History – Nuclear power traffic ceased to run on the line in August 1995 with some maintenance trains
and enthusiast specials after that date. Since then the line has been mothballed with several attempts
started at restoration.
In February 2019 a new Trust was formed out of the old Railway Society with the aims to restore
the section between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Trawsfynydd Lake Halt as a Heritage Railway
Operation.
When complete, B&FRHT will provide for the first time in over 30 years a rail link between
Trawsfynydd and Blaenau Ffestiniog as well as opening up tourism opportunities in the area.
The plans for the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone make reference to the provision of a railway link
to access the area and this plan is intended to fulfil that requirement with the support of the
Welsh Government.
B&FRHT Phase 1 is to ensure that all the systems, policies and guidelines are in place to
ensure that things are operated in compliance with current regulations and standards. This is
also to ensure that there are robust management and financial arrangements are in place. This
phase will also see research being undertaken for the development of Interpretative boards
outlining key aspects of the history of the line. Separate boards will be prepared for various
areas on the line.
Phase 2 will see the opening of negotiations with the line owners with the long term objective of running
heritage railway operations on the line. These negotiations are likely to be protracted and be in more
detail than those encountered in the past due to previous groups failures to comply with Network
Rails licensing conditions.
Phase 3 Subject to receiving permission from Network Rail a complete topographical survey, ecological
survey and structural survey of the line will be undertaken. The structural survey will assess in detail the
condition of all 100 structures on the line as well as assessing track and drainage conditions to enable a
full assessment of the rehabilitation works to be prepared.
Phase 4 onwards will see the start of work on the line post completion of the survey and a full plan of
works which would be agreed in conjunction with Network Rail to ensure that the work is carried out to
their standards. This includes setting out sub phases of the work for creating depots, storage and
maintenance facilities. Detailed planning will determine at which phase we will see the
commencement of operations between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Trawsfynydd Lake Halt.
There are 17 phases in this £14.6 to £17.85 million 10 year plan covering the restoration of 6.5 miles
of running line, creation of 4 new stations, refurbishment of 1 station, alterations to 1 station and the
development of a Heritage Railway Centre / Motive Power depot. A detailed explanation of these
figures can be found in the Cost Details section of this plan.
No time scales are being put on these phases at this point in time as they are subject to a large
number of factors. It is envisaged that the 10 years mentioned above will start once Network
Rail give the trust permission to commence work on the line.