In January 2004 ATS Heritage was appointed, against stiff competition, to provide the first 'Talking Train' for the Ffestiniog Railway. This was ground breaking work that had to be completed in a very short timescale to be ready for opening by Easter 2004.

 

Now, twice a week a special Talking Train runs and the feedback has been excellent. Ffestiniog Railway conceived the idea of a ‘Talking Train’, that is, using audioguides to enable passengers to get a lot more out of their steam train journey. It was designed to appeal both to enthusiasts and a more family-orientated audience alike.

 

This was a fun project for all involved and our writer was Dr Stephen Davies. During that trip, engineers give a special ‘toot’ on the whistle as a cue to passengers to listen to their audioguide. ATS Heritage conducted the interviews with volunteers (each one with an expert!) and the drivers of various engines that had been used on the route. The tour was made available in both English and Welsh.

 

In the year that it opened the tour was given Heritage Railway Association 'interpretation' Award 2004, which is awarded every two years.

 

More recently the tour has been upgraded to uses ATS Heritage’s new Orpheo Audioguide