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FESTINIOG RAILWAY SOCIETY LTD.

Special train Paddington-Minffordd, Saturday 18th April, 1959 The Directors of the Festiniog Railway Society Limited extend a cordial welcome to members and guests on this, the third specially organized excursion to view the efforts of the Festiniog Railway Company aided by the volunteers in the rehabilitation of Britain’s oldest public narrow-gauge railway.

Though originally introduced solely because of petrol rationing in 1957, the Festiniog Railway Special has now become firmly established as an annual event. In previous years, the famous G.W.R. locomotive City of Truro has been used for part of the journey; this year, the locomotive selected has a different significance. 1959 is the centenary year of the death of one of the greatest railway engineers in history, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and it seemed appropriate therefore that our train should be hauled by the locomotive bearing his name—Castle class, No. 5069.

The train will follow the same route as on previous occasions, and two special trains will be at Minffordd to convey visitors up the Festiniog to Tan-y-Bwlch. Though no further extension has been made to F.R. mileage this year, the extent of work done to consolidate our position will be apparent to all those who travelled the line last year.

On the up journey, the first train will consist of Prince and a train of four-wheeled vehicles, whilst the second train will be made up of seven bogie coaches hauled by Taliesin. These trains will be re-marshalled at Tan-y-Bwlch for the return journey, and those wishing to visit Boston Lodge works should return in the first train to leave, regardless of which train they travelled in to Tan-y-Bwlch. Those wishing to walk up the line from Tan-y-Bwlch to inspect the section not yet re-opened should return in the second train (5-5 p.m.).