Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways

[port perran]

Mrs PP and I are visiting Porthmadog (by rail) shortly and have booked trips on both the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog railways.
Any tips to enhance our trip ?

[jrb]

Any tips to enhance our trip ?

Take alcohol? 

[red_death]

Any tips to enhance our trip ?

Take alcohol? 

No need you can get it on the train!

A great journey - one I thoroughly enjoyed with my dad and brother.

Hope you have a great time.

Cheers, Mike

[Newportnobby]

Mrs PP and I are visiting Porthmadog (by rail) shortly and have booked trips on both the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog railways.
Any tips to enhance our trip ?

Pay for me to come with you? It might not enhance your trip but I'd have a damned good day out

[Bealman]

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=22698.msg259363#msg259363
Back in 2014 I had the unexpected opportunity to travel the entire Ffestinog both ways. One of the best trips in me lfe.

Tip: upgrade to first class in the observation carriage. I did it at the last minute, and it was the best decision I ever made. Not a lot more, and personal service.... including alcohol. 

[port perran]

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=22698.msg259363#msg259363
Back in 2014 I had the unexpected opportunity to travel the entire Ffestinog both ways. One of the best trips in me lfe.

Tip: upgrade to first class in the observation carriage. I did it at the last minute, and it was the best decision I ever made. Not a lot more, and personal service.... including alcohol. 

Thanks
Already booked for 1st class and very much looking forward to it.

[Rowlie]

For the Ffestiniog portion get the seats on non platform side at Porthmadog.  Otherwise it will be great whatever the weather.

[Drakken]

Please take plenty photos and enjoy 

[robert shrives]

Really hope you enjoy it , I have been a guard on both lines for many years and enjoy the fun of meeting passengers from around the world.. I am back guarding 23-27 june so might see you! If you see a N gauge forum badge...

Catering and guidebooks available on both routes with a choice of hot food and afternoon tea option good choice of local bottled brews on board for consumption or carry off. Crews generally a mix of paid and volunteer staff and very chatty...

cheers
Robert

[Yet_Another]

Tip: upgrade to first class in the observation carriage. I did it at the last minute, and it was the best decision I ever made. Not a lot more, and personal service.... including alcohol. 

Seconded!

Or Firsted!

I'm confused 

We just turned up and bought tickets, so couldn't book seats, but I think you can book seats if you do it in advance. Definitely get in the observation carriage, and if possible book the end seats.

[mr bachmann]

best leave it until Christmas time - there's no 'ell in Festiniog 

ps, great shop for 00/9 .

[robert shrives]

All,
FWIW first class ticket holder accommodation has been a bit of a technical feast over last few years, bought on by the continuing increase in traffic - very welcome it is !!

The terminal stations with staffed booking offices are linked by interwebby do-dahs and the ticketing system to regulate sales and issue a ticket to a seat - on a first come basis - so a pre-booking for a train some weeks in advance is likely to get best seats and this system available until booking is closed from the originating station. By which time non observation coach first class seats will only be available.   These can be return first class but the same seat may not be possible if a late booking as the starting station for the return booking may have been already sold.

After closure of booking and for a passengers entraining on route  the guard is responsible for issue of tickets but a single and first class upgrade only available.

The railway is also upgrading to e-ticketing so no doubt clipping smart phones will be an issue!

I have on several occasions had to play musical chairs with passengers and whilst it all ends well some passengers are awkward. I have even had passengers offering only the upgrade ticket instead of all travel tickets and are upset when having all clipped - my mind thinks that they can see the opportunity of a second 3rd class journey later in the week. 

What I used to say what was was different between 1st and 3rd was that 1st has colour scenery and 3rd was black and white.. now 1st is HD scenery!!!
What ever class and whatever the weather the scenery is stunning 
cheers
Robert

[Adrian]

You say you're visiting Porthmadog by rail ...........

At the northern end of the n.g., Caernarfon is linked by a good bus service to Bangor from where there's the choice of train or express bus to Llandudno Junction.

At the Junction there is a fair service to Blaenau Ffestiniog and hence connection with the FR (ie to complete the circuit).

Okay, it needs a bit of research with Arriva Bus and Train timetables beforehand, but the Conwy Valley branch would make a very good addition to your visit - especially in combination with the Welsh Highland and the Ffestiniog.

Adrian

[port perran]

Really hope you enjoy it , I have been a guard on both lines for many years and enjoy the fun of meeting passengers from around the world.. I am back guarding 23-27 june so might see you! If you see a N gauge forum badge...

Catering and guidebooks available on both routes with a choice of hot food and afternoon tea option good choice of local bottled brews on board for consumption or carry off. Crews generally a mix of paid and volunteer staff and very chatty...

cheers
Robert

Thanks for the info.
We're travelling on the WHR line on 22nd and the Ffestiniog on 23rd so will look out for you.
We've booked 1st class in advance and should pick up our tickets prior to travelling so hopefully no problems.
Very much looking forward to it.

[port perran]

So....we had a great few days in Porthmadog travelling on both the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways. Sorry Robert, we looked out for you but didn't come across you).
Excellent scenery and both fantastic railways with extremely friendly staff.
Just a couple of photos :


And finally what it's all about. We travelled first class and managed to be in the front seats of the observation cars on all four trips. Here, behind the locomotive with a glass of finest Welsh Ale :

If you haven't been, I'd thoroughly recommend a visit.
Brilliant.