An 18-year-old steward at The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway (FfWHR) was featured on television when the Welsh television company S4C recorded an episode of Iaith ar Daith – Language on Tour at the railway.

Television cameras are often seen at Harbour Station, but this time they weren’t focused on the loco, Merddyn Emrys, but on two people familiar to Welsh television viewers walking along the platform dressed in stewards’ uniforms.

Earlier this year, Welsh comedian and presenter Tudur Owen and Spanish and Welsh comedian, Ignacio Lopez, recorded an episode of the programme for its new season.

In each episode, a Welsh first-language celebrity tries to ‘Dysgu Cymraeg’ (learn Welsh) in the programme.

In this episode, Ignacio who regularly appears in shows such as Live at the Apollo and Have I got News for You, joined Tudur to spend a day stewarding on the Mountain Spirit Service from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Tudor and Ignacio were in the capable hands of 18-year-old staff member Mackenzie Diggons, who is in his second season working on the railway. Mackenzie, who lives in nearby Criccieth and speaks Welsh as his first language, works and volunteers part time at the railway while studying engineering.

During their journey on the Mountain Spirit Service, Tudor and Ignacio worked with Mackenzie and spoke in Welsh to the passengers as they served them from the trolley service in the first class pullman carriage.

This episode of Iaith ar Daith – Language on Tour aired on S4C last Sunday, 29th September at 20:00 but is available to view on the S4C Clic app.

“The two stars were really energetic and ready to get on with the job of stewarding.
“It was the first time for them trying to serve drinks on a moving train so that was quite funny.
“Ignacio got on very well speaking Welsh, it was like he was a pro at it.
“There were a few words he didn’t understand but easily enough he asked how to pronounce things, but otherwise he was very good at speaking Welsh and serving the customers!
“People pay a lot of money to go and see these comedians and today on the train I was paid to see them…here at work!”

Mackenzie Diggons