Named trains
Since 2021, named trains have formed the entirety of the regular service on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. The named train services were introduced as part of a change in marketing approach by the railway that was designed to ensure it remained financially sustainable in the period following the Covid-19 crisis and the following cost of living crisis. The introduction of the named trains coincided with a change in approach to booking that meant the number of trains run could be varied with demand, thus reducing the number of unprofitable lightly loaded trains.
Prior to 2021 some named train services had existed, but most trains ran without a name.
Current named services[edit]
Woodland Wanderer/Crwydrwr y Goedwig[edit]
2021-present
Formed of heritage compartment stock, this train ran up to six times per day during Covid-19, five from spring 2022, and now four from summer 2022. The train pauses at Tan-y-bwlch for about an hour to allow passengers to visit the cafe and playground or go for a walk in the woods. The service originally ran without a name in the 2020 season as a response to Covid-19 social distancing requirements (individual compartments kept groups separated from each other). The service proved popular and has been retained after most other Covid measure have been dropped. Intermediate stations are served as of 2022, but only on occasions when Porthmadog - Tan-y-bwlch tickets are not fully booked.
The Victorian/Y Fictoraidd[edit]
2024-present
This service is similar to the Woodland Wanderer, but uses Victorian liveried carriages.
Mountain Spirit/Ysbryd y Mynydd[edit]
2022-present
Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog
Formed of modern FR corridor carriages, this train generally runs twice a day every day, however the number of trains can vary with demand. Pre-booked boarding is only possible in Porthmadog however intermediate stations and Blaenau Ffestiniog are served with a reserved carriage and tickets bought on the train as of 2022. A first class Gold service is available on this train.
The Quarryman/Y Chwarelwr[edit]
2023-present
Blaenau Ffestiniog - Porthmadog
Formed of older FR corridor stock, this service provides return journeys from Blaenau Ffestiniog. The times are designed to connect with Conwy Valley services and includes an extended layover at Porthmadog, aloowing time for passengers to get lunch. This services runs up to four days per week depending on demand (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday). A first class Gold service is available on this train.
The locomotive and carriages for this train are kept at Glanypwll depot.
Gelert Explorer/Fforiwr Gelert[edit]
2021-present
Formed of modern WHR corridor carriages. Ran up to four trains per week during Covid-19, five from 2022. Pre-booked boarding only possible in Caernarfon (and Waunfawr from 2022); intermediate stations are served with a reserved carriage and tickets bought on the train. Number of trains per week now varies with seasonal demand. A first class Gold service is available on this train.
Yr Aberglaslyn[edit]
2021-present
Formed of modern corridor carriages.
Named Glaslyn Venturer/Anturiwr Glaslyn 2021-2022, this service ran up to twice-daily, five days per week, during Covid-19 with pre-booked boarding only possible in Porthmadog.
The train now runs twice per day on all days it runs, with the number of days per week varying with seasonal demand. Prebooked tickets are now available from Beddgelert as well as Porthmadog. Intermediate stations are served with a reserved carriage and tickets bought on the train. A first class Gold service is available on this train.
Snowdonia Star/Seren Eryri[edit]
2021-present
Formed of modern WHR corridor carriages with perspex partitions. Ran up to two days per week during Covid-19. Pre-booked boarding only possible in Caernarfon (and Waunfawr from 2022); intermediate stations are served with a reserved carriage and tickets bought on the train. Number of trains per week now varies with seasonal demand. A first class Gold service is available on this train.
The Harbourmaster/Yr Harbwrfeistr[edit]
2021-present
Formed of modern FR and WHR corridor carriages with perspex partitions. Ran up to two days per week during Covid-19. Initially planned to have been named Castle Star/Seren Castell. Pre-booked boarding initially only possible in Porthmadog (boarding at Beddgelert added Summer 2021, Meillionen in 2022); intermediate stations are served with a reserved carriage and tickets bought on the train. Number of trains per week now varies with seasonal demand. A first class Gold service is available on this train.
The Cwellyn/Y Cwellyn[edit]
2022 - present
This service was created to improve the number of departures at Caernarfon and provide a cheaper alternative to full journeys in a response to the 2022 cost of living crisis. It runs only during the high summer season up to three days per week subject to demand.
The Snowdonian[edit]
2011-present
- Main article: The Snowdonian
A special train, running only once per year, covering the entirety of the railway from Caernarfon to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Carriage slip boards[edit]
As well as the locomotive headboards pictured above, the carriages (since 2023) carry the name of the train service in both Welsh and English on the reservation boards. Like the locomotive headboard, they also include a roundel logo related to the name. This is to aid passengers to distinguish what service is going where.
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Woodland Wanderer Slip Board
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Mountain Spirit Slip Board
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The Quarryman Slip Board
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Gelert Explorer Slip Board
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The Harbourmaster Slip Board
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Snowdonia Star Slip Board
Historic named trains[edit]
Flying Flea[edit]
1958-1962
- Main article: Flying Flea
Y Cymro[edit]
1960s
- Main article: Y Cymro
Sunset Special[edit]
?-2019
Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog Last service train of the day Tuesdays to Thursdays in July and August, departing Port at 1805 and returning at 2050. Often ran with a dining service, such as pizza from Spooner's or fish and chips from the shop in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Adult tickets for this service were discounted by approximately 15%.
Early Bird[edit]
1979-2019
First train of the morning departing Porthmadog at, or before, 0900 on a weekday. Discounted tickets and often diesel hauled. First reference seen in the FR 1979 Timetable. Not always advertised by name and did not run every year.
Mountain Prince[edit]
1987-1991
A "Named Train" for the mid morning departure from Porthmadog and early afternoon return during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
See FR 1987 Timetable, FR 1988 Timetable, FR 1989 Timetable, FR 1990 Timetable and FR 1991 Timetable
1996
Used as the name for the "Steam and Cuisine" dining train run in conjunction with Plas Maes-y-Neuedd Hotel.
See FR 1996 Timetable.
2021
Porthmadog - Barn Cutting service with a heritage diesel attached to the rear of the train from Tan y Bwlch. Stopover at Tan y Bwlch. Formed of heritage compartment stock. Ran up to five times per day during Covid-19. Boarding only possible in Porthmadog; intermediate stations not served.
Back to Blaenau/Nôl y Flaenau[edit]
Summer and Autumn 2021
Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog. Formed of spare older FR corridor carriages with a limited capacity for social distancing. Only one train per day. Boarding only possible in Porthmadog; intermediate stations not served.
Birthday Trains[edit]
