Slate returns to the streets of Porthmadog

The Ffestiniog Railway will once again go back to its roots for the Vintage Weekend event on 14 - 16^th October.

Taking advantage of the newly-commissioned Britannia Bridge crossing on the Welsh Highland Railway, the event will recreate the days when the living, breathing heart of Porthmadog was the export of slate.

Most of the slate used to bypass the railway’s terminus at Harbour Station and rumble across the bridge to the wharves – a sight which is now almost beyond living memory… until October, when wagons will once again cross the road and head off to other parts of town. It is even thought that flour traffic could make an appearance on its way to Snowdon Mill.

To complete the interpretation of the slate’s journey, the FR’s gravity train will operate the largest number of wagons since before World War II. This new, long train will feature newly-restored LNWR and GWR-type slate wagons for the very first time.

This is the view of a short gravity train passing Campbell's Platform. The cottage is vacant for the week beginning 14th October if you fancy a ringside seat!