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A Christmas message from the General Manager

Posted on December 20, 2020March 2, 2021 by Chris Parry

Paul Lewin send a message to all supporters and volunteers…

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Society Christmas Appeals – Linda overhaul and new Third Class WHR carriage

Vic Mitchell 1934-2021

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🎅 SANTA TRAINS UPDATE... There's just over a w

🎅 SANTA TRAINS UPDATE...

There's just over a week to go until our first Santa Train of the season and bookings are coming in quickly..!

🔴 GOLD seats in FIRST CLASS are completely SOLD OUT for all 12 Santa Trains this year...

🔴 Eight out of our twelve Santa Trains are now FULLY BOOKED...

🟢 STANDARD CLASS seats are currently available on three dates, but some will soon fill.

🚂 There are still spaces on the following trains:
🚃 7/12 - 13:40
🚃 8/12 - 10:00
🚃 8/12 - 13:40 - LIMITED availability
🚃 15/12 - 10:00 - LIMITED availability

✅ So, if you're looking to bring your family for a ride on a Santa Train, don't delay in booking your tickets - Santa and his Elves will be here, we hope you will be too..!

ℹ️ More information and link to online ticket sales: www.festrail.co.uk/christmas

Posted @withregram • @landmarktrust Then and Now

Posted @withregram • @landmarktrust Then and Now: Coed y Bleiddiau

In the heart of the Eryri National Park, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, sits this remote halt on the restored Ffestiniog Railway.

Built in 1863 for the railway Superintendent, T. Henry Hovenden, the cottage with its own 22 metre platform was cherished for more than a century by a string of occupants. But by the time the Ffestiniog Railway Trust asked Landmark for help in 2013 it had become severely dilapidated and in need of repair: a sad eyesore on this beautiful line.

The refurbishment wouldn’t be without its challenges. Although the building is tiny, its isolated location made the project difficult, even with help from the Ffestiniog Railway (swipe to see how we unloaded materials 🚂).

Coed y Bleiddiau (its name means ‘Wood of the Wolves’) opened as a Landmark in 2018 and is now a cosy holiday home for four, where anybody can experience the wild magic of the place. And, if you time it right, you might even be able to arrive here by steam train.

📍 Coed y Bleiddiau
🛏️ Sleeps 4

Read more about Coed y Bleiddiau's restoration over at our website, and book your own Welsh mountain escape.

'After' photos by @johnmiller_photography

#LandmarkTrust #BeforeandAfter #ThenandNow #CoedYBleiddiau #Eryri #Snowdonia #Wales #FfestiniogRailway #HeritageRailway #SteamTrain

We are absolutely thrilled that we have been named

We are absolutely thrilled that we have been named the 'GO ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR' at the Go North Wales Tourism Awards 2024..!

#gonorthwales #northwalestourismawards #nwtawards #northwales #winner2024 #GONWTAWARDS

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

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways is attending an event.

1 day ago

📢 LAST CALL FOR SANTA TRAINS..! 🎅With less than a week to go until our first Santa Train, it's obvious that Santa is going to be very busy again when he visits the Welsh Highland Railway this Christmas...We now only have seats available on the 10:00 train on Sunday 8th December - with room for a maximum of 5 family groups to join the train...So, if you've been looking forward to bringing your family on a festive steam train ride with Santa and his Elves, click the link below and book your tickets NOW to avoid disappointment..!➡️ festrail.co.uk/christmas.. ... See MoreSee Less

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

1 day ago

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ : TICKETS ON SALE NOW..! Next year our trains will start running on the 29th March 2025 - and tickets for our 2025 services are NOW ON SALE… We will be running all the journey options that we ran in 2024, offering something to suit everyone..! A trip on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways makes the perfect Christmas gift - so why not book your 2025 visit now..!Full details on all our services, along with booking links for tickets, are available @ festrail.co.uk/trains-2025The countdown to the new season at the F&WHR is now officially underway..!------------------------------------------TOCYNNAU GWASANAETHAU 2025 NAWR AR WERTH..! Mae tocynnau ar gyfer ein gwasanaethau 2025 NAWR AR WERTH ac bydd trenau’n dechrau rhedeg ar y 29ain o Fawrth 2024… Eleni rydym yn rhedeg yr holl opsiynau taith a gynigiwyd gennym y llynedd, gyda rhywbeth i blesio pawb!Mae taith ar Reilffyrdd Ffestiniog ac Eryri yn anrheg Nadolig perffaith felly beth am archebu eich ymweliad 2025 nawr?!Mae manylion llawn am ein holl wasanaethau, ynghyd â dolenni archebu tocynnau, ar gael yma: festrail.co.uk/trains-2025Mae'r paratoadau ar gyfer y tymor newydd yn RhFfE bellach ar y gweill..!.. ... See MoreSee Less

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

4 days ago

The latest edition of our behind the scenes, video news magazine. ... See MoreSee Less

Moving Pictures One Hundred and One - 28/11/24

youtu.be

Introduction 00:00Jack Blow 01:05Dinas point installation 04:55New Porthmadog water tower 06:45- Cyflwyniad 00:00Jack Blow 01:05Gosodiad pwynt Dinas 04:55Tŵr...

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways is attending an event.

5 days ago

🎅 SANTA TRAINS UPDATE...There's just over a week to go until our first Santa Train of the season and bookings are coming in quickly..!🔴 GOLD seats in FIRST CLASS are completely SOLD OUT for all 12 Santa Trains this year...🔴 Eight out of our twelve Santa Trains are now FULLY BOOKED...🟢 STANDARD CLASS seats are currently available on three dates, but some will soon fill.🚂 There are still spaces on the following trains:🚃 7/12 - 13:40🚃 8/12 - 10:00🚃 8/12 - 13:40 - LIMITED availability🚃 15/12 - 10:00 - ⚠️ EDIT: now FULL...✅ So, if you're looking to bring your family for a ride on a Santa Train, don't delay in booking your tickets - Santa and his Elves will be here, we hope you will be too..!ℹ️ More information and link to online ticket sales: festrail.co.uk/christmas.. ... See MoreSee Less

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways is attending an event.

6 days ago

🎅 CHRISTMAS @ HARBOUR STATION...🎄 We're looking forward to another wonderful festive December here in Porthmadog. There's going to be so much to see and enjoy during the run up to Christmas, with Santa waiting to meet your family in his magical Christmas Carriage Grotto on 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and 23 December..!⛄️ Our Booking Hall has been transformed into yet another fantastically decorated winter wonderland, complete with memories of Christmas' Past and our now traditional seasonal 'Kevin the Carrot' display..!📸 But that's just the start of a visit to see Santa in Harbour Station. After you've had the chance to look through all the delights of the winter wonderland (feel free to take photos, of course), you venture through the Gift Shop and out onto the platform.🧑‍🎄 Here you'll see a beautifully decorated steam loco standing at the front of Santa's special carriages. Take a close look at the Elves workshop, then the Arctic Animals standing beneath the Northern Lights, before taking your turn to enter the breath-taking delights of Santa's Grotto. 👀 It's a real treat to see the reaction of young children when they are taken into the Grotto to meet Santa in his cosy living room. There's time for a chat, to take photos - and to receive presents from Santa, of course...But there's still more to enjoy during your time at Harbour Station - before or after meeting Santa...🚂 One of our small steam locos will be in action, providing footplate rides through the station for all of our visitors - young and old. There will also be 'Elf Express' shuttle trains running between Porthmadog and Minffordd during the day, so you can have a scenic ride across the Cob behind one of our larger steam locos...🎁 Our Gift Shop is open every day for Christmas shopping. We've a wide range of items - local gifts and souvenirs, books, DVDs, games, toys, models etc - to suit all tastes and ages. Pop in when you're in town or shop online at festrail.co.uk/shop♨️ Spooner's Café-Bar is also open every day from 09:00, offering hot food until 20:00 - alongside its café counter service of sandwiches, cakes and other treats.✳️ So, why not come along and enjoy a family 'Christmas Treat' with us - we'd love to see you here... 🎟 Tickets to see Santa (as well as tickets for the 'Elf Express' trains) should be bought in advance wherever possible, to avoid unnecessary queuing - go to festrail.co.uk/christmas for more details and to book your visit...----------------------------------------🎅 NADOLIG YNG NGORSAF HARBWR PORTHMADOG🎄 Rydym yn edrych ymlaen at fis Rhagfyr Nadoligaidd hyfryd yma ym Mhorthmadog. Bydd cymaint i'w weld a'i fwynhau dros gyfnod y Nadolig, gyda Siôn Corn yn aros i gwrdd â'ch teulu yn ei Groto Cerbyd Nadoligaidd hudolus ar 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 a 23 Rhagfyr..!⛄️ Mae ein Swyddfa Archebu wedi'i thrawsnewid i wlad ryfeddol Newydd dros y gaeaf, wedi'i haddurno'n wych, ynghyd ag atgofion o'r Nadolig Gorffennol a'n harddangosfa 'Kevin the Carrot’ tymhorol sydd bellach yn draddodiadol..!📸 Ond dim ond y dechrau yw hynny ar eich ymweliad i weld Siôn Corn yng Ngorsaf yr Harbwr. Ar ôl i chi gael y cyfle i edrych trwy holl hyfrydwch gwlad ryfedd y gaeaf (mae croeso i chi dynnu lluniau, wrth gwrs), byddwch yn mentro trwy'r Siop Anrhegion ac allan ar y platfform.🧑‍🎄 Yma fe welwch loco stêm wedi'i addurno'n hyfryd yn sefyll o flaen cerbydau arbennig Siôn Corn. Edrychwch yn fanwl ar weithdy’r Coblynnod, ac yna’r Anifeiliaid Arctig, cyn cymryd eich tro i fynd i mewn i hyfrydwch syfrdanol Groto Siôn Corn.👀 Mae'n bleser gweld ymateb plant ifanc pan gânt eu cludo i'r Groto i gwrdd â Siôn Corn yn ei ystafell fyw glyd. Mae amser i gael sgwrs, i dynnu lluniau - ac i dderbyn anrhegion gan Siôn Corn...Ond mae dal mwy i'w fwynhau yn ystod eich amser yng Ngorsaf yr Harbwr - cyn neu ar ôl cyfarfod Siôn Corn...🚂 Bydd un o’n locos stêm bach ar waith, gan ddarparu reidiau troedplat drwy’r orsaf i’n holl ymwelwyr – hen ac ifanc. Bydd yna hefyd drenau gwennol ‘Elf Express’ yn rhedeg rhwng Porthmadog a Minffordd yn ystod y dydd, felly gallwch chi gael taith olygfaol ar draws y Cob y tu ôl i un o’n locos stêm mwy...🎁 Mae ein Siop Anrhegion ar agor bob dydd ar gyfer siopa Nadolig. Mae gennym amrywiaeth eang o eitemau - anrhegion a chofroddion lleol, llyfrau, DVDs, gemau, teganau, modelau ac ati – rhywbeth i bawb. Galwch heibio pan fyddwch yn y dref neu tra’n gwneud eich siopa ar-lein.♨️ Bydd Caffi-Bar Spooner's hefyd ar agor bob dydd o 09:00, yn cynnig bwyd poeth tan 20:00 - ochr yn ochr â'i wasanaeth cownter caffi o frechdanau, cacennau a danteithion eraill.✳️ Felly, beth am ddod draw i fwynhau 'Danteithion Nadolig' i'r teulu gyda ni - byddem wrth ein bodd yn eich croesawu chi yma...🎟 Dylid prynu tocynnau i weld Siôn Corn (yn ogystal â thocynnau ar gyfer y trenau ‘Elf Express’) ymlaen llaw lle bynnag y bo modd, er mwyn osgoi ciwio diangen - ewch i www.festrail.co.uk/christmas am ragor o fanylion ac i archebu eich ymweliad..... ... See MoreSee Less

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