ffestiniog railway-ba30882.jpg

Begun in 1832 the Festiniog Railway was a significant achievement with difficult terrain forced technological advances to be developed for the little railway which were to influence many other railways worldwide. A 23.5”gauge was chosen to allow the wagons to negotiate the tight curves as the track threads up the mountainside. Originally the wagons were drawn by horses with steam engines being introduced in 1863. The Ffestiniog railway at first flourished but the eventual decline of the slate industry forced its closure in 1946. Fortunately it was rescued by enthusiasts and reopened in 1954 to serve the tourist industry. The Railway is now thriving taking tourists along its winding tracks into the breathtaking scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.This image is also in my book, North Wales from the air.