Llechwedd Slate celebrates Welsh Highland Railway opening and Ffestiniog Railway's 175th anniversary

On Wednesday  the 20th April 2011, it was the official opening of the merged Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railway. It was also the 175th anniversary of the Ffestiniog Railway. In those days the Railway was not burdened with ardent railway enthusiasts and thousands of tourists, but groaning with a heavy load of fresh slate excavated from mines like Llechwedd. The slate would storm down the mountainside propelled by gravity. Then once unloaded the empty wagons would be hauled back up to Blaenau Ffestiniog by horses.

Considering this history it seems only fitting that the industry that gave birth to the railway stands by it on its special day. Llechwedd Slate Caverns provided the slate that was created to celebrate this anniversary. Pete Waterman was the man who had the honour of unveiling this slate.