Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Insider

11/09/2026

Visit to the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway – Mountain Spirit on Tour 🚂!

Over the last few days, four of our staff and volunteers have been visiting our partner railway, Harzer Schmalspur Bahnen (HSB) in central Germany to share knowledge on our railway operations and route network.

It’s been a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our partnership, share best practice, and experience the unique character of the Harz system firsthand.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways



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Ymweliad â Rheilffordd Mesur Cul Harz – Ysbryd y Mynydd ar Daith 🚂!

Dros y dyddiau diwethaf, mae pedwar o'n staff a'n gwirfoddolwyr wedi bod yn ymweld â'n rheilffordd bartner, Harzer Schmalspur Bahnen (HSB) yng nghanolbarth yr Almaen, i rannu gwybodaeth am ein gweithrediadau rheilffordd a'n rhwydwaith llwybrau.

Mae wedi bod yn gyfle gwych i gryfhau ein partneriaeth, rhannu arferion gorau, a phrofi cymeriad unigryw system Harz yn uniongyrchol.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

11/09/2026

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways - Moving Pictures One Hundred and Twenty Six - 11/9/26

Introduction - 00:00Tan y Bwlch Station House - 01:08Blanche upda...

08/09/2026

We’re delighted to welcome the Royal Oakeley Silver Band (Seindorf A***n yr Oakeley) to this year’s Victorian Weekend (2nd – 4th October 2026).
Founded in 1864, the band is one of Wales’s oldest brass bands. The Band will be performing at our Tan-y-Bwlch Station on Sunday 4th October, 13:30 – 16:00
There’s no need to be an event ticket holder to enjoy their performance. Simply turn up at Tan-y-Bwlch Station and enjoy the music!
Please note, parking restrictions will apply in the station and so we would highly recommend travelling by train via an event rover ticket to Tan y Bwlch.
A wonderful addition to our celebration of the railway’s heritage and the communities that have helped shape the railway and the region for generations!

04/09/2026

ONE MONTH TO GO!!!

Some tickets still available.

https://www.festrail.co.uk/victorian-weekend/

https://youtu.be/-kECLYuFtUY

02/09/2026

FfWHR Staff & Volunteer Summer Social 🌞🚂

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, we ran a special disco‑themed train from Porthmadog to Rhyd Ddu and back to commemorate everyone’s hard work throughout the busy summer period.

With Double Fairlie “James Spooner” at the helm, this was the first time we’d ever done something like this on the Welsh Highland Railway route. Everyone had a thoroughly good time, and it proved to be a lovely way to recognise the effort and support that goes into keeping the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway alive.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways



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Digwyddiad Cymdeithasol Haf Staff a Gwirfoddolwyr FfWHR 🌞🚂

Dros benwythnos Gŵyl y Banc, gwnaethom gynnal trên arbennig gyda thema disgo o Borthmadog i Ryd Ddu ac yn ôl, i nodi gwaith caled pawb drwy gydol cyfnod prysur yr haf.

Gyda'r locomotif Double Fairlie "James Spooner" yn arwain y daith, dyma'r tro cyntaf i ni wneud rhywbeth o'r fath ar lwybr Rheilffordd Welsh Highland. Cafodd pawb amser gwych, ac roedd yn ffordd hyfryd o gydnabod yr ymdrech a'r gefnogaeth sy'n angenrheidiol i gynnal Rheilffordd Ffestiniog a Welsh Highland.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

01/09/2026

Double‑Header Action! 🚂🔥

On Saturday, Britomart and Welsh Pony teamed up to double‑head the 12:25 Woodland Wanderer service from Porthmadog to Tan‑y‑Bwlch and back. A brilliant sight for anyone lineside or onboard.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Tea Room at Tan-y-Bwlch Station


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Gweithrediad â Dau Locomotif! 🚂🔥

Ddydd Sadwrn, daeth Britomart a Welsh Pony at ei gilydd i dynnu gwasanaeth y 'Woodland Wanderer' am 12:25 o Borthmadog i Dan-y-Bwlch ac yn ôl. Golygfa wych i unrhyw un ar ochr y rheilffordd neu ar y trên.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Tea Room at Tan-y-Bwlch Station

14/08/2026

WATER SPRAYING TRAINS OUT AND ABOUT TO HELP MINIMISE FIRE RISK AND KEEP STEAM OPERATION ALIVE DURING THE HOT WEATHER

During the prolonged recent dry spell of hot weather, our diesel engines have been pulling water tank trains to dampen down the sides of railway tracks along both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway. This not only ensures we can continue to safely operate steam engines, it also allows our visitors to still be able to enjoy a historic journey through Eryri (Snowdonia) while preventing any fires starting along the sensitive landscape area.

The water tank trains, effectively a fire engine on rails, have been operating most of the summer using high‑capacity tanks that are equipped with pumps and sprayers. We've been monitoring the conditions daily, adjusting spray levels, and coordinating with local authorities to make sure the lines remain safe for steam operations. It’s a huge behind‑the‑scenes effort that keeps things running smoothly during the hot challenging weather.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways



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TRENNAU CHWISTRELLU DŴR I LEIHAU PERyGL TÂN A CHADW GWEITHREDU STÊM YN FYW YN Y TYWYDD POETH

Yn ystod y cyfnod hir o dywydd poeth a sych diweddar, mae ein peiriannau disel wedi bod yn tynnu trenau tanciau dŵr i wlychu ochrau’r traciau ar hyd Rheilffordd Ffestiniog a Rheilffordd Eryri. Nid yn unig mae hyn yn sicrhau y gallwn barhau i weithredu peiriannau stêm yn ddiogel, ond mae hefyd yn caniatáu i’n hymwelwyr fwynhau taith hanesyddol drwy Eryri tra’n helpu i atal tanau rhag dechrau ar yr ardal dirwedd sensitif hon.

Mae’r trenau tanciau dŵr, yn gweithredu fel peiriant tân ar reiliau, wedi bod yn gweithio drwy’r rhan fwyaf o’r haf, gan ddefnyddio tanciau capasiti uchel sydd wedi’u cyfarparu â phympiau a chwistrellwyr. Rydym wedi bod yn monitro’r amodau’n ddyddiol, addasu lefelau chwistrellu, a chydlynu gyda’r awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau bod y llinellau’n parhau’n ddiogel ar gyfer gweithrediadau stêm. Mae’n ymdrech enfawr y tu ôl i’r llenni sy’n cadw popeth i redeg yn esmwyth yn ystod y tywydd poeth heriol.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

14/08/2026

https://youtu.be/9TZFOcHjfNQ

Introduction - 00:00Race the train - 01:14James Spooner back in t...

03/08/2026

ENGLAND ENGINE "WELSH PONY" VISITS WHHR 🚂✨

Over the weekend, our beloved Welsh Pony engine visited our nearby friends at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway for their Steam Gala and Classic Car event.

Fresh from a successful steam test, this marked its first public outing since returning to passenger service. Keep an eye on our socials for the engine’s next planned appearance!

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways



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INJIN LOegr "WELSH PONY" YN YMWELD Â WHHR 🚂✨

Dros y penwythnos, ymwelodd ein hinjin annwyl, "Welsh Pony", â'n ffrindiau cyfagos yn Rheilffordd Treftadaeth yr Ucheldir Cymreig (WHHR) ar gyfer eu digwyddiad Gala Stêm a Cheir Clasurol.

Yn dilyn prawf stêm llwyddiannus, dyma oedd ei ymddangosiad cyhoeddus cyntaf ers dychwelyd i wasanaeth teithwyr. Cadwch lygad ar ein sianeli cyfryngau cymdeithasol i weld pryd y bydd yr injan yn ymddangos nesaf!

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

31/07/2026

DOUBLE FAIRLIE “JAMES SPOONER” RETURNS! 🔥🚂

After a short spell out of traffic, we’re thrilled to share that James Spooner has passed its steam test today and will be back hauling passenger trains from this weekend. A true icon of the Ffestiniog Railway and always a favourite among enthusiasts and families alike.

📅 Upcoming Workings
+ Sunday 02/08
09.40 The Aberglaslyn – Porthmadog to Beddgelert return
13.00 The Aberglaslyn – Porthmadog to Beddgelert return
+ Monday 03/08
10.40 Mountain Spirit – Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog return
14.50 Woodland Wanderer – Porthmadog to Tan‑y‑Bwlch return
+ Tuesday 04/08
11.10 Woodland Wanderer – Porthmadog to Tan‑y‑Bwlch return
14.20 Mountain Spirit – Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog return
+ Thursday 06/08
10.40 Mountain Spirit – Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog return
14.50 Woodland Wanderer – Porthmadog to Tan‑y‑Bwlch return
+ Friday 07/08
11.10 Woodland Wanderer – Porthmadog to Tan‑y‑Bwlch return
14.20 Mountain Spirit – Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog return

📸 Share your Shots
If you’re out and about this week, we’d love to see your photos and videos of James Spooner back on the rails. Tag us in your posts or share your favourite moments to help spread the magic of the railway.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways



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Mae'r Double Fairlie "James Spooner" yn dychwelyd! 🔥🚂

Ar ôl cyfnod byr heb fod yn gweithredu, rydym wrth ein bodd yn cyhoeddi bod James Spooner wedi pasio ei brawf stêm heddiw ac y bydd yn ôl yn tynnu trenau teithwyr o'r penwythnos hwn ymlaen. Mae'n wir eicon o Reilffordd Ffestiniog ac yn ffefryn parhaus ymhlith selogion a theuluoedd fel ei gilydd.

📅 Teithiau ar y gweill
+ Dydd Sul 02/08
09.40 The Aberglaslyn – Porthmadog i Beddgelert a'n ôl
13.00 The Aberglaslyn – Porthmadog i Beddgelert a'n ôl
+ Dydd Llun 03/08
10.40 Mountain Spirit – Porthmadog i Flaenau Ffestiniog a'n ôl
14.50 Woodland Wanderer – Porthmadog i Dan-y-Bwlch a'n ôl
+ Dydd Mawrth 04/08
11.10 Woodland Wanderer – Porthmadog i Dan-y-Bwlch a'n ôl
14.20 Mountain Spirit – Porthmadog i Flaenau Ffestiniog a'n ôl
+ Dydd Iau 06/08
10.40 Mountain Spirit – Porthmadog i Flaenau Ffestiniog a'n ôl
14.50 Woodland Wanderer – Porthmadog i Dan-y-Bwlch a'n ôl
+ Dydd Gwener 07/08
11.10 Woodland Wanderer – Porthmadog i Dan-y-Bwlch a'n ôl
14.20 Mountain Spirit – Porthmadog i Flaenau Ffestiniog a'n ôl

📸 Rhannwch eich lluniau
Os ydych chi allan ac o gwmpas yr wythnos hon, byddem wrth ein bodd yn gweld eich lluniau a'ch fideos o James Spooner yn ôl ar y rheiliau. Tagiwch ni yn eich postiadau neu rhannwch eich hoff eiliadau i helpu i ledaenu hud y rheilffordd.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways