Ffestiniog Railway (Wales) - Driver's Eye View - Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog

I'd like to say a big thank you to Claire and the booking office staff for their help in making this video possible, along with the locomotive crew and everyone at the Ffestiniog Railway, past and present for all their hard work that has given future generations the wonderful visitor experience we see today.
Porthmadog Harbour station is the starting point for both Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway trains, resulting in busy periods at the start and end of the day when trains return to be stabled overnight and locomotives run across the Cob to Boston Lodge works where they are maintained and prepared for their next duty. On a sunny evening it's hard to think of a nicer place to enjoy a pint than at the railways very own pub and restaurant where the railway action can be watched from the outside seating area.
Trains use both sides of the long island platform and a walk to the end is rewarded with stunning views all around as well as being a great vantage point to watch trains crossing the Cob (the wall separating the sea from the Afon Glaslyn flood plains). Our locomotive has coupled up to its train and we are ready to set of on the picturesque ride to Blaenau Ffestiniog. I could write a book about the views from the train window, but until such time, please join me on a scenic journey through beautiful Wales.
The railway holds a special place in history for a number of reasons, it is the oldest surviving railway company in the world, being built by the "Festiniog Railway Company" spelled with a single 'F' in the act passed to allow construction to start in 1833 with the line opening on 20th April 1836 . The 13 1⁄2 miles (21.7 km) long line was built on a continuous downhill grade between Blaenau Ffestiniog and the port at Porthmadog to transport slate from the quarries to the port for onward shipping. Loaded waggons used gravity to run down to the port with the empty waggons being hauled back to the quarries by horses that had ridden down hill in special waggons called 'dandy waggons'.
By the end of the 1850's it was clear that more capacity was required leading the board to investigate the possibility of using steam locomotives, the outcome of which was the placing of an order with George England and Co for two narrow gauge 0-4-0 steam locomotives, the first, named 'Mountaineer' was delivered on 18th July 1863, followed a few days later by 'The Princess'. After running in trials and some modifications they entered service on 23rd October 1863 allowing the use of longer trains to increase capacity and in 1865 they enabled the introduction of passenger trains, making the railway the first narrow gauge railway in Britain to run such trains. The first double Fairlie articulated locomotive was introduced in 1869, these locomotives are now one of the most widely recognised features of the railway.
By the 1920s the railway suffered a gradual decline in traffic owing to slate being replaced by modern materials and the loss of overseas trade during WW1. Ordinary passenger services ceased on 15th September 1939 and slate traffic ended on 1st August 1946. The act created to allow the construction of the railway made no specific provision for its closure, thus another act was required to repeal the old one, as luck would have it, the company didn't have the money to do so, as a result the track was left in place to be reclaimed by nature. The abandoned railway attracted railway enthusiasts and eventually with financial help from Alan Pegler the next chapter in the railways history began resulting in the first train of the new era running across the Cob in 1955.

For more information about the railway please click on any of the following links -

Track gauge - 1 ft  11½ ins (597mm)

Map 00:17 - Google Earth/Maps

00:57 - Porthmadog
04:53 - Boston Lodge Works
05:42 - Boston Lodge
09:56 - Minffordd
16:34 - Penrhyn
21:50 - Rhiw Goch
29:12 - Plas Halt
35:22 - Tan y Bwlch
39:49 - Garnedd Tunnel
42:18 - Coed y Bleiddiau
46:06 - Campbell's Platform
47:51 - Dduallt
49:11 - Start of 1978 Deviation
53:56 - Moelwyn Tunnel
59:26 -Tanygrisiau
01:06:42 - Blaenau Ffestiniog

[mariohectormartin]

...Estimado Señor, agradezco muchísimo su hermoso vídeo. Tengo 74 años, de niño viajé mucho en tren, en mi país, y hoy disfruto vuestros videos que tienen una calidad muy buena.
No podría expresar mi agradecimiento a todos ustedes por el esfuerzo que hacen para ello.
Sepan que somos muchos los humanos que aman el placer de viajar en tren...y hoy ..tan solo tienen, la expresión de un video como el vuestro...eso es muy lindo dentro de todo.
He recorrido gran parte de Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña y otros países, gracias a los vídeos.
Sigan así...los aplaudo y abrazos con mucho afecto.
Desde Cacheuta, Mendoza, Argentina.

[interstellarphred]

The coolest thing about this preservation line is that it is no zombie; I actually used it to go somewhere. Visited "The Village" a Km walk from Minffordd and connected with BR at the end of the line. Take note USA, The Britts can still out railway us.

[jayzo]

The Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways have to be my two favourite narrow gauge railways.

[wendyrees]

I have been on this train pre covid with my late beautiful mum and my late beautiful dog . We had a Welsh afternoon tea ( they don’t do them now ) which was so delicious including my favourite bara brith ( sorry if I have spelt in wrong ) . I loved every minute of the journey . Very special memories. I stay in Borth Y Gest twice a year and have walked the path next to the train with the stunning views . Last year I went on the train up to Bedgellert. ❤❤. We are so lucky to be able to travel on this spectacular steam trains . Thanks to all the phenomenal volunteers. I am back in Borth Y Gest on September 9th for 2 weeks, every moment there is absolute heaven . ❤

[salloom]

I thoroughly enjoyed the train ride through the Welsh countryside. It is truly a spectacular scenery. Although I may never be able to travel to that part of the world, your video certainly brings it home to me. Thank you for another excellent production of yours.

[richardditchburn]

IT'S THE SOUND!! Turn up the amps and sit back and listen to the sound. Having the camera with it's built in mike attached up front was great. The sound of that engine as it travel along is mesmerizing. I had the pleasure of travelling on this railway about fifth years ago. Nothing has changed, a lovely memory. I made the round trip from the Blaenau Ffestiniog end back in the early 1970's a trip to remember.

[nicholasroberts]

Lovely, lovely, lovely. Beautiful countryside views.

Last time I did it was as a kid in the early 1960s, when the line terminated less than half way up. The countryside looks a lot greener than I remember it then.

Must go and do it again.

[davidhammond]

I made this exact journey back in late September 2012. It was a beautifully clear Autumn afternoon, I remember the scenery being absolutely stunning, and what a privilege to be transported by a real piece of history, truly a brave little engine! We owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who cares for, maintains and runs these wonderful trains. Happy memories of my first visit to Wales 😊

[JimNicholls]

Brilliant, Tim, many thanks. Wish I could travel on it again, it's a wonderful trip.

[angelasirious]

Otro magnífico viaje!! Mi primera vez en un tren de vía estrecha, realmente (597mm). Muchas gracias por este video. ¡¡Felicidades!! 👍

[jailsongomesdasilva]

What an amazing footage! The angle of the camera gives us the impression we're on one of those miniature, backyard railroad trains! The pleasant sound of the steam engine is good quality music to my ears! The spectacular breathtaking, countryside scenery as well as the never ending narrow railway gauge scrolling down the screen are mesmerizing! Keep up the good work! Greetings from Brazil!

[johnmorgan]

Excellent video, really enjoyed it. I haven't done the trip since the late 1980s, and the cab view is interestingly different from being a passenger. Thanks again, i hope you do more!

[bigbreadeaterellis]

Wales is a beautiful country and has some of the nicest landscapes as seen in this video.

[geoffhalstead]

At last I’ve been on a journey on this World renowned railway👍👏
I found out about this railway when I joined my local Model Engineer club in the early ‘70s in Johannesburg.
Ran my own 5” gauge 0-6-0 at the club hauling passengers every Sunday.
That moment I steamed it up for the first time, opened the regulator and felt what ‘small’ 1” pistons could pull thrilled me!
The smell of smoke, seam and oil mixture got into my blood stream, activated a dormant gene and I was hooked.
So hooked was I, that I started my own Model Engineering shop supplying all the needs to build locomotives, traction engines & IC engines.
When I told my parents of my plan my Mom’s eyes went wide and she told me that her father worked for the LMS, something never mentioned before.
That gene awoke with a vengeance and an experience never to be forgotten and treasured.

[JaapFilius]

Awesome!!! I was there 4 years ago and really did enjoy both narrow track railway lines from Porthmadoc (Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways). You were very lucky with the weather on this one: almost dry till the end...

[ΙωαννηςΜαυρικης]

Το τρενάκι υπέροχο, η διαδρομή φανταστική.

[paulherron]

Excellent video Tim. Great memories brought back. Schoolboy when I last did that trip. Cheers mate. Great stuff as always.

[peterhunt]

First rode 1961, never tire of watching or riding. Last rode 2022 hoping to go again soon!

[panikrystyna]

Tim, twój esej historyczny jest świetny. Wzmianka o kuflu zimnego piwa wzruszyła mnie. W zakonie wszystkie pomieszczenia są chłodne albo zimne. A tutaj upał i marzenia o zimnym piwie. .. Rozumiem Cię. Pozdrawiam, dziękuję.

[garryrimmer]

Started to watch this on Sunday afternoon on my tablet.
My wife and I watched it from the start on Sunday evening and it was the Best nights television viewing in years
Thank you