The Festiniog Railway began life in the 1830s as a means of moving slate from the quarries around Blaenau Ffestiniog to ships at Porthmadog. It used gravity and horse power, until England designed steam locos were introduced in 1863 and the first of the double Fairlies in 1870. Passenger services started in 1864.
The spread of standard guage railways led to the construction of exchange sidings with the Cambrian at Minffordd. But soon the LNWR and the GWR reached Blaenau Ffestiniog, and so began the long decline of the FR, as slate could be loaded directly onto the national network. There was some compensation in the increasing passenger numbers from tourism.
Passenger services ceased with the outbreak of War in 1939, and slate traffic struggled on until the line was closed on 1st August 1946.
From 1951, an enthusiastic group of volunteers started to revive the line, and the first passenger trains ran from Porthmadog to Boston Lodge in 1955. It then took the huge endeavours of individuals and organisations to open up further sections until Blaenau Ffestiniog was reached in 1982.
These shots are an attempt to go back to the slate traffic of the 1930s (but please excuse some historical inaccuracies).
Part 1
On a wet October morning, Welsh Pony is taking on water at Blaenau Ffestiniog before backing down to the sidings at Glan-y-Pwll. After picking up empty slate wagons, it runs through the station en route to the head of the line at Duffws near the quarries...
Later that morning, Welsh Pony returns with loaded slate bound for Minffordd yard. Merrdin Emrys waits with a down passenger for Porthmadog, and Linda stands in the spur awaiting the road to Glan-y-Pwll...
To be continued, Dave.
