Narrow gauge railway in North Wales warns of cutbacks

Oct 3 2008 by Eryl Crump, Daily Post

Ffestiniog Railway

FEWER trains will be running on a popular narrow gauge railway next summer, with bosses blaming rising fuel costs and falling income.

The cutbacks to the Ffestiniog Railway between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog are set to take place during “periods of low traffic”.

It is also feared that bosses will be unable to open the Welsh Highland Railway between Caernarfon and Porthmadog next Easter.

Writing in the Ffestiniog Railway’s newsletter, chairman Howard Wilson says: “The 2009 FR timetable will be available very soon, and may well be controversial, as the company plans to run fewer trains.”

General manager Paul Lewin said: “We will seek to maintain a good service for customers arriving at Porthmadog who wish to ride on the FR. We also expect to continue attracting a significant proportion of traffic at Blaenau. However, at periods of very low traffic, FR services might operate only from Porthmadog as this is where we have our best facilities.”

Work on reopening the Welsh Highland Railway between Rhyd Ddu and Porthmadog is close to being completed but enthusiasts fear services may not run along the entire line until mid-summer.

One said: “I understand the line may be opened just between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert next Easter with the seven miles between Beddgelert and Porthmadog, through the Aberglaslyn Pass not being opened until July at the earliest.”

Mr Lewin said: “Welsh Highland Railway services will be concentrated on Caernarfon at those periods, when demand is low, with services from Porthmadog kicking in as the season progresses. At peak times, two long train sets will operate on both lines to form the core of the service. They will be supported by the vintage sets and the third FR set. Operations on the WHR from Porthmadog will require careful management in view of the limited facilities.

“For all of our customers, we are planning a similar service to that offered at present – half day journeys from all the key stations. Additionally, we intend to offer the opportunity for full line trips on the WHR, taking up much of the day, with a suitable break at Caernarfon or Porthmadog.

“The dramatic increase in fuel costs means that the ability to offer a service where customers can simply ‘turn up and go’ at any station at any time will become increasingly difficult to sustain. We therefore need to encourage our customers to book in advance.”

Last month the Ffestiniog Railway announced nine people were to lose their jobs.

Further details may emerge at today’s annual general meeting of railway shareholders being held at Tanybwlch near Blaenau Ffestiniog.

erylcrump