Russell hauled vintage train to Beddgelert

About This Event

Vintage train ride from Porthmadog to Beddgelert (and return) hauled by historic steam locomotive Russell.

With thanks to our friends at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway for allowing us to run these special trains.

All trains depart from F&WHR harbour station Porthmadog at the times stated. Please arrive with plenty of time for your booked train, any latecomers will not be entitled to a refund or replacement ticket.

Please remember our vintage carriages are not heated and some carriages feature open accommodation. Please dress accordingly for the outside weather conditions on the day. Tickets on the train are unreserved, you may find yourself seated in an open carriage depending on space availability at the time you board the train. There are no toilet facilities on the train, however there are toilets at all major station stops. Refreshments will be available from the buffet car at station stops along the route.

The train will consist of 5 vintage carriages all with links to the original North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway or Welsh Highland Railway. Hauled by Russell a 2-6-2 tank locomotive usually operating on the WHHR. It is the only surviving locomotive of the original WHR, it was built by Hunslet in Leeds in 1906.

Carriages:

The historic Gladstone car built in 1891 by the Metropolitan Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd. of Birmingham, was recovered by the WHHR in 1989 and rebuilt to its original form. This carriage has a central glazed interior section and two external end balcony areas.

The historic Buffet car built in 1893 by the Ashbury Carriage & Iron Company, it became the first narrow gauge buffet car when converted in 1927. Recovered by the WHHR in 1987. Fully restored and entered service in spring 2009.

Open Toastrack carriage No.42 is a rebuild of an original WHR carriage design, as was built in August 1923 by Robert Hudson Ltd of Leeds, to a design of WW1 military carriage used in the 600mm gauge trench railways. It was one of six commissioned by Colonel Stephens for the Welsh Highland Railway. When delivered these carriages were painted in light grey undercoat and two, at least, ran in this colour until 1934.

Ashbury carriage and Iron company replica No.9 was built between 2007 and 2010 by WHR Ltd and Stanegate Restorations & Replicas Ltd.

No.8 Replica of NWNGR Pickering Brake carriage from 1907. Replica built at Boston Lodge and completed May 2021.