Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways in North Wales is now offering guided tours of their engineering works as well as workshops and driver experiences on their steam locomotives. 

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways has launched guided tours of their 200-year-old Boston Lodge Engineering Works and ‘hands on’ workshops enabling visitors to enhance their visit to the railway.

The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world, established in 1832, and runs through the incredible landscape of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park). Its sister line, the Welsh Highland Railway, is North Wales's newest and the UK's longest heritage railway, running from the historic town of Caernarfon to the Harbour Station in Porthmadog. 

Boston Lodge is the oldest continually operating railway engineering works in the world and the guided tour is led by one of the knowledgeable railway volunteers. Visitors will learn about the people involved in the works and the railway from the early days to the present day, the locomotives and carriages that have been built there over the years and the works' 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. 

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways is also offering three-hour ‘How Steam Locomotives Work’ workshops for small groups where visitors 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.

Additionally, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways has introduced a new app so that those taking a train journey can find out 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.

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, said: “Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways is a fantastic heritage railway in North Wales which runs through the magnificent scenery of Eryri (Snowdonia) and connects pretty towns and villages. The new tours and workshops are sure to enhance the visitor experience and we look forward to returning with our clients soon.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made heritage railway tour of Wales or the United Kingdom, please do contact our friendly team today. Or perhaps you would just like to enjoy a steam train experience on a personalised tour of the UK - if so, we can help.

Credit for all photos: Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2024) Cymru Wales.