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
THE FFESTINIOG RAILWAY Step into history on the Ffestiniog Railway the UK's premier narrow gauge line - celebrating 150 years of steam power in 2013. Ride behind one of the diminutive original locomotives dating back to 1863 - or experience the power of our unique Double Fairlie engines as your train climbs over 700ft from the harbour side in Porthmadog, past beautiful woodland, valleys, mountain lakes, waterfalls and streams on a 13½ mile journey to the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, surrounded by the vast slate quarries which the railway was originally built to serve. A full round trip takes less than three hours and a range of shorter journeys is also available, allowing you time to explore the picturesque villages and beautiful scenery of the Snowdonia National Park. There is simply no better way to experience the stunning views and fascinating history of this quiet corner of North Wales than from the comfort of our carriages with snacks and drinks brought to your seat.
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“ We run 9,079 services every week, calling at 276 stations. Our trains cover a total of 70 million miles and carry 95 million passengers every year, providing high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train and sleeper services across the Greater Western rail franchise area.” www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
LONDON TRANSPORT - 'TUBE150' Throughout 2013 the London Transport Museum will be holding a range of events to celebrate another 150th anniversary... The first journey on the world’s oldest underground railway was made just after 1.00pm on 9th January 1863. It took 18 minutes to complete the 3½ mile journey from Paddington Station to Farringdon and began 150 years of remarkable history. The original Underground line was built and financed by a private company - the Metropolitan Railway - which had been formed in 1854 to undertake a project to link the City business district with the mainline stations at Paddington, Euston and King’s Cross to the west.
“ Planning a holiday or short break in Wales? Explore one of our historic castles, take a city break or relax in a luxury spa. Wales comes well equipped for outdoor adventure and activity holidays. 2013 is here and it’s the perfect time to discover Wales. ”
Travel on the new railway was a novelty that thousands of Londoners were eager to experience and on the first day of public service long queues formed at every station. The line was a huge success with 26,000 passengers using the railway each day in the first six months.
www.visitwales.co.uk
THE WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY
ACTON DEPOT - 'WE LOVE STEAM'
The Welsh Highland is North Wales’ newest and most scenic railway - extending for 25 miles through the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.
London Transport Museum’s annual spring Open Weekend (13th and 14th April) will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Underground in style with Metropolitan Railway locomotive No.1 in steam.
Running coast to coast from the historic walled town of Caernarfon to the modern-day tourist centre of Porthmadog, this legendary railway which closed in the 1930s - has now been restored in its entirety by hundreds of volunteers. The railway uses the largest two-foot gauge steam locomotives in the world to pull trains of modern, corridor connected carriages with comfortable seats, on-train hot and cold food and toilet facilities available to ensure a relaxing and care-free journey. You can travel in style in our unique Pullman Observation carriage with its vast panoramic window, relax in a family-friendly saloon carriage - or you can enjoy the fresh air and views from our popular open carriages. The Welsh Highland Railway has something to offer all of our visitors from short trips to a full day out exploring the local towns and villages or simply riding the trains - we look forward to meeting you soon!
“ Network Rail apprentices are getting their first real experience of working on an operational railway at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. This partnership not only benefits the F&WHR and Network Rail but also provides a welcome boost to local businesses around Porthmadog. ” www.networkrail.co.uk
“ Railway Children is an international children’s charity which fights for vulnerable children who live alone at risk on the streets, where they suffer abuse and exploitation. In the UK, society often denies their existence and in other countries the problem is so prevalent that it has become 'normal'. ” www.railwaychildren.org.uk
Metropolitan Carriage 353 - beautifully restored by the skilled craftsmen of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s renowned Boston Lodge Carriage Works - will be displayed in all its gold leaf glory. Model displays will feature miniatures of Metropolitan Railway No.1 and a Lego representation of Baker Street in 1863 - with steam rides on the Acton Miniature Railway, film screenings, hands on workshops, talks, and book signings as well there’s plenty going on down the depot. The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway will also be in attendance with ‘Prince’ - one of the original steam locomotives - giving footplate rides as part of the joint 150th anniversary celebrations. For more information on the Open Weekend and other Tube150 events, exhibitions and displays - visit www.ltmuseum.co.uk