Ffestiniog Railway double-ended Fairlie locomotive David Lloyd George built in 1992 on train at Blaenau Ffestiniog Station
Ffestiniog Railway double-ended Fairlie locomotive David Lloyd George built in 1992 seen on a train at Tan-y-Bwlch station Established by an Act of Parliament way back in 1832, the Ffestiniog Railway is truly a 'Great Little Railway' and is the oldest independent railway company in the World today. In May 2007 we proudly celebrated the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the line. Originally built to serve the slate industry of Blaenau Ffestiniog, the line used to be operated by gravity. Wagons laden with slate, rumbled down the hillside, kept under control by intrepid brakesmen who leapt from wagon to wagon tightening or loosening the brakes while their colleague on the front wagon blew his horn to warn others of its passage. Steam locomotives were introduced in the 1860s and, today, some of those same little engines haul carriages of holidaymakers through the stunning scenery of the Snowdonia National Park. Blaenau Ffestiniog, at the head of the valley still bears the scars of its industrial past with slate tips all around. One of these quarries is open to the public and makes an interesting addition to your day out. The station is situated in the centre of the town on the A470 and is shared with the Conwy Valley Line which runs from the North Wales coastal resort of Llandudno, connecting with the main line at Llandudno Junction.
Size: 6449px × 4300px
Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog Station, Wales
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: double-ended, engine, fairlie, ffestiniog, locomotive, narrow-gauge, railway, red, station, steam, train, wales, welsh
