The Ffestiniog Railway was recently presented with a cheque for £1,500 from model railway manufacturer Bachmann Europe following the release of its Scenecraft models that depict Porthmadog Harbour Station.
Bachmann models based on Ffestiniog Railway locomotives are popular examples in its Narrow Gauge range, with in recent years the Ffestiniog Double Fairlies, Mainline Hunslets and Quarry Hunslet all being offered in OO9 scale.
Earlier this year some Ffestiniog Railway buildings were made available as models as part of the Bachmann Scenecraft range. A portion of the proceeds from each sale has been donated to the Ffestiniog Railway to go towards the continued preservation of the past for future generations.
Bachmann's cheque was presented to the Ffestiniog Railway during its recent Bygones Weekend, which was attended by Bachmann and where it announced new models of the Ffestiniog's locomotives Linda and Blanche as additions to the Bachmann Narrow Gauge OO9 Scale range.
Bachmann's Scenecraft models are available in 4mm:1ft scale, which makes them suitable for both OO and OO9 scale applications. Two colour schemes, green or red, are available for The Harbour Station collection:
Harbour Station Booking Office:
- 44-0169G – green
- 44-0169R – red
Harbour Station Main Hall:
- 44-0170G – green
- 44-0170R – red
Harbour Station Gents & Office:
- 44-0171G – green
- 44-0171R) – red
Models will be available whilst stocks last and can be purchased from Bachmann stockists and the Ffestiniog Railway's own shop,
The Ffestiniog Railway originally transported slate from where it was quarried at Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog harbour. It is the world's oldest narrow gauge railway, and is is now a popular visitor attraction hauling thousands of tourists and enthusiasts each year through the heart of Snowdonia in North Wales.
The station at Porthmadog Harbour opened in 1865 and the stone buildings depicted in the Bachmann Scenecraft models were built in 1879. They were the main offices of the Festiniog Railway Company, in which role they continue to this day. In recent years the station has been extended beyond the original stone buildings to provide extra space for a souvenir shop and café.
David Haarhaus, Managing Director of Bachmann Europe said: “The Ffestiniog Railway is a unique and enchanting railway that has captivated modellers and enthusiasts for many years, and continues to do so today.
“I am very proud that Bachmann supports preserved railways and heritage sites as not only do they inspire the next generation of Bachmann consumer, but they are also often responsible for preserving the very subjects that our models depict as is the case here.
“I can trace my very first memories of steam trains back to the Ffestiniog Railway and in some ways it's the reason I am part of this industry, so seeing the fine models that the Bachmann team have created, and in doing so allowing us to contribute to the railway's continued success, is immensely satisfying.”
