File:1957-03-30 AGM train A c.jpg

ARRIVAL AT MINFFORDD

On the Festiniog Railway passenger accomodation is rather limited which necessitates splitting into two groups for the purposes of viewing the line and works. This unfortunately means that the second group will have rather a long wait at Minffordd which is very much regretted, but it is hoped that it may in fact be less than scheduled. Passengers will be grouped according to the colour of their brochure, that is, group A—red brochure and group B green brochure. This brochure will also be your means of identification on the Festiniog Railway as no separate tickets will be issued, and you are therefore asked to make sure that you take it with you when detraining from the 'special’.

Set out below is a provisional timetable for the latter half of the afternoon which you are asked to note carefully. It will be appreciated if everyone would co-operate as far as possible, particularly by being available at departure points in good time, and with your help it may be possible to speed up schedules considerably.

NOTES ON THE FESTINIOG RAILWAY

The Festiniog Railway, authorized by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and completed in 1836. was from its inception a forerunner in the narrow-gauge field. Constructed to a gauge of 60 cm. (1 ft. 11 5/8 ins.), 13¼ miles long, it was used principally for the carriage of slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog to the seaport of Portmadoc and was originally horse-drawn. This form of motive power was found to be inadequate and in 1863 steam locomotives were introduced and proved extremely successful (for the first time on any narrow-gauge railway) in spite of the forebodings of Brunei, Stephenson and other such eminent engineers of the time.

This pioneer railway was to capture public imagination yet again by adopting the double-engine (Fairlie’s Patent) and by building the first bogie passenger coaches in Britain. The railway’s operating efficiency was enhanced by the introduction of the vacuum brake on passenger vehicles and electric signalling, and at one stage it carried 150,000 tons of freight and 100,000 passengers in one year—a considerable achievement on 13¼ miles of single track with only two major passing loops.

However the fortunes of this once prosperous line began to diminish with the gradual decline of the slate industry upon which it was founded and in 1946 the railway ceased operating.

With such a history as this the railway could not be left to rot. In 1954 a group of enthusiasts gained control of the Company and so began the enormous task of rehabilitation. Since then the Festiniog Railway Company, assisted by a large number of volunteers, has overhauled 2 steam locomotives, 1 diesel locomotive, 5 bogie passenger coaches, 3½ miles of track, a number of service vehicles and 2 miles of telephone and telegraph circuits.

Great though this achievement is, much more remains to be done—for example: 3 steam locomotives, 3 bogie passenger coaches, 6 4-wheel passenger coaches, 9½ miles of track, 11 miles of telecommunication circuits, and sundry goods vehicles, station buildings still await overhauling. Unskilled as well as skilled volunteers are urgently needed for these tasks. If YOU would like to help please write to the Manager, Festiniog Railway Coy., Portmadoc, Caerns. Timetable GROUP A (RED)

GROUP B (GREEN)

RETURN JOURNEY

T/C—Through coach.