"Travelled on the Mountain Spirit from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. We paid extra to travel 1st class and it cost £155 return for 2 people for a 3 hour trip. This included a 50 minute stop in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The station at Porthmadog is great for steam train enthusiasts. Lots of steam engines and carriages to view. The station had toilets, a well stocked gift shop and a cafe.
The staff and volunteers are friendly and helpful.
First Class was clean and comfortable with an armchair style seat and a small table
There is a designated member of staff who gives a brief talk about the railway (and sells guide books) plus offers refreshments.
I ordered a tea abd a piece of cake. I was a little disappointed for it to arrive in a plastic cup and the cake in its plastic wrapper. I was expecting a China cup and a plate, but maybe my expectations were a little high - after all it's not the Orient Express!
The train journey itself is wonderful. You see lots of Snowdonia National Park, which includes lakes and mountains. The seats are very comfortable.
We arrived at Blaenau Ffestiniog, which is famous for its slate production. This was a bit disappointing, even though we only had 50 minutes the village looked a bit run down. We couldn't find a cafe and ended up buying a take away coffee from the local Morrisons.
Overall, a very enjoyable day out."

Dawn Matthews

"We visited today and did the quarryman gold first class Pullman from Blaenau to Porthmadog return. It was absolutely fantastic, we practically had the first class coach to ourselves and it was certainly worth the upgrade. The journey is stunning and I must mention Phil who was our host, he was so friendly and spent the time talking to us about various parts of the journey. Every staff member I came into contact with was the same, it's clear that they love what they do.

The first class is pricey (£70) but absolutely worth every penny. I can also recommend Spooners bar at the station in Porthmadog for food, a really lovely place, great food and nice friendly staff."

Chris Walden

"This trip was my daughter’s Christmas present to me and what an incredible experience it was.

We had quite a journey from north Herefordshire and it was worth every mile. We parked in their main carpark, where we had our lunch beside a small reservoir. It is a pay and display carpark and a five minute walk to the railway station.

We arrived and after collecting our tickets, we walked onto the platform and waited for our train to arrive.

A loco was filling up with water and another was offering footplate rides. Our train arrived and we were guided to our carriage. We would be travelling in First Class behind the engine, Merddin Emyrs, the Mountain Spirit, a double engined locomotive and about 140 years old, and still puffing along nicely.

We watched as the locomotive was coupled to our carriage and soon we were on our way.

Our amazing journey starts crossing along a harbour wall known as The Cob, and past Boston Lodge, where the locos go at the end of their busy schedules. From here, we travelled across fields before beginning the the long and picturesque journey to Blaneau Ffestiniog. We travelling past a few stations through very narrow cuttings, with slated sides, through tunnels and around the "Great Deviation", believed to be the only one in Britain. It took 6 years to build, by volunteers and raises the line 35ft in a circle, a real feat of engineering. We eventually arrived at Blaneau Station where the main line meets the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway. Both services terminate here.

A chance to get out, stretch our legs, take more photos of the slate mountains, grab a snack as the engine was moved to the other end of the train for the journey back to Porthmadog.

Thankfully, we had taken plenty of photos on our outward journey because it came to a halt at the next station. As we waited for the next train, Linda was bringing the last train up to Blaneau. She arrived opposite us and departed and still we waited.

Unfortunately we could see smoke across the valley from us and we wondered if it might be a fire. Soon the Train Manager advised us that, due to a potentially large line side fire, our return journey was being turned around. We returned to Blaneau where buses met us to take us all back to Porthmadog.

Everyone was in good spirits and totally understanding. The drive back took about 20 minutes, where as the train took over an hour, allowing for water stops enroute. Yes, we were a little disappointed but everyone was safe and we all enjoyed the experience.

We shall look forward to travelling from Caernarvon to Porthmadog, through the western fringes of Snowdonia.

We received the very best of treatment and support from all the staff at the railway. The bus drivers were amusing and helpful, considering the circumstances."

Anthony Hurdidge