A NEW luxury carriage took its maiden voyage through the Gwynedd countryside this week following a £180,000 investment.

On Tuesday, the new Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Pullman luxury carriage travelled along the line after a £180,000 investment into the railway.

The carriage was entirely built by highly skilled craftsmen at the railway’s own engineering and carriage works, Boston Lodge, in Porthmadog.

To celebrate the carriage launch there is also the launch of an exciting arts competition for Gwynedd artists of all disciplines.

In hand with Helfa Gelf, the north Wales Open Studio event, the railway has instigated a poster competition for the Welsh Highland Railway.

This summer the Welsh Highland Railway (running from Caernarfon to Porthmadog) is celebrating 21 years of reinstatement plus the opening of a new multi-million-pound station in Caernarfon incorporating a booking office, shop, De Winton café and event space.

From the competition entries 20 selected posters will be exhibited in the new station complex.

The judges will choose their favourite three posters, to be announced at the preview in September, then visitors can vote for their favourite during the exhibition. Each of the four winning artists will receive a £200 prize.

The renowned artist Bedwyr Williams is ‘strategic artist’ in the Caernarfon Waterfront Regeneration Group and has been in conversations about this competition with the railway and Helfa Gelf Gwynedd.

Helfa Gelf say they are proud to have the opportunity to show their members’ work in such a wonderful new venue.

The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Company is looking for works based on the Welsh Highland Railway that express either ‘views from the train’ or ‘train from a location’, these can follow the traditional route of a railway poster or a modern take on those themes.

This opportunity is open to all 2018 registered Gwynedd Helfa Gelf artists. Visit the Helfa Gelf website for details of membership.

The aims of Helfa Gelf is to enable artists to showcase their work to the broadest possible audience and support the local economy through cultural tourism and cultural regeneration.