Extra attractions at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways this spring and summer include a model railway show and workshop, a real ale festival, and tours of Boston Lodge Works..

Model Railway Workshop

On Saturday, 18th and Sunday, 19th May, a Model Railway Workshop will be held at Minffordd Station.

Visitors can discuss model making and pick up tips whilst viewing layouts of different gauges. Model-making demonstrations will also help visitors with their own modelling plans.

The workshop is being held at the Gweithdy, Minffordd Station, LL48 6HF from 10:30 to 16:30 on Saturday, 18th May and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sunday, 19th May.

Admission costs £4 and £1 for under-12s. Further details on the layouts to be displayed are online at https://www.festrail.co.uk/model-railway-workshop/

Rail Ale / Cwrw ar y Cledrau 2024

A Cwrw ar y Cledrau / Rail Ale festival is being held on Friday, 7th and Saturday, 8th June in the Goods Shed and a large marquee at Dinas station where visitors can enjoy a selection of real ales and steam trains accompanied by live music.

Bar manager Eryl Morris will choose a selection of real ales and ciders from microbreweries, many based in North Wales, and live artists including The Jones and Wee Bag Band will provide entertainment throughout the festival.

A wide choice of food will be on offer, including burgers, pizzas, and curries.

The festival is open both days from 11:00 to 23:00, and tickets can be purchased in advance at https://rail-ale.com or on the door.

Regular steam and diesel-hauled trains will also operate throughout the weekend between Caernarfon, Dinas and Waunfawr to take you into Snowdonia’s spectacular countryside.

Tours & Workshops at Boston Lodge

A series of ‘How do Steam Engines Work’ workshops will be held on various dates until the end of August.

These are part of the Interpretation & Boston Lodge Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ffestiniog Railway Society and FfWHR Trust and designed to add to visitors’ enjoyment of the railways’ popular train journeys.

Each workshop costs £27 and provides a unique opportunity to learn the key components of what makes a steam engine work and offers visitors the chance to drive one themselves.

Later this summer, visitors will have the opportunity to take an official Guided Tour of Boston Lodge and discover the fascinating story of the historic 200-year-old engineering works.

Tours will be led by passionate railway volunteers who will explain about the special people and characters that shaped the works and the railway from the earliest times to the present day.

Full details of the Tours and Workshops are available online at https://www.festrail.co.uk/boston-lodge-tours-and-workshops/