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Daily 10:00 - 17:00 (Check seasonal timetables)
Harbour Station, Porthmadog LL49 9NF

Stretching 13.5 miles from the harbour at Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, this historic narrow-gauge railway dates back to 1832. It's the world's oldest independent railway company and is renowned for its spectacular scenery and unique 'Double Fairlie' steam locomotives.

Railway History

Slate Heritage Pioneer

The Ffestiniog Railway is the world's oldest independent railway company, originally built in 1832 to transport slate from the mountain quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the sea at Porthmadog. Its innovative use of narrow-gauge technology and Fairlie 'double-ended' steam locomotives revolutionized mountain rail travel, and today it remains a pinnacle of Victorian industrial heritage passing through spectacular Snowdonian scenery.

Technical Specifications

Ffestiniog Railway

Track Gauge
597mm
Line Length
13.5miles
Opening Year
1832AD
Locomotives
Double FairlieSteam
Max Incline
1 in 40Gradient
Main Station
PorthmadogHarbour