Final Welsh Highland Railway link work to start soon in Porthmadog

Jun 17 2010 by Kevin White, Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald

WORK on the final stage of the link up between the Ffestiniog, and Welsh Highland Railways has started.

The Welsh Highland Railway is now just over two miles short of Porthmadog’s Harbour Station following over 13 years of work to rebuild nearly 25 miles of track, and currently terminates at the new Pont Croesor station, on the outskirts of the town.

The multi million pound project will eventually terminate at the Ffestiniog Railway’s headquarters in Porthmadog, and allow passengers to make the 40 mile journey from Caernarfon to Blaenau Ffestiniog entirely by narrow gauge railway.

Now preliminary work on the level crossing has begun, including erecting posts for level crossing lights and resurfacing the road opposite Cob Records where a section of track runs.

Andrew Thomas of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways said: “We are hoping to get all the work done on the final stretch to Harbour station and the level crossing by late September to early October.

“This will include minor work on the road surface and pavements on and around Britannia Bridge, and some structural work on the Spooners Bar, which enable us to enlarge a platform, and make it easier for trains to pass onto the Cob. Disruption should be minimal at this time, and we are simply ensuring that all safety criteria is met.”

The company plan to run a few demonstration trains into Harbour Station during the Autumn to test all the systems including a special train for all the sponsors who have funded the project. Full passenger services are expected to start in early 2011, with Andrew Thomas adding: “The next few months will be about ensuring that everything works and is ready for next year, from the level crossings to warning lights.

“A train will take less than 30 seconds to cross the road, so it should have no effect on traffic flows, and there is a speed limit imposed of 10mph.We will only be looking to terminate around six trains a day at Porthmadog Harbour Station, with the remainder of our services on the Welsh Highland Railway terminating at Pont Croesor.”

Work on a new bridge for the Ffestiniog Railway will be carried out in January. The bridge will cross over the new Porthmadog bypass at Minffordd.

To find out more on the progress of the link-up and special events held on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways this year, visit www.festrail.co.uk.

kevin.white