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Home , Conwy Valley Line, Ffestiniog Railway, Minffordd, North Wales, Portmeirion, Vale of Ffestiniog

Did you know..? DIRECTIONS TO THE F&WHR

The and Welsh Highland Railways, at nearly forty miles in length, are the longest in the UK...

The has used steam engines for 150 years and four of their first locomotives still exist on the railway...

The Ffestiniog Railway runs along a mile-long sea wall known as 'The Cob' - and crosses Cei Mawr, at 62 feet in height the largest free-standing dry stone wall in Europe...

The oak woodlands in the are classed as temperate rainforest and a site of special scientific interest...

The Ffestiniog Railway is the only UK railway with a spiral loop, where the track crosses over itself to gain height...

Find us on Facebook at - www.facebook.com/festrail 'SAT- NAV' INFORMATION

CAERNARFON Station on St Helens Road, LL55 2YD

Station, Drop-off Point & Disabled Parking LL49 9NF Main Town 'Pay & Display' Car Park LL49 9PG

BLAENAU FFESTINIOG Central 'Pay & Display' Car Park LL41 3ES

BY ROAD The A55 Expressway across the north coast of gives easy access to the area from the M6. Other major routes to include the M54/A5 from the Midlands and the A470 running from in to on the north coast of Wales.

BY TRAIN Skilled craftsmen in our own workshops restore - and build From the North: Use trains on the - mainline. from new - the engines and carriages for our trains... Change at for a train along the Valley

National Trust members voted the line to the joint Ffestiniog Railway station in , or use the regular bus service from Bangor station 'the most scenic view in Britain' - you can see why to reach the at Caernarfon. from trains on the Welsh Highland Railway... From the Midlands: Use trains, via and Machynlleth, is the highest mountain in and Wales - for the Cambrian Coast line to reach the Ffestiniog Railway so Hafod Eryri at its summit is literally the top café in Britain... at and Porthmadog (15 minutes walk).

Welsh Highland Railway trains climb and descend more than 1200 feet from sea level during the course of their journey... BY BUS A network of long-distance coach and local bus services operate Over 1000 volunteers give up their free time and holidays throughout the area. Once here, the 'Sherpa' bus services provide

to work on our railways and run our trains... 'car free' access to the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.

Further information on bus, rail and coach services can be found at We are grateful for support from private donations, www.traveline-cymru.info or by phone on 0871 200 22 33 the Millennium Commission, Welsh European Funding Office, Ffestiniog Railway Society, Welsh Highland Railway Society FFESTINIOG & WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYS and especially the hundreds of volunteers who contribute Harbour Station, Porthmadog, , LL49 9NF

their time and expertise to restore and operate 01766 516024

the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. [email protected] www.festrail.co.uk Ffestiniog Railway Welsh Highland Railway

The two-foot gauge Ffestiniog The Welsh Highland Railway runs Railway opened in 1836 - carrying from Caernarfon on Wales' north slate from the mountains to the coast, through the very heart of sea by gravity, with horses pulling Snowdonia, to the harbour town empty wagons back up. The line of Porthmadog on the west coast. was converted to steam power in 1863 and runs a fleet of engines From the at Caernarfon full of character including the the train winds round tight bends famous Double Fairlies - which - through woods and alongside look the same from both ends! rivers racing down to the sea - along a route that is impassable The line runs from Porthmadog for all but a narrow-gauge train. to Blaenau Ffestiniog and the journey begins by crossing the By the time the train arrives at Cob, a mile-long embankment Rhyd Ddu (The Black Ford) the which holds back the sea, then mountains are no longer distant past the entrance to , aiming points but rising steeply the Italianate village famous as the on either side, reflected in the location for filming . lake below. On the left is one of the main paths up Snowdon, After Minffordd, the determined on the right is the formidable sounds of the powerful engines Ridge with razor edge reflect the effort of pulling walks along sheer cliffs. carriages high into the mountains The line reaches its highest point through ancient oak woodlands at Pitt's Head before descending and Coed y Bleiddiau (The Wood dramatically round horseshoe of the Wolves) where - allegedly - bends through the forest to the last wolf in Wales was shot. village - then enters

the beautiful Aberglaslyn Pass, The track loops over itself at where trains steam high above station, using the UK's the fast-flowing river, before only railway spiral - a simple but tunnelling through the hillside effective way of gaining extra to reach the pastoral flatlands height without increasing the of the ancient estuary beyond. gradient, and then between the twin which make up The line continues on past old Britain's first pumped storage sea cliffs and crosses the Glaslyn hydro electric scheme. river again at Pont , where trains stop beside the Mountains of slate - evidence of Osprey Centre - surrounded by the town's rich industrial heritage a magnificent panorama of the - surround you as the train arrives mountains of Snowdonia. at Blaenau Ffestiniog station, which is shared with mainline trains that From here it's just a short run to run on tracks that are twice as Porthmadog, where trains steam wide, along the proudly into Harbour Station from Llandudno Junction. beside the Ffestiniog Railway. Towns and Villages Out and About Out and About

Blaenau Ffestiniog is a vibrant Walking is an activity for all ages Not forgetting, of course, the unmistakeably built on and abilities - you can take a gentle many beautiful beaches and golf the slate industry, with its steep stroll around a lake, explore a courses along the miles of coast inclines on which wagons of slate village or wander along a beautiful line that are never far away were lowered from the quarries beach; or try a guided walk from to the railway. The revamped one of our stations and hear some Throughout the year there town centre celebrates its rich local stories from a trained leader. are a host of special events, traditions with slate sculptures and For the more energetic - two of the large and small - on the railways poetry trail along the High Street - main paths up Snowdon start next and in the surrounding area. and a variety of shops to explore. to stations on the Welsh Highland

Railway. Hafod Eryri, the new café You can enjoy the delights of Porthmadog is the port from and visitor centre on Snowdon's our Beer Festival, Jazz Trains, where ships used to export the summit, is well worth a visit. Food on the Move Trains - plus slate. These days the harbour is the Halloween and Santa Trains. an attractive marina where you Bikes can be taken on our trains - are more likely to see an otter so bring yours along, or hire them Looking for a spot of culture? teaching her cubs to catch crabs. from local shops, to enjoy the See artists from all around the Next to the harbour is the station many cycle routes in and around world at 's International with Spooner's Café / Bar & Grill the mountains. For the more Musical Eisteddfod. On a smaller where you can enjoy a meal or adventurous, a day at the Coed y scale, enjoy music at 's relax with a drink while watching Brenin mountain bike centre is a Jazz Festival. For the younger trains go by, admiring the superb memorable experience or try the generation, Festival No.6 is now views over the estuary or the sun challenging downhill courses and a popular event at Portmeirion, setting across the sea. jump centre in Blaenau Ffestiniog. featuring many well-known bands.

The walled town of Caernarfon Sample the areas rich industrial with its narrow streets, colourful heritage at the National Slate Heading for the shores? Sailors buildings and bistros is a great Museum in or the Sygun can drop anchor at Conwy River place to stroll around. The large Copper Mine outside Beddgelert. Festival, a unique eight-day festival medieval castle, in which Charles of sail. Surfers enjoy water sports Enjoy a 21st Century adrenaline was invested as the Prince of of the extreme variety - and live rush at Zip World or Bounce Below Wales, dominates the scene, and music - at Wakestock. It's all up in - a truly exhilarating way to explore from Queen's Gate there is a the air at Llangollen Hot Air Balloon the old slate quarries and caverns. Festival. Prefer something a bit good view of the estuary and along the railway line towards the Escape into the fantasy world of more down to earth? Get your mountains of Snowdonia. Portmeirion and enjoy the shops, feet firmly on the ground and join restaurants, gardens and unique one of the many walks featured in Beddgelert is the archetypal atmosphere of this Italianate-style Walking Festival. Like to Snowdonian village - it also has a village and film location just a do things the old-fashioned way? familiarity which, for a certain short walk away from our railway. Then pay a visit to Llandudno's generation, might be due to the Victorian Extravaganza... illustrator of Rupert the Bear books , now with taking inspiration from when he wheelchair access, and the nearby These are just some of the lived here. In fact, much of at and things that will make your visit Snowdonia is familiar, having been are a reminder of our medieval to memorable. used as locations for films such as past - and, for people who like First Knight, The Inn of the Sixth their history rather more ancient, Find more information on Happiness, Tomb Raider and… there are masses of Roman and activities, attractions and events Carry on up the Khyber! Bronze Age sites to be explored. at www.gonorthwales.co.uk Where to stay? Travel options Special occasions

It's possible to squeeze a ride on There are many sections to the For a special occasion you can the trains into a day-trip, but there railways, offering a wide choice of hire a whole carriage and invite is so much to see and savour that starting points and journeys, so it friends to join you for the ride it is best enjoyed as part of a is recommended you study the of a lifetime. Soaking up the longer visit to get the full benefit. timetable or check with our main ambience and enjoying the Booking Office which options will scenery through windows A visit to Snowdonia, where suit you best. Trains run every day designed to maximise the view Welsh is the primary language and of the week from late March until - a bit like looking through a where rich culture and distinctive the end of October, and from wide angle lens, only better... cuisine abound, has all the glamour Boxing Day to New Year's Day. and mystique of going abroad - A limited service is operated but without the hassle. during the winter months. This leaflet is designed as an The choice of accommodation is introduction to the Ffestiniog diverse - ranging from campsites Tickets can be bought online, & Welsh Highland Railways - where you can pitch your tent at our main stations or on board giving a 'taste' of North Wales, within a few yards of the railway trains - with '' tickets also highlighting its variety and appeal line at Beddgelert to a 5-star hotel available which allow you to ride as a holiday destination... at Portmeirion, with characterful on several days - and save money! It is impossible to provide all B&Bs and cottages in between. the information you might need

about our two railways within More information available from this leaflet, so please visit our www.gonorthwales.co.uk or website - www.festrail.co.uk www.visitsnowdonia.info - or phone our friendly Booking or phone 08705 168 767 Office staff on 01766 516024

for further details. Service with passion Each railway has a timetable Most of the railway staff you will leaflet - available on request meet are volunteers - people who from our Booking Office, love the trains and give their time Ffestiniog Railway trains also link or you can pick one up at the to qualify as drivers, firemen and up with mainline services at two many Tourist Information guards, to repair locos and build stations providing access to and points throughout North Wales. carriages, to maintain tracks and from the scenic Cambrian Coast stations, and who provide a full and Conwy Valley lines. service - complete with passion. The depth of their enthusiasm To some people riding in an open shows and endures much longer carriage, with the wind blowing in than a skin-deep 'have a nice day'. their faces, is the experience they are seeking - but for others, the All of our trains have a buffet car cushioned seats and table service from which snacks, together with of a saloon carriage represent the hot and cold drinks, are served to best balance between comfort and you at your seat by our friendly enjoyment. For a taste of luxury stewards. Local produce is used you can upgrade to First Class - wherever possible, including with the character and feel of bottled Snowdon water and award something that would not be out winning beers and beverages. of place on the Orient Express.