Gravity Train ride on the Ffestiniog Railway: What goes up, must come down!
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- Опубліковано 8 січ 2024
- An incredible, joyful documentary of our extraordinary 7 mile trip on the Ffestiniog Railway's gravity-powered freewheeling slate train! The concept is now approaching 200 years old, yet still able to run on the heritage railway. It's the world's longest rollercoaster - and it's in North Wales.
Join me (Tim Dunn), Tom Bright and Chris Gilson of Steam Railway for an adventure on rails that’s seven miles steam-hauled uphill (the “anti-gravity” service) and a bonkers freewheeling descent seven miles back downhill along the Ffestiniog Railway to Porthmadog.
These trains aren’t public; invitations to take a trip are at the discretion of the company and so when an invitation arrived for Tim Dunn, Chris Gilson and Tom Bright of Steam Railway Magazine arrived - we hot-footed it to the Ffestiniog Railway for the ride of our lives.
This video was filmed by me in 2022 - but it’s taken this long (18 months!) to get it right. To be on that train was a privilege - and I’ve been determined to get its portrayal just as i wanted. There are still a few glitches but I've learned lot about video production on the way!
I know that most people don’t get to do many of the things that I’ve had the privilege of experiencing this last couple of years, so taking a camera and making a short film is my way of trying to extend that privilege to others. If you’re involved with the FR, then this is my way of thanking you too: by spreading the word of your hard work.
So. With the longest title sequence I’ve yet produced, with a classic theme tune that I’ve had remixed and reinterpreted that was written for a railway-based sequence in the first place - I do hope you enjoy your trip aboard this gauge railway journey with no engine (but some well-tested brakes and well-trained brakesmen).
Cheers!
I really enjoyed my ride with you all down the mountain on that wonderful train. It was awesome !!! All the scenery was spectacular !!! Mike
I hope this gives a bit of an idea of the feeling of careering down a valley along two strips of steel bouncing about in an iron wagon. If you're a FR volunteer who was on the train that day - thank you. Actually - if you're a heritage railway volunteer anywhere - cheers for all that you do.
I’m a volunteer on the Ffestiniog and welsh highland railway in the steam department I love every second volunteering there
You look like having the time of your life! I am not sure I'd dare!
Many years ago, I worked at Ffestiniog power station for a few weeks.
I remember seeing the train running just a few yards from the station.
Unfortunately I never did get to ride on it.
Slate has fascinated me since 1959 when i entered the building trade. Over the years I've done many walks and been down lots of slate mines but you have trumped the lot. Great video and great trip. I am very envious of you Tim.. many thanks.
Awesome!
When I was in elementary school in a very small town in Wisconsin, USA my school’s roof was slate. We would use small pieces that broke off from the roof as markers for our hopscotch games. If I ever get to the UK again, this will definitely be on my list of things to do!
I wish the great marquess can go back to the Severn Valley Railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire in England
Good Lord I didn't recognise Nigel Harris and I thought it was Chris Leigh. On the old days if a customer bought 1000 slates he most likely got 1020 slates to cover for breakages as the slates are so thin.
Yeah, you feel every bump and join in the track. The wagons don't have suspension.
You nead Subtitles Tim