Ffestiniog Railway - Driver’s Eye View - Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog (Wales)

We start at the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestioniog - also known as “the town that roofed the world”. Loco No. 10 “Merddin Emrys” built in 1879 simmers at that platform end ready to haul the last train of the day on a glorious sunny evening. Our train traverses a narrow ledge cut into the hillside above the quarrymen’s cottages to Tanygrisiau, before passing the deep waters of Llyn Ystradau and plunging into the darkness of Moelwyn tunnel. The original track bed lies beneath the waters of Llyn Ystradau, today the line passes the lake on a new deviation between Tanygrisiau and Dduallt that includes a spiral formation allowing the new line to loose enough height to re-join the original route. Once again our little trains clings to the wooded slopes with occasional glimpses of the River Dwyryd far below, we pass the halfway point at Tan-y-Bwlch before we continue our steady descent to Penrhyn and Minffordd where we cross the Cambrian Coast Railway. Our descent continues to Boston Lodge works and onto the famed seawall to our destination at Porthmadog. I would like to offer my thanks to all the volunteers, staff and train crew for making my visit such a thoroughly enjoyable experience. For a map of the route please click on this link - www.festrail.co...
Track gauge - 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm)
One question that has come up many times in the comments is "Why doesn't the train leave the tracks when it passes through a switch set for the opposite track at 07:48" - it is not easy to explain, but I'll try -
The switches at either end on the passing loop are set to allow trains to pass without the need for railway personnel to set them, in this case the train will always take the right hand track in the direction of travel, when the train reaches the end of the loop the switch appears to be set incorrectly. The switch blades are held in place by a spring mechanism that allows them to be pushed over by the weight of a train passing through them, as this train is about to do. Once the train is clear they are automatically set to allow a train in the opposite direction to take the right hand track, thus making the passing loop automatic. The system works well so long as a train never reverses before clearing the switch as that will de-rail the train. The first time this system is seen in operation it looks wrong, but it is common practice on many lines where speed is low and costs need to be kept to a minimum.

[@wealdhurstmodelrailway9666]

I love how close the camera gets to the rocks and walls! It really makes it that more exhilarating! These lines are a real treasure within our country.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Sometimes I'm relieved to see the camera is still in place at the end of the trip, the walls are very close to the engine, not the kind of railway for leaning too far out of the window. I love the Welsh narrow gauge railways, there is nothing else like them anywhere in the world.

[@helenturner4506]

Thank you so much, I sat with my grandson (age nearly 5) and watched and listened with much joy. We didn't even talk, transfixed. He loved the sounds of the engine and the train, (so grateful for no music!) Beautiful, I just wish he could have his heart's wish fulfilled to be a steam-engine driver. I'll be taking him to Wales for some trips anyway!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, sorry I'm late replying, your grandson is a lucky lad to be taken to ride some the Great Little Trains of Wales. I was 6 or 7 the first time I rode the Ffestiniog, I've still got the cine-film my father took, it was the start of my lifelong affection for anything and everything that runs on rails.

[@pilotbug6100]

When he gets older he could volunteer at a heritage railway, maybe then he can drive one

[@cecilkarstensen559]

Truly special. The scenery green, clean, well crafted bridges, well maintained right-of-way and buildings

[@Timsvideochannel1]

The scenery looks wonderful in the evening sunshine and the volunteers and staff do a great job keeping everything looking good.

[@Biffo1262]

Unfortunately, always slightly out of focus as the lens has taken focus at the nearest point, the front of the loco. Otherwise a truly nice video.

[@chittaranjansarkar4081]

I live in India, but by dint of mobile net service and explorer 's video installation I have watched the rail journey in Wales UK Long live the motivation of explorer of video doer, I expect his good life with grand success. Thanks.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, the internet has opened up a whole new world with services such as You Tube, Google Earth and Wikipedia giving us the ability to virtually explore almost anywhere in the world. North Wales is home to some of the world's best steam operated narrow gauge railways. Happy virtual travelling 😉

[@charlesgreene9467]

Beautiful ride. Incredibly smooth roadbed. Almost no up and down sway. Engine driver operated flawlessly. Lovely countryside and impressive feat of engineering on the construction of this line.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

The Double Fairlie locomotive on which the camera was mounted rode very smoothly and the track is kept in good condition. The line was originally built for gravity operation, with the loaded trains descending under their own weight with a horse riding in a dandy wagon. The horse then pulled the empty wagons back up to the slate quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog. This lead to the contour hugging route with some pretty impressive embankments and earthworks for a narrow gauge railway.

[@peterthwaites5891]

A beautiful video, such lovely scenery and the only sounds needed were of the train and track, no loud talking or distracting background music..just perfect!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@mikelab6912]

@@Timsvideochannel1 What's the gauge of the track!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@mikelab6912 Hi, the track gauge - 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm)

[@mikelab6912]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Thanks (Philippines)

[@purnakantakhatiwada7656]

Sri

[@lifehappens7511]

This is perhaps the most captivating train video I’ve ever seen, even though it doesn’t show the train itself. I watched it not knowing where I was, giving the experience an air of mystery. “Charming” is an understatement.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride, please click on these links to see the train - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYinXmCQm7WIrtk - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYnJgGxsap56qqM North Wales is home to a number of these delightful railways.

[@tonylaming4994]

As a footplate man/driver on steam for 27 years I have to congratulate the superb work done by the PW teams. The line is maintained to an obvious high standard, second to none.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Tony, I'm sure the permanent way guys will appreciate your kind words.

[@southernbiscuits1275]

I did not realize Wales was so beautiful. I love this video!!

[@rosemarydudley9954]

My then b/f and I did this run back in the 60's. During the 80s and early 2000's I did many Wales trips on my motorbike. Mainly north Wales through and stopping in the Elan Valley. (N/Wales) through the black mountains. Yes, it is a very beautifull place. Southern Biscuits - you really must go. I enjoyed the video, many thanks.

[@dianerogers8805]

@Blackporsche roadster we find it atmospheric when it is raining and dull. Been holidaying in snowdonia for 30 years stay in Dinorwic usally. . Been on this train brilliant journey.

[@dianerogers8805]

@Blackporsche roadster yes it does sometimes, we had a trip on the Welsh Highland railway a beautiful day. First time I did snowdon it was misty at the top could hardly see a thing. I do think the trains off north Wales are threat. Started our granddaughter on the llanberis lake railway, then the Fairbourne train. Will take our grandson in August if all this lockdown is over.

[@dianerogers8805]

@Blackporsche roadster Yes round fairbourne is nice, I stayed at Arthog when I was in school, did lots of things around that area. Not been to Newquay or Ynslas. My hubby and I stayed at Cobbdens Hotel in Capel Curig for our silver wedding anniversary 15 years ago. South Wales is lovely to. My mum was from Cwmaman in Rhondda Valley, we spent summer holidays staying with our grandparents, overlooking the old coal mines, when the rain and cloud came over very atmospheric,.

[@edwardmortimer2150]

It is really a stunning country especially since it is full of little steam railways running through bueatiful country side

[@JasonMasters]

I'm not sure why, but I love these uninterrupted driver's-eye-view videos. I love seeing all of those little sidings and alternate routes branching off from the line which the train is on. I even manage to enjoy the disappointment of seeing things like a siding ending, or those unused tunnels near the start of the video, where a line obviously could go but isn't. Now what we need is another uninterrupted view of the reverse journey. :) That always seems like a totally different journey, somehow.

[@JJMMWGDuPree]

It's already up there somewhere if you search for it, so another would be surplus to requirements! This is my return journey, made all the more interesting by the fact that you get to see the other side of the track.

[@arch9enius]

It would be noisier, for a start.

[@bostonhouston8136]

i know Im asking randomly but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow forgot my account password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me

[@bostonhouston8136]

@Jonas Jefferson I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and Im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@bostonhouston8136]

@Jonas Jefferson it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much you saved my ass!

[@skunksweat9687]

Ahhhhhhhh, feels like the train is taking me away from my everyday hustle and bustle. So relaxing. Crack a beer and kick back

[@Timsvideochannel1]

That's a great description for a ride on this train, sitting back in one of the comfortable seats in first class on the last train of the day takes some beating.

[@Rivenworld]

Thank you very much for sharing this, I haven't been on this railway in almost 40 years! I was a regular visitor for about 9 years so have some very happy memories of regular journeys on this line. It is currently 20 to 12 at night where I am and I have just sat here in my chair, lights out, headphones on and savoured every minute of this journey, brilliantly filmed, thank you and how nice to go to bed with some nice thoughts and memories instead of thinking about the mess we are in now, happy days, thanks again, really enjoyed this.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, it's good to know this video helped wash away some of the mess we find ourselves wading through today. I've almost given up up on TV, it's so depressing, instead I watch travel adventures on KZbin and upbeat films on Netflix. I'd love to be out in the gentle Welsh rain again filming narrow gauge trains passing through the wonderful scenery, hopefully it won't be too long before restrictions are eased. I spent a lot of time in Wales in the Seventies and Eighties, taking photographs of the rebirth of the Ffestiniog and later the Welsh Highland Railways. It's amazing what a dedicated group of people and fundraisers have achieved. Here are two links to other videos I made showing the Ffestiniog Railway from both the the train and the line side, you might find some of the older photos and cine film at the end of the second video interesting - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYinXmCQm7WIrtk kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYnJgGxsap56qqM

[@AndreiTupolev]

Just what we want to see, the complete journey unobstructed not edited highlights. I wish others would learn from you how to do it.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Andrei, I had a lot of good fortune during this visit to Wales, I was able to shoot 3 other driver's eye videos and a lot of on train and line side views, some using a drone. I look forward to editing and uploading them over the coming months. Some of the videos will show uninterrupted driver's eye views, whilst others will consist mainly of passenger and line-side views. Your feed back is always appreciated. Tim.

[@nanagyenimaa134]

AndreiTupolev ckj

[@tdurb0]

This video is perfect. Thank you so much for the upload. A million happy memories. And some rainy slatey ones in Blaenau ♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, I'm pleased you enjoyed riding this wonderful little train through the pretty Welsh scenery, even the old slate waste tips can look attractive when mother nature has blended them in a little.

[@kennethduffill370]

WOW! I used to know this part of Wales very well. What a wonderful way to revisit old haunts. Thank you Tim for posting this, it is wonderful.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Kenneth, I have regularly visited this part of Wales since I was a child and I always look forward the the next visit. It was a pleasure to take you back to some of those old haunts.

[@paulnorton5670]

fantastic piece of filming. beautiful, glorious Wales in just less than one hour. Thank you for sharing this to the world.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, the guys on the Ffestiniog Railway deserve the real credit, they are doing a wonderful job, I'm looking forward to the travel ban being lifted so that I can return to show my support and once again enjoy the fruits of their labor.

[@maddog190462]

Great video. One of the reasons I love visiting Wales.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Wales wouldn't be the same without it's Great Little Railways, they are like a magnet that draw me there time and time again.

[@davidjones4291]

Great video I rode the line over 20 years ago with my children they loved it. Going to take my grandchildren now 😁👍❤️🚂

[@Timsvideochannel1]

That's a nice story, I hope your Grandchildren love the ride 😊👌👍

[@hazelwendy]

Four years ago we stayed in a beautiful cottage in lovely grounds just below this railway line at Plas y Dduallt. It had its own station - Campbell's Platform - for our use only and included with the cottage were unlimited tickets for this train. If we wanted to get on the train, we had to hail it to stop and likewise to inform the guard and driver when we wanted to get off for the return journey. It was an amazing holiday - pure magic. We spent another holiday there two years later but unfortunately after we left, the large house and cottage were due to be sold so not sure whether it is still a holiday cottage. It was a wonderful place and such a shame that it was sold. Although you can't see the cottage in the video, the very neatly mown piece of grass on the left at 18.50 mins into the video is Campbell's Platform, a gate and path to the cottage which runs down behind the trees is out of view of the camera.( You will see sheep running along behind the fence on the right)

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm familiar with the cottage you stayed in, although I've never stayed there myself. It has to be one of the most unique holiday cottage experiences available anywhere - historypoints.org/index.php?page=plas-y-dduallt-blaenau-ffestiniog I tried to find out if it is still a holiday cottage, although I found several sites advertising it for sale, I don't know the situation today, although you might find this interesting - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell%27s_Platform_railway_station At least you will always have good memories from your stay in one of the most beautiful places in Britain. Hi again, I've just used this link, it would appear it is still available as a holiday let - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Trust#Wales I think I'm know where I'm going this summer.

[@sextonblake4258]

Ha ha. I have. It was a bunk house for volunteer labourers. We had supplies dropped at TyB Station and it was all hell broke loose trying to get 15+ people, their luggage and groceries onto the train, and unload at Campbells. Hell of a load of fun at 17.

[@Too519]

every thing about this is so magical the scenery houses stone walls the locomotive,,thank you

[@SKEptic-mg2dd]

Thank you for a great video. I hope something worthwhile like the Ffestiniog Railway runs for a hundred more years.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. The Ffestiniog Railway is popular with both tourists and enthusiasts, who are likely to safeguard it into the foreseeable future.

[@SKEptic-mg2dd]

Maybe someday I can make it over from Texas to experience the railway in person.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

If you are able to visit Wales, there are a number of narrow gauge railways, each with their own unique character, and you can travel to a number of them using one of Britain's most scenic standard gauge railways - the Cambrian Coast line.

[@1903bretep]

A brilliant ride, many thanks for uploading this video.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@nirgunapa56]

Very nice to see this from the engine end of the train. A lovely line and a lovely film - thank you.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@josefh.]

Even after four years a video with this incomparable sound is well worth seeing: the puffs of steam from the locomotive, the whistles, the clack-clack of the wheels when they drive over the rail joints. Music to the ears of every railroad fan. Greetings from Germany. 👍😊💯👏🙋‍♂

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello, I'm pleased you enjoyed the old fashioned sounds of a steam engine on jointed rail track. I miss the clickety-clack as the train passes over the evenly spaced joints in the rails. Modern trains don't talk like they used to 😊🚂👍.

[@philbartlett7898]

Great work Tim My father fell in love with the Festiniog railway back in the very early 1960s when I was born, and took me on my first trip around 1967 driving up from Coventry with his friend in a Triumph Vitesse and staying overnight in a B&B. Since then he was hooked and moved our family to Merioneth in 1971. I made the journey a couple of times by bike, then later when I had left home and moved back to the Midlands. My parent split up and he bought a cottage next to the line in Tanygrisiau in around 1984, and lived there until June this year when he passed away. Seen many comings and a few goings on the railway, and even managed the diesel shuttle to Gelliwiog during the rebuild from Dduallt back to Blaenau, and great to see the full extent of the railway. There is just one thing missing IMHO and that is to see "Mountaineer" overhauled and returned to service. That loco is sadly missed in my view Thanks for sharing

[@Timsvideochannel1]

The Ffestiniog Railway - Part 1 - Porthmadog to Tan y Bwlch - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYinXmCQm7WIrtk The Ffestiniog Railway - Part 2 - Tan y Bwlch to Blaenau Ffestiniog - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYnJgGxsap56qqM Hi Phil, thank you for your comment, I enjoyed reading it, although I never lived near the railway, I have visited regularly, since 1963. Cine film taken by by parents showing my first visit is included towards the end of Part 2 (the second link above) along with photographs showing trains around Blaenau Ffestioniog in the days of the gunpowder trains on the Trawsfynydd line. I really enjoyed seeing the line rebuilt over the years, followed by the amazing rebirth of the WHR. The last time I saw "Mountaineer" in steam, it was working trains between Caernarfon and Waunfawr, it also features in many of my photographs of the Ffestiniog Railway. It would be nice to see "Mountaineer" in steam again.

[@terryrigden4860]

Lovely video, no distracting commentary. Thank you

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@anthonyhazlewood5788]

Great journey... great film... I enjoyed every minute of it... Thanks for uploading... Those 75 maybe dislike the countryside.... Can't please them all...

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride, we have a lot to thank those early preservationists for, this trip wouldn't have been possible without them or those who keep this little bit of yesterday alive for us all to enjoy. As for the 75, I guess we'll never know.

[@Wooburnmusic]

This is probably the best video that I have ever seen ! Thankyou. 🐍💨🚂

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, I'm really pleased you enjoyed it 😊

[@philbarber2]

I hate this video, I switched on to do some work and now 55 minutes later I can start ! ;) Brilliant, thank you.

[@thetid8852]

Wonderful. And especially the lower left permanent glimpse of the train's boiler to remind us what we were being pulled by. Thank you!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, the Ffestiniog railway has always been very special to me, from the first time I visited shortly after trains started running across the Cob to the crowning moment when it re opened all the way to Blaenau Ffestiniog. It's amazing what a bunch of dedicated enthusiasts can achieve. It is really to them we owe our thanks.

[@willyvonbusche729]

This is the most beautiful constructed railroad I have ever seen. The stone masonery is just a enormous piece of art. However it was difficult to follow on Google maps.:-)) Thanks again, Tim for excellent work.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride. The dry stone walls in this part of Wales are an attractive addition to the countryside, so much nicer than concrete. The track bed is narrow and trees cover the line in many places making it difficult to follow on Google Maps.

[@willyvonbusche729]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Yes, it was difficult but it was worth the effort.

[@SteamCrane]

Fantastic video! The forward view shows what passengers don't realize, that building this line to run on gravity was an incredible engineering feat. A revelation!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, I'm pleased you enjoyed it, our forefathers came up with some ingenious solutions.

[@Bobrogers99]

A fascinating trip. Wales is a beautiful place!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Wales is a surprising place, with an interesting industrial history that resulted in so many narrow gauge railways, many of which survived long enough to enter the preservation era when enthusiasts begun to rescue and restore them for us all to enjoy today.

[@zazzygaming9837]

Fab video which really brings the memories flooding back. Last travelled on the railway in 1998 and well overdue a return visit. Thanks for posting.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride. Its well worth visiting again, especially now that the Welsh Highland Railway is complete. The seats in the observation carriage are a bit expensive, but well worth the price for the view, you may have to book ahead to secure them.

[@anthonygostling]

I went on this when they first started opening it way back, until a few years ago was always going up to Blaenau Ffestiniog to buy and pickup slate, lovely line, lovely place to go.

[@tonylaming4994]

First class video. Thank you, I really enjoyed that.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it's nice to know you enjoyed the ride, although the real credit belongs to all the staff, volunteers and benefactors who make this possible.

[@HotspotsSoutheast]

I am from West Virginia and my family is from Wales. Wales looks so much like the hills of West Virginia. Such a lovely place and railroad. I would love to visit some day.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

North Wales is one of my favorite holiday destinations, I've visited many times over the years, the coastline, mountains, towns villages and castles are beautiful, steeped in history, legend and folklore. Its quite normal to experience all 4 seasons in one day. If you don't mind a bit of rain, I'm sure you'd enjoy visiting Wales.

[@paxo610]

@@Timsvideochannel1 we need the rain to keep the green lush.... Excellent video Tim.... been on the Ffestiniog several times.... from Pwllheli myself....an ex-signalman on the Cambrian coast and an ex-lineman volunteer on the Fairbourne narrow gauge.... Brought back some great memories hearing the whistle.... Thank you....

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@paxo610 I never mind the rain in Wales, it wouldn't be Wales without it. I can remember watching a diesel hauled pickup freight shunting at Pwllheli, that was a long time ago, you must have some fascinating tales from your time as a signalman. The Faibourne is an interesting line, it's fun to catch the ferry across to Barmouth. I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride.

[@paxo610]

@@Timsvideochannel1 definitely some memorable occasions.... I was the signalman on duty in Porthmadog signalbox when we had to close the Porthmadog to Pwllheli section because an elephant was on the track at Abererch halt.... There was a Circus in a nearby field....the driver who reported the incident was breathalysed..... Again at Porthmadog the same section of track was closed when the emergency services were called out to assist the linesmen in what turned out to be a Ghost Hunt....bodies were seen by train crew and passengers at the side of the track but when the linesmen went to investigate there was nothing there and when the next train went through they reported the sightings again.... so I had no choice but to close the section and request assistance from the emergency services.... still nothing found.... released the next train through and again they reported bodies.... that particular part of the section is very isolated and we did consider it to be a prank but for the difficulty in reaching that area.....3 days later 2 boys unfortunately were struck by the last train to Pwllheli while out rabbiting in the exact location of the sightings.... Being a single track we used tokens to ensure only one train was in any given section at a time.....in 1984 I was the "Token" between Harlech and Barmouth....one of our DMUs got derailed by a huge snowdrift in that section and regulations required that the actual token remained with the stranded train.... I boarded the recovery train at Pwllheli and upon reaching Harlech I had to sit with the driver as the cautioned "Token" to enter the already occupied section.... I wasn't allowed to assist in the recovery process I was required to remain in the drivers cab for the duration because if I became injured they would have to call out another signalman as a replacement "Token".....

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@paxo610 Hi, I enjoyed reading your recolections from your time as a signalman at Porthmadog, breathalyzing the driver who reported seeing the elephant made me smile. The Ghost Hunt reminded me of this old film - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXewc6edadKSn7s - did the boys survive being stuck by the train? enjoyed the human token as well. Thanks for sharing some of your wonderful memories.

[@markcousins9337]

Nice to see that the Blu-Tac held-up to the heat from the boiler and the camera being twatted by lineside foliage. Good video-thanks.

[@MrPeerum]

beautyful nature,its almost one super oversized gardentrack. i like this.supr Tim.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

An over-size garden railway is a good description for this line because the hillsides are covered with beautiful wild flowers and the sheep keep the grass neat and tidy.

[@autisticadventuressteam83]

As the world's first narrow gauge railway a lot of garden railways are based on it. The double Fairlie locos were the first articulated loco design, and the Ffestiniog had the first recorded use of the parabolic transition curve in the 1850s - before standard gauge. Also the first bogie carriages. Great video!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, you have highlighted some interesting facts, the original route of the line also had a falling gradient over its length so that wagons could descend under their own weight.

[@autisticadventuressteam83]

Indeed and we still occasionally run demonstration gravity trains. Another bit of info is that aside from the deviation, the curves on the rest of the line are steeper than the straights to aid gravity running - the opposite to normal of course. Therefor the FR feels a bit like a roller coaster, which is good for me because i love coasters too.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Peter, during the rebuilding of the Welsh Highland railway I visited every year to record the progress and didn't always pay enough attention to the Ffestiniog line, as I had visited it regularly from the 1960's before the deviation was built. On my recent visit I spent 4 days filming both lines from the line-side and train, I am looking forward to editing the footage to upload over the coming months, I will look at some of my old photographs, if any are suitable I will include a few "Then and Now" comparisons. I also took a look at your channel, I rode the big one at Blackpool on the first day it opened to the public, the queue was massive, but the experience was worth it. I also enjoyed your cover of one of my favourite songs "Life on Mars"

[@MrGreen-sk3ws]

A really nice journey through a peaceful countryside. Beautiful country scenery and clear viewing. Thank you.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@susanvernon4642]

OMG such hiraeth!!! Loved it and seen the train go by many a time as a young girl but never been on it

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I was intrigued by the word "hiraeth" so I looked it up (a Welsh word which means 'nostalgia', or, more commonly, 'homesickness', although there is not a direct English translation) It is a wonderful word that I could use to describe my far off childhood days watching the little trains make their way towards Blaenau Ffestiniog, although in those days the trains didn't run all the way. I didn't live in Wales, but so many family holidays were spent there it felt like a second home.

[@steamdieselrailwayvideosfi4296]

Yet again .... a lovely video production.... well done all ............ and to the Little Trains Of Wales

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, the real credit belongs to the staff and volunteers who make this wonderful ride possible today. Wales has to be the top choice for lovers of unique narrow gauge railways.

[@davidgregory1668]

Love the video,I did this trip August last year,it was amazing.cheers David from New Zealand

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride. I love New Zealand, my wife describes it as being like Wales on stilts.

[@malcolmparsons4808]

Excellent video. Brings back a lot of memories. Thank you Tim.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it is a wonderful railway, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@imagiRail]

This railroad seems to be beautiful ! It makes me want to visit the Ffestiniog railway ! Greatings from France :-)

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I watched some of your videos, its a few years since I last visited France, hopefully I'll get there next year. I think you would enjoy visiting North Wales, the Great Little Train of Wales are all well worth visiting, especially if you like narrow gauge steam. Best wishes from England.

[@kcphillips1000]

What a fabulous video ,,,,,The last time I went on this journey was ,I think, the summer of 1977 and the line ended at the power station , we walked the rest of the way to Ffestiniog .and caught a bus back to Porthmadog .This video brought back lovely memories !

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I remember those days well, the walk on to Blaenau Ffestiniog was fascinating, like stepping back in time. I'm glad this video rekindled pleasant memories from your 1977 visit to the railway.

[@slycat1939]

Thank you enjoyed the full trip back. Safe travels ahead. God bless.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@eds-attic]

I live in wales in Porthmadog and I see the train come in almost every day it is a beautiful site to see when it pulls up and the views you see on train itself is so beautiful

[@Timsvideochannel1]

What a wonderful place to live, surrounded by beautiful scenery, plus the WHR, FR, WHHR and one of Britain's most scenic standard gauge railways, as youngsters say "What's not to like"?

[@Tinsby]

Tim, Thank you so very much for posting this wonderful video. It puts me in mind of my time on Amtrak in the cab of an engine, slightly larger than your steamer, a GG-1 electric. I am amazed at the quality of the trackwork, the line and raise is all very good, some of those cut sections have really close side clearance don't they? I am surprised at the few people seen trackside, they don't even wave as the train passes, at least the sheep took notice and ran! I hope there is a shot of #10 at the end of the video, I had to take a break and say 'thank you' before the end of the line! Really great thank you again for sharing the video with us all, a cab view is something most folks never get to see. If I could go back, I surely would...cheers!

[@paxo610]

Hi Tinsby... Nice to meet a fellow railman.... This narrow gauge is 1' 11.5" (597 mm)....it opened on 20 April 1836 and closed 1 August 1946 and was primarily used for the transportation of slate from the quarries.... It was only closed for 8 years as restoration began in August 1954 and was completed to its present state in 1984.... but as you know work never stops on even the smallest of railways.... Originally it was a "Gravity" track with no engines, two "brakesmen" on the "Down" train and only ponies to haul the wagons back up the mountain.... Locomotive engines came into use on 23 October 1863.... The majority of the restoration was done by volunteers....a truly remarkable fact....

[@Nialletto]

Stunning. Since I was a boy I've always wanted a driver's view of the Ffestiniog Railway. Thank you for posting :)

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@royhumphrey49]

I remember this! While I was volunteering we had authority to take a graviy train from the Deviation hut at Dduallt down to Tan-y-Bwlch! What memories from many years ago. 😃👌

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'd love to ride a gravity train, it must have been fun 😉

[@SteamCrane]

@@Timsvideochannel1 They still run them occasionally, several videos on youtube.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@SteamCrane Thank you, I'll try to ride one at some future date.

[@sextonblake4258]

Was that the one up near the.old tunnel? Used to walk past it when we were working at the new tunnel site. There are probably not a lot of us deviationists left.

[@robnewman6101]

You're a really useful engine.

[@warlordsquerk5338]

Looks like a beautiful place! I must go there one day :)

[@Timsvideochannel1]

It is a beautiful place, I hope you get there one day.

[@jorgeargerich1091]

Wonderful! How nice and beautiful landscape! It was a relaxed and hypnotic trip throughout this so green land. Thank you for sharing!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed this ride through the beautiful Welsh countryside.

[@mizofan]

thanks for the lovely trip

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@chrisellis1089]

Beautiful journey. .couldn't take my eyes off the screen . . lovely to see a buzzard at 18.19 . .thank you for sharing this unique cabride.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you' I'm pleased you enjoyed it. This is a railway I have visited regularly over the past 50 or so years. To see it develop from a few hopeful enthusiasts with a dream into the wonderful railway it is today has been an amazing journey. We owe a lot to those early preservation pioneers for making this video possible.

[@krisiicc14]

Fairytale drive.Thank you Tim. Make some else.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@Einstein52]

Thank you very much, Tim, for this wonderful nice video showing a journey in drivers view on the lovely Ffestiniog Railway through the rural landscapes of Wales. -- I really have to go there for an interesting trip in the non-corona-future. Bye, Tim, stay healthy and have a good time. Günter.

[@simonprice8737]

thanks Tim Look forward to it.....

[@SimonJBarron]

Great video, brought back a ton of memories…

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it, I remember the early days too back in the sixties, it's been wonderful to see this railway come back to life, a credit to all concerned.

[@rosemarypessotti4949]

Me amarrei que filmagem da hora muito massa mesmo . Lindo amei !!!

[@thetid8852]

I tied myself up to that time very mass shooting. Beautiful, I love it (sorry, that's Google translate for you!)

[@mlulovemyindialovemyindia1167]

You have done a marvelous work 🤠 I enjoyed watching it. Thanks 👍

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, this is one of favorite railway lines, a place my parents took the family on holiday when I was young, I loved watching the trains.

[@freeman8128]

A downhill journey to the coast freewheeling all the way.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

The horse required to pull the train back up hill in the early days enjoyed the ride down in a dandy cart.

[@steveni1459]

been on these runs 4 times truly great run and with only living in llandudno can do them any time ,, great staff and very friendly thank you,

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, if I lived as close to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways as you do I'd be a regular visitor too. I always looked forward to visiting Llandudno to ride the Great Orme Tramway when staying with my grandparents as a kid in their holiday canavan at Penmaenmawr.

[@neilforbes416]

I would never try to pronounce those Welsh place names without a doctor on standby to untangle my tongue! LOL

[@Timsvideochannel1]

When they are pronounced correctly they don't sound anything like the spelling.

[@neilforbes416]

I can believe that! There's one town in Wales with a name so long, the town's railway station destination board is about 5 or more feet long to accommodate it(I might be exaggerating a bit but you get my drift) and near gobbles up the entire alphabet a few times over, just to spell the word..... Ouch!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Llanfairpwll-gwyngyllgogerych-wyrndrobwll-llantysiliogogogoch - its a bit of mouthful, although the local refer to it as Llanfair PG

[@mizofan]

It's quite easy to pronounce. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3O7fKaHZ9OVpNE Actress Naomi Watts and actor Taron Egerton were brought up there

[@algrayson8965]

@@Timsvideochannel1 - Koinduv loik tha Hinglish, ehh wot? Er Stroine?

[@carmium]

I enjoyed that! I took the same trip back in the 80s, and one's mind simply forgets most of what it saw, recalling only a few highlights. The constant curving back and forth, the changing scenery, the apparent speed on those narrow tracks from the driver's point of view - just delightful!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi' I'm glad you enjoyed the ride and reminiscing about your own trip from the 80's.

[@amiltonottoni5619]

Beautiful train post outros vídeos novos em 2019 deste train Beautiful muito bacana eu gostei muito do vídeo um abraço 👍👍👏👏👏👏👏🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Oi, estou feliz que você gostou desta ferrovia. Por favor, clique nesses links para ver mais vídeos desta estrada de ferro maravilhosa pouco ://kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYinXmCQm7WIrtk - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYnJgGxsap56qqM 😊

[@johnferguson4089]

Another fantastic train journey, thank you Tim. The scenery along the line is beautiful.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, I'm pleased you enjoyed it, North Wales is beautiful.

[@eds1994fatboy]

I just saw a whole flock of flying sheep.....behind that stone wall

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Is that the sheep at 43:59 ? Welsh sheep are pretty impressive, but even they'd need a tin or two of red Bull to fly.

[@sextonblake4258]

They are bloody hard to catch. I know, I have tried.

[@manly6266]

Great video. This is my favorite so far. Thank you so much for making these videos and sharing them with us.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, this railway is one of my favourites, my parents first brought me here in the 60's long before it reopened to Blaenau, fortunately they captured those distant memories on cine film and I have taken video and photographs of the line on many subsequent visits.

[@mstevens832]

@@Timsvideochannel1Beutiful place would love to visit but is it a single track? LONDON LOCKED

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@mstevens832 Hi, it is single track with passing loops. Hopefully we will be able to travel again next year.

[@eds1994fatboy]

This looks real enough to be CG

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Computer generated stuff is so real these days, actors on TV and in films will soon be out of work, but those Welsh sheep were real enough.

[@ednammansfield8553]

A wonderful video of this journey and beautiful scenery.

[@flavio2727]

A strange landscape: no people, even catle or birds. All abducted.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

It is not normally as deserted as it was on this occasion, there are usually plenty of sheep.

[@benmussolini2284]

I think by the 16 or 17 centuries most of the wildlife was gone in England .

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@benmussolini2284 The wildlife is there, it''s just very good at hiding.

[@paxo610]

@@benmussolini2284 this isn't England....

[@benmussolini2284]

@@paxo610 Oh yah I read somewhere you guys get all mad about being called part of England , Sorry ,,Ok lets try this ,The island of Britain .

[@RailAdventUK]

Wow. A brilliant video Tim - it was well worth helping you to set up for this footage

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, your help was really appreciated, this video has proved popular, hopefully it will inspire more people to visit. I spent a first class week in Wales, visiting narrow gauge railways. There is no where else with so much variety in a relatively small area. I recently watched an old video I posted showing the rebirth of the Welsh Highland Railway, it's hard to believe so much has been achieved. The Super Power Weekend coincided with events on my local railways, hopefully I will make it next year.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I was surprised when I visited the railways of Colorado at how many volunteers I met there, knew about the Ffestiniog and WHR railways, a number had visited and many planned to visit at some point in the future. One of my friends who I regularly meet on tours is a driver on the Puffing Billy railway in Australia and never misses an opportunity the visit the Ffestiniog and WHR, his last visit was earlier this year. The Puffing Billy line has a lot in common with the FR and WHR, similar locomotives including a Garrett, even the carriages would look at home on the WHR.

[@irelandbloke]

Superb video !

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, i'm delighted you enjoyed the ride so much.

[@irelandbloke]

@@Timsvideochannel1 You're welcome :)

[@davidshaw7105]

👋 Hi what a beautiful place so well maintained not a bit of litter to be seen thanks 🙏 for a fantastic video

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it is a lovely place, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride.

[@lolka882]

😎 Uwielbiam pociągi !!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Pociągi i podróże to moje pasje :-)

[@rinkubhattacharya9494]

What a beauty of our world and nice video. 💌

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@inkyscrolls5193]

Iawn da, diolch yn fawr!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Diolch i chi, yr wyf yn falch eich bod wedi ei fwynhau.

[@thetid8852]

"Okay, thank you very much"

[@Cashpots]

Thoroughly enjoyed the ride and especially pleased to see that there are still some rhododendrons about - my last visit was in 1957/8 where there were rather more of them!

[@andrewdarley8988]

Would have been a lot more interesting if at some point in the 55min they had shown us just WHAT was being driven

[@bradclements1815]

check it out, I think this is it www.festrail.co.uk/about.htm

[@charliemanning8498]

Andrew Darley Merddin Emrys would have been the loco - identifiable by the smokebox handrail and the whistle

[@TheSkyWright]

And by the description......

[@FredParis2009]

Diolch!

[@StephSancia]

what a beautifully picturesque jouney Tim, thank you. I chose Wales because believe it or not I've never EVER been to Wales in all those decades in the UK. And now I truly regret never going as I very much doub't I'll see my roots of England again, but thank you Tim for a wonderful upload. Wishing you a fabulous weekend to you and yours.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Steph, my wife describes New Zealand as being like Wales on stilts, its a pretty good description. Wales and New Zealand share a lot in common, a highly scenic coastline, majestic mountains, the Maori and Celtic people both appreciate the beautiful landscape, myths and legends passed on by mouth over centuries in both country's have a similar ring to them. The Otago Peninsula looks like the Gower Peninsula in Wales. I'm glad you enjoyed this look at the wonderful Welsh scenery. Take care and stay safe. Tim.

[@popscyclep8084]

Awesome Fantastic Superb I’m speechless otherwise! Thank You From TEXAS!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Wow, thanks!

[@panikrystyna1]

Dziękuję, Tim. Doskonale to wytłumaczyłeś. Serdecznie pozdrawiam.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Witam, miło jest usłyszeć od ciebie, mam nadzieję, że jesteś utrzymanie bezpieczne. Cieszę się, że podobał ci się ten film. Najlepsze życzenia. Tim.

[@panikrystyna1]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Dziękuję Tim. Rozwaliłam mój ulubiony, stary samochód, następny kupiłam okropny. Teraz mam trzecie auto ale nie mogę wyplątać się z biurokracji. Szkoda,że nie mogę jeździć pociągami, nawet do sklepu, do lekarza, do rodziny itp. Serdecznie pozdrawiam, czekam na Twoje wspaniałe filmy.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@panikrystyna1 Och, przykro mi słyszeć rozbił swój stary samochód, mam nadzieję, że nie zostały ranne. Bardzo przywiązuję się do moich samochodów, stają się jak lojalni przyjaciele, zawsze tam, kiedy ich potrzebujesz. Zawsze trudno jest wymienić ulubiony samochód, a teraz nadal załatwiasz formalności związane z trzecim samochodem. Mam nadzieję, że wkrótce wrócisz na drogę. Trzymaj się. Tim. Oh, I'm sorry to hear you crashed your old car, I hope you were not injured. I get very attached to my cars, they become like a loyal friend, always there when you need them. It's always hard to replace a favorite car and now you are still sorting out the paperwork for your third car. I hope you get back on the road soon. Take care. Tim.

[@panikrystyna1]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Bardzo dobrze mnie zrozumiałeś a to dlatego, że jesteś artystą. Dziękuję. Serdecznie pozdrawiam.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@panikrystyna1 Uważaj i bądź bezpieczny w tych trudnych czasach. Tim.

[@StageParades]

One of the train journeys that you have posted, we have also done. Absolutely fabulous to see it from the driver's view. Link passed on to my brother with thanks for a beautiful share. Enjoyed the sheep chasing the train on the right at aprox. 18:30 and how close are some of those houses at Blaenau, those amazing track curves and the wonderful view to the final destination of Portmadog Notes much appreciated with the annotations on the video itself. Thank you Tim as always. Steve

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Steve, visiting Wales was a last minute decision based on a quiet period at work, little did I know it was going to be so successful, with outstanding weather and really helpful railway staff, for whom nothing was too much trouble. I spent four days filming the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland railways with a visit to the Corris railway on my way home. I also called in quickly at the Llangollen and Welshpool lines, even the Seven Valley Railway was only short distance off my route. We are lucky to have so many wonderful preserved lines in the UK and judging by the number of foreign visitors I met they do more than their share to attract tourists to our shores. I love the way the line threads it's way through the villages and towns along the way, not so apparent from the passenger seat unless travelling in the observation car. There is now a wonderful array of 009 scale model trains available suitable for both my own and your brother's layout, is he considering including a narrow gauge line, I know I am and I will rearrange the sheep on my layout to look as though they are chasing the train. All the best. Tim.

[@rogervanpraet7965]

Trackside clearances are barely a couple of inches in many places. I first came to the FR in 1973 little did I think then that I would be privileged to become a regular volunteer driver. Every trip is different - just wonderful. Glad you are all enjoying this!

[@StageParades]

Thank you Roger for the infor and so pleased you have had 44 years of driving that wonderful route. Certainly enjoyed the ride. Tim makes great videos. Steve

[@doyoumind9356]

I cannot tell you how excited I am seeing this footage 👍👍👍👍

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm really pleased you enjoyed it 😊👍

[@daveoblivion4753]

Brilliant video. Brought back many memories of my trip on the railway .

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank-you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@ilokivi]

Lovely footage of a beautiful railway, in the fabulous landscape of Gwynedd.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it's nice to know you enjoyed the ride.

[@alanwells4752]

What a wonderful video, Tim. I enjoy all of your videos, they give me a lot of pleasure, travelling to places that I will never see in reality.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you for your kind comment, its nice to know you enjoy virtual travelling with me to some of the amazing places I have been lucky enough to visit.

[@vivekraychowdhury4348]

This video is markedly different as the mics and cams are on the boiler , it gives a great unfettered view of 10'o clock to 4'o clock. All sounds ,All sights ,all in one BRAVO.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm glad you enjoyed it, there are quite a number similar videos on this channel, here are links to some of them - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqWcopyNo7Ctr8k - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnnQc5mlarGZj80 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/moWUY6SnebZ0p6M - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2ecnmxonbyqm6c

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Just viewed this again Tim. It sure is a fantastic Railway. Bit iffy now and then for the camera. I have travelled on it a number of times but one gets a totally different perspective from your video. By gum the men and women who first built it and those who brought it back to life sure do deserve recognition. Thanks again Tim

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Keith, I watched your RH&DR GALA from 1998, I used to camp with my wife and children next to the line. Like you I also have plenty of VHS film of the passing trains. I have visited the Ffestiniog Railway right from the first trains running over the cob, when I was a kid and my father took cine film of the trains. I love to travel in the observation car to get a good view of the line, late Autumn, early winter is my favourite time to visit, because the leaves have fallen giving a much better view of the valley bellow. I agree, we owe a massive debt of thanks to the visionary folk responsible for building the line and to those who reopened it. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Lol.. My first visit was with a Super 8 cine.@@Timsvideochannel1

[@amfamilycreations5312]

Wonderful Walk Between mountains & It’s more than Wonderful How They Done This Station Between the Mountains ⛰ 🏔 !🙄🤩 💯💯

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I have been lucky enough to visit Wales most years since I was a child and TV's showed black and white pictures. I've grown to love the place, it feels like my second home :-)

[@wistypoo1]

This is the best train video I have ever seen. Absolutely superb. Thank you.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm pleased you enjoyed it, the guys at the Ffestiniog Railway did a wonderful job bringing this little bit of Welsh history back to life.

[@barrydelahaye6540]

What a super trip, thank you so much. We missed the trip when we were there' but you have made up for our disappointment biz of Swindon

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, it was a shame you missed the trip, but nice to know you were able to enjoy it through this video.

[@jmadden50]

I don't believe I've ever seen more enchanting countryside. Breathtaking scenery.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

It is a beautiful ride, travelling by train is the best way to enjoy the scenery.

[@NiSeeeeee]

My Ancestors are from Wales. Thank You for posting. Beautiful place!❤️❤️❤️

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I can assure you Wales is a beautiful country, the coastline is picturesque, the mountains are imposing, the rivers are pretty and it rains a lot, my wife described New Zealand as being like Wales on stilts, I can't come up with a better description. If you love New Zealand, you are almost certainly going to love Wales. I hope you enjoyed the ride.

[@greatbritishentertainmentl5636]

Another excellent ride!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@ADMIRALSCORNER]

What a great opportunity to see this! Thank you once again!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it. When I think of my visits to this line long before the spiral was built at Tay-y Bwlch and reaching Blaenau was just a distant dream, it makes me realise that a complete Lynton to Barnstable railway is possible. I'm really looking forward to seeing the railway extended to Wistlandpound, I may even volunteer to join one of the track gangs and play my part in achieving the next phase. I also note the large number of foreign tourists visiting preserved railways, they really play their part in boosting tourism to the UK.

[@ADMIRALSCORNER]

Great! Everybody wins!

[@PetesNikon]

Thoroughly enjoyable, thank you

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.