The Abandoned Ffestiniog Railway & Deviations

Рет қаралды 12,222

Күн бұрын

We're at the world famous narrow gauge railway - the Ffestiniog Railway today. One of the jewels in Wales great little train attractions.
The railway opened in 1830s. It's role was to transport slate from the many quarries up the line to Bleanau Ffestiniog down to the sea at Porthmadog, where it would be shipped worldwide. The line travels through some spectatular landscapes. In the 1940s the line fell into disrepair and closed down. It was saved by a group of volunteers and piece by piece restored all the way to the destination of Bleanau.
In this video we're looking at one section of the railway that was lost for different reasons. In the 1950s, plans for a hyro-electric power station near the town of Tanygrisiau caused the course of the line to be lost under water. Despite protests and the railway already having plans to reopen, the flooding went ahead. This has left the railway with some interesting disused sections of the original railway. As in the 1960s and 1970s, volunteers would work away building a new line - known as the Deviation - or the Llyn Ystradau Deviation. These were called the Deviationists. At Dduallt station, the line entered a new spiral formation that raised the railway 36 feet to the new alignment around the flooded valley.
The original route when the line opened was horse drawn, with gravity doing the work on the gentle gradient going down, and horses pulling the empty wagons back up. However after only a handful of years, this route was found to be not fit for purpose due to incline plains needed to navigate the bottom of the Moelwyn Mountains. In 1842, a new tunnel was built - what is now known as the old Moelwyn tunnel. This was abandoned and plugged when the line was flooded.
The new deviation saw a new tunnel built as the line snaked it's way through cuttings to Tanygrisiau.
We'll take a look at what is left of the old routes and how these differ from the new route.
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Пікірлер: 69

@alantunbridge8919 12 күн бұрын

On a visit to the North Wales railways in August 1963 I walked from Tan-y-Bwlch to the Moelwyn tunnel . The trackbed was not so overgrown ,but the tunnel entrance was flooded. I never thought that the railway would reconnect to Blaneau . I visited a few times again in the late 60’s & early 70’s & only again in 1982 (having emigrated to South Africa in 1973)& was delighted to see & experience a journey to Blaneau. It is amazing to see on this & other preserved lines what can be achieved by a group of dedicated enthusiasts in spite of the efforts of the ‘authorities’ to thwart them.

@keithevans7996 11 күн бұрын

What a beautiful part of the world. Really enjoyed the search for where the original railway went. So great that the railway us still going even though it has deviated from its original course.

@WobblyRunner 11 күн бұрын

Thanks Keith. This was probably the highlight of my year so far.

@hunty28 24 күн бұрын

The model railway club I was a member of on the early/mid 1970s (Brambleton MRC, still going strong in Harpenden) had a working camping holiday on the FR every August in the 60s to the 80s with lads of 14-18 working at clearing vegetation and other tasks. I remember 1 year laying track at Tanygrisiau in preparation for it becoming the temporary terminus as the deviation gradually progressed from Ddault towards Blaenau. I doubt such a great adventure would be possible these days….but several of the guys still volunteer on the FR 50 years later

@WobblyRunner 23 күн бұрын

Great to hear. Great to be part of a piece of history 👍

@mikesanders5433 11 сағат бұрын

Great video thank you 🙂 Always tried spotting the old routes from the train and love that so much of it is still there.

@WobblyRunner 10 сағат бұрын

Cheers Mike

@nigelgarvey2046 27 күн бұрын

Thanks for this! My first encounter with any narrow gauge railway was that very embankment south of the old Moelwyn Tunnel, in the summer of 1963. The boys' group I was with had hiked from somewhere in the Blaenau area and had already had to make a diversion because the adult in charge was using an old map and hadn't known about the reservoir! We came over the hill and suddenly there were these rusty rails and rotting sleepers winding their way through the grass up there in the lonely hills. I remember the sight having quite an emotional effect on me. 🙂 We walked down the still closed line to Tan-y-Bwlch and caught a train from there to Portmadoc (as it was then) hauled by the _old_ "Earl of Merioneth" (now in the National Railway Museum with its original name "Livingston Thompson"). It's amazing to think that some of the old track's still there!

@WobblyRunner 25 күн бұрын

Great story Nigel 👍

@ernestbailey9194 26 күн бұрын

Absolutely brilliant video. The effort you put in for us to watch is outstanding. I can't believe the amount of work done by the volunteers for everyone's benefit. Love your videos, nice to see some lovely weather for a change. We went on June 1st for a weekend for a trip on each route,absolutely brilliant in every way, staff scenery all outstanding. Look forward to your next video.

@WobblyRunner 25 күн бұрын

Thanks Ernest. Glad you had a good time. I still havent travelled on the WHR section. I keep meaning to do it whenever we go. Hopefully next year. I remember going to see that trackbed in the 90s before it was rebuilt. I wish I could go back with the camera.

@johnlladron735 13 күн бұрын

Great video, thanks very much.

@vectorbrony3473 26 күн бұрын

Such a great walk along the old line. It's always a shame they lost the old line under the lake. But even if the railway was able to keep the old line the Tunnel at Moelwyn would have needed to been made bigger. Locomotives were so tight in the old tunnel you couldn't walk alongside the Loco and the ventilation was terrible.

@WobblyRunner 25 күн бұрын

Very true. I wonder if the more modern fairlies would even fit?

@momatmach1 24 күн бұрын

There was also a junction just at the lake side of the tunnel and you can see more abandoned formation leading to the quarry on the other side of the lake

@WobblyRunner 23 күн бұрын

Ah yes I noticed that. Spoilt for choice.

@ianbache8776 28 күн бұрын

Another cracking video Paul ,I actually travelled on the new alignment just after the opening as a 10 year old and the old realignment was very apparent then , well done for actually documenting it on what's left, 👏 👍 😀

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

Cheers Ian 👍

@mikecooper9134 25 күн бұрын

Track Pins. These may be Surveyor's Points. (Survey Markers) They stood Theodolites on During Construction. Another great video.. 🤔

@WobblyRunner 25 күн бұрын

Thanks Mike. Good shout.

@ceanothus_bluemoon 28 күн бұрын

Another delightful explore in gorgeous scenery and weather. Those old embankments looked solid even after all that time. Very impressive, and equally impressive from the volunteers building the new alignment, infact I remember seeing a programme on BBC4 about them a long time ago. Very cool finding rails and sleepers still in situ!

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

👍 I think I saw the same documentary many years ago. Fascinating piece of history.

@mikgsal1384 19 күн бұрын

Fascinating. Thank you.

@theoztreecrasher2647 23 күн бұрын

A great video on the old line. I've ridden the Tourist Train from Porthmadog several times on holidays to the Old Dart over the years. I had hoped to be able to ride the extension to Caernarfon but the years caught up with me before it was opened. Great memories though.

@WobblyRunner 23 күн бұрын

👍 It's a wonderful journey isnt it. Im yet to do the section to Caernarfon.

@ricoblade1 28 күн бұрын

Thanks for these Paul. My late dad (from Sheffield) was an FR enthusiast and worked on the deviation and various other working parties. I distinctly remember walking the old track bed, probably 40-50 years ago! We also explored the old quarries as in your earlier video but my main memory of it is lashing rain.

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

What a great family link to history there 👍. You can really appreciate the scale of the job they had when you get close to the landscape. Tremendous job

@ericthelan2188 12 күн бұрын

I was one of the deviants, we drove from North London in our trusty Bedford van, picking up people at Birmingham along the way. At TanyBwlch, we parked the van and loaded all our gear onto a track trolley which we pushed up to the Moelwyn Mess. Over the course of the easter weekend, we shifted stone to form the new route to the new tunnell and carried out works atTanygrisiau including blasting out rock with explosives. We had to hump all the tools and our provisions for the day across the mountains before starting work and back again in the evening. Some memeories of the Mess, there was beer on tap for stupidly low price, the first pint didnt touch the sides after working with stone and cement dust all day, and the water was obtained from the tunnel area by means of a ram pump. There was an ex-RM commando who was in charge of the site at Tanygrisiau where their was a an ancient 6-wheeled road crane. Bring back any memories for anyone? We all must be in our 70s now.

@WobblyRunner 9 күн бұрын

@@ericthelan2188 It's those stories that make it all come alive for me. I bet there were friendships and memories forged for life.

@Carolb66 26 күн бұрын

This video was brilliant Paul, your description of the railway was spot on, yes world famous narrow gauge railway! Beautiful filming of the train going over the bridge. Amazing walk through the old original railway with sleepers still in situ & old boundry posts & cuttings & random pieces of old rail! Just fab. Awesome scenery Paul, very fortunate having gorgeous weather too! Thanks Paul really enjoyed this video. ❤😊👍

@WobblyRunner 26 күн бұрын

Great stuff. Glad you enjoyed in Carol. That took some putting together that one. Was a fantastic day out though. One of the highlights of my holiday 😊

@RitaWilson-bq6xj 15 күн бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@WobblyRunner 14 күн бұрын

You're welcome Rita :)

@christopherhinton6456 23 күн бұрын

should all be reinstated to its former glory.

@johannesfeigl5309 26 күн бұрын

Lovely and really grabbed my interest.thnkyou for posting😊

@WobblyRunner 26 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@davedear929 25 күн бұрын

Many videos have been made about this railway but one was so different and informative ...Great stuff .?many thanks enjoyed it emensily..

@WobblyRunner 25 күн бұрын

Thanks very much Dave. Glad you enjoyed it. Had a fantastic time putting it together.

@chrischapman7514 25 күн бұрын

Brilliant video Paul really interesting your knowledge is outstanding in all your videos keep up the great work really enjoyed it.

@WobblyRunner 25 күн бұрын

Thanks Chris. Glad I come across as knowledgeable 😄 plenty more in the pipeline

@benabel7326 28 күн бұрын

When the reservoir water level is low, you can walk all the way to the blocked off tunnel a little bit we wet right next to it The track you found was the incline up to the Wrysgan quarry, its the steep one you can see climbing up the mountain. That quarry is where the really good mine remains, recommended to go the long way up the mountain than climb up that nasty steep incline. Oh and you need to take the gravity train on the occasions they still run it from Dduallt.

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

👍 it's a shame we've had a wet year. Was hoping to walk on the trackbed through the reservoir. Even then footpath was flooded out in places

@jontaylor1652 28 күн бұрын

Brilliant mate, very interesting.

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

Cheers Jon

@colin125gwr 14 күн бұрын

brilliant

@WobblyRunner 14 күн бұрын

👍🙂

@robinkey4499 28 күн бұрын

one big thank you for showing me where l walk once

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

You're welcome

@chrisburton9645 28 күн бұрын

Very good vids. You need to walk it to see the details but the drones give a great overview.

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

Cheers Chris

@nigelkthomas9501 28 күн бұрын

Did you have swim? 🏊‍♂️ Like you say; it’s very inviting! I would’ve done for sure. Enjoy the video. I didn’t even realise you could see the north end of the old Moelwyn tunnel until I checked it out. When I saw it I was very surprised it wasn’t totally covered with water! In your video the water is deeper than when saw it.

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

Haha with some of the boggy ground it was more of a paddle than a swim 😄

@grahamrumbelow5778 25 күн бұрын

If you want to get a run in, the Trailffest starts with a train ride then you run from Tanygrisiau to Porthmadog

@WobblyRunner 25 күн бұрын

Cheers Graham. Maybe a few years ago. I think I'd need help if I ran up the platform at Tanygrisiau these days 😄

21 күн бұрын

What a rotten job! Still, some poor soul's got to do it . . . lovely informative video - many thanks!

@WobblyRunner 21 күн бұрын

Our pleasure!

@AshpringtonRoad 21 күн бұрын

I walked the old formation and over the top to join the new alignment back in the 80's as a teenager with my father. Something that always fascinated me was the the old tunnel had three vent shafts. My father had walked the area in 1964/5 when the shafts were just holes in the ground. In the 80's, he wasn't having us going anywhere near holes in the ground. Anyone know what happened to the vents as I have never seen any pictures of them ?

@WobblyRunner 20 күн бұрын

That's fascinating. I had no idea about any shafts on the old tunnel. I'm just having a closer look on the drone footage, but looks like they probably have been filled in without trace.

@AshpringtonRoad 20 күн бұрын

@@WobblyRunner I've also had a look at Google Satellite, although it probably isn't as good as your drone footage, but I can't see any evidence either. Locals we met in the 80's told us that farmers had lost sheep down the shafts because they had no surrounding and weren't fenced off. Given that the area is a common tourist walk now, I'd suggest that the shafts were probably concreted over long before the 80's with nature taking over now leaving no trace. I'd certainly be interested if anyone knows more. BTW: That bridge at 9:17 was extant when I walked the line in the early 80's. I painted a water colour of it for my art 'O' level!

@wideyxyz2271 28 күн бұрын

❤

@harrisonaard1 22 күн бұрын

Tan-uh-geasy-eye , or ...grisho. Anyhoo - one wonders why the original horse-drawn line wasn't utilised in the realignment of the line due to the reservoir. Now looking up the construction of the power station, it may answer some questions.

@maestromanification 28 күн бұрын

Another great video Paul, whats happened at Ddaultt last time i was there which scarily was 40 years ago the station was thriving and fully signalled . Looks closed now

@WobblyRunner 28 күн бұрын

Yeah it doesn't look used now. Request stop I believe, but that train had no intention of stopping. I assume the majority of passengers now are full line bookings?

@maestromanification 27 күн бұрын

@@WobblyRunner A lot of railways are whole line only now. Its a shame that some have become very commercial and senior management see them as cash cows . I fear some will close in near future. You certainly wouldn't get volunteers today building that deviation

@johnharrison6808 27 күн бұрын

@@maestromanificationrailways are expensive to run. If they could afford to run barely half filled trains, at line capacity frequency, so the intermediate stations could get more visits, I imagine they would.

@peterhunt2723 25 күн бұрын

Was a p/way volunteer 1969 to 75. Was on the first (official) passenger train round the spiral . Grand memories of visiting the FR from 1961 to 2022!