New escorted tours in the UK, Europe & India… plus a welcome return to the Appalachian Mountain Trails of the USA. Rail holiday specialist Ffestiniog Travel has released the 2019 edition of its popular escorted tours brochure. Featuring six new itineraries, from the UK’s Lake District to India’s famous Golden Triangle, Rail Holidays of the World 2019 also features a return to the Appalachian Mountain Trails of the eastern USA… a destination that Ffestiniog Travel last offered ten years ago, in 2009.

Ffestiniog Travel was delighted to attend the launch of Ffestiniog Railway's new Carriage 120 in July 2018 - a project funded entirely by Ffestiniog Travel (FfT) at a cost of £106,000!

The company has thanked customers who have travelled with them and enabled it to finance the new build. Every holiday booking boosts profits that go towards supporting the preservation of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways (F&WHR).

The latest addition to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways' carriage fleet was built at the F&WHR's workshops at Boston Lodge in North Wales - the oldest working railway workshop in the world. The new carriage makes use of the maximum available loading gauge of the narrow and winding Ffestiniog Railway to provide more comfortable and spacious accommodation for passengers and features graphics on each table acknowledging the support of Ffestiniog Travel. The rail tour operator was delighted to be presented with a special wooden plaque, made in the carriage works, in recognition of its contribution.

F&WHR General Manager Paul Lewin said the heritage railway was “indebted to Ffestiniog Travel for its generous contribution”. Maria Cook, General Manager at Ffestiniog Travel added: “We would like to extend our thanks to all our customers for choosing to travel with us and making it possible for us to continue to support the F&WHR.”

To take a ride on the new Super Saloon, Ffestiniog Travel can arrange your visit to North Wales, call 01766 512400 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Meanwhile take a look at the new carriage in this video, filmed at the launch.

Escorted tour of Australia and New Zealand is one of three enticing long-haul itineraries for 2019.  You can also join Ffestiniog Travel on tour to Japan and India.

Having explored the Great Railways of the UK, United States, Europe and India in his popular BBC series, Michael Portillo has turned his attention Down Under for his latest train adventure. Spotted filming ‘Great Australian Railway Journeys’ in the Southern Hemisphere earlier this year, fans of the programme and rail travel aficionados alike await confirmation of the series’ broadcast date with eager anticipation.

2018 is the Isle of Man’s ‘Year of Our Island’, celebrating all that is great about living in and visiting what, for connoisseurs of steam travel and vintage transport, is one of the UK’s hidden gems. What better time, then, to join Ffestiniog Travel’s Isle of Man Driving Experience, a week-long holiday that goes behind the scenes of working railways and trams whilst touring this pretty island in style? Departing 29 September, the price is from £1,385 pp (two sharing) including seven nights’ B&B in Douglas, three lunches, two dinners, a three-day Go Explore ticket & five-day Go Explore Heritage ticket, excursions as per the itinerary, and tour leader.