The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway is offering footplate rides at Porthmadog and Caernarfon during July and August.

The 0-4-0ST Hunslet quarry tank Hugh Napier will offer rides from Porthmadog Harbour station between 10:45 and 16:00 this Saturday (29 July), every Saturday in August, and on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 August, the late summer bank holiday weekend.

Hugh Napier was built in 1904 for the Penrhyn Quarry. It is owned by the National Trust and operated by the Ffestiniog Railway.

Hunslet loco Lilla will offer rides from Y Stesion – Caernarfon (Caernarfon station) between 10:00 and 16:00 on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 August, the late summer bank holiday.

Lilla was built by the Hunslet Engine Company in 1891 for the Cilgwyn Slate Company Quarry at Nantlle, and given the number 554.

Footplate rides are free of charge, although donations will help with the cost of coal and other running expenses.

Visitors will be able to but refreshments from the Railway’s two catering outlets, Spooner’s and Caffi De Winton.

The Railway asks readers to note that it gives these dates and timings in good faith, but they may be subject to change.

The Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway, and runs for thirteen-and-a-half miles between the harbour in Porthmadog and the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK’s longest heritage railway and runs for twenty-five miles from Caernarfon to Porthmadog.