Page 57 - WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE DISCOVERING ENGLAND

Photos courtesy Ffestiniog Railways

Charles’ investiture on July 1, 1969, as the Prince of Wales.
For passengers making the approximately $52 round-trip
from Porthmadog, there’s enough time to tour the Norman-
style castle, which dates to 1283, and the nearby town before
heading back. Some outings can be done in reverse, starting
at Caernarfon and heading south.
Full of switchbacks and horseshoe curves, the route puts the
60-ton steam engines through their paces as they make their
way from sea level to the line’s highest point at 650 feet. I
saw this first-hand from the footplate of Engine 138, a 62-ton
NG/G16 Beyer Garratt, in technical terms, which formerly
worked for South African Railways.

Inside, both the engineer and fireman were kept busy mind-
ing a confusing array of dials, valves and a throttle as well as
a whistle cord. A tiny window on each side looks out over the
engine’s boiler, giving an obstructed view that required crew
members to alert the other as to what they were seeing down
the line.
“Clear,” shouted the fireman as he surveyed an approach-
ing grade-level crossing. The same dialogue came with every
trackside signal, as each shouted to the other above the throb-
bing steam engine that the way ahead was clear. Top speed is
25 mph.

Winter 2014 winedineandtravel.com 57