John Oram's photos with the keyword: Blaenau Ffestiniog

When I planned my trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog, I had in mind how I would photograph it and expected to use a lot of black and white. I did not see it on the best of days as dark clouds threatened and occasionally deposited rain. This kind of weather and the visible remnants of the area's slate producing history can create a slightly grim appearance but it is not without its attractions. A great deal of effort has been put into making the centre attractive with some very striking slate monuments greeting the arriving rail passenger and leading away into the town. I shot (rather than converting) in b&w to maximise the striking nature of these monuments. X20_DSCF1570

When I planned my trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog, I had in mind how I would photograph it and expected to use a lot of black and white. I did not see it on the best of days as dark clouds threatened and occasionally deposited rain. This kind of weather and the visible remnants of the area's slate producing history can create a slightly grim appearance but it is not without its attractions. A great deal of effort has been put into making the centre attractive with some very striking slate monuments greeting the arriving rail passenger and leading away into the town. I shot (rather than converting) in b&w to maximise the striking nature of these monuments. X20_DSCF1563

When I planned my trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog, I had in mind how I would photograph it and expected to use a lot of black and white. I did not see it on the best of days as dark clouds threatened and occasionally deposited rain. This kind of weather and the visible remnants of the area's slate producing history can create a slightly grim appearance but it is not without its attractions. A great deal of effort has been put into making the centre attractive with some very striking slate monuments greeting the arriving rail passenger and leading away into the town. I shot (rather than converting) in b&w to maximise the striking nature of these monuments. The inscription 'Canol y Dref' is Welsh for 'Town Centre'. X20_DSCF1562

When I planned my trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog, I had in mind how I would photograph it and expected to use a lot of black and white. I did not see it on the best of days as dark clouds threatened and occasionally deposited rain. This kind of weather and the visible remnants of the area's slate producing history can create a slightly grim appearance but it is not without its attractions. A great deal of effort has been put into making the centre attractive with some very striking slate monuments greeting the arriving rail passenger and leading away into the town. I shot (rather than converting) in b&w to maximise the striking nature of these monuments. X20_DSCF1561C

When I planned my trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog, I had in mind how I would photograph it and expected to use a lot of black and white. I did not see it on the best of days as dark clouds threatened and occasionally deposited rain. This kind of weather and the visible remnants of the area's slate producing history can create a slightly grim appearance but it is not without its attractions. A great deal of effort has been put into making the centre attractive with some very striking slate monuments greeting the arriving rail passenger and leading away into the town. In this view, you can also see the pseudo-tracks created by edge-on slate tiles and marking the former line of the slate railway and latterly, before relocation, the Ffestiniog Railway. The benches, I imagine, represent slate wagons. P1180557

This toilet block in Blaenau Ffestiniog in what is now a car park was once the station building of the Ffestiniog Railway before remodelling saw the present day terminus established adjacent to the Arriva Trains Wales [Trenau Arriva Cymru] station. P1180562

Displayed in the centre of Blaenau Ffestiniog are Hudson Hunslet 4wDM 2207 and slate wagons typical of those once in use in the area. These used to be displayed on a plinth but the area has been significantly and thoughtfully remodelled so that lines of edge-on slate tiles mark the former track which passed through what is now a car park and onwards to the quarry. The locomotive and wagons stand on part of this 'track'. The building behind and to the right of the locomotive was once the terminus of the Ffestiniog Railway. Today it is a toilet block and, at the time of the picture, was being refurbished. P1180560

Displayed in the centre of Blaenau Ffestiniog are Hudson Hunslet 4wDM 2207 and slate wagons typical of those once in use in the area. These used to be displayed on a plinth but the area has been significantly and thoughtfully remodelled so that lines of edge-on slate tiles mark the former track which passed through what is now a car park and onwards to the quarry. The locomotive and wagons stand on part of this 'track'. X20_DSCF1560

Displayed in the centre of Blaenau Ffestiniog are Hudson Hunslet 4wDM 2207 and slate wagons typical of those once in use in the area. These used to be displayed on a plinth as but the area has been significantly and thoughtfully remodelled so that lines of edge-on slate tiles mark the former track which passed through what is now a car park and onwards to the quarry. The locomotive and wagons stand on part of this 'track'. X20_DSCF1557

History is all around us. Look up, look around, look beyond. I have plenty of signature subjects to photograph on any trip but I am always pleased by the unexpected and fascinating. This wonderful building in Blaenau Ffestiniog invites curiosity. Central Co-op Erected 1883 , 130 years old. What has it seen? The next door shop, too, is of interest as the painted 'Ephraim' sign seems to me to pre-date the fascia below. X20_DSCF1554

In this view, the water tower at Blaenau Ffestiniog has done its work for the day, having supplied Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' for its return FR journey to Porthmadog on the 1510 departure. The train has recently departed in the direction I am facing and left behind the slightly grim but not wholly unattractive aspects of this slate producing area. P1180552

Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' moves away from Blaenau Ffestiniog with the 1510 FR service to Porthmadog. P1180547

In the final minutes of preparation at Blaenau Ffestiniog for the 1510 FR departure to Porthmadog, the young driver of Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' finds a moment for reflection. P1180545

Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' has taken on water and will shortly leave Blaenau Ffestiniog with the 1510 FR service to Porthmadog and a very crowded footplate with the fireman on one side and the driver and a trainee on the other. P1180544

Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' has taken on water, run round and approaches its train, the 1510 FR departure from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog. P1180540

Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' has taken on water and continues to run round to attach to the 1510 FR departure from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog. P1180538

Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' has taken on water and continues to run round to attach to the 1510 FR departure from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog. P1180537

Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' takes on water prior to continuing to run round the 1510 FR departure from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog. P1180529