The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways have announced new ‘Have A Go’ Workshops.

The workshops will take place at Boston Lodge Works and are very much ‘hands-on’, providing a safe environment for you to learn new skills.

Provided free of charge, these workshops are being made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Ffestiniog Railway Society and the FfWHR Trust.

There is also no obligation at all that you become a volunteer, whilst the railway is always looking for new volunteers, these events are simply a turn-up and have-a-go.

The workshops are split into different categories and have different timescales/dates…

• Welding – this takes place over 1 or 2 days on October 19th/20th, November 2nd/3rd/23rd at Boston Lodge Works. Great for trying something new either for railway work or simply your own DIY ideas.
• Lathe Work / Turning – this workshop takes place on the 28th / 29th September and 9/10th November for 2 days and will include basics of lathes, parallel turning, internal boring, parting off and basic screw cutting
• Painting – this workshop takes place over / up to 5 days between the 7th and 11th of October and will see you learn about preparation, surface finishes and brush techniques.
• Stripping a Loco – also taking place over 5 days / up to between the 7th and 11th October, as part of the Bygones Weekend and will see you start with a warm loco before moving to dismantling a loco and removing a power bogie unit with the hope the entire unit will be stripped by the end of the week.
• Hot Riveting and Signwriting – these dates are still to be confirmed but will certainly be interesting to learn how these things work.

Again, these workshops are FREE, and you can find out more information / book yourself a place on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways website.