Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway to resume operating in May

Pic caption: Welsh Highland NGG16 ‘Garratt’ No. 138 at Dinas station on June 14, 2019 about to depart for Caernarfon. Photo: Chris Milner

Assuming there are no late changes in Welsh Government COVID-19 restrictions Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway (Ff&WHR) will re-commence train operation on May 1 with bookings now being taken for trains through to July 23.

Initial services comprise a basic operation with the intention being to expand operations later in the year as lockdown restrictions are eased. From March 29, the Government has announced lockdown restrictions will begin to ease slightly.

Ffestiniog Railway operations will be similar to last year using heritage carriages between Porthmadog Harbour and Tan-y-Bwlch (‘Woodland Wanderer’). There will also be an extended version (‘Mountain Prince’) featuring a heritage diesel on the tail which will run on to the spiral at Dduallt as far as Barn Cutting before returning to Tan-y-Bwlch.

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Welsh Highland Railway services between Caernarfon and Beddgelert (‘Gelert Explorer’) will run from on four days a week and be full days out including a hamper service and time to explore the village.
Expanded services to run later in the year when conditions allow include Welsh Highland trains between Porthmadog to Beddgelert (‘Glaslyn Venturer’).

Catering outlets at Harbour (‘Spooner’s’), Tan-y-Bwlch and Caernarfon (‘Caffi De Winton’) were to reopen when trains started running, initially as takeaway services.

The Harbour station shop will remain closed until although the online shop is operational.

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