150 YEARS OF NARROW GAUGE STEAM
HOW TO GET TO THE F&WHR...
The Ffestiniog Railway achieved fame in Victorian times by being the first narrow gauge railway in the world to use steam locomotives. Remarkably four of these first locos survive on the railway! As part of the 150th celebrations, two of the line’s original engines 'Prince' and 'Princess' - are going on tour around the UK and all four of the original locomotives will play a significant role on the railway during the year. Two unmissable dates for your diary are the railway’s major events 4th to 6th May: 'Prince' and 'Princess' return to Porthmadog and join sister locomotives 'Palmerston' and 'Welsh Pony' for a special weekend telling the story of the railway from horse-drawn days to modern times. 11th to 13th October: A vintage weekend in which the railway’s unique collection of original engines and carriages - accompanied by costumed Victorian characters - bring history to life before your eyes... See our website for further details of all our events held during the year.
THE GEORGE ENGLAND LOCOMOTIVES 'Prince' and 'Princess' were built in 1863 for the Ffestiniog Railway at George England's Hatcham lronworks in New Cross, London. They were taken by rail to Caernarfon - the nearest station at that time - and then hauled over the rough roads to Porthmadog on carts pulled by teams of ten horses. In that same year, the Prince of Wales who would later become King Edward VII - married Princess Alexandra of Denmark and these two locomotives were named in their honour. When two further engines were delivered the following year, one was named 'Palmerston' after Lord Palmerston, the Prime Minister of the day. This loco also survives to the present day and, like 'Prince', is in full working order and sees regular use on Vintage Train services. In 1867 a slightly larger version of the original engines was delivered. This locomotive was named 'Welsh Pony' and is still in existence, currently awaiting restoration to working order.
BY ROAD The A55 Expressway across the north coast of Wales gives easy access to the area from the M6. Other major routes to Snowdonia include the M54/A5 from the Midlands and the A470 running from Cardiff in South Wales to Llandudno on the north coast of Wales. BY TRAIN From the North: Use trains on the Chester - Holyhead mainline. Change at Llandudno Junction for a train along the Conwy Valley Line to the joint Ffestiniog Railway station in Blaenau Ffestiniog, or use the regular bus service from Bangor station to reach the Welsh Highland Railway at Caernarfon. From the Midlands: Use trains, via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth, for the Cambrian Coast line to reach the Ffestiniog Railway at Minffordd and Porthmadog (15 minutes walk). BY BUS A network of long-distance coach and local bus services operate throughout the area. Once here, the ‘Sherpa’ bus services provide ‘car free’ access to the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. Further information on bus, rail and coach services can be found at www.traveline-cymru.info or by phone on 0871 200 22 33 USEFUL INFORMATION ON THE AREA... The Official Tourism Website for North Wales - www.nwt.co.uk North Wales Tourism Accommodation Hotline - 08705 168 767 Other useful websites - www.gonorthwales.co.uk www.attractionsnorthwales.co.uk www.eventsnorthwales.co.uk www.porthmadog.co.uk www.blaenauffestiniog.org FFESTINIOG & WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYS Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF
01766 516024 enquiries@festrail.co.uk
www.festrail.co.uk