The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways have revealed that Boston Lodge Works, its historic engineering base, is enjoying a busy summer.

Visitors get to explore behind the scenes at what the Railway describes as “one of the world’s most remarkable railway workshops”.

The Works won a top accolade at the National Railway Heritage Awards last year, and earlier this year was recognised with a Highly Commended gong at the 2026 Civic Trust Awards.

The awards were given in recognition of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways’ redevelopment of the historic site, as well as its ongoing role as a working railway engineering works and the new opportunities it offers for engaging the public.

The project is now allowing a growing number of visitors to experience the enhanced venue, as the Boston Lodge Works runs three guided Boston Lodge Works tours each week.

The tours take around two hours, and start at Porthmadog Harbour Station.

Visitors then take a short train journey to Boston Lodge before being taken behind the scenes to learn about the history, characters and craft that have shaped the Works and the railways.

In a project that was completed two years ago, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways spent more than £3 million with local contractors to help create its Interpretation and Boston Lodge Project.

The Civic Trust Awards judges were impressed by the project’s success in securing the future of the historic working site, noting that it did so “not by freezing it in time, but by ensuring it remains active and relevant for generations to come.”

The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways are putting that philosophy into practice at the Works, with visitors seeing the historic buildings not just as preserved heritage, but as a living and working part of the railway.

The tours are proving to be particularly popular during the summer, as visitors take the opportunity to see this nationally important industrial heritage site at work and to learn more about the people, skills and stories behind nearly two centuries of railway history.

Visitors can book tickets for both the tour and the Railways’ train rides on its website.

Don’t forget that RailAdvent Plus Gold members get a discount on all tour tickets. Click here for more information.