Moving Forward – Our Plan for Reopening
It’s time to look onwards and upwards as we continue to form plans for our 2021 services.
With spring on its way, we are moving forward with renewed hope that 2021 will be a brighter year for our railway. Whilst some of the uncertainty which has overshadowed us for large parts of 2020 remain, the future is looking brighter.
In accordance with Government guidelines, we plan on reopening our services on Saturday, 1st May with the ‘Mountain Prince’ and the ‘Gelert Explorer’ services, see further details below.
If you are holidaying towards the end of April, please make sure to check our website and social media pages in case we are able to open earlier.
We will be opening bookings on 10:00, Monday 29th March 2021. This will be for services between 1st of May – 23rd of July.
Full information regarding our reopening will be available on our website on Monday, 29th March 2021.
Our plans revolve around a tiered system, whereby we would initially introduce a basic service and then as restrictions are eased, announce further services across the Railway.
The priority for all these services will be to keep all staff, volunteers and visitors safe. Note: Your group must consist of people who are in your bubble and who you are permitted to travel together with according to Welsh Government guidance applicable at time of travel.
We are excited to announce our new set of services for this Spring/Summer:
Woodland Wanderer is a heritage service to Tan-y-Bwlch similar to the one we ran last year. It is great for families and those with dogs, giving an hour break for a walk and refreshments. It goes to Tan-y-Bwlch where there is a tearoom and some lovely woodland walks. We will offer between one and six services per day using our heritage carriages, suitably adapted for safe travel.
Mountain Prince is an extended version of the Woodland Wanderer. We will be travelling up to Dduallt and around the spiral to Barn Cutting, giving some great views and there will be a heritage diesel added to the back of the train from Tan-y-Bwlch station for some fun traction. This stops at Tan-y-Bwlch on the return to give time for refreshments. We can offer up to five services per day.
Gelert Explorer is the Welsh Highland Railway service from Caernarfon to Beddgelert, complete with its hamper service and time to explore the village. It is a complete day out and will run up to four days per week. We have invested in some rather nice Perspex screens between the seating bays for your comfort. It will also boast a Pullman observation carriage on each end for the first time! Yes, that’s right – we intend to turn one round!
Glaslyn Venturer is a Welsh Highland Railway service running later in the year on the southern end of the line, from Porthmadog to Beddgelert, using modern carriages and also with an Observation carriage at each end. This too will have Perspex dividers.
Our detailed FAQs page on our website will help with many of your questions. Ticket prices will vary depending on your choice of experience; and work on the basis that you must first purchase a compartment or seating bay in order to travel. This seating bay is cleaned before travel and is then yours for the duration of your visit.
Most compartments hold up to six passengers but if you are a party of more than six, please telephone our booking office on 01766 516024 to make your booking.
Please Note: If you are unable to book online or you need help with your booking, please phone to book. 01766 516024. Our Booking Office will be open 10:00 – 16:00 on weekdays.
Gift Cards Gift Card holders will be able to use their card for booking online. If your booking has been deferred from 2020, please call the Booking Office on 01766 516024 to reschedule.
Note: Gift Vouchers can only be used for purchasing travel related items, either on line or through the Booking Office. Any remaining balance can either be used for further travel related sales or be transferred onto a voucher which can then be used at one of our retail or catering outlets. This must be done through Porthmadog Booking Office.
New sales of Travel Gift Cards will be done through our online travel experience portal and will be for travel related sales only.
Shops and Catering Our catering outlets at Spooner’s, Tan-y-Bwlch and Caffi De Winton will reopen when our train services start though probably as takeaway only service at first. Please keep a look out on our website and social media pages for updates.
Harbour Station’s shop will remain closed until lockdown restrictions are eased. The Online Shop remains open and is the perfect place for all your railway merchandise and gifts! We have hundreds of fantastic items available including Artwork, Books, Calendars, Clothing, DVDs and Model Railway supplies.
Our ‘A Year in the Life of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways – 2020’ DVD/Blu-ray is now available to buy from the web shop. Take a look back at the highlights from an historic year at our Railway with over 4 hours of footage!
Every penny we make from our Online Shop goes towards helping to maintain our world famous, much loved railways!
Thank you for your continued support and we really look forward to being able to welcome you back to the railways very soon!