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The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the World - being
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The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the World - being
The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the World - being founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832.
The railway was originally built as a gravity and horse drawn line to transport slate from the quarries in the mountains around Blaenau Ffestiniog to the town of Porthmadog. Steam locomotives first ran on the line in October 1863
The railway was extremely successful and introduced many innovative engineering solutions to cope with the rapid increase in output from the quarries and in the number of passengers it carried. Engineers from around the world came to study the Ffestiniog Railway and, as a result, it has influenced the design and construction of railways across the world.
However, the slate industry slowly declined until finally the railway closed to traffic in 1946. Railway enthusiasts were determined that the railway should survive and it was re-opened in 1954.
Our Picture Shows: The fireman seen here leaning out of the cab of the locomotive called " Prince" waiting to receive a token from a signalman as the trains approach to Tan-y-Bwlch station. 24th April 1980
Tony Smith
Coventry Telegraph Archive
Mirrorpix
Porthmadog
Wales
Media ID 21573280
© Mirrorpix
Locomotive Narrow Gauge Railway Railway Steam Train Track
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant piece of railway history - The Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest independent railway company in the world. Established by an Act of Parliament in 1832, this remarkable railway initially served as a means to transport slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog's quarries to Porthmadog using gravity and horse-drawn carriages. It wasn't until October 1863 that steam locomotives were introduced on this line. The Ffestiniog Railway quickly gained recognition for its success and became a hub of innovation, implementing ingenious engineering solutions to accommodate the growing demand for both slate transportation and passenger travel. Its reputation spread far and wide, attracting engineers from across the globe who sought to study its methods. Consequently, this historic railway influenced the design and construction of railways worldwide. Despite facing challenges due to the gradual decline of the slate industry, dedicated railway enthusiasts ensured that The Ffestiniog Railway survived closure in 1946. In 1954, it triumphantly reopened its tracks. In this particular image captured on April 24th, 1980 by Tony Smith from Memory Lane Prints, we witness a fireman leaning out of "Prince" one of the locomotives used on The Ffestiniog Railway. Positioned at Tan-y-Bwlch station, he awaits receiving a token from a signalman as trains approach their destination. This snapshot encapsulates not only the rich history but also showcases how passion and determination have preserved this iconic piece of transportation heritage for generations to come.
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