Ffestiniog Travel
Ffestiniog Travel originated as a British Rail ticket agency in 1966, when the BR station at Minffordd was downgraded to a halt and lost booking facilities[1]. The name Ffestiniog Travel was to come later. It has evolved over the years into a substantial travel business and it is now a trading arm of Ffestiniog Railway Holdings Limited. It specialises in overseas rail tours, but it also offers a programme of UK tours and still sells UK rail tickets, together with tickets for overseas railways and Eurostar.
The activities of Ffestiniog Travel make a substantial contribution to the funds of the Festiniog Railway Trust, its gross income rivalling that of the two railways. For a description of how Ffestiniog Travel developed see the article by Alan Heywood in FRM No:217. [2] Between 1993 and 2019, it has donated over £1m to the FR Co., going towards projects such as the new Carriage 120 and the WHR Mico-ETS.
Alan Heywood retired as Manager of Ffestiniog Travel in April 2005, being suceeded by Gina Warren. She in turn was succeeded as General Manager by Maria Cook in 2010[3].
In 2008 the business transferred from Harbour Station to its new office at First Floor Unit 6, Snowdonia Business Park, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6LD.
In 2017 Ffestiniog Travel moved again to Tremadog. The offices are now housed in the former St Mary's Church[4].
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Ffestiniog Railway Magazine, Issue 032, page(s): 008
- ^ "Change at Minffordd: How We Invented Ffestiniog Travel", Ffestiniog Railway Magazine, Issue 217, page(s): 057
- ^ Ffestiniog Railway Magazine, Issue 208, page(s): 225
- ^ "News from the line", Ffestiniog Railway Magazine, Issue 239, page(s): 801