Gravity Train ride on the Ffestiniog Railway: What goes up, must come down!

An incredible, joyful documentary of our extraordinary 7 mile trip on the Ffestiniog Railway's gravity-powered freewheeling slate train! The concept is now approaching 200 years old, yet still able to run on the heritage railway. It's the world's longest rollercoaster - and it's in North Wales.
Join me (Tim Dunn), Tom Bright and Chris Gilson of Steam Railway for an adventure on rails that’s seven miles steam-hauled uphill (the “anti-gravity” service) and a bonkers freewheeling descent seven miles back downhill along the Ffestiniog Railway to Porthmadog.
These trains aren’t public; invitations to take a trip are at the discretion of the company and so when an invitation arrived for Tim Dunn, Chris Gilson and Tom Bright of Steam Railway Magazine arrived - we hot-footed it to the Ffestiniog Railway for the ride of our lives.
This video was filmed by me in 2022 - but it’s taken this long (18 months!) to get it right. To be on that train was a privilege - and I’ve been determined to get its portrayal just as i wanted. There are still a few glitches but I've learned lot about video production on the way!
I know that most people don’t get to do many of the things that I’ve had the privilege of experiencing this last couple of years, so taking a camera and making a short film is my way of trying to extend that privilege to others. If you’re involved with the FR, then this is my way of thanking you too: by spreading the word of your hard work.
So. With the longest title sequence I’ve yet produced, with a classic theme tune that I’ve had remixed and reinterpreted that was written for a railway-based sequence in the first place - I do hope you enjoy your trip aboard this gauge railway journey with no engine (but some well-tested brakes and well-trained brakesmen).
Cheers!

[@MrTimDunn]

I hope this gives a bit of an idea of the feeling of careering down a valley along two strips of steel bouncing about in an iron wagon. If you're a FR volunteer who was on the train that day - thank you. Actually - if you're a heritage railway volunteer anywhere - cheers for all that you do.

[@ryanelson8504]

I’m a volunteer on the Ffestiniog and welsh highland railway in the steam department I love every second volunteering there

[@isashax]

You look like having the time of your life! I am not sure I'd dare!

[@miketoler3275]

I really enjoyed my ride with you all down the mountain on that wonderful train. It was awesome !!! All the scenery was spectacular !!! Mike

[@davedear929]

Slate has fascinated me since 1959 when i entered the building trade. Over the years I've done many walks and been down lots of slate mines but you have trumped the lot. Great video and great trip. I am very envious of you Tim.. many thanks.

[@leecarlson9713]

When I was in elementary school in a very small town in Wisconsin, USA my school’s roof was slate. We would use small pieces that broke off from the roof as markers for our hopscotch games. If I ever get to the UK again, this will definitely be on my list of things to do!

[@stephendegruchy7104]

Awesome!

[@saulcanton-newton8613]

I wish the great marquess can go back to the Severn Valley Railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire in England

[@GrandadTinkerer]

Many years ago, I worked at Ffestiniog power station for a few weeks. I remember seeing the train running just a few yards from the station. Unfortunately I never did get to ride on it.

[@don1estelle]

You nead Subtitles Tim

[@arthurmatthews9321]

It must be a bit un nerving to know you only have the hand brakes to stop the train in an emergency. No brake force from a locomotive. I once tried to see how effective the hand brake was on a class 37 . We took the locomotive up to 20 mph and then used the hand brake to stop . It travelled about 600 yards before stopping 😮

[@simontay4851]

Yeah, you feel every bump and join in the track. The wagons don't have suspension.

[@AussiePom]

Good Lord I didn't recognise Nigel Harris and I thought it was Chris Leigh. On the old days if a customer bought 1000 slates he most likely got 1020 slates to cover for breakages as the slates are so thin.