Access to carriage for disabled passengers

The Ffestiniog Railway is a historic narrow gauge railway with old carriages and stations, many dating back to Victorian times. We welcome customers of all abilities.

Although we operate a fleet of historic carriages, all of our normal service trains have space available for customers with mobility impairments including some wheelchair spaces. As space is inevitably limited, we strongly recommend that wheelchair users contact us in advance in order that we can make suitable arrangements. It is possible to prebook a wheelchair space on trains originating from Porthmadog. We are unable to offer this facility from Blaenau Ffestiniog but please ring us anyway. This will help us to make your visit a pleasurable one. A step and wheelchair ramp are carried on all normal trains and these are available to help you to access the trains – please ask a member of staff. However, it is worth noting that although we can accommodate wheelchairs in the trains we do not have turning spaces in the train due to the narrowness of our carriages, and the space for wheelchairs in the carriages is constrained below what one would expect on a main line train for the same reason. Most wheelchairs that are of a width 24” or less may be accommodated in the trains. Travellers with larger chairs should state this when booking. We do have two wheelchairs available for loan which are generally situated one at Porthmadog, one at Blaenau Ffestiniog and steps with a grab rail. There is a small toilet compartment on most trains which is regrettably not accessible to wheelchairs and we recommend that this is seen as being for emergency use only as the facilities at our stations are far superior.

Certain special services such as our “Talking Train” operate entirely with vintage carriages and we regret that, at this stage, they are not suitable for customers who need to remain in their wheelchairs. We welcome assistance dogs in all our carriages and station buildings.

If you have any questions as to how we can help you further, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you to plan your visit. Telephone us on 01766 516000 or 01766 516024.

Facilities at our stations are as follows:

Porthmadog Harbour Station

Our main station is adjacent to the A487 at the southern end of the town. We have a tarmac car park which usually has an attendant. There are two allocated “Disabled” spaces close to the main entrance as well as a dedicated “dropping off” point.

Our main entrance has a ramp direct into the Booking Hall. From here there is level access through the building to the Shop, Café and Bar. There is level access onto the platform. The toilets are situated at the far right hand end of the platform when leaving the building. There is a small step into the Ladies’ and the Gentlemen’s toilets. The accessible toilet has level access and also contains nappy changing facilities.

The Booking Office counter is 1040mm / 41” in height – if this presents any difficulty to you, please ask and someone will come and assist you. A hearing loop facility is available at the marked ticket window. The Shop counter is 940mm / 37” in height. Shelving is both on the walls and free standing. If you need any help with your shopping, our staff will be happy to help. The Café counter is 890mm / 35” in height and the bar is 1010mm / 40” in height. Food and beverages can be brought to your table if requested.

Boston Lodge Halt

This halt is approached by a steep and rough track and is not suitable for anyone with mobility impairments, or some types of vehicles.

Minffordd

The station is adjacent to the main A487 with a small gravel car park from which there is ramped access to the platform for Blaenau Ffestiniog bound trains. Access to the Porthmadog bound platform is via a wooden foot crossing at the left hand end when arriving from the road. There are no facilities at the station, although there is covered seating and a small waiting shelter. There is steep ramped access to the Cambrian Coast Line station below.

Penrhyndeudraeth

The station is adjacent to the A4085. There is no car parking and access from the road is via a steep and uneven ramp. Trains in either direction use the same platform. Although there is covered seating, there are no other facilities.

Plas Halt

This halt is in the middle of the woods and is only accessible by rough woodland footpaths. There is no road access.

Tan y Bwlch

Situated off a minor road and having a rough gravel car park, this station has an island platform which is mainly accessed by means of a footbridge. However, there is a flat crossing with a gate into the car park situated half way up the platform. Please note that this facility is not available when a train is in the station so please arrive early if you wish to join here.
There is a small café which is open at busy times. There is ramped access into the café and a designated table for wheelchair users close to the door. There are also tables and seating outside, some of which are under cover. The toilets are outside and to the left of the café. There is a small step into the Ladies’ and the Gentlemen’s toilets. The accessible toilet has level access and also contains nappy changing facilities. These toilets are closed in winter months and the nearest accessible toilets are at the Oakley Arms Hotel on the main A487 road.

Dduallt

This remote halt is accessible only by mountain footpaths and stiles. There is no road access.

Tanygrisiau

This halt has a rough gravel car park and a small slate waste ramp to the island platform. There is a small shelter but no other facilities.

Blaenau Ffestiniog

The station is in the centre of the town on the main A470 and easily accessed from council owned car parks. Please note that there is no dedicated railway car park. The nearest car park is on your right when approaching from the north (adjacent to the Queen’s Hotel) and serves both the Ffestiniog and Conwy Valley Line stations. There are designated “Disabled” parking spaces beside the entrance to the platforms. Access to the Ffestiniog platform is via a gentle ramp and a level crossing. Our booking office / shop is situated on the platform and can be accessed via a ramp. The toilets are situated in the main station building beyond the booking office. There is level access into the Ladies’ and the Gentlemen’s toilets. The accessible toilet has level access and also contains nappy changing facilities.

Mobile Telephone Coverage

Vodafone Almost complete coverage. Other networks Generally available around Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Patchy elsewhere.

Refreshments

An at-your-seat light refreshment service is available in the more modern carriages on the trains.

Blind and Partially Sighted Customers

Welcome Aboard leaflets are available on both Braille and large print for loan from the Booking Office. Braille and large print menus are also available in Spooners cafe and bar.

If you have any questions or concerns about the information given above, you can contact us by e-mailing us at enquiries@festrail.co.uk

A printable version of this statement is available here.

Last updated March 20th. 2008