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The Ffestiniog Fifty Weekend is the main event of our Golden Jubilee celebrations. In the past, our events have typically had a strong FR theme but usually with something extra mixed in to create additional interest and this year we are adopting a similar approach. We are pulling out all the stops to have four Double-Fairlies present - 'David Lloyd George’, Earl of Merioneth’, ‘Merddin Emrys’ and 'Livingston Thompson’. This will give numerous opportunities for combinations of locomotives not seen for a long time. ‘Taliesin’, ‘Palmerston’ and ‘Prince’ will also be present, meaning that nearly every FR loco in existence should be at Harbour Station at some point during the weekend and in steam wherever possible. This would seem a fitting tribute to those pioneering enthusiasts of fifty years ago. We also intend to run every operable passenger-carrying vehicle during the course of the weekend.

Friday 29th April - For those visitors who like to start the weekend early and linger awhile, we have just the thing. As the evening sun sinks slowly over Moel-y-Gest we will be busy shunting carriages at Harbour Station in readiness for the next day. Visitors will be able to enjoy food from the new menu and savour a pint of specially brewed ‘B-Class Bitter' from Spooner’s Bar while getting their first glimpse of the Darjeeling Tank simmering away in the sidings.

Saturday 30th April - See the eagerly anticipated re-launch of our popular Double-Fairiie ‘Merddin Emrys' and the evening may well see a multi-Fairlie hauled train!

Sunday 1st May - Find out why our regular ‘Jazz Trains’ are so popular. Join us for a foot-tapping evening at Tan-y-Bwlch with Dr. Jazz - just £7 to Rover Ticket holders, otherwise £14.00 per person. Advanced booking advisable.

A special ‘Ffestiniog Fifty Weekend’ bus service will run between Minffordd and Tremadog connecting event venues, town car parks and the WHR (Porthmadog) - who are also holding a gala weekend.

To help you plan your weekend a detailed programme of events, timetables, loco rosters and bus service is available at a cost of just £2.

BOSTON LODGE

Boston Lodge Works will be open to ’Ffestiniog Fifty Weekend’ Rover Ticket holders between 1000 and 1700. Visitors may also view the carriage works and model railway displays.

With so many engines in service the early morning preparation and evening disposal times will present plenty of opportunities to take photographs or simply watch the fevered activity. You may enter the Works during this time by Photographers’ Permit only - see Booking Form. A limited number are available and advance purchase is strongly recommended. Each permit admits one person between 0700-1000 and 1700-1930 Valid only when purchased in conjunction with a ‘Ffestiniog Fifty Weekend’ 3-Day, Day or Minffordd Rover Ticket.

MINFFORDD YARD

Don’t miss the ’Turtle-Ffest’! Two, or possibly three, WW1 armoured Simplex locos known as Turtles’ will join FR stalwart ‘Mary Ann’ in performing what promises to be a highly-entertaining sequenced(!) shunting operation in Minffordd yard, culminating in the classic 4-train meeting at the diamond crossing which was so popular in the ’Grand Slate Shunt’ some years back. Other attractions in the yard include Society stands, trade stands, a miniature railway, a monorail, ‘Lilia’ on her last public appearance before dismantling for overhaul, a display of FR heritage items not normally on show to the public, and other steam and railway displays. Minffordd Yard opens between 1000 -1700. GUIDED WALKS

Join experienced and knowledgeable guides on a series of walks round and about the FR, to view the remnants of the slate industry, which was instrumental in moulding the FR into the entity that was to become today’s vibrant business. There is no extra charge for the walks but participants must be in possession of a valid rail ticket. Space is limited so advanced booking is recommended. For more information about the walks, or to book your place, please tick the box on the booking form.

Walk 1 - Saturday 30th April, departure 9.30am from Harbour Station. A quarry walk “par excellence” from Tanygrisiau. Ascend, via the quarrymen's route, to Wrysgan Quarry viewing the top of Spooner’s 1864 incline to Tanygrisiau, then over to Rhosydd Quarry, a gem of industrial archaeology. Return via Cwmorthin.

Distance: 7.5km Grading of walk: Comfortable

Walk 2 - Sunday 1st May, departure 9.30am from Harbour Station. Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Rhiwbach Tramway. A wander through all those quarries whose names are so familiar; Manod, Rhiwbach, Maenofferen and Votty, with a walk back along the tramway and descent to Duffws station.

Distance: 10.6km Grading of walk: Moderate

Walk 3 - Monday 2nd May, departure 10.20am from Harbour Station.

A shorter walk alongside the FR from Tanygrisiau to Tan-y-Bwlch.

Opportunity to view the old Moelwyn tunnel and incline, with time for refreshments at Tan-y-Bwlch. Lots of photographic opportunities. Distance: 6.6km Grading of walk: Comfortable

Whilst all the walks will be on public rights of way, some are rough in nature and require an element of physical fitness. Consequently they will appeal, especially, to those who enjoy hill walking. Stout footwear and appropriate clothing are essential.

DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY

Our special visitor is Darjeeling ‘B’ Class 0-4-0ST Iocomotive recently restored by Mr Adrian Shooter. This will be the first ever opportunity to see such an engine at work outside India. Two replica Darjeeling coaches built at Boston Lodge will accompany the loco to form a typical DHR train.

Completing the picture - the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society will bring a taste of India to Minffordd which will masquerade as Sukna station on the DHR for the weekend. Come and enjoy chai and samosas on the platform as you soak up the atmosphere and learn more about India and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

PHOTO-CHARTER - TUESDAY 3rd MAY

During the course of the weekend the Darjeeling locomotive will be restricted to the lower end of the line but on Tuesday 3rd May Dduallt Spiral will become the focus of attention.

This unique opportunity should not be missed! A special photocharter will provide numerous run pasts for photographers interleaved with the regular Double-Fairlie hauled service trains. The train will depart Minffordd at 0900 and will return at 1540, though participants can return on an earlier service train if required.

The photo-charter is strictly limited to 40 participants at a cost of £20 each. These tickets can only be purchased in conjunction with a ‘Ffestiniog Fifty Weekend’ 3-Day or Day Rover. Bookings will be dealt with on a strictly ‘first come, first served’ basis. EVENT TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE -SEE BOOKING FORM.

All tickets are available on the day. However, advance booking is strongly recommended for Photographic Permits, Guided Walks, Jazz Train and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Train Photographic Charter as spaces are limited for these activities.

MINFFORDD ROVERS

Unlimited travel between Porthmadog and Minffordd, including travel on the special ‘Ffestiniog Fifty’ bus link. Also entrance to Boston Lodge Works and Minffordd Yard sites. Valid for one day, third class only.

DAY-ROVER AND THREE-DAY ROVER TICKETS

Unlimited travel between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog, travel on the special ‘Ffestiniog Fifty’ bus link and unlimited travel on the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu. Also entrance to Boston Lodge Works and Minffordd Yard sites. A valid Rover Ticket is required for a reduced fare on the Jazz Train, participation in any of the Guided Walks and/or the DHR Photo Charter. Third Class only. One-Day and Three-Day Tickets available.

FREE CHILD

One Child travels free with each Adult/Senior Citizen purchasing a full-price Rover Ticket. Each child must have a ticket to travel.

FIRST CLASS

There is a supplement of £3 Single / £6 Return per journey to travel First Class on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. Upgrades available on the day from our Booking Offices or the Guard on your train.