Thank you for your support for this year’s programme of events.

I hope you enjoy the planned trips and visits and that we have at least some sunshine over the next few days. In this pack you will find

·       Itinerary for the next 3 days.

·       Timetables for FR and WHR

·       Timeline histories of FR and WHR (Many thanks to Peter Johnson for compiling these)

Need food over the weekend?

There are lots of cafés and restaurants in Porthmadog. I have used and recommend Spooners (F.R.) for snacks and bar meals,

Passage To India (Indian restaurant, both sit in and take away) 26A Lombard Street and Allports (Take away chip shop, maybe the best in Wales?) 38 Snowdon Street. Both an easy walk from Harbour Station. Ask me for directions!

Our itinerary looks like this:-

Friday 18^thMay

Open Top bus trip from Porthmadog to Caernarfon via Beddgelert, to view Colonel Stephens and other FR/WHR documents at The Gwynedd Archives Offices.

DEPART HARBOUR STATION, Ffestiniog Railway, PORTHMADOG at 10.30 a.m.

En route view passing north bound train in Aberglaslyn Pass, continue via Beddgelert to Waunfawr, arriving approximately 12.30 where we will stop for refreshments at The Snowdonia Parc Brewpub (tea/coffee/sandwiches will be available FREE of charge) Home brewed Beer to BUY!

We will leave Waunfawr at  2 pm for Caernarfon, arriving at The Gwynedd Archive Offices about 2.30

Departing at approx.4p.m. we should be back in Porthmadog for about 5 p.m.

Evening- An informal social in Spooners Bar from 8 p.m. onwards.

Saturday 19^th May

Our AGM, starts at 10.30 a.m. and is being held in the Glaslyn Room, Y Ganolfan, Porthmadog Harbour (adjacent to Britannia Bridge) Tea/Coffee will be available free of charge before the meeting. After the meeting we have our own charter train booked for a return journey Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

DEPART HARBOUR STATION, Ffestiniog  Railway at 2 p.m., arriving at Blaenau Ffestiniog 3.30 p.m. we have half an hour here, whilst our loco runs round etc.

We depart Blaenau Ffestiniog at 4 p.m. arriving back at Harbour Station at 5.30 p.m.

An evening visit to Boston Lodge Works has been arranged. Where amongst other things we should be able to see the bug box that the Society contributed £250 towards and the ex WC&P Standard Gauge Coach under restoration.

PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT THE LAYBY on the left just over the Cob at 6.15 for 6.30 visit.

Some restrictions will apply to party size, so we may have to be spilt into groups. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL INSIDE THE WORKS, lots of trip hazards and oily surfaces not to mention moving locomotives!

Evening- An informal social in Spooners Bar from approx. 8p.m. onwards

Sunday 20^th May

We have reserved seating on the day’s first departure on The Welsh Highland Railway to Caernarfon.

DEPART HARBOUR STATION, Ffestiniog Railway,PORTHMADOG, AT 9.35 a.m. which arrives Caernarfon at 12.10 p.m., we have 45 minutes here whilst our loco runs round etc.

Another option is to disembark at Dinas (last stop before Caernarfon) for the beer festival at 11.50 a.m. and catch the return service at 1.10p.m. Back to Harbour Station.

We depart Caernarfon at 12.55 p.m. and arrive back at Harbour Station at 3.20 p.m.

Evening may well see some of us going to a local Curry House. To be arranged on the day.

That concludes the activities. (Unless you fancy exploring closed slate quarries on Monday, which is where I am going!)

ANY PROBLEMS? MY MOBILE IS 07794 308154 (subject to me being in signal!)

Nigel Bird

Click on trains below for FR and WHR information