The Ffestiniog Railway from Betws-y-Coed: Riding Wales’s Oldest Railway
A day out on the Ffestiniog Railway from Betws-y-Coed is one of the best excursions we recommend to guests at Bryn Bella. This narrow gauge line runs between Porthmadog and the slate quarry town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. An Act of Parliament created the Festiniog Railway Company in 1832. That makes it the oldest railway company still trading anywhere in the world. Steam trains have carried passengers along this route, on and off, for nearly two centuries.
From Slate Wagons to Steam Trains
The line first opened in 1836 to carry slate down from the quarries to the harbour at Porthmadog. Horses pulled the wagons in those early years. Steam arrived in 1863, when two locomotives named Mountaineer and The Princess went into service. Passenger trains followed soon after, and the railway grew into one of the busiest slate lines in Wales.
The railway closed in 1946 as the slate trade declined. A group of dedicated volunteers began restoring it in 1954. Their efforts eventually reopened the full line through to Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1982. At the time, it became one of Wales’s most visited attractions, ranked second only to Caernarfon Castle.
Locomotives Older Than the Guesthouse Itself
Three of the original nineteenth century locomotives still take their turn on the line today: Prince, built in 1863, Palmerston from 1864, and Welsh Pony, dating to 1867. Prince holds a remarkable record: it is the world’s oldest working steam locomotive still running on its original railway. Alongside these veterans, the railway’s Double Fairlie locomotives, twin engined machines built to climb steep mountain grades, haul many of today’s services. Merddin Emrys, built in 1879, remains a firm favourite and still runs regularly.
Bryn Bella has its own small connection to this heritage. Our archive photograph above shows Earl of Merioneth, a Double Fairlie the railway’s own workshops built at Boston Lodge in 1979. It is currently stored awaiting a restoration plan, so treat the picture as a piece of the railway’s history rather than a train you’ll see running this year.
Continue the Journey on the Welsh Highland Railway
Porthmadog also connects to the Welsh Highland Railway, which covers 25 miles up to Caernarfon. Passengers wanting extra comfort can book a seat in one of the railway’s Pullman first class carriages. One of them, Glaslyn, takes its name from Queen Elizabeth II, who named it during a visit in 2010. Together, the two railways cover almost 40 miles of Snowdonia scenery in a single day.
A World Heritage Line Through Eryri
In 2021, UNESCO added the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales to its World Heritage list. The listing recognises the quarries, communities and railways that built the industry, this one included. Riding the Ffestiniog Railway today means travelling through a landscape with genuine global significance, not just a scenic backdrop.
Special Events Worth Planning Around
The railway runs a full events calendar each year, and 2026 is no exception. Highlights include the Extreme Steam Extravaganza gala in June, the Trailffest half marathon along the trackbed in September, and a three day Victorian Weekend in early October, when heritage stock takes over the timetable. Dates and tickets change year to year, so check the current events list before you travel.
Staying at Bryn Bella for Your Railway Day Out
Porthmadog sits around forty minutes from Betws-y-Coed by car, which makes the Ffestiniog Railway from Betws-y-Coed an easy day trip from Bryn Bella. Guests without a car can also take the Conwy Valley line down to Blaenau Ffestiniog and pick up the railway from there; we cover travelling to Betws-y-Coed by train in more detail on the blog. Either way, you’ll return to private parking, a warm welcome and home cooked food waiting for you at the guesthouse. Book your stay at Bryn Bella and pair your railway adventure with waterfalls, mountains and everything else Eryri has to offer nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ffestiniog Railway really the world’s oldest railway company?
Yes, an Act of Parliament established the Festiniog Railway Company in 1832, making it the oldest railway company still trading in the world. A different railway, the Middleton Railway in Leeds, holds the separate record for oldest continuously working line.
How far is the Ffestiniog Railway from Betws-y-Coed?
Porthmadog station lies about forty minutes away by car. You can also travel by train via Blaenau Ffestiniog on the Conwy Valley line.
Can I visit both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways in one day?
Yes, the two lines meet at Porthmadog, so many visitors combine a morning trip on one railway with an afternoon on the other.
Does Bryn Bella offer parking for a day out on the railway?
We provide private parking on site for staying guests, along with garage storage for bikes and motorbikes.
When is the best time to ride the railway?
Trains run throughout the year, with the fullest timetable and most special events running between spring and autumn.