Gorgeous illustration of a vintage train on a scenic mountain railway track in Wales.

New Publication!! Ghosts of Aberglaslyn – The Portmadoc, Beddgelert and South Snowdon Railway

By John Manners & Michael Bishop Revised Edition The heady and fascinating story of political manoeuvrings, dashed hopes, obstructionism and technology is the subject of this well researched book by John Manners and Michael Bishop. Originally published in 2016 and out of print for some years, this revised edition includes some new illustrations and map …

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New additions to the website

By courtesy of Richard Maund we have been able to add fresh archive material to the site.  We now have details of the 1922 Contract to build the WHR, and the 1934 Lease to the Festiniog Railway.

Welsh Highland Railway Heritage Group two men exchanging a document outside a vintage train carriage.

Centenary Competition Winner

‘ A wise High Court Judge secured the preservation of a railway, rather than the creation of an albeit saintly long-distance footpath, says Dr Stephen Murfitt in his prizewinning essay, “The Saints’ Way: a failed mission – Ffordd y Saint”. In the essay, Stephen Murfitt explores the history of negotiation and manoeuvring behind the original …

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Pocket Timetable 1928 FR/WHR reprinted

A facsimile edition of the 1928 Pocket Timetable has now been produced. It gives a graphic picture of operations in that year.  Purchase in the shop here.

Railway & Canal Historical Society – Book of the Year Awards 2020

The Croesor Tramway nominated! In 2004 the Railway & Canal Historical Society started an annual book award scheme to encourage the writing of well-researched, interesting and readable books on transport history. This is supported financially by a legacy from the estate of the late David St John Thomas, co-founder of the David & Charles publishing …

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Heritage Group wins Francis Blake Award

The WHR Heritage Group has won the Welsh Highland Railway Society’s ‘The Francis Blake Award’ which we very much appreciate and thank the Society and its Board for this recognition. The photograph shows Peter Roughley (our Treasurer) , accepting the award from Society Chairman Dafydd Thomas on behalf of the Group at the Society’s AGM. …

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Mike Hadley awarded Token of Appreciation

Mike Hadley, the WHR Group’s Projects Manager and a committee member, has been awarded the Welsh Highland Railway Society’s Token of Appreciation for 2018. The award was instigated in 2003 as a symbol of the Society’s gratitude to an individual member or group of members who had made an outstanding contribution to the Society and/or …

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GwynforPierceJone

Gwynfor Pierce Jones

It is with much sadness that we record the passing of  Dr Gwynfor Pierce Jones who died suddenly on 23rd December 2013. He was a keen supporter of this Group, a member of its committee and a renowned expert on the history of slate mining in Gwynedd,Dr Pedr Jarvis wrote “He was the leading expert …

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John Keylock

John Keylock

It is with great sadness that we report the death of John Keylock. John was a driving force in the establishment of the WHHG and in its various projects, most notably in recent times with the restoration of Tryfan Junction. He was for many years secretary of the Group and possessed an enormous fund of …

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