Overview

Festiniog Railway 1836-2014 describes the history of the worlds first steam-operated narrow gauge railway to carry passengers. It covers the history of the railway from its beginnings as a horse-worked tramroad in 1836, through its technical developments with the introduction of steam locomotives, Fairlie articulated locomotives and bogie carriages through its twentieth-century decline, to closure in 1946, and then to the preservation era and its development as a major twenty-first-century tourist attraction. Built to serve the extensive slate industry in the Ffestiniog area of North Wales by carrying slate from the quarries to the port at Porthmadog, from 1865 the railway also operated a passenger service to serve the local community, which also attracted tourists. Closed in 1946 the railway was revived in stages from 1955, when a prolonged compensation claim was mounted against a major state-owned company for land taken to build a power station. Volunteers from all over the world came together to restore and operate this important piece of world industrial heritage, including the construction of the 2 mile deviation needed to bypass the power station. Services were resumed between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1982. The Festiniog Railway runs through some of the most beautiful countryside in North Wales, with spectacular views of mountains and lakes. The railway also has a very impressive collection of modern and historic motive power and rolling stock. It is one of the most successful tourist attractions in Wales and is one of the most important industrial history sites in the world. AUTHOR: Now a retired local government officer, Peter Johnson was editor of the Ffestiniog Railway Societys quarterly magazine from 1974 until 2003 and a director of the society for eleven years. In 2003 he was appointed the Festiniog Railway Companys official photographer. Since his first book was published in 1984 he has added more than thirty titles to his list, specialising in Welsh and narrow gauge railways, but also including books on tramways and traveling post offices. In the last fifteen years he has researched original sources to write in-depth and readable histories on the Cambrian Railways, the Festiniog Railway, the Great Western narrow gauge, Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, traveling post offices and the Welsh Highland Railway.

Full Product Details

9781473827288

Table of Contents

Reviews

Peter has delved extensively in to recently digitised newspaper archives to find stories of day to day incidents on the railway and its interaction with the communities it ran through. Even if you already have all the other histories of the FR, I must recommend that you make room to add this one to your selves as well! Better still, make two spaces now, the second volume, bringing the story up to date is scheduled for publication in the autumn.--Festiniog Railway Heritage The level of detail that Peter has been able to include in this volume makes for a much more interesting read than previous FR histories have provided, and bodes well for the promised second volume, which will cover to the present day. An excellent book, highly recommended. Every FR supporter should have a copy.--Festiniog Railway Magazine Peter Johnson is well known for his books on Welsh railways and this excellent volume brings together for the first time the entire history of the line. Recommended as a record of life in north Wales in the period covered as well as for enthusiasts of the narrow gauge.-- (10/01/2017)

Author Information

Now a retired local government officer, Peter Johnson was editor of the Ffestiniog Railway Societys quarterly magazine from 1974 until 2003 and a director of the society for eleven years. In 2003 he was appointed the Festiniog Railway Companys official photographer. Since his first book was published in 1984 he has added more than thirty titles to his list, specialising in Welsh and narrow gauge railways, but also including books on tramways and traveling post offices. In the last fifteen years he has researched original sources to write in-depth and readable histories on the Cambrian Railways, the Festiniog Railway, the Great Western narrow gauge, Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, traveling post offices and the Welsh Highland Railway.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available