The long dry spell has forced one of Wales’ most popular attractions to amend its services. Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways (FWHR) last night made an eleventh-hour decision not to run its steam trains today (Saturday, April 12) due to the potential fire risk in tinder-dry conditions.
One service, The Quarryman, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, has been cancelled altogether. All other services will be diesel-hauled instead – a sight rare enough to attract a different cohort of train enthusiasts.
Where possible, pre-booked customers have been informed of the changes and, if appropriate, offered refunds. On social media, the company said it took the decision as a precaution “due to the unseasonably dry weather conditions and various hillside fires in the region”.
Weeks of wildfires across Wales have pushed firefighters to the limit, leaving blackened hillsides over huge swathes of the uplands. Initially, out-of-control fires by farmers were suspected. But the official burn season closed on March 31 and, last weekend alone, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended nearly 70 grass fires that had been started deliberately.
As hot embers from loco chimneys can pose a fire risk, FWHR has been commended for taking responsible measures. But there’s also been confusion over the decision to axe steam services in Spring when they can often run without problems during dry summers.
Online, a spokesperson said that, depending on the conditions, fire risks can be higher earlier in the year. They explained: “There has been a very dry start to the year with much lower-than-average precipitation. At this time of year, there is also a lot of dead vegetation lying on the ground that has not been overtaken by new growth. Together, this presents a great risk of wild fires, as shown by all the reports of fires on both local and national news programmes.”
Ironically, the service changes come on a day when the dry spell is finally expected to end. Showers are forecast in Gwynedd this afternoon – just too late to save the day for the FWHR. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up
One steam engine that is running from Porthmadog today is the Russell, flagship loco of the similarly-named Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. After April 19, the engine is going in for a 10-year overhaul and a series of special services have been arranged for enthusiasts before it is withdrawn. However, today’s Russell services will only run to Pont Croesor instead of Beddgelert or Caernarfon as originally planned.
For FWHR services, train lengths are being reduced to match the haulage capacity of the substitute diesel engines. The Woodland Wanderer, The Harbourmaster and the Snowdonia Star services are running as scheduled. However The Mountain Spirit will instead run as a Woodland Wanderer service to Tan-y-Bwlch.
For some enthusiasts, the safety decision is a worrying sign of the times as the climate warms. Online, a Brighton man said: “Woooow! I hope this isn’t the shape of things to come." Another man concurred, saying: “I honestly feel really sad now – just how serious this has become.”
Late last month, the company was named the “Best Attraction in Wales” at the National Tourism Awards for Wales, held at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. In 2022, its train services were adjudged the most scenic in Europe in a Which survey of its members. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday
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