Dear 19B supporter
We said we would provide (at least) an annual opportunity to come and see the engine. You will know that the new boiler is currently under construction in the Ffestiniog Railway’s Boston Lodge Works whilst the chassis remains at Statfold.
As the boiler is pretty much the story of the moment, we thought a visit there would create most interest.
As it is a fair way for most of us to travel to Porthmadog, it would be a shame to visit the TLC (top left-hand corner) of Wales without having a train ride or two, we have made a weekend of it, with the opportunity to take return journeys on both the Ffestiniog Railway (Porthmadog to Blaenau) and the Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog to Caernarfon) at discounted rates. There is also the opportunity to visit Boston Lodge to see the new boiler under construction, and we hope we’ll be able to answer all your questions!
As Boston Lodge is a working engineering establishment, we regret the FfR has some restrictions to admission, as follows
Due to the uneven ground and the amount of walking involved, the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users or people who are not fully mobile without assistance.
For your own safety and comfort, tour participants must be able to stand and walk for the two-hour duration unaided.
Your sight must be sufficient to see potential dangers yourself. Accessibility is under constant review.
Dogs are not allowed in Boston Lodge.
There are no café facilities at Boston Lodge. Please wear warm clothes and bring a waterproof as the weather can be unpredictable. Stout shoes, preferably walking boots, must be worn.
Anyone wearing sandals or open-toed shoes will not be allowed on the tour.
There are no café facilities at Boston Lodge.
Spooner’s Café & Bar at Harbour Station gives you an opportunity to grab a drink or enjoy a delicious meal before or after any tour.
The plan for the weekend is as follows
Saturday 11 April.
Meet at Porthmadog Harbour station at 1015 to catch the 1045 ‘Harbourmaster’ train to Caernarfon, a 2½ hour journey.
You’ll have about 1 ½ hours to wander round this historic town and Castle, before boarding the return train to Porthmadog.
In the evening, we will try and organise options for group dinners, but exact arrangements will depend on numbers wishing to attend.
Please let us know if you are interested.
Sunday 12 April.
Meet at Porthmadog Harbour station at 1015 to catch the 1040 ‘Mountain Spirit’ train to Blaenau Ffestiniog with a journey time of about seventy minutes. There’s then time for a brief look round the town before returning to Porthmadog, arriving at lunch time.
There will be time for some refreshments at Spooners’ Bar in Harbour Station before we cross to Boston Lodge to see the railway works and inspect our new boiler. (Please note that you will need you own transport to cross from Porthmadog to Boston Lodge, or the walk is about one mile).
Train fares
The normal return fare from Porthmadog to Caernarfon is £72 second class and £108 first class.
We are offering fares of £65 second class and £99 first class.
The normal return fare from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog is £49.75 second class and £75.50 first class.
We are offering fares of £45 second class and £68 first class
As an additional bonus, if you book BOTH trains, the combined fares would be £100 second class or £150 first class
If you are an annual member of the Ffestiniog Railway Society (FRS), you are entitled to a free second class ticket from Porthmadog to Blaenau. Subject to availability, life members are entitled to a free first class ticket.
All FRS members can claim privilege rate on a second class Welsh Highland return ticket
Likewise, if you are an annual member of the Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Eryri (Welsh Highland Railway Society), you are entitled to a free second class ticket from Porthmadog to Caernarfon.
Subject to availability, life members are entitled to a free first class ticket.
All WHRS members can claim privilege rate on the Ffestiniog
To clarify the availability rule, it has long been the custom and practice, where the first class on any train is over-subscribed, those travelling on free first class tickets are expected to downgrade to second class thus allowing the railway to retain another paid fare from a first class passenger. We will be honouring this convention.
For more information, see the leaflet included in the February 2026 Darjeeling Mail Magazine.
To book, please send the following information
(Down load the form at :- www.dhrs.org/19B DHRS Supporters Day.pdf )
to Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust, Lime Tree Lodge, Mattersey, Doncaster DN10 5ED
or email to fuzz@btconnect.com
DHRS Supporters Day booking form
Name and address____________________________________________________________________
I would like to be booked on the special weekend to view progress on 198B’s boiler,
and would like to book the following trains
Both the Welsh Highland train on 11/4/26 and the Ffestiniog train on 12/4/26
____ second class tickets @ £100 £________
____ first class tickets @ £150 £________
11/4/26 Welsh Highland Railway, Porthmadog – Caernarfon return
____ second class tickets @ £65 £________
____ first class tickets @ £99 £________
WHRS annual membership no _____ ____ second class tickets @ free
WHRS life membership no ______ _____ first class tickets @ free
FRS membership no________ ____ second class tickets @ £36 £________
12/4/26 Ffestiniog Railway, Porthmadog-Blaenau Ffestiniog return
____ second class tickets @ £45 £________
____ first class tickets @ £68 £________
FRS annual membership no _____ ____ second class tickets @ free
FRS life membership no ______ ____ first class tickets @ free
WHRS membership no______ ____ second class tickets @ £25 £________
TOTAL £________
Would you be interested in joining a party for dinner on Saturday night? (Just yes or no!)
Payment may be made
By Internet banking to sort code 51-81-34 account 96715367
‘Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust’
By cheque payable to ‘Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust’
By credit or debit card on the www.dhrs.org shop website – look for the special page
www.dhrs.org/sales2/contents/en-uk/d1041_Boiler-Visit.html
In all cases, with your payment, please quote your booking name and postcode
