Mad Bess’, is a half-size version of ‘Blanche’ - it was built in the Ruislip Lido Society’s workshops at Woody Bay (the one in Ruislip, not the one in Devon) and was completed in 1998.

19-year-old Ed joined F&WHR loco crew Richard and Nigel on the footplate.

We asked him how ‘Blanche’ matches up to ‘Bess’: “A little bit bigger, double the size, this is coal fired instead of oil fired but actually about the same inside, so ‘Mad Bess’ is a pretty good representation of ‘Blanche’.”

Ed told us he works on the main line as a train dispatcher at London Bridge Station: “I play trains, go on holiday on trains and work on trains, so you could say I am definitely into trains..!”

PHOTOS:
1 - Ed on the footplate of 'Blanche'.
2 - 'Mad Bess (without tender cab) on a recent visit to the Fairbourne Railway.
3 - 'Mad Bess' (with tender cab) at home on the Ruislip Lido Railway...

Find out more about the Ruislip Lido Railway @
https://www.ruisliplidorailway.org/

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

13 hours ago

⭐️ STEAMING INTO CHRISTMAS ON THE F&WHR ⭐️🎅 It’s just over two weeks to the first of our Santa trains between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu, with Santa and his Elves onboard - greeting passengers, handing out presents to the children and singing Christmas carols. There’ll be local music groups and singers providing entertainment at Caernarfon Station, with time to browse the shop or enjoy a tasty treat from Caffi de Winton.🤶 In Porthmadog, Santa will be visiting his magical Christmas Carriage Grotto, specially prepared by his team of hard-working Elves. Come along and admire the fantastic Christmas decorations, enjoy a footplate ride on a steam locomotive and take a shuttle train ride to Minffordd and back. The station shop will be open, as will Spooner’s Café-Bar – so there are certainly lots of ways to make the most of a family visit to see Santa..!🎁 Our gift shops in Caernarfon and Porthmadog are open most days for pre-Christmas shopping, with a wide range of local and railway interest gifts, offering present ideas to suit all tastes. Of course, our web shop is open 24/7 throughout the year for shopping from the comfort of home - visit www.festrail.co.uk/shop 🚂 Between 28th December and New Year’s Day (inclusive) we will be running scenic ‘Seasonal Snowdonia Specials’ - from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu return and from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog and return - so there will be plenty of opportunities to shake off any post-Christmas blues..! ▶️ Please Note: Tickets for Santa Trains and Santa’s Grotto should be bought in advance.ℹ️ For more details on all of the above and to buy tickets - visit www.festrail.co.uk/christmas.. ... See MoreSee Less

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

1 day ago

Fingers crossed (on the left hand) for the Go North Wales Tourism Awards tomorrow... 🤞🏻We are also on the shortlist for the 'Go Activity or Experience of the Year'..!gonorthwalestourismawards.website/finalists-winners/ www.instagram.com/reel/DCmDfdwsuCA/?igsh=NW1tZHRnamxtaGFj ... See MoreSee Less

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

1 day ago

Fingers crossed (on the right hand) for the Go North Wales Tourism Awards tomorrow... 🤞🏻We are shortlisted for the 'Go Attraction of the Year' award..! gonorthwalestourismawards.website/finalists-winners/ www.instagram.com/reel/DCmCx3VJ25V/?igsh=MXZ0cnp0YXhxczZtNQ== ... See MoreSee Less

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

2 days ago

🔵 'HAVE A GO' SKILLS WORKSHOPS - PAINTING... Come and try a new skill..! These free workshops will give you a chance to learn and practice skills in our historic workshops.Our expert staff will start with some theory and explanations about what lies ahead but these events are very much about being hands on, giving you the opportunity to practice your new skills in a safe and constructive environment.Workshops are provided free of charge. Thanks to the Interpretation & Boston Lodge Project, made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ffestiniog Railway Society and FfWHR Trust.➡️ PAINTING - The ultimate transferrable skill - come along and learn how to ‘properly’ paint ahead of your next decorating session at home..!All our locomotives and carriages are hand-painted. While we may start you off on some practice pieces you will learn from the highly-skilled painters who provide the mirror-like finishes on our award-winning locos and carriages.Workshop includes:▪️ Preparation▪️ Surface finishes▪️ Brush techniquesDates: ▫️ November 23rd/24th▫️ December 7th/8th▫️ January 4th/5thLocation: ▫️ Boston Lodge WorksWe love to share our skills - and, you never know, we might even interest you in volunteering with us in the future. You'd certainly be very welcome...Interested in 'Having a Go'..?Head to www.festrail.co.uk/have-a-go-skills-workshops/ - then click the 'Enquire' button to email us with your details and preferred workshop[s]. We look forward to hearing from you..!.. ... See MoreSee Less

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

3 days ago

🔵3️⃣0️⃣🔵 We're joining The National Lottery Heritage Fund on their 30th Birthday in saying a HUGE #thankstoyou to #NationalLottery players. 👍🏻Best wishes from everyone here working on the 'Interpretation and Boston Lodge Project'..! ... See MoreSee Less

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