European Railroad Discussion > Porthmadog, Wales - Boston Lodge (Shops) and trip to Caernarfon

Near Porthmadog Harbour is a station where one can board heritage narrow gauge trains to the northwest (Caernarfon) and northeast (Blaenau Ffestiniog).
[This harbour station is about 3/4 mile from the main line Porthmadog station, and there is no rail connection between the two].
The narrow gauge trains are maintained at Boston Lodge, which is just across the cob (causeway) from the station. Pics 1-3 are at Boston Lodge.
1. Our tour guide explains how this turntable was used for slate cars
2. This view shows both steam and diesel engines in the yard
3. Another view of Boston Lodge yrad, as seen from a passing train on the Ffestiniog Railway.

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The Welsh Highland Railway, from Porthmadog to Caernarfon, was not a commercial success and was closed in the 1930s.  It was later rebuilt and reopened as a heritage railway for tourists.
Pictures 4-9 are from the Welsh Highland Railway.
4. Mainline diamonds [flat crossings] are rare in the UK; this one is where the narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway crosses the standard gauge Cambrian Line.
5. Modern narrow gauge MoW train
6. Rhyd Ddu: train proceeds on the yellow signal after a meet

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7. At Caernarfon, the engine runs around the train for the trip back to Porthmadog.  There are no standard gauge rail lines to Caernarfon.
8. Return trip to Porthmadog
9. The rail line joins the roadway on the bridge across the Afon Glaslyn (Glaslyn River).

The guage is just shy of 2 feet (1 foot 11-1/2 inches) and the ride is reasonably smooth for narrow gauge.  

thanks for looking

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Thank you for posting this interesting series.  Gerry