The Ffestiniog Railway

One of my earliest railway memories is of a trip to Wales and seeing the Ffestiniog Railway, then (early 1950's) in a very run down state. It is one of the oldest preserved railways, and although its character has changed significantly from those days, it does have the attraction of running through the best of Welsh scenery, which makes it justly famous, and a well-known target for tourists.

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  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 27 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9896
  • Description : Waiting in Rhiugoch crossing loop, we see Blanche approaching with a train from Porthmadog train.


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  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 01 Mar 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9907
  • Description : At Dduallt, we see "Blanche" approaching with her train. This is taken from the lower section of track see in thenext image.


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  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 28 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9892
  • Description : From the top loop of the unusual spiral climbing out of Dduallt station, we look down at an approaching train.


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  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 27 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9886
  • Description : The old narrow gauge station at Blaenau Ffestiniog. I understand that this station is now back in use by the Ffestiniog Railway. Indeed, Richard Huss writes:
    The station in Blaenau Ffestiniog, which you show, was the old Duffws station. The FfR extended back to Blaenau in 1982 (I think) but to a joint station on the site of the old FfR/GWR interchange station, which is on the other side of the main street to Duffws. This is now the terminus of the BR Conwy Valley line from Llandudno Junction as well.
    Thanks Richard! Ben Fisher from theFfestiniog Railwayitself writes:
    Your picture Festiniog-1 is of the old Duffws station building in Blaenau Ffestiniog; the current FR/Railtrack station, opened in 1982, is nearby but on the other side of the road, on the site of the old FR/GWR exchange station (but with the sides reversed). The Duffws building is still used as public toilets, though it and the surroundings have been improved considerably since your picture was taken.
    Thanks to Ben as well!


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  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 27 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9887
  • Description : The Double Fairlie loco "Merddin Emrys" approaching Tan-y-grisiau station, the then terminus of the Ffestiniog line.


  • Image : dir=br/festiniog/ page=index 168950 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 27 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9890
  • Description : A DSO of Double Fairlie loco "Merddin Emrys" at Tan-y-grisiau station.


  • Image : dir=br/festiniog/ page=index 78172 bytes, 800x300 pixels
  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 27 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : personal photo
  • Description :


  • Image : dir=br/festiniog/ page=index 55117 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 27 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9891
  • Description : Double Fairlie loco "Merddin Emrys" with Tan-y-grisiau reservoir in the background.


  • Image : dir=br/festiniog/ page=index 54887 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 28 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9898
  • Description : Looking out from the observation car, we see Porthmadog in the distance, as the train hauled by Double Fairlie "Merddin Emrys" crosses The Cob.


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  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 28 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9899
  • Description : Now at Porthmadog, we are looking back across The Cob, as Double Fairlie "Merddin Emrys" shunts her train.


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  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 28 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9900
  • Description : Porthmadog station with Double Fairlie "Merddin Emrys" ready to depart with her train.


  • Image : dir=br/festiniog/ page=index 118389 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 13 Jul 1980, catalogued 28 Feb 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9901
  • Description : A closer view of Double Fairlie "Merddin Emrys" at Porthmadog station.


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