Festiniog Railway: The Spooner Era and After, 1830–1920

Author: Peter Johnson
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1473869889
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 334

Book Description
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.

LITTLE GIANTS

Author: CHRIS. JONES
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781911038436
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Book Description

Narrow Gauge Locomotives

Author: Anthony Coulls
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
ISBN: 1445675579
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 132

Book Description
Britain’s narrow gauge railways are host to some of the oldest, most charming, varied and extraordinary locomotives to be found anywhere. This book is a fascinating survey of these appealing engines.

Festiniog Railway: From Slate Railway to Heritage Operation, 1921–2014

Author: Peter Johnson
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1473896274
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 509

Book Description
Opened in 1836 as a horse tramway using gravity to carry slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog, by the 1920s the Festiniog Railway had left its years of technical innovation and high profits long behind. After the First World War, the railways path led inexorably to closure, to passengers in 1939 and goods in 1946.After years of abandonment, visionary enthusiasts found a way to take control of the railway and starting its restoration in 1955. Not only did they have to fight the undergrowth, they also had to fight a state-owned utility which had appropriated a part of the route. All problems were eventually overcome and a 2 mile deviation saw services restored to Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1982.Along the way, the railway found its old entrepreneurial magic, building new steam locomotives and carriages, and rebuilding the Welsh highland Railway, to become a leading 21st century tourist attraction.Historian Peter Johnson, well known for his books on Welsh railways, has delved into the archives and previously untapped sources to produce this new history, a must-read for enthusiasts and visitors alike.The Festiniog Railways pre–1921 history is covered in Peter Johnsons book, Festiniog Railway the Spooner era and after 1830–1920, also published by Pen & Sword Transport.

Railways in the British Landscape

Author: Robin Coombes
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
ISBN: 144568232X
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 130

Book Description
A breathtaking selection of photographs showcasing railway journeys as a part of the British landscape.

The Snowdon Mountain Railway

Author: Peter Johnson
Publisher: Pen and Sword Transport
ISBN: 1526776103
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 388

Book Description
The Snowdon Mountain Railway is one of the great narrow gauge railways of North Wales, with thousands of visitors travelling to the summit of Mount Snowdon along the line each year. This book covers the history of this historic and interesting line from its beginnings in the 1890s through to the present day. The author Peter Johnson has been writing about narrow gauge railways for many years and has a deep knowledge of the lines in North and Mid Wales. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is an important part of the tourist industry in North Wales and plays a vital part in providing transport in this popular and much visited area. This volume looks at the narrow gauge railway's history and development, taking in the present and future development of this fascinating line's operation.

Welsh Highland Railway Renaissance

Author: Gordon Rushton
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780957145603
Category : Narrow gauge railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 448

Book Description
This is the story of the unique struggle to restore a railway lost to time in Snowdonia National Park.

The Corris Railway

Author: Peter Johnson
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526717557
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 387

Book Description
An extensively illustrated history of this Welsh railway—and the effort to restore it. One of Wales’ oldest narrow gauge railways, the 2ft 3in gauge Corris Railway was built to carry slate from several quarries in the Dulas valley to wharves on the river Dyfi. At first forbidden to use steam locomotives or to carry passengers, it overcame these obstacles and became an essential part of the community that it served. It was also a forerunner in encouraging tourists, offering inclusive tours to nearby Talyllyn, with passengers traveling on the train and on railway-operated road services. Taken over by the Great Western Railway in 1930, the railway was closed by British Railways in 1948, apparently for good. Fortunately, the last two steam locomotives and some rolling stock was saved by the nearby Talyllyn Railway, where it played an essential role in that railway’s preservation. Eventually, the thoughts of enthusiasts turned to reviving the Corris Railway, and, after many twists and turns, the first passengers were carried on a short section in 2002. In this book, historian Peter Johnson has delved into many sources to uncover the intricacies of the railway’s origins, development, operation, and revival.

Construction and Working the Festiniog Railway

Author: Spooner
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 58

Book Description

The Chester and Holyhead Railway

Author: Philip M. Lloyd
Publisher: Pen and Sword Transport
ISBN: 1526749203
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 362

Book Description
The Chester and Holyhead Railway is one of Britain’s most important main line routes, connecting London with mainland north Wales, and the Isle of Anglesey. The line was completed in 1850 under the direction of Robert Stephenson whose work included the famous tubular bridges that cross the river at Conwy and the Menai Straits near Bangor, the latter one destroyed by fire in 1970. The line was built primarily to support British rule in Ireland but was later instrumental in developing north Wales as a major tourist destination. Today the railway remains an important part of the Welsh and UK networks, providing trains that link north Wales with Cardiff and major English cities, as well as connecting with ferry services to Ireland.