File:1967-07 Festiniog Calendar Jul.jpg

Built in 1836 to carry slate by gravity, the Festiniog Railway was the world’s first public narrow-gauge line, passengers being carried for the first time on such a narrow gauge in 1865. Unintendedly it became Britain’s most scenic railway route and is run by our oldest surviving private railway company. July sees a steady build-up in the passenger service from four or five trains a day to the peak-season maximum. Early in the month, as in June, there is plenty of room in the timetable for extra trains, and party specials are willingly run.

C W Hughes 'Linda’ glides the first train of the day past Boston Lodge works, while ‘Prince’ and ‘Blanche’ are still raising steam. Leading coach is No. 15, of 1872, Britain’s first iron-framed bogie coach, one of the Festiniog’s many proud “firsts”.