Saturday 2 May 2026 saw representatives of the National Railway Heritage Awards visit Porthmadog and the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways for the official unveiling of the plaques – one in Welsh and one in English – awarded to the railway for the superb restoration work completed on the railway’s historic workshops at Boston Lodge.
The multi-million pound project, which was part funded by the National Lottery and which had interpretation of the historic structures and their role within the local slate industry, had won the Network Rail Award at the 2025 ceremony as the best entry that the competition received that year.
Boston Lodge Workshops are now considered to be the oldest railway workshops in the world, having been in operation across almost three centuries. All the original buildings, which were in a poor condition, are Grade 2 listed and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site which covers the North Wales slate industry. In October 2023 work commenced on a 12-month project on the site. In all, 11 buildings were either restored or recreated.
The restored buildings consist of original slate materials and the repair work was executed in appropriate materials. The oldest building on the site, known as the barracks, was originally used to house the workers building the Cob and railway. The original render was life expired and totally replaced, with new windows and sills to the original design.
The scheme conserved a collection of buildings that represent the history and activity in the works. The new additions respect the site’s heritage and support the contemporary works.
The English-language plaque is now housed in the volunteer and staff mess on site; it was officially unveiled by NRHA chairman Andy Savage accompanied by the railway’s MD, Paul Lewin. After the unveiling the NRHA representatives were given a guided tour of the works and saw work in progress on a number of projects. The Welsh-language plaque can be seen on display in Spooner’s Restaurant at Porthmadog station.
The unveiled plaque in the works at Boston Lodge with, from the left, Rob Hayward, awards manager and NRHA trustee, John Whalley, Chief Mechanical Engineer Ff&WHR, Alex Spring, retired Infrastructure Manager Ff&WHR, Andy Savage, chairman of the NRHA, Paul Lewin, managing director Ff&WHR, Howard Wilson, Vice President FRS, Julie Stirland, Works Administrator, Boston Lodge, Ff&WHR, Dylan Ham, Works Manager, Boston Lodge, Ff&WHR, Iain Wilkinson, Volunteers Manager, Ff&WHR, and Glen Williams, Carriage Works Manager, Boston Lodge, Ff&WHR.
An overview of the restored Boston Lodge Works of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. The extensive project won the Network Rail Award for best entry in the 2025 National Railway Heritage Awards.