'Yeo' and 'Beddgelert' seen at Fairbourne station on 27/5/08 © P.Bryant

 

 

 

 

 

Fairbourne Railway 12 ¼ inch 

The Fairbourne Railway first opened in 1916 in 15" gauge on what was previously a two foot gauge horse-drawn tramway used to convey building materials, and also to carry passengers. In 1916, the line was purchased by Narrow Gauge Railways Limited, a company set up by Basset Lowke, and the Fairbourne line was regauged to run their rolling stock, initially a Class 20 4-4-2 'Prince Edward of Wales'. The line was used to transport passengers from Penrhyn Point near Barmouth to Fairbourne. In 1923, the lines motive power was altered, and the operator changed to Barmouth Motor Boat and Ferry Company, and again in 1924 to Fairbourne Estate and Development Company. The line continued operating until the second world war with Basset Lowke Class 30 'Count Louis' being the mainstay of the motive power. In 1946, John Wilkins purchased the line, and improved it greatly, extending the line, new locomotives and rolling stock, and a new station building. In the late 1970s, the line suffered from financial difficulties and the line was eventually sold on to entrepreneur John Ellerton in 1984, who ran the line in 15" gauge for the remainder of the year, before regauging the line to 12.25" to suit his rolling stock which came from a unsuccessful railway in France named the 'Reseau Guerledan Chemin de Fer Touristique'. As well as the regauge, the line recieved a facelift, with many improvements. The line was sold on in 1995 and continues to fufill its original function. The line runs for 1.75 miles from Fairbourne station to Penrhyn Point, where passengers can alight to catch the ferry to Barmouth.

Address: Beach Road, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2EX
Telephone: 01341 250362
Operator: North West Coast Light Railway Ltd

Line Length: 1.75 miles End to End
First opened: 1916

Website: Fairbourne Railway Website
Locomotives

No
Name
Type
Builder
Built
4
Sherpa
0-4-0ST
Milner Engineering
1978
E759
Yeo
2-6-2T
D.Curwen
1978
5
Russell
2-6-4T
Milner Engineering
1979
2
Beddgelert
0-6-4T
D.Curwen
1979
6
Lilian Water
4w-4wDM
G&SLE
1961
 
Gwril 2
4wDH
Hunslet
1994

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Times: Please see website for details



Fares: Adults £8.20, Children £4.70

FR Page was last updated on the 11th July 2011 with fares updated.

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