Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world, established in 1832.

The railway takes you on a 13½ mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Our historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round horseshoe bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain or even tunnelling through it.

Single trip 1 hour and 10 minutes, return trip 2 hours and 30 minutes. Group rates available, advanced group booking essential.

One of the famous 'Great Little Trains of Wales'.

Guided tours of the 200 year old Boston Lodge Engineering Works and ‘hands on’ workshops enables your clients to enhance their visit to the railway. Boston Lodge is the oldest continually operating railway engineering works in the world and the guided tour is led by one of their knowledgeable railway volunteers. They will learn about the people involved in the works and the railway from the early days to today and the locomotives and carriages that have been built and held here for over three centuries including its role in the community and how it has shaped railway developments around the world. The tour begins at Porthmadog’s Harbour Station and includes a short train journey across the Cob embankment to the Works.

We also offer 3hr ‘How Steam Locomotives Work’ workshops for small groups where clients can find out how a quarry Hunslet locomotive works and even have a go at driving one. The workshops are also held at the Boston Lodge Works and led by experienced staff and volunteers.

Various dates are available throughout the year and bespoke tours and workshops can be offered on request. https://www.festrail.co.uk/boston-lodge-tours/

If your clients are also taking a journey on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, they can use their new app. The guide provides useful information about the route along the way, including points of interest. The free ‘FfWHR Explore’ app can be easily downloaded on arrival as every railway station has free wi-fi access and QR codes are available at check-in.