Here’s some exciting news for our local neighbours… between the 22nd of April – 22nd of May (exc. 4th, 5th, 6th of May), we will be re-launching our popular ‘LOCALS’ DISCOUNT OFFER’, which replaces the previous ‘Y Cerdyn’ scheme.
Read MoreArticles by: chris
Monopoly Eryri / Snowdonia Edition – Official Launch!
We are very excited to announce that the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways will feature on the brand-new official MONOPOLY: Eryri / Snowdonia Edition – featuring the great and good of the much loved National Park!
Read MoreNEC Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show – Competition
Recently, we attended the 2024 NEC Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, alongside Talyllyn Railway, with whom we shared a stand.
Read MoreHappy International Women’s Day!
Today we are celebrating International Women’s Day by stepping back in time to highlight the exceptional role women have played in shaping the history of our much loved railways!
Read MoreEaster on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
Whatever you fancy doing this Easter, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways has something for everyone to enjoy…
Read MoreFree Tours of Boston Lodge
We’re taking part in The National Lottery Open Week, to say a huge thanks to National Lottery players for their support of our Interpretation and Boston Lodge Project.
Read MoreA New Conservation Plan for 1899-Built Quarry Hunslet ‘Nesta’
Richmond Light Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway Company are delighted to announce a plan to ensure the best possible future for historic Quarry Hunslet locomotive Nesta No 704 built in 1899.
Read MorePalmerston to visit Vale of Rheidol Railway
The Vale of Rheidol Railway and the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways are pleased to announce a collaboration to run 1864-built steam locomotive ‘Palmerston’ at the Vale of Rheidol Railway later this year.
Read MoreTickets for our 2024 services are now on sale!
Our season will begin on the 23rd of March 2024, and this year we will be running all the journey options that we offered last year, plus a brand new addition to the timetable… introducing ‘The Victorian’!
Read MoreNLHF Project Interpretation Panel Installation Underway
Over 35 new Interpretation Panels are being installed along Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways over the next couple of weeks.
Read MoreSpooner’s – Reopening Delay
Due to unforeseen circumstances encountered during the maintenance work currently taking place at Spooner’s, we will be delaying our reopening until Tuesday, 16th of January.
Read MoreFfestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways shortlisted for two prestigious awards
We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at the upcoming HRA 2024 Annual Awards.
Read MoreSpooner’s Christmas & New Year Opening Times
Here are details of when Spooner’s will be open or closed over the festive period…
Read MoreDates For Your Diary…
Here is a list of F&WHR Events that will be taking place during 2024…
Read MoreChristmas Shopping
There are less than two weeks till Christmas Day!
Read MoreSpooner’s Festive Menus
Bookings for our Festive menus are NOW OPEN!
Read MoreFree Family Tours at Boston Lodge
This month, we will be hosting x2 free Family Tours around our Boston Lodge Works
Read MoreLocal residents offer now available during October
Our locals’ discount will be available on a selection of our train services throughout September!
Read MoreWelsh Highland Society AGM Weekend
The AGM will be a members’ only event and will focus on some of the projects the society has been supporting.
Read MoreBoston Lodge – Behind The Scenes Tours
We have five ‘Behind the Scenes’ tours taking place over the coming months!
Read MoreFootplate Rides in Porthmadog and Caernarfon this weekend
We have lots of trains running but we’ll also have some family friendly free footplate rides for visitors to enjoy.
Read MoreFFWHR Welsh offer Approved and Eisteddfod Participation
We’ve got two pieces of exciting news to share… firstly we recently received the news that our Welsh Offer had been approved by the Welsh Language Commissioner!
Read MoreNew Bilingual Booklets and Leaflets
We were very pleased to welcome MP Liz Saville Roberts to Harbour Station this week, where we presented her our new ‘This is Our Railway’ booklets, which have been produced bilingually and our Welsh services’ information leaflet.
Read MoreGeneral Manager, Paul Lewin, nominated for major National Lottery Award
Congratulations to our General Manager, Paul Lewin, who has been nominated for the ‘outstanding individuals’ category of the 2023 National Lottery Awards.
Read MoreHalf price offer for local residents – August 1st – 31st!
Our locals’ discount will now be available on a selection of our train services throughout August!
Read MoreLevel Crossing Safety
Level crossings should always be treated with respect and attention paid to lights and signs!
Read MoreA Summer of Footplate Rides!
Summer is here and we’re steaming ahead with plans to offer footplate rides at Porthmadog and Caernarfon on selected days in July and August!
Read MorePorthmadog FC visit Harbour Station
Last weekend, we were delighted to welcome Porthmadog FC. to Spooner’s as part of our new season of sponsorship!
Read MoreWHR100 Competition Winner: Dr Stephen Murfitt
During our busy WHR100 event weekend, an important presentation took place on the Saturday morning (June 24th) as the winner of the WHR100 Research Competition was announced.
Read MoreHalf price offer for local residents – July 15th-23rd!
We’ve more exciting news for our neighbours, as we are holding our second LOCALS’ DISCOUNT WEEK between the 15th and 23rd of July.
Read MoreMeccano model donated to ‘Y Stesion’
There was a buzz of excitement around ‘Y Stesion’ in Caernarfon earlier this month, as the railway received the wonderful donation of a 1/12 scale Meccano model of a SAR class NGG16 Beyer Garratt locomotive!
Read MoreBaldwin 590 – WHR100 Event Ticket Holders – Complimentary Journey
As a thanks for all your support, we will be offering a complimentary journey for all event ticket holders to ride behind Baldwin ‘WHR 590’, at a later date.
Read MoreBaldwin 590 unavailable for WHR 100
The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway have announced that a last-minute problem has arisen with Baldwin ‘590’ which has left insufficient time to give the locomotive the attention it requires ahead of the ‘WHR100’ event.
Read More£584.00 raised for Welsh Air Ambulance
Thanks to the generous donations of our customers, the Spooner’s collection tin for the Welsh Air Ambulance has raised £584.74
Read MoreVacancies – Customer Facing Roles
Are you looking for work in the Porthmadog or Caernarfon areas this summer?
Read MoreThe Train Now Standing…
The popular play area beside the Tea Room at Tan-y-Bwlch Station now has a brand-new train for children to play on.
Read MoreHalf price offer for local residents – June 11th-18th.
We’ve some exciting news for our neighbours, as we are holding our first LOCALS’ DISCOUNT WEEK between the 11th and 18th of June.
Read MoreNew defibrillator installed at Tany-y-Bwlch Station
We’ve reduced the prices of our Bachmann Narrow Gauge items by 15% off RRP
Read MoreBag a Bachmann bargain today!
We’ve reduced the prices of our Bachmann Narrow Gauge items by 15% off RRP
Read MoreBank Holiday Weekend – It’s going downhill!
This weekend is filled with special events and activities arranged to coincide with the Ffestiniog Railway Society’s AGM.
Read MoreRail Ale – Tickets now on sale!
Join us at Dinas on the 9th and 10th of June, for this year’s RAIL-ALE FESTIVAL with its popular mix of Real Ales, Live Music, Tasty Food and Steam Trains.
Read MoreEaster activities at Caernarfon Station
Come and join us here at ‘The Station’ for some fun activities this Easter!
Read MoreTickets for the Welsh Highland Railway Centenary – Now on sale!
The wait is over – tickets for our highly anticipated WHR Centenary Celebrations are now on sale!
Read MoreFfestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways scoops prestigious top award
The Heritage Railway Association has awarded its most prestigious award – the Peter Manisty Award for Excellence – to the Ffestiniog Team that has rescued, restores and operates the unique gravity slate train.
Read More2023 Tickets On Sale Now!
We have some exciting news to share with you all – tickets for our 2023 train services are now on sale!
Read MoreFisherman’s Path in Beddgelert repaired
National Trust Cymru and Welsh Highland Railway team up to restore Fisherman’s Path at Aberglaslyn Pass in Beddgelert, Eryri (Snowdonia).
Read MoreF&WHR Mechanical Engineer Wins National Apprenticeship Award
Congratulations to Laurie Zehetmayr who has recently been awarded the ‘Most Improved Student Apprentice’ award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Read MoreSend us your favourite FR and WHR Stories!
We are on the lookout for your favourite Ffestiniog Railway and Welsh Highland Railway stories!
Read More“Theo The Yellow Bird” – Book Launch at Spooner’s
This weekend, we will be welcoming author, illustrator and songwriterm, Dawn Bosley, to Harbour Station as she launches a brand new series of adventures, starting with Series 2 – Book 1: ‘Theo The Yellow Bird – My Adventure on The Ffestiniog Steam Railway in Wales’.
Read MoreSpooner’s to take part in Gŵyl Cymru Festival
There are now only 10 days to go until the 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar and we’re delighted to announce that Spooner’s will be taking part in the Gŵyl Cymru Festival!
Read MoreSpooner’s releases new food and drink menus
We have some exciting news to report, Spooner’s have launched their new Food & Drink menu, with all items available to order daily between 09:00 – 15:00.
Read MoreDates for your diary in 2023
We’ve been working on our plans for special events on and around the F&WHR in 2023…
Read MoreFull Steam Ahead for Partnership that Won at Community Rail Awards
A joint project ‘Wales on Rails’ (WOR), led by Great Little Trains of Wales (GLTW) and supported by Transport for Wales and the Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) in Wales and the borders has won at The Community Rail Awards in the tourism and leisure category.
Read MoreApril 20th 2024 : The Snowdonian
The Snowdonian offers an 80 mile round trip over the whole railway with a variety of motive power.
Read MoreNew carriage 808 enters service on the Ffestiniog Railway
The latest addition to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ carriage fleet has entered service thanks to a generous donation from our friends Bob and Jan Bloodworth that funded the entire build.
Read MoreInterpretation & Boston Lodge Project – September Update
Work on our NLHF-funded project continues…
Read MoreMay 3rd-6th : FR Society Weekend – Friends of Ffestiniog
The Ffestiniog Railway Society AGM weekend will soon be upon us and we have some exciting items on the agenda for our FR Society members as we celebrate our 70th year!
Read More‘Rebuild the Alco’ – The Return of Mountaineer
A newly established, young volunteer team have recently launched a new campaign to ‘Rebuild the Alco’ – in the hope of getting Mountaineer back in steam!
Read MoreBook Your WHR100 Event Rover Tickets – July 30th/31st
Book your event rover tickets for the historic Welsh Highland Railway Centenary event weekend at Dinas!
Read MoreSummer Services 2022
Here at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways you don’t just buy a ticket… You buy an experience!
Read MoreWHR 100 – Test Train success!
Preparations for the joint ‘WHR 100 : SOUTH SNOWDON’ event at the end of the month included running a train of Welsh Highland Heritage Railway stock to Beddgelert on Saturday last.
Read MoreWelsh Highland Railway 100 Event Tickets Now On Sale
We are pleased to confirm that the only surviving original Welsh Highland Railway steam locomotive, ‘Russell’, based at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway at Porthmadog, will be running on today’s Welsh Highland Railway once again in 2022!
Read MoreRussell returns to the Welsh Highland Railway for Centenary Celebrations
We are pleased to confirm that the only surviving original Welsh Highland Railway steam locomotive, ‘Russell’, based at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway at Porthmadog, will be running on today’s Welsh Highland Railway once again in 2022!
Read MoreJubilee Bank holiday Weekend
Are you looking forward to the long weekend of celebrations? We’re going to be busy here at the F&WHR, so we’re looking forward to seeing you!
Read MoreGwynedd Artisans Group at the Gweithdy this weekend
Looking for something special? – then come along to the Gweithdy at Minffordd Station this weekend!
Read MoreFfestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Seeking Local Community’s Railway Stories
As part of a new interpretation project, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, Britain’s longest preserved steam railway, is asking people living between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Caernarfon, and beyond, to come forward with their railway stories.
Read MoreMay 11th : Gŵyl Fwyd Caernarfon / Caernarfon Food Festival
This popular event takes place in and around the streets of Caernarfon town and features a fantastic mix of local produce, street food & drinks, craft stalls and live music – something for all the family to enjoy.
Read MoreTuesday Night is Pizza Night at Spooner’s
Spooner’s recently announced that they would be joining forces with Big Dog Pizza for ‘Tuesday Pizza’ nights!
Read MoreMay 18th/19th : Model Railway Workshop
Layouts, demonstrations, stalls. Come and chat about model making and pick up some tips.
Read MoreJune 7th-8th : Cwrw ar y Cledrau • Rail-Ale – “last year as we know it!”
‘Cwrw ar y Cledrau’ returns in 2024 with a vibrant mix of Real Ales, Steam Trains, and Live Music in what could well be the ‘Last year as we know it!’
Read MoreNew NLHF Trainee Vacancies Available
Are you interested in working in the heritage sector? Are you looking for a way to gain experience? Do you know someone who might be interested?
Read MoreWelsh Highland Railway Centenary – Research Competition 1923 – 2023
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, the Welsh Highland Railway Society, the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway Heritage Group are jointly sponsoring a series of activities and events in 2022 and 2023 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the ‘original’ WHR in 1923.
Read MoreNew Travel Arrangements
Following today’s change to Covid restrictions in Wales, we are now working towards our plan to further open up access to our railway.
Read More‘Wales on Rails’ – New Sustainable Tourism Project Launched
A new tourism project called ‘Wales on Rails’ has been launched to encourage more people to travel around Wales sustainably using the national rail network, heritage railways and buses.
Read MoreSeptember 21st 2024 : The Snowdonian 2
By popular demand we are running a second Snowdonian this year, offering an 80 mile round trip over the whole railway with a variety of motive power.
Read MoreWelsh Highland Railway Centenary Events
The ‘Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’, ‘Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Eryri’, ‘Welsh Highland Heritage Group’ and the ‘Welsh Highland Heritage Railway’ are delighted to be working together to organise the upcoming centenary of the Welsh Highland Railway, which will officially take place in 2023.
Read More2022 Services Tickets On Sale Now
The news many of you have been eagerly anticipating is here… Tickets for our 2022 services are now on sale!
Read More‘Urdd Gobaith Cymru’ Celebrates Centenary
Congratulations to ‘Urdd Gobaith Cymru’ who are celebrating their 100th anniversary today!
Read MoreSpooner’s Back Up And Running
Spooner’s has reopened its doors following a period of restoration work in order to enhance our facilities and the service we provide to our customers.
Read More2022 Services On The Horizon…
It’s a crisp Winter’s day here in Porthmadog, but the days are growing lighter and we have some exciting news to share with you – our 2022 season will start on 26th March.
Read MoreNew Year, New Spooner’s
Here at Spooner’s we are starting the New Year by carrying out some restoration work in order to enhance our facilities and the service we provide to our customers.
Read MoreSpooner’s Christmas / New Year Opening Times
Here are the details for our Food and Bar service over the Christmas / New Year period.
Read MoreCatering Outlets – Updated Opening Times
November is here and as we begin to look forward to our Christmas services, we would like to publicise the updated opening times for our Catering Outlets…
Read MoreAmbitious Infrastructure Plans for this winter!
The Infrastructure Department of the Festiniog and Welsh Highland Railways has produced an ambitious Autumn and Winter maintenance plan…
Read MoreNew Double Fairlies from Bachmann available now
Bachmann Europe have just announced new products to be introduced this winter. Pride of place (OK, we’re slightly biased here) is the launch of models of Ffestiniog Railway Double Fairlies in 009 scale.
Read MoreFfestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways secure £3.1 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund
We are delighted to announce that the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways (FFWHR) has been successful in its application for a £3.1million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).
Read MoreDouble HRA Award Presentation
On Friday October 8th. we were pleased to welcome Heritage Railway Association Director Steve Clews to the railway to present two awards.
Read MoreMoelwyn Tunnel Portal Ceremony
On Sunday October 10th. a brief ceremony was held at the southern portal of Moelwyn tunnel to unveil a plaque commemorating their completion.
Read MoreThe Return of Topsy
We are delighted to announce that Topsy has returned to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways following a loan to the National Museum of York as part of their Brass Steel & Fire Exhibition.
Read MoreFfestiniog Railway Society awarded the “Hendy and Pendle Trust Volunteers award”
The September sun was shining as supporters of the Ffestiniog Railway came together to celebrate the official unveiling of two plaques at the recently restored ‘Gweithdy’ building in Minffordd.
Read MoreWelsh Highland Railway Society AGM weekend – A Thank you
Thank you to all those who attended the recent K1 event on 18th/19th September.
Read MoreA Day Of Rail Safety Information
We had a day of rail safety information last week as we welcomed both a member of the North Wales Police and actors from the Network Rail Staycation campaign.
Read MoreTickets now on sale for September and October
We have now updated our Booking Systems with tickets for September and October now on sale – so you can PLAN your visit and BOOK your tickets now!
Read MoreA New Season of Sponsorship
We were delighted to show our support at Cae Clyd this week as Porthmadog FC and Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs FC played out an entertaining match in the Ardal North West League.
Read MoreTickets for September to be released on August 10th.
We are well into August and trains are really busy. Thank you for your support if you have travelled; and also for playing your part in keeping our railway safe.
Read MoreLove Your Railway
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways gets on board “Love Your Railway” nationwide campaign.
Read MoreSlate Landscape of North West Wales granted World Heritage Status
We here at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways are delighted to hear the fantastic news that UNESCO World Heritage Site status has been obtained for ‘the slate landscape of North West Wales’.
Read MoreSpooner’s Temporary Opening Times: Update
Spooner’s will now be open 7 days a week between 09:00 – 22:00
Read MoreBlaenau Ffestiniog Station ready for “Back to Blaenau” service
We would like to offer a grateful thanks to our dedicated team of volunteers and staff who have been busy renovating our Blaenau Ffestiniog Station.
Read MoreYoung Volunteers Training Week
The Festiniog and Welsh Highland Railways have staged “Kid’s Week” for many years; we have now renamed it “Young Volunteers Training Week”.
Read More