Is the Festiniog Railway in Wales unique in that the same company that built it in the 1830s still runs it?

Question

Is the Festiniog Railway in Wales unique in that the same company that built it in the 1830s still runs it?

Answer 1

That is correct, although I cannot vouch for whether it is unique in that regard, I suspect that it may be true in the UK, but not in the world.  The Festiniog (note one f) is a statutory railway company created by act of parliament and that company remians today (175 years old this year).  Mianly this is due to the fact that when the railway 'closed' just after WW2 no-one could afford to go to parliament for an abandonnment order, so it lay, derelict until its saviours appeared years later.  It's directors have changed with the times of course, but the company remains that built the railway.  All shares in the company are currently held by the FR trust, a not for profit trust that holds the shares of the people (notably Mr Alan Pegler) who purchased them when the railway was derelict and then, with the help of volunteers restored it.  For more info see wikipedia...

Answer 2

Not true.

Ownership of the company passed to the British Transport Commission in 1948. It is my understanding that when it was proposed that the water level of the reservoir alongside the railway was to be raised (flooding the line), the BTC simply closed the line.

A group of rail enthusiats purchased the line (for £1) and re-opened the southern end of the line. In time, a new line was constructed alongside the new reservoir level and joined to the old line by means of a new "corkscrew" line - the train goes passes through 450 degrees in its climb!

Answer 3

Sorry - not so. It was sold to a group of volunteers who have restored, rebuilt - and in one place (and with a lot of outside help in the form of cash!) actually re-routed the line to avoid a new reservoir - AND they have restored the part of the line which was the reason for the line's being in the first place - the section to Blaunau and its connection to the main line (!) railway.

Answer 4

No - for a comprehensive answer search "Festiniog railway ownership" where you can find far more interesting info than I wish to type in.

I, and my family, have used the line at least 10 times as it grew. And will again (nothing more pleasant than a lager (or two) in the Observation Coach whilst watching the magnificent scenery!)

Let me know if you disagree but I'm convinced that there is no direct link in ownership from  its inception until the present day.

Hope to see you "en route"  one day.