Ffestiniog Railway

The Ffestiniog Railway is based at Porthmadog on the Llyn Peninsular in North Wales.  It runs up to Blaenau Ffestiniog in the Mountains, and has some unique engines and carriages, designed to cope with the steep gradients and difficult terrain.

This is a working railway, carrying local passengers and tourists as well as railway enthusiasts.  The fairs are comparable with other railway services and all of the stations are staffed.

Carriage comfort varies, this being a typical 3rd class carriage arrangement (first class has more leg room and there is usually an observation car at the rear of the train).

The scenery on the way up the mountains is quite spectacular and typical of much of North West Wales around the Snowdonia National Park.  A seat on one of the rear carriages will give a good view of the engine as it goes around the bends in the track.

This is a shot from the train across the estuary between Portmeirion and Borth-y-Gest.  It is a good place to observe the local sea birds and waders.

Porthmadog Station is also the base station for the Welsh Highland Railway, which runs north to Caernarfon, passing alongside Mount Snowdon.

The station at Beddgelert (pronounced Beth-Gelert) is within sight of Snowdon and it is where the trains of the Welsh Highland Railway pass.  Again, the scenery on this railway is quite spectacular.