The railway operates the locomotive 'Russell,' the only surviving engine from the original 1920s Welsh Highland Railway.
The line includes a unique 'driver-for-a-tenner' style experience where enthusiasts can learn about heritage engine operation.
The museum collection features the 'Castle' class locomotives that were integral to the regional quarrying industry.
The railway is located on the site of the former Porthmadog cross-town link, which historically connected disparate narrow-gauge lines.
Volunteers at the Gelert's Farm works are currently engaged in active restoration of engines that have been out of service for decades.
The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (WHHR) is a heritage railway located in Porthmadog that functions as a living museum of narrow-gauge industrial and passenger rail history. It operates on a short section of the original Welsh Highland Railway trackbed, distinct from the longer Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway network. The site features the Gelert’s Farm works, where visitors can view ongoing locomotive restoration projects. The railway uses steam locomotives to pull vintage carriages on a journey that includes a stop at a miniature railway and a period-authentic signal box. The museum houses a significant collection of rolling stock, including engines that once served local slate quarries. It is volunteer-run and dedicated to preserving the engineering heritage of North Wales rail travel.
The platform at Gelert's Farm, where the locomotives take on water and switch tracks.
Visit the Gelert's Farm works area to see volunteers performing live mechanical maintenance on the engines.
Check the train schedule in advance to ensure you coordinate your station arrival with the departures, as trains run at specific intervals.
Wear sturdy footwear suitable for walking through workshop and gravel-platform environments.
Confusing this railway with the longer Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway main line; check the signage carefully as they are separate entities.
Operates primarily from spring through autumn; closed on certain weekdays during the shoulder season.
Maintain a safe distance from tracks and machinery; do not touch locomotive components unless supervised by staff.
