European Railroad Discussion > A foreigner visits Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Ffestiniog Rwy

In addition to wanting to ride the scenic Conwy Valley line from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales, I also wanted to fan the Ffestiniog Railway since I knew that even though I would be riding it in a few days, that would not allow quality time to photograph the operation. The Ffestiniog Railway is another narrow gauge heritage railway born of the slate mining industry of which Blaenau Ffestiniog was a major center. There are massive piles of scrap slate everywhere.

1. An overview of the stations at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Transport for Wales provides service with these modern DMUs.

2. My main goal for the day was to capture the arrival of the midday train as shown in this video.

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3. The 0-4-4-0 Fairlie steam locomotive has detached from its train and is receiving water and lubrication prior to its return trip.

4. Servicing complete, the locomotive begins the move to return to the train.

5. Quite an interesting design, basically two locomotives stuck back-to-back.

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6. Coupling to the observation car, a First Class car, before they switched the train plaque to the front.

7. With the plaque "Mountain Spirit" properly displayed, the train departs for Porthmadog.

8. Putting on a nice display of sight and sound on a very nice late summer day.

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9. A better view of the First Class observation car.

10. A display of a vintage slate-hauling train in the center of Blaenau Ffestiniog along with one of many monuments to the history of slate mining made of slate.

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The following day I was back in Blaenau Ffestiniog to actually ride the Ffestiniog Railway.

11. Same train, the Mountain Spirit, different locomotive, has arrived in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

12. Another 0-4-4-0 Fairlie locomotive in an attractive dark red scheme. Built in 1992 at Boston Lodge, the location of the Ffestiniog Railway shops near Porthmadog.

13. I was impressed at how clean they keep their locomotives.

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Outstanding coverage! Glad you got to see some blue sky, Wales is very beautiful when it stops raining... ;-)

Enjoying all the photos from your travels. Many thanks. chris uk

I love your images and video.  That little engine really scrambles around, and it's hauling quite a load :-)