Welsh Highland Railway

The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

The Ffestiniog Railway is the world's oldest narrow gauge railway with almost 200 years of history, taking you on a 13½-mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round tight bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain or tunneling through it.
The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK's longest heritage railway and runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon, past the foot of Snowdon and the picture postcard village of Beddgelert, then through the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass and on to Porthmadog. Passengers ride in some of the most comfortable carriages on any heritage railway in the UK, including first class Pullman luxury and freshly-cooked food delivered to your seat.
2014 saw the opening of the new £1.25 million Porthmadog Harbour Station, offering greatly-improved passenger facilities and a convenient cross-platform interchange between the two railways. The opening in March 2019 of our futuristic new station in Caernarfon as provided a modern nothern terminus station for the railway.
Images in this gallery were taken at the Welsh Highland Railway 'Past, Present, and Future Gala' the gala was limited to the Boston Lodge to Porthmadog Harbour section of the FR and the Porthmadog Harbour-Pen Y Mount Jn-Beddgelert section of the WHR, along with the Porthmadog (WHHR) to Pen Y Mount Jn section of the WHR (1964) Co. line. The highlight was the return of 2-6-2T 'Russell', the sole remaining WHR locomotive, to this section of line, for the first time on public services, since it traversed the route just prior to closure in 1937.

Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways

'Moelwyn' is a 2-4-0DM Diesel locomotive originally built for use by the French during the First World War. It was acquired by the FR in the 1920s for use on shunting and other light duties. Rebuilt in the 1950s to improve its ride and economy it was named Moelwyn and was extensively used on engineering trains as well as providing back-up for passenger operations. It has now been retired from front-line use and forms part of the railway's heritage fleet but it is still a useful locomotive and can often be seen in use around the railway.

No.4 Palmerston is a steam locomotive built for the Ffestiniog Railway in 1863. One of the line's original locomotives, it continued in use (much rebuilt) until the mid 1930s. The locomotive was then converted into a stationary boiler for war work at Boston Lodge. The new management considered the remains to be beyond restoration. The hulk was sold in 1974 to a private consortium. It later returned to the FR and was restored to service in 1993. It is not one of the line's regular locomotives but can be seen working on special occasions. The engine is named after Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784-1865), Liberal Prime Minister and Chairman of the Welsh Slate, Copper & Lead Mining Co's quarry at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

'Taliesin' 0-4-4T Single Fairlie locomotive built by Ffestiniog Railway as a new built recreation of the long lost original, constructed at Boston Lodge in 1999, making her 20 years old in this image.

Manning Wardle Reproduction 2-6-2T No.E190 'Lyd' The locomotive was built in 2010 and is based on the design of the Lynton and Barnstaple Locomotive E188 'Lew'.

Hunslet 4wDM 'Moel-Y-Gest- is pictured stabled at Boston Lodge Works on the 23rd June 2019

The War Office Locomotive Trust’s ex-WDLR Hunslet 4-6-0T No.303 (1215/1916) The locomotive was bought in Australia in 2004 by The War Office Locomotive Society and returned to Britain in September 2005. Ownership was then transferred to the specially formed trust in early-2012. The locomotive is pictured at Porthmadog on the rear of the 14:20 service to Pont Croesor on Friday 21st June 2019.

De Winton 0-4-0 WBT (Vertical Boilered Tank) 'Chaloner' normally based on the Leighton Buzzard Railway is pictured at Boston Lodge Works on the 23rd June 2019.

Hunslet 2-6-2T 'Russell' is pictured at Beddgelert Station having arrived with the 10:55 service from Pont Croesor on Saturday 22nd June 2019 double heading with Prince.

Boston Works Shed - Sunday 23rd June 2019. CH Funkey & Co B-B 'Vale of Ffestiniog' and Hunslet 4e DM 'Moel-Y-Gest'.

De Winton 0-4-0 VBT (Vertical Boilered Tank) Chaloner normally based on the Leighton Buzzard Railway is pictued at Porthmadog with a rake of slate wagons having arrived from Boston Lodge on Friday 21st June 2019.

'Moelwyn' No.7011 departs from Porthmadog Harbour Station on Friday 21st June 2019 working the 14:20 to Pont Croesor in top and tail formation with Hunslet 4-6-0T No.303

De Winton 0-4-0 VBT departs Porthmadog on the 21st June 2019 with a rake of slate wagons returning to Boston Lodge Works.

North of Pont Croesor, 16:25 Beddgelert - Pen-Y-Mount Junction lead by George England Built 0-4-0 STT (Saddle Tank with Tender), No.2 'Prince' built 1863 one of the first two locos to be delivered to the FR in 1864. On the rear of the train was the last surviving original WHR locomotive Hunslet 2-6-2 T called Russell built by Hunslet in Leeds, based on the WHHR making its first public runs on the Welsh Highland Railway. In the background are the Welsh Mountains named Cnicht and Moelwyn Mawr.

No.2 'Prince' arrives into Porthmadog Station crossing the road from the Welsh Highland Railway into the Ffestiniog platforms on the 21st June 2019 operating the 17:15 Pen-Y-Mount Junction - Porthmadog service.

No.2 'Prince' takes water at Porthmadog Harbour station on Friday 21st June 2019.

'Russell' a Hunslett 2-6-2T climbs through the Aberglaslyn Pass hauling the 18:00 Porthmadog WHHR - Beddgelert service on Friday 21st June 2019.

Single Fairlie Locomotive 0-4-4T 'Taliesin' climbs through Nantmor with Moel-ddu dominating the background while working the 08:50 Porthmadoc - Beddgelert service on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

NGG16 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt No.143 deaprts from Pont Croeser on Saturday 22nd June 2019 hauling the 09:40 Porthmadog - Caernarfon service.

'Russell' and 'Prince' double-head into Pont Croesor Station on Saturday 22nd June 2019 operating the 10:30 Pen-Y-Mount Junction - Pont Croesor working. Here the pair were supposed to seperate and run in top and tail formation through to Beddgelert, however because of late running the pair operated double-headed on the next leg.

Russell and Prince double head up through the Aberglaslyn Pass with enthusiasts perched on the surrounding rocks for a view of the two historic locomotives passing by.

2-6-2T 'Russell' is pictured at Beddgelert Station having arrived with the 10:55 service from Pont Croesor on Saturday 22nd June 2019 double heading with Prince.

NGG16 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt No.138 stands at Porthmadog Harbor Station on the 22nd June 2019 having arrived with the 10:00 Caernarfon - Porthmadog service.

The War Office Locomotive Trust’s ex-WDLR Hunslet 4-6-0T No.303 (1215/1916) is pictured at Porthmadog on the 22nd June 2019 between duties.

The War Office Locomotive Trust’s ex-WDLR Hunslet 4-6-0T No.303 arrives into Porthamdog on Satruday 22nd June 2019 working the 12:45 Pont Croesor - Boston Lodge service.

A general view of Porthamdog Station with NGG16 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt No.138 being serviced while Double Fairlie No.10 Merddin Emrys prepares to depart with the 13:40 to Blaenau Ffestiniog service.

NGG16 No.138 passes through the newly constructed platform at Pen-Y-Mount Junction providing a link between the WHR and WHHR stations. The 14:15 Porthmadog - Caernarfon passes non stop through the station on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

'Taliesin' 0-4-4T Single Fairlie locomotive nears Pont Croesor on Saturday 22nd June 2019 operating the 15:00 Beddgelert - Porthmadog Harboue service.

2-6-2T 'Russell' steams away from Pont Croesor on Saturday 22nd June 2019 operating the 15:25 to Beddgelert.

NGG16 2-6-2+2-6-2 No.143 Garratt passes over the Afon Glaslyn while working the 14:20 Caernarfon- Porthmadog service through the Aberglaslyn pass on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

'Taliesin' 0-4-4T Single Fairlie locomotive climbs through the Aberglaslyn pass on Saturday 22nd June hauling the 16:00 Porthmadog - Beddgelert service.

No.2 'Prince' decends through the Aberglaslyn Pass working in top and tail formation with 'Russell' on the 16:50 Beddgelert - Pen-Y-Mount Junction on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

Russell 2-6-2T rides on the rear of the 16:50 Beddgelert - Pen-Y-Mount Junction service through the Aberglaslyn pass on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

'Taliesin' 0-4-4T Single Fairlie locomotive works the final train of the day through the Aberglaslyn pass, hauling the 17:30 Beddgelert - Porthmadog all station service on the 22nd June 2019.

2-6-2T 'Russell' and No.2 'Prince' power up the grade approaching Nantmor Station on Sunday 23rd June 2019 on the 08:40 Pen-Y-Mount - Beddgelert service.

NGG16 2-6-2 + 2-6-2 No.143 Garratt departs from Porthmadog Harbour on Sunday 23rd June 2019 working the 09:40 Porthmadog- Caernarfon serivce passing the park and ride buses laid on the for 'Past, Present and Future' gala event.

'Taliesin' 0-4-4T Single Fairlie locomotive built by Ffestiniog Railway shunts stock at Porthmadog Station on Sunday 23rd June 2019.

Double Fairlie No.12 'David Lloyd George' departs from Porthmadog on Sunday 23rd June 2019 with the 10:05 Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog service.

Southern-liveried No.190 'Lyd' arrives into Porthmadog Harbor on Sunday 23rd June 2019 hauling the 09:30 from Beddgelert. The locomotives was built at Boston Lodge works as a replica of the Manning Wardle locomotive built for the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway in 1925.

No.7011 'Moelwyn' Baldwin 2-4-0 DM stands at Boston Lodge Halt on Sunday 23rd June 2019 having arrived with a shuttle service from Porthmadog.

No.7011 Baldwin 2-4-0 DM 'Moelwyn' purchased by the Ffestiniog Railway in 1925. Originally an 0-4-0 but was extensively modified in the 1950s and 1960s with a new diesel engine, frame extensions and carrier wheels in order to improve its running. Received heavy overhauls in 1998 and 2009 and is mainly used as a yard shunter at Boston Lodge. Painted into World War I grey for the first time in preservation in 2016.

Double Fairlie No.10 'Merddin Emrys' passes Boston Lodge Station with the 11:25 Porthmadog- Ffestiniog on Sunday 23rd June 2019.

Double Fairlie No.10 Merddin Emrys is pictured on shed at Boston Lodge Works on Sunday 23rd June 2019.

Ffestiniog Railway Double Fairlie No.12 'David Lloyd George' runs around its train at Blaenau Ffestniog Station on Sunday 23rd June 2019

Ffestiniog Railway Double Fairlie No.12 'David Lloyd George' takes water and is services at Blaenau Ffestniog Station on Sunday 23rd June 2019 before forming the 15:05 service back to Porthmadog.

Ffestiniog Railway Double Fairlie No.12 'David Lloyd George' takes water at Blaenau Ffestniog Station on Sunday 23rd June 2019 before forming the 15:05 Blaenau Ffestiniog - Porthmadog service.

Double Fairlie No.12 'David Lloyd George' rounds the spiral curves at Dduallt station while working the 15:05 to Porthmadog. The bridge the train passes over at this point becomes the bridge the railway also passes under after passing through the station.

Ffestiniog Railway Double Fairlie No.12 'David Lloyd George' rounds the curve at Boston Lodge Works on Sunday 23rd June before traversing the cob into Porthmadog Harbour station.

4wDM 'Upnor Castle' built by F.C.Hilbberd in 1954 is pictured on the Tan-y-Bwlch Station on the Ffestiniog Railway.

1917-built ALCO (American Locomotive Company) 2-6-2T 'Mountaineer' is pictured at Minffordd Yard. Built for the British Army's use in World War I; later ran on the Tramway de Pithiviers à Toury in France; purchased by a supporter of the Ffestiniog Railway in 1967. A regular performer for four decades, the locomotive last operated in 2006 and is currently awaiting overhaul.

2-6-2T 'Russell' powers up the final grade into Beddgelert Station on Sunday 23rd June 2019, with the 16:25 Pont Croesor - Beddgelert service.

Southern-liveried No.190 'Lyd' at 2-6-2T built in 2010 stands at Beddgelert ready to form the final service train of the Past, Present, and Future Gala back to Porthmadog.

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (WHHR)

Hunslet 0-4-0ST 'Britomart' - A Ffestiniog Railway loco on loan to the WHHR. Originally built for service at Pen-y-Orsad Quarry, is pictured at Porthmadog WHHR on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

Hunslet 0-4-0ST 'Hugh Napier' prepares to built up steam to depart from Porthmadog WHHR Station on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

Hunslet 0-4-0ST 'Britomart' - A Ffestiniog Railway loco on loan to the WHHR. Originally built for service at Pen-y-Orsad Quarry. The locomotive is pictured at Porthmadog WHHR Station on Friday 21st June 2019.

'Hugh Napier' is an 0-4-0ST Hunslet quarry tank (855 of 1904) which worked at Penrhyn Quarries, where he was part of the 'Large Quarry' class. It weighs around 7½ tons. It is owned by the National Trust and is in the custodianship of the Ffestiniog Railway

Hunslett 0-4-0ST 'Hugh Napier' departs from Porthmadog WHHR Station heading to Pen-Y-Mount Junction on Friday 20th June 2019.

Gelert is an attractive 0-4-2T built in 1953 by Bagnall for the Rustenberg Platinum Mines in South Africa (Builder's number 3050). It was the last of four ordered by the company during the period 1948 - 1953, and carried the number 4. All of them are preserved. The locomotive is seen arriving into Porthmadog WHHR Station from Pen-Y-Mount Station on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

Hunslet 0-4-0ST 'Britomart' is pictured at Pen-Y-Mount WHHR station on Saturday 22nd June 2019.

Cambrian Coast National Network Services

Arriva Trains Wales-liveried Class 158 (now operated by Transport for Wales) No.158827 departs from Porthmadog station operating the 2G55 13:38 Pwllheli - Birmingham International service.

The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

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Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (WHHR)

Cambrian Coast National Network Services