Ffestiniog Railway Gravity Train- ride the engineless slate train!

[@cncshrops]

Excellent stuff, speaking as someone who has known the FR for over 50 years. Small correction: the black van in the shed was a gunpowder van not the hearse.

[@mendiphydro]

Excellent video thank you. Really enjoyed the narration and inset pics to explain all the information. Very enjoyable indeed.

[@DaveFiggley]

A great video with an informative commentary, Nigel. As a kid in the late 70s we, as a family, rode the FR whilst on holiday in Wales. At that age you don't really appreciate the work that had gone in to make this happen. I knew nothing at that time about the significance of the reservoir and the Dduallt loop that had been constructed as a work-around. I was just enjoying the ride but we must have gone around it to reach our destination down by the sea. I believe the high point of the downhill run to Porthmadog is now in the area above the reservoir pumping station. I have seen incomplete videos where the gravity train is let loose from that point. I know the line is busy with paying passengers and timetables are tight but I'm greedy - I want to see the whole gravity run from the summit to the sea!

[@GreenSignals]

Thanks Dave. I did consider trying to film the whole thing but to be honest, it was quite difficult to hold a monopod up for that length of time to capture the whole route. Maybe if I am ever lucky enough to be invited again, I will give it a go....!

[@don1estelle]

I remember John Knokes Riding the Slate train on Blue Peter

[@GreenSignals]

Goodness, great memory - don't remember that one but I did it yesterday myself - and it was brilliant!

[@MervynPartin]

Excellent video- I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great commentary from Nigel, with all the important details and none of the hyperbole employed by some presenters.

[@GreenSignals]

Thanks Mervyn, pleased to hear you like the style. We've got lots of other ideas like this.

[@richardbarrow3109]

What a great film, interesting and informative. My daughter and son in law visited Tan y Bwlch yesterday and I was telling them about the gravity trains - perfect timing for me to forward this link to them.

[@GreenSignals]

Brilliant! Hope your daughter and son in law had a good time and that they enjoy watching the video too.

[@timothypywell2511]

Certainly enjoyed the Snowdonian with you in 2023 the best weekend ever.

[@CCoburn3]

The Tim Traveller would LOVE this.

[@wilburr1316]

Amazing how they kick the thing off again. Excellent video, thanks for sharing =)

[@GreenSignals]

Cheers!

[@Jamie92208]

My late friend Tony Bond built a 7mm scale version of the FR gravity train Nd ran it on a layout called Eastgate Wharf. The train had one of the Dandy cars at one end with a horse in it. That wagon had a smalele tric motor under it.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Absolutely fantastic Nigel and a well presented video 👍🏻

[@GreenSignals]

Thanks for that! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@davidredgewell7415]

This is great film

[@stephengirling7859]

Thank you. Really enjoyable.

[@GreenSignals]

Thanks Stephen, glad you enjoyed it!

[@trevorlowman4752]

Excellent video, keep up the good work 😊

[@GreenSignals]

Thanks Trevor. It is a wonderful train on a wonderful line.

[@robertstorey7476]

That's brilliant.

[@GreenSignals]

Thanks Robert. It really is a lovely thing from the past. So impressed Paul Lewin and his team keep it going.

[@danhatter1762]

3:57 That is infant George England 0-4-0 Tender - Saddle Tank, Prince 10:45 England built six "England" engines not four, as well as one Double Fairlie, Little wonder

[@wideyxyz2271]

❤

[@GreenSignals]

Thanks!

[@PeterAJWoods]

Been trying to get a ride on this for five years! Is there a way to do it as would love to find one. Aparently you ave to have an invite. How can I, or can I, get one?

[@momatmach1]

At four minutes that isn’t Blanche or even a 2-4-0 so the view can’t be that good, it’s a George England

[@davidredgewell7415]

Need to link Carnarvon to Bangor line very important missing Transport for wales Railway link covered by af present Arriva buses

[@allanmorton6022]

This is really interesting and a great video well presented by Nigel from a railway I have travelled on when holidaying in Wales - although not by gravity! By the way, I have a video of the model railway version of the gravity train including the station of Ddualt which you may also be interested in: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5fMlWWvgL9-r80si=n5KzMZSvjXQklce5

[@GreenSignals]

What a great little layout Allan, thanks so much for sharing that link. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@allanmorton6022]

@@GreenSignals Thanks for taking a look at the video. No central locking doors on those wagons!