The Ffestiniog Railway opened for business to carry slate from the mountains 182 years ago. Today, it is the longest heritage railway in the UK after connecting with their sister railway, the Welsh Highland Railway.

It is recognised as one of the Top 25 railway journeys in the world. They carry 400,000 passengers a year, with trains covering 63,500 miles per annum. But what about looking at where it all began?

This year, the Ffestiniog railway will be visiting London’s Kings Cross railway station and will be bringing two ‘Quarry Hunslet’ steam locomotives in the form of ‘Hugh Napier’ and ‘Velinheli’

The aim? To promote their heritage past. These quarry hunslets were used to transport slate around the local quarries, and after a working life, Hugh Napier has been restored to working order

The locomotives will arrive in the capital at 1 am on Saturday 10th February 2018 and will be on display in the ticket hall until Sunday 18th February, where they will make the journey back to North Wales.

Staff and volunteers from the railway will be on hand to answer any of your questions.

Win a trip to North Wales

There is also the opportunity to win a short break to North Wales, staying at the famous Portmeirion, visits to Zip World and first class tickets on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.

• Visit the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways website
  For more information