Constructed in 1895 by A. McDougall (of flour fame!), to convey building materials for the new village of Fairbourne, this line stretches two and a half miles between Fairbourne Station (On the Cambrian Line) and Penrhyn Point. A pleasant round trip can be taken by arriving, as we did, at Fairbourne on a Cambrian Coaster, Central train, taking the steam train to Penrhyn, and thence the ferry (a motor boat) to Barmouth. You can then retrace your steps using a Cambrian Coaster train again. The start station at Fairbourne is full of interest, especially at the start of the day, when the engines are being brought out of their sheds. Because of the small, complex shape of the site, a series of turntables, slides and sidings must be used to transfer the engines on to the main track. All this activity, on what is a very pleasant station, well decorated with flowers, together with the museum and the Rowen Indoor Nature centre, makes an outstanding attraction. You must add to this the superb views, both from the train and from the eventual destination Penrhyn Point.

Sherpa gets ready to pull the first train of the day (10.45am)



Bedgellert leaving the engine sheds. All engines are transferred to the main track via a manually operated, transverse slide!



Engine 759 in her engine shed.



Bedgellert gets ready to pull the second train of the day (11.30am)



The end of the line: Porth Penrhyn Station, with a glorious view over the Mawddach estuary, including the northern end of the Barmouth wooden viaduct.



Penrhyn Point and station from the ferry on the way to Barmouth Harbour.

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