Ffestiniog Travel

Thursday 6 June to Monday 10 June 2013

Saturday 12 October to Wednesday 16 October 2013

After two sell out tours in 2012 we have been overwhelmed with demand to re-run this popular holiday. We, as the sister company to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, have a unique opportunity to provide an insight into the normally unseen aspects of the two railways. This year we have added an exciting new twist to the tour by basing ourselves in the idyllic village of Beddgelert.

Day 1 – Arrive Beddgelert

Arrive in Beddgelert in time to check into the Royal Goat Hotel, our base for the next 4 nights. This evening we have a group welcome dinner served in the hotel.

Day 2 – Ffestiniog Railway

This morning we have a coach transfer from our hotel to Boston Lodge where we take an in depth behind the scenes tour of the works. The tour includes access to many areas that are not usually open to the public, even on guided tours. We will be able to view loco preparation and take a tour of the Erecting Shop, Drawing Office, Stores, Running Shed, Old Loco Shed, and Carriage Works. After this tour we board the train and make a return trip on the Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog, returning back to Porthmadog. A sandwich lunch is included today. Our coach will return to Beddgelert in the late afternoon allowing a few hours to take in the harbour town.

Day 3 – Behind the Scenes – Special Train

Today we take a rare insight into the Ffestiniog Railway with a special steam hauled two-coach train. Our private train includes stops at Minffordd Yard and the Slate Sheds, lonely Rhiw Goch signalbox and loop. We also take our train along the original ‘Dinas’, branch at Blaenau Ffestiniog and to Glan y Pwll Sheds, Dduallt with its spiral and we go behind the scenes at Tan y Bwlch. There will be several photo opportunities not usually available en route at Rhiw Goch and Dduallt. We then return via Porthmadog over the ‘Crosstown link’, stopping at Snowdon Mill, the former junction of the Gorseddau Tramway and Pont Croesor. The train continues to Beddgelert and we have the option of alighting at Nantmor, walking back along the Fisherman’s Path and taking photos of our train’s ECS working to Boston Lodge. A sandwich lunch will be provided.

Day 4 – Welsh Highland Railway

Today we take the Welsh Highland Railway from Beddgelert, climbing through the forest and over the railway’s highest peak at Pitts Head. On arrival in Dinas you have an option of a guided tour of the locomotive workshops or continuing on to Caernarfon to explore the town. A sandwich lunch is included today and after returning to Beddgelert in the evening we have a farewell dinner served in the hotel restaurant.

Day 5 – Farewell

Travel home independently.