Home videos

There is currently no video/audio content on this wiki, but there is plenty on the web, at various locations.

YouTube[edit]

The "YouTube" website has a large amount of material related to the Ffestiniog, the Welsh Highland Railway, and the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. Below is a selection. There are other videos - please do a search on "Ffestiniog" and "Welsh Highland" on YouTube.

Caption text
Title with link	content	date	link
North Wales to Snowdonia	Ffestiniog Railway, passengers on Tan y Bwlch platform, train waiting to leave. View from the moving train. Train arrives at Tan y Bwlch where Bessie Jones in traditional Welsh costume is standing. Passengers gathered on platform. People board the train. Views from the moving train looking down on Llyn Mair. View of the waterfall, coming into Tan y Grisiau. Passengers crossing the road to the LMS station at Blaenau Ffestiniog	1930s
WALES AND LIVERPOOL ,CONWAY,CHESTER	1930s film of Prince shunting a rake of empty wagons out of Minffordd Yard at 1m 25 secs	1930s
A train in north Wales, 1930's - Film 32331	Huntley Archive. Amateur home movie, a bit shaky in places A train in north Wales. Vale of Rheidol railway then fiming a down trip on the FR hauled by a double fairlie. Passing another double fairlie hauled train at Minffordd, followed by arriving at Porthmadog. View from WHR train crossing Bryn y Felin Bridge followed by 590 running round at Beddgelert.	1930s	youtube
The Welsh Highland Railway, 1930's - Film 32330	Russell at Dinas, approaching Beddgelert, 590 moving through Beddgelert Station?, views in the Aberglaslyn Pass, Russell at Porthmadog New (1931). Welsh Pony at Porthmadog, Merddin Emrys backs down onto train and departs across the Cob	1930s
Blaenau Ffestiniog - 1955	clip of Stesion Fein *removed*	1955	[ youtube]
Ffestiniog Railway - 1956 Marketing Film		1956	[ youtube]
FESTINIOG RAILWAY RE-OPENING - NO SOUND	British Movietone	1956	[ youtube]
Trains around Festiniog in 1957	*removed*	1957	youtube
some colour footage of the Ffestiniog railway during 1950's (Ivo Peters)	*removed*		youtube
Blaenau Ffestiniog 1960	Everyday life in 1960s Blaenau Ffestiniog, filmed by Bodfel Hughes of Penrhyndeudraeth living in Trem-yr-Wyddfa.		[ youtube]
Ride (& walk) the FFESTINIOG RAILWAY in 1961	Example	1961	youtube
CENTENARY OF STEAM	British Movietone	1963	youtube
AN ENGINE OF YOUR OWN!	Alan Pegler with his FR greasetop	1963?	[ youtube]
FLYING SCOTSMAN - NO SOUND	Alan Pegler with his FR greasetop		[ youtube]
Festiniog Railway (1964) Pathe		1964	youtube
The Festiniog Railway 1965		1965	youtube
1960's Ffestiniog Railway		1968?	youtube
A Ride on the Festiniog Railway	Alastair Stirling "Something about the gait of the Guard striding along the platform reminds me of the late William Wike." Rob Holton "Alastair Stirling I'm sure it IS indeed William Wake." Rob Holton "Alastair Stirling others spotted were Dave Macintosh, Pete Martin and, of course, AGWG. Bob Harris "Alastair Stirling I thought, more like Alan H.? Hammy Sparks "Alastair Stirling I did not know William Wike well - and I am not sure which of the guards in the film you are referring to. The guard at 14.25 reminds me of Norman Gurley and the guard at 13.57 is definitely Peter Burr."	1966	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway, 1968	very good quality	1968	youtube
You've Been Warned! Ffestiniog Railway - 1968	*removed*	1968	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway 1968		1968	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway 1968	actually 1969 with derailment at Penrhyn	1968	youtube
The Ffestiniog Railway in the early 70's			youtube
Ffestiniog Deviation		1970/71	youtube
Eisenbahn Erinnerungen Episode 6 – Festiniog Railway (stumm)	"Founded in 1832, the Festiniog Railway Company (official spelling), Gaelic Ffestiniog with two "F", is now a very popular tourist attraction in Wales. It is one of the first museum railways, the oldest narrow-gauge railway still in operation and the oldest still existing private railway company in the world. A special feature on this line are the articulated locomotives of the type "Fairlie", sometimes also called "Doublefairlie". Over the years, both the official spelling of individual villages (Portmadoc is now called Porthmadog) and the extent and course of the route have changed. The pictures shown here were probably taken in the mid-70s. www.wuhrmann-enterprises.ch "	1967ish and 1971-72ish	youtube
Blaneau Ffestiniog Railway and narrow boat barge holiday	Talyllyn, Bala, Ffestiniog	1972 or 73	youtube
Historic Film of FESTINIOG Railway 1972	john853920: The railway is now roughly 13 1⁄2 miles (21.7 km) long and runs from the harbour at Porthmadog to the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, travelling through forested and mountainous scenery. The line is single track throughout with four intermediate passing places. The track gauge is 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) allowing trains to interwork through to the Welsh Highland Railway of 1922 (operated by the Ffestiniog). The first mile of the line out of Porthmadog runs atop an embankment locally called "the Cob", which is the dyke of the Traeth Mawr "polder". from Wikipedia	1972	Historic Film of FESTINIOG Railway youtube
Festinog Railway Puffing Billy 1972		1972	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway in the 1970's	27:36	1973-1977
Ffestiniog Railway - Blanche - August 1973		1973	youtube
Brambles FR	1973 FR CAMP	1973	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales, 1970's - Film 8478 Huntley			youtube
Isle Of Wight Fun, 1970s - Film 36597 Huntley	03:18 a work party volunteer to build a deviation to carry the light railway around the reservoir. Top station and the though the Barn cutting along a new shelf. Work supervised by Richard Jarvis ( in the blue shirt) to the end of the line and the new tunnel.	1975ish
ND Ffestiniog Railway 1976		1976	youtube
Steam in Wales in 1977 : The Ffestiniog - Part 1	*removed*		youtube
Steam in Wales in 1977 - The Ffestiniog, Part 2	*removed*		youtube
Steam in Wales in 1977 - The Ffestiniog, Part 3	*removed*	1977	youtube
Narrow Gauge Trains of Wales, 1980s - Film 3160	05:07 The Festiniog Railway, two locomotives and a set of red carriages with holiday walkers leaning out. A boy wearing a red jacket waves! The train passes over a stone bridge. The train climbs high.
56 - Welshpool, Ffestiniog 1983 (Ivor Harding)		1983	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway 1977 1984			youtube
Festiniog Railway		1977	youtube
Andrew Chandler - 012 - Reel 4F - Llanberis Lake, Snowdon, GN Electrics, HSTs, Festiniog - 1976/77.	14:40 Porthmadog Harbour Station - Upnor Castle 14:51 Blanche arrives 15:39 Linda at TanyBwlch 16:37 Mountaineer at TanyBwlch down train 17:03 Blanche on up train. Travel up in open coach 37 or 38 at Tafarn Trip, CoedyBleiddiau, Dduallt (crossing Upnor Castle), Llyn Ystradau, then 19:07 down at Moelwyn Tunnel, Dduallt, Tank Curve, TanyBwlch (crossing Linda), Whistling Curve, Crossing Mawr, Bryn Mawr, Rhiw Goch (crossing Merddin Emrys), Penrhyn, Minffordd (crossing Mountaineer).	1977 1978	youtube
Huntley Archive	car drive from Porthmadog to Bala 1970s
Festiniog Railway,Wales,1960s LTT0038		1978?	youtube
8mm cine			youtube
Merddin Emrys Steam Train 1978		1978	youtube
North Wales Circular 1978	04:24 on	1978	youtube
Llanberis Lake & Ffestiniog Railways in 1979	This was recorded on my super8 sound camera at Llanberis and Porthmadog in North Wales in 1979. Some of the later scenes were filmed further up the FR line at the Dduallt spiral.	1979	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway visit		1980	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway Penrhyndeudraeth Station 1970		1980s?	youtube
Ffestiniog Railway 1985		1985	youtube
ALCO 1986		1986	youtube
ffestiniog 91			youtube
1994 Ffestiniog Railway in the observation car.		1994
Ffestiniog Railway 1994. On the "Blanche" footplate.			youtube
FFESTINIOG RAILWAY-- TO BLAENAU PORTMADOC PART 2			youtube
Blaenau Ffestiniog To Portmadoc railway Part 1 Nov 1994			youtube
RD21612(vid). Ffestiniog Railway Hunslet Hundred Weekend 1 - 1st May, 1993.		1993	youtube
1977 Drayton Park		1977	youtube
			[ youtube]
Ffestiniog Railway - Summer 1991			youtube
Footplate (cab) ride Linda Part 3: Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog 31 May 1994			youtube
Americans visit Narrow Gauge & Garden Railways in Wales Aug 1997		1997
Two 1893 Hunslets in action on Ffestiniog Railway 1996-2000

clips on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=467497324169312
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=508322183043541
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=450911905828440

BFI Player[edit]

Caption text
Title with link	content	date

Y Chwarelwr	The first Welsh language ‘talkie’ (sound on separate discs), this drama portrays aspects of the quarryman's life in Blaenau Ffestiniog - work, home, chapel, courtship - and indicates the importance of education to the younger generation. The story highlights the hardships and tough choices that were part and parcel of life in such a society, alongside its cultural vibrancy and community spirit. Llechwedd Quarry, Blaenau Ffestiniog, was the location of this landmark film by Ifan ab Owen Edwards (scripted by John Ellis Williams, director of Blaenau’s amateur drama group whose members made up the cast). The film toured north Wales to great acclaim. Seen here is the original film – its fourth reel of images missing (covering life after the father's death), although the sound and script are held by NSSAW. Following the Archive's restoration of the incomplete original, TV company Cwmni Da recreated the last reel and made a new soundtrack for the whole film, which is also available to view.	1935
The Roof over Your Head	We glimpse the hidden cost of the roof slate in this 'how it's done' film showing how slate is extracted, processed and split at Ffestiniog's mines and quarries, ready for despatch to all parts of the globe. The quarrymen’s work is exacting and always risky - tunnelling, drilling and blasting with little regard to safety, the men having scant harnessing, no protective headgear and hardly a mask between them. Roofing slates were the chief product of the mines and quarries around Blaenau Ffestiniog, with the rock being dug from huge underground chambers at mines such as Oakeley and Llechwedd. In the run-up to WW2 when this film was made, the slate industry had been in decline for more than four decades, but although the boom which had reached its peak in the 1860s-1880s (seeing the rise and expansion of Blaenau Ffestiniog to a town of over 11,000 inhabitants by 1881) was well over, Wales was still producing 75% - 85% of Britain’s slate between the two wars.	1937
visit to North Wales 1950	The Rev. Albert Knowles, a clergyman who lived at least the latter part of his life in Grindleton, Clitheroe, Lancashire, commences his tour, which is structured for the viewer by use of a road map and inter-titles, in Cricieth. He then visits Llanystumdwy (David Lloyd George's childhood home and resting place), Aberdaron, Caernarfon, Beddgelert (where lies the faithful hound, Gelert), Porthmadog, Portmeirion and Harlech. No FR in this film but interesting shots around Porthmadog. 09:56	1950
Among the Rails of Wales	Among the narrow-gauge rails, J T Fraser finds desolation and despair where lines have fallen into disuse, but one track's dereliction (Corris) is providing the materials for the restoration of another (Talyllyn). Other “quaint little railways and tramways” featured are Welshpool-Llanfair, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Electric, Great Orme, Snowdon Mountain, Padarn (for Dinorwic Quarry), Ffestiniog and Vale of Rheidol.	1952
Rough cut	A film from the Ffestiniog Railway Heritage Collection showing two men [Fred Boughey, Ken Kelsey] at work on the restoration of a coach which had been used as a hen house, the line being sprayed with weed-killer from a train [Paul Dukes, John Alexander and Allan Garraway on board], and a train arriving at Tan-y-Bwlch, where Bessie Jones, wife of the line's plate-layer Will Jones, is seen in her customary Welsh costume, offering Welsh teas to visitors in her station cottage. The restoration of the Ffestiniog Railway brought together a dedicated group of people with a huge variety of skills. Ken Kelsey was a volunteer and Fred Boughey was a woodwork teacher who became Wagon Foreman and later a permanent member of staff in a similar role. Paul Dukes was a volunteer from London who became Works Manager at Boston Lodge. John Alexander was a chemical engineer/factory inspector who became Secretary of Ffestiniog Railway Heritage. Allan G W Garraway, the General Manager and Engineer of the Ffestiniog Railway 1955-83, was the son of a railway engineer and had worked for British Rail himself and also served in the British army.	1956
Their Purpose Served	Wales’ narrow gauge railways were mainly constructed to carry slate but only the Penrhyn Quarry Railway still serves this industry, a superb view of the enterprise being provided by the cameraman bravely travelling up a steep incline in an empty wagon. Also featured are The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway carrying coal right through the streets of Welshpool, and the summer services of the Ffestiniog Railway (under restoration) and the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Engines ‘Blanche’, ‘Cackler’ and ‘Holy War’ are seen in operation at Penrhyn Quarry. ‘Prince’, ‘Taliesin’ and the ‘Earl of Merioneth’ are seen on the Ffestiniog Railway, which was closed in 1946, restoration starting in 1954. ‘Llywelyn’ is seen on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, run as a tourist line from the 1930s. Engine numbers 822 (The Earl) and 823 (Countess) are seen on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway which was closed to passengers in 1931, closed completely in November 1956 but re-opened as a heritage railway in 1963. This film probably shows the line in its last year of operation.
Ffestiniog Railway	The oldest narrow gauge railway in the world, closed in 1946, is being restored by the Ffestiniog Railway Company who have owned it since 1954. Here stalwart volunteers with a variety of skills refurbish delapidated coaches (Fred Boughey, woodwork teacher), set up telecommunications networks (Norman Pearce, tannery manager), clear the track (John Alexander, chemical engineer) and drive the engines (Allan Garraway, British Rail/army; Keith Catchpole, teacher). The Ffestiniog Railway started life as a horse tramway in 1830, to bring slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog to the sea at Porthmadog, steam engines replacing horses from 1863 onwards. Passengers were catered for as well as slate but this service finished in 1939 and the line was closed completely in 1946. From 1954, the railway was in the hands of the Ffestiniog Railway Company, Allan Garraway its full-time manager/engineer from 1955-1983. Much work was done, as can be seen in this film, and by 1968 the line was open as far as Dduallt, at which point an alternative route – a ‘deviation’ (opened 1982) - had to be created to connect Blaenau Ffestiniog as a hydro-electric power station was being built on the original line.	1957
Hardings in Llandudno and North Wales	The Smallest House in Britain is shut, but stunning views open up to the Harding family on their train ride through the Conwy valley to Porthmadog. Indeed all modes of transport are sampled on this Llandudno-based holiday – from tramway and donkeys and ponies to pleasure-park locos, pedaloes and sleek American style cars that even the smallest boy can drive! Spot the nod to Alice in Wonderland … This film was shot by Ken Harding, who lived in Stockport and frequently holidayed in north Wales with his family. He is seen here with his wife and two children. Ffestiniog Railway at 09:37	1965
Ffestiniog Summer	The story of a summer day on the oldest narrow-gauge passenger railway in the world. Richard Baker narrates as the locomotives of the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales are prepared for the summer tourist traffic. Now retired, Driver Bill Hoole of the crack East Coast expresses can be seen preparing Prince for the sedate and leisurely journey to Porthmadog.	1967
Destination Blaenau	The history of the Ffestiniog Railway is inextricably bound up with the history of the slate industry and this film commences by showing how both declined. However, the railway line has been rejuvenated as a major tourist attraction for Wales and although the link between Porthmadog and Blaenau was broken - through flooding of a certain section for the Tanygrisiau Hydro Electric Power Station - a new stretch of line is being laid to re-establish the connection. The work on this new section of line – a ‘deviation' - was undertaken between 1965 and 1978 and involved volunteers and 3 Cornish tin mining engineers, the latter involved in the construction of a tunnel. As part of the works, Dduallt Station and the line running from it to Tan-y-Bwlch, were re-opened in June 1968, those present and seen on film including Alan Pegler (Chair, Festiniog Railway Co.), Colonel Campbell (of Dduallt Manor) and the Earl of Merioneth (a locomotive). Plans show the spiral formation at the Duallt end of the deviation, an innovation in Britain but fairly common in mountainous countries such as Switzerland.	1968
Land of the Red Dragon	Promotional film, narrated by actor Donald Houston, about Wales, where the hard-fought battles of the past have deposited tourist-attracting remains for the present (e.g. castles) and where opportunities for modern-day leisure pursuits are provided by the geography of the country. Visitors are assured that English is spoken but they can enjoy hearing “the ancient tongue”, and any doubts about temperance are fielded visually with full wine glasses and beer drinking. This film was written and directed by Sarah Erulkar, from Calcutta, for the British Travel Association (in co-operation with The Wales Tourist and Holidays Association). She was committed to making documentaries only, amongst them the following which both won BAFTAs: ‘Picture to Post’ (1969), about the design of British postage stamps, and ‘The Living City’ (1977) about her birthplace and on which she shared the direction with her husband, film-maker Peter de Normanville.	1968
Slate Crafts	Quarryman's tribute to the material that transformed his home town of Blaenau Ffestiniog from a small farming village in the 1750s to a booming slate town of c.12,000 inhabitants by the 1880s, with spoil heaps aplenty (1 tonne of useable slate producing 10 tonnes of waste). His film shows the blasting and transporting of slate, its dressing and splitting and its eventual use by roofers, a stone mason and a craftsman. NB: The sound does not continue beyond the blasting. Dennis Hughes, who shot this film which shows clearly the laborious nature of the getting and reduction of slate, was later disabled by a quarry accident and he moved with his family to Llandudno. His children – Gwyn and Linda – are seen at Maenofferen Quarry playing with the slate. He was a keen amateur film-maker and performer of magic tricks – he and a friend, Ernest Williams, would do regular magic shows for the elderly. He also acted as unofficial caretaker for the ‘Caban', a small meeting room/hall situated behind the Manod Hotel in Blaenau Ffestiniog.	1972

FR Co.[edit]

WHHR[edit]

WHR[edit]

The FR & WHR Ltd on 2008-10-12 - Teenagetrainphotos
Welsh Steam Safari Part 1- pedanticmongrel Includes various welsh rail Part 2
The Welsh Highland Railway on 2008-08-10 - Teenagetrainphotos
First ECS move FR-WHR (1) (2) (3)

Video Ride[edit]

The following have been sorted to try and show a "Video Ride" over Phase 4 of the WHR rebuild. Clips mainly taken from works trains in 2007 - 2009

Towards Porthmadog
Where	Date	Cameraman
Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert Part 1	--/12/2007	Tony Statham
Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert Part 2	--/12/2007	Tony Statham
Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert Part 3	--/12/2007	Tony Statham
Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert Part 4	--/12/2007	Tony Statham
Bryn y Felin to the Aberglaslyn Pass Part 1	02/12/2007	Alun Evans
Bryn y Felin to the Aberglaslyn Pass Part 2	02/12/2007	Alun Evans
Ty Newydd Morfa to Pont Croesor Part 1	25/08/2008	Alun Evans
Ty Newydd Morfa to Pont Croesor Part 2	25/08/2008	Alun Evans
South of Pont Croesor Level Crossing Part 1	26/08/2008	Alun Evans
South of Pont Croesor Level Crossing Part 2	26/08/2008	Alun Evans
Cae Pawb to Harbour Station	12/03/2009	Will High

Towards Caernarfon
Where	Date	Cameraman
Crossing Pont Croesor	12/03/2009	Keith
Ty Newydd Morfa to Croesor Junction Part 1	27/08/2008	Alun Evans
Ty Newydd Morfa to Croesor Junction Part 2	27/08/2008	Alun Evans
Bryn y Felin to Beddgelert Part 1	--/08/2007	Alun Evans
Bryn y Felin to Beddgelert Part 2	--/08/2007	Alun Evans
Riding through Beddgelert	--/07/2008	Alun Evans
Beddgelert to Lower Cwm Cloch	02/04/2009	Alun Evans
Lower Cwm Cloch to above Upper Cwm Cloch	02/04/2009	Alun Evans
Upper Cwm Cloch to just above Meillionen Forest Halt	02/04/2009	Alun Evans
Going Past Meillionen Forest Halt	02/04/2009	Alun Evans
Above Meillionen Forest Halt to Hafod Ruffydd. Part 1	02/04/2009	Alun Evans
Above Meillionen Forest Halt to Hafod Ruffydd. Part 2	02/04/2009	Alun Evans
Hafod Ruffydd to Rhyd Ddu. Part 1	02/04/2009	Alun Evans
Hafod Ruffydd to Rhyd Ddu. Part 2	02/04/2009	Alun Evans
Hafod Ruffydd to Rhyd Ddu. Part 3	02/04/2009	Alun Evans