The plan for today was a short motorcycle ride out and after lunch a trip on the steam train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. It was a slate mining town in the mountains of the Snowdonia national park. So has it turned out the morning was wet and dull with low cloud covering the hills. Motorcycling was cancelled and a walk and a few coffee’s in the town of Porthmadog was the order of the day.

This bookshop caught my eye, good job it was closed or i might still be there.

A view of the harbour.

This was taken in the evening when we returned from Blaenau Ffestiniog.

We were to travel on the steam train on a return journey but it broke down and we had a diesel engine on the outward bound leg of the trip.

 

There’s the yellow diesel getting fuel.

 

Our restored third class carriage ready to leave the station.

For a bit of scale can you see the red motor car bottom centre of the photo.

A few shots taken from the train.

this is our diesel engine which is rare to see pulling this train.

Move views when i can see pass the trees and a reflection shot in the carriage.

 

Blaenau Ffestiniog station.

The engine from our trip and I grab this shot of another carriage. Not much comfort here and I believe the bench seats would have been just wood in there day.

These pillars are made from slate tiles has seen in the first shot.

Slate art in memory of the men who worked and died in mining  and an engine and carriages that transported the stone.

A short video shot on my phone, not great quality but gives a feel for the journey. Also you will see us cross above the line we are on. It’s the only spiral loop railway line in the UK.

Back into Porthmadog and the sun has returned to end our trip today. 

A few shots of the engine before it left to go to where ever they park up for the night and we head to the station where there is a pint of real ale and a dinner with my name on it. I will leave you with some shots taken close to the station.

Hope you enjoyed your trip on the train with me, enjoyed taking you all there. Back soon with the final post from my Wales trip.

Thank you,

George.